Featured Articles
Everything You Need to Know About the Rise in Chocolate Costs
If you’ve been feeling deflated due to the rising Chocolate prices recently, you’re not alone. At Sephra, we understand the impact these costs are having on both businesses and consumers. Naturally, with such a drastic increase, there are many questions! We want to help our customers understand the key reasons behind the surge in Chocolate costs and explain how we are addressing these challenges.
No Cocoa? No Problem. How to Substitute Sephra Chocolate Chips for Cocoa
Out of cocoa powder, but have a delicious chocolate recipe that calls for it?
How To Fountain Cheese Fondue
Are you out of fresh, fun party ideas for the holiday season? Got a chocolate fountain? Then how about cheese fondue?
3 Easy Easter Desserts Guaranteed to Wow
With Easter around the corner, excitement builds as we look forward to getting together with loved ones and enjoying all the festive fun. And let's be real, who doesn't get giddy about the abundance of Chocolate and sweet treats that come with Easter?
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5 pizza waffles recipes your family and customers will love
Waffles don't always need to be sweet, they can be savory too! And we're fully embracing the yummy, new pizza waffles trend here at Sephra!
Belgian vs Bubble Waffles - What's the difference?
[caption id="attachment_2071" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]Waffles have never been so popular this side of the continent![/caption]
Sephra chocolate - a brief history
[caption id="attachment_2337" align="aligncenter" width="1920"]All good chocolate starts with great cocoa beans![/caption]
Choosing the right Commercial Chocolate Fountain for your business
Years of research have gone into perfecting Sephra's Commercial Chocolate Fountains.
Sephra Melts - the perfect compound coating for confectionery
Sephra Melts might just be the most versatile 'chocolate' you can buy. If your fond of fondue (we couldn’t resist) and enjoy candy making and baking, we’ve got the perfect product for you! What Are Sephra Melts?
Sephra Chocolate Flavored Melts are made of similar ingredients as our other chocolates (Belgian and Premium), but are considered a ‘compound coating’ rather than chocolate. Compound coating contains greater than 5% vegetable fat substituted for the traditional cocoa butter found in chocolate. They are also are made with cocoa powder instead of chocolate liquor. Confectioners often prefer compound coating because it's very economical and doesn't need tempering or added oil. Sephra Melts stand head and shoulders above other compound coatings in one other very important area – taste! Our new and improved Melts actually taste GOOD! Many others have been likened to eating a tasteless waxy substance. Probably not what you're looking for. So versatile!
Melts can be used much the same as our chocolate products but with more versatility. They melt quickly, so are a favorite for candy making, confection dipping (such as chocolate dipped strawberries). Of course, they also flow through our chocolate fountains as fondue. Melts are available in three flavors: Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate. All three flow beautifully through chocolate fountains and harden quickly with a smooth, glossy finish.Which is the right Home Chocolate Fountain for you?
Congratulations! You've decided to invest in a home chocolate fountain! You're going to have lots of fun. That's the easy part, however. Choosing the right fountain might seem slightly trickier – simply because there are three great options to choose from. Select, Classic or Elite – which is the best one for you?
How to clean a Sephra Home Chocolate Fountain
Before you invest in a Home Chocolate Fountain, you'll likely want to know: Is it hard to clean? The answer is "no". Sephra Home Chocolate Fountains are not hard to clean, with a little common sense. We want you to enjoy using your fondue fountain without dreading the clean-up. So, here are some tips and tricks to show you how easy it is to clean your Sephra fountain. The videos are a little dated, but the information is still the same. But, first of all, some of our top tips! Top tips for cleaning your home chocolate fountain
All our home chocolate fountains are stainless steel, with a plastic tier set. The auger, cylinder, tiers and crown are all dishwasher-safe. However, it's generally best to handwash them in hot, soapy water to maintain their pristine appearance and help them last longer. The parts will become more susceptible to cracking over time if they are frequently washed in the dishwasher. Try not to let the chocolate harden in the fountain before cleaning. It will be much easier if you just scoop and wipe out the molten chocolate. But please never pour chocolate down the sink! The basin should be wiped clean but never submerge in water. Don't get water inside the base unit, or it will damage the heating element. Allow the fountain to dry completely before storing it away in the box. Cleaning the Sephra Select
Cleaning the Sephra Classic
Cleaning the Sephra Elite
Check out our YouTube channel for more how-to videos.5 Belgian waffle recipes worth falling for this Autumn
Fall is all about comforting Maple, pumpkin and nutty flavors. That's why Maple & Pecan Belgian Waffles are one of our seasonal favorites! First of all, you need to toast your pecans in preparation. Then add roughly 1¼ cup of the pecans and 1½ – 2 tbsps of Maple extract to Sephra's Belgian Waffle batter. Bake in your Waffle Baker and top with a smear of soft butter and a drizzle of warm Maple Syrup.
Bubble Waffle Trend - New Twist on Yummy Dessert Waffles
The Bubble Waffle – a curious new food trend. I was intrigued by the name, so, of course, I Googled it. Impressive how many creative ways to serve a bubble waffle popped up. The Bubble Waffle is the #1 street food in Hong Kong, where they originated. New to the American market, the bubble waffle is quickly becoming one of the most popular new dessert waffles. Here's where you come in...
How to temper chocolate
Need to temper chocolate? Help is at hand! Believe it or not, the fear of tempering chocolate is quite common. But it can actually be fun. I always thought tempering chocolate would be a daunting task – and really tried to avoid it. Recently I saw a segment on the Food Network on how to temper chocolate. Now, I’m all in to tempering! It's actually fun! There are so many recipes which really rise to the next level, simply by using a good quality chocolate and tempering it. I’ve been a home cook and part time caterer for years, so I found many of The Food Network shows fun to watch and also got many good recipe ideas. Alton Brown has always been the most interesting, because he gave scientific facts about the food you cook and eat... and what actually happens, scientifically, to the food during preparation. Over the years, Alton has played many a roll on the Food Network, but his “Good Eats” show has remained popular and entertaining, as well as informative, to this day. Who knows how many years it’s been on, and yes, how many reruns we’ve endured, but, he’s given us many interesting and important scientific facts about the food we eat. Alton has several interesting “side-kicks” on his show. One he refers to as “W” is a well versed but impatient kitchen store employee who finds Alton totally exasperating because he searches for kitchen implements which are (as he put it) “multi-taskers”. In other words, he wants a pot or pan which will have more than one use in the kitchen! The other side-kick, known as “Shirley” is an actual food scientist who explains reasons for the action and re-action you get when you mix ingredients or substances. I happened to be watching a “Good Eats” show recently and the subject “WHY TEMPER CHOCOLATE?” came up. It was Shirley’s job to explain exactly what happens when you temper chocolate and why it has to be done a certain way and maintain an exact temperature to be successful. I thought it would be interesting to pass this along to you and hopefully you’ll find it both interesting and helpful the next time you're working with chocolate.
How to start your own gourmet dessert business
“Be your own boss”. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Nobody to answer to, no time clock to punch, no co-workers to get on your nerves, you call the shots. Many good reasons to be your own boss. Just one big reason why most people can’t pull it off - and that reason is M O N E Y.
What It Takes to Start a Small Business
Typically, it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to start your own business. Investment capital is what it’s called and most of us don’t have it. For a Start Up to be a success you need first, last and deposit money to rent a store front. There’s the cost of proper equipment, ready cash to be able to pay staff or employees, as well as pay the government demands of social security, insurance, Medicare and other necessary benefits. So, the reality is, it can be a daunting process to start your own business and be your own boss.Sephra Has Some Great Small Business Ideas
So, the reality is, it can be a daunting process to start your own business and be your own boss. Unless… Unless you take advantage of some of the new business ideas created by the Sephra team - just for people like you. Great small business ideas, which would be amazing for a successful startup. They've come up with some great ways to start a small business and grow it into a full-time operation. Let me share some ideas and opportunities Sephra has to start your own business or add to your existing catering business, café or coffee shop.
New Business Ideas – Make Money with a Simple Waffle Maker
Creative catering is all about coming up with the latest WOW factor. Something new that wondering, hungry people haven’t tried – or even seen before. Waffle – mania is a super big deal these days. Sephra has three waffle makers which, by themselves, or combined together can bring in the big bucks. Throw in to the mix our Sephra Crepe Maker by Krampouz and you're in business. Your investment will be nominal compared to store fronts or retail shops, and the rewards can grow beyond your wildest dreams. Bubble Waffle Please
Sephra now carries a crazy cool bubble waffle maker. This thing makes waffles with bubble puffs all over the waffle. I love it! The bubble waffle plates can be used on your Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker, too – so two types of waffles can be created for the price of one baker. Bubble Waffles can be twisted into a cone shape and served with ice cream inside. These tasty treats look so delicious and are easily be added to the menu of an ice cream shop. Fashion as crepes and serve with fruit; or just serve as a traditional flat waffle, only with cute puffs all over them. Top with syrup, drizzled chocolate, caramel, jam or fruit. I have heard of them being referred to as “Puffles”. LOL You can think of crazy cute names for these newfangled treats and make a ton of money on them. Combine your Bubble Waffle Biz with the traditional Belgian Waffles - with various toppings and go for it. As I said the waffle plates are interchangeable - so there are virtually endless varieties of waffle goodness to be created here.French Crepes are Big Business
I remember visiting Paris about 8 years ago. The street of Paris are lined with crepe shops. Choices range from delicious sweet crepes filled with melted chocolate and bananas; to savory crepes with ham and cheese… one of my favorites. French crepes have been a big business for a while in Europe and now crepe shops, booths and crepe stations are popping up all over the United States. Crepes are so versatile – there are endless recipes for crepes, the fillings can include fruit, chocolate, Nutella, ice cream, whipped cream. You name name it – you can stick it in a crepe and it will taste scrumptious!
Sephra’s Commerical Crepe Maker
Another element to add to your current food service / catering business or an opportunity for a startup – Sephra’s creating catering team has you covered. The Commercial Crepe Maker is one of the finest crepe makers you can buy. It’s fantastic – so easy to use. Just swirl the batter, spin, flip and serve. All of the tools you’ll need to become a professional crepe maker overnight are on our site.Gourmet Crepe Mix – Just Add Water!
Not to mention, the really good news, the Sephra Gourmet Crepe Mix! Just add water and you have a delicious crepe batter – ends up costing you .40 a crepe. Yup. So crepes are a big money making deal! Whatever direction you decide to take when starting a small business, we’ve got you covered. If your ‘waffling’ (sorry, couldn’t pass it up) be sure to give us a call. Our customer care team can help you pull your small business ideas and dreams into, well, a small business! Be sure to check us out on social media to see what we’re up to! Best of luck and you CAN do this!Catering Business Ideas - Waffles Are Trending
Waffles are an anytime food. We’ve enjoyed waffles for dinner; waffles for breakfast and of course, waffles for brunch is a ‘natural’. We’ve also had over-baked waffles, under-baked waffles and varying colors of the finished product…light, blond & gooey to dark, burned manhole covers. My husband’s first girl-friend made him waffles and his assessment was; “burned manhole covers”, very descriptive, right?
Making Waffles the Easy Way
Waffles are a very simple food and if made correctly, on a professional Belgian Waffle Maker, can be just sublime. Sephra is proud to introduce our newest products; the Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker and Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter. This Waffle Maker takes the guess work out of “when the steaming stops” or, “when the light goes off”. The Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker has an Automatic Timer and Thermostat with an Audible Alarm, which tells you when your waffle is baked to golden brown perfection. Two minutes, to be exact. So, it quick, easy and precise. No guess work here. Because it rotates, it spreads the batter evenly and bakes the waffle batter completely on both sides to create a crispy, delicate yet tender waffle. The treated Waffle Maker plates are non-stick, so the perfectly cooked waffle releases from the plates easily.Serve Waffles at Any Catering Event
The Sephra Waffle Maker is super simple to use. No training is needed, so you can introduce your Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker to any element of your existing business. Or, why not start a NEW business? Picture a cozy, little waffle shop that might be just the innovative boost your neighborhood needs to become the next “Cheers”…without the alcohol. “Everybody knows your name” and it becomes the place to “hang out”.
Waffle Menu for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Serve Sephra Belgian Waffles with eggs, sausages and bacon for your breakfast menu. How about fruit toppings for lunch? I’ve never met a strawberry waffle I didn’t love! Chicken and waffles are becoming BIG business these day, so you’ve got dinner covered. Fun ideas to dream about. Be your own boss; wouldn’t that be heaven? There are many avenues to take with the Sephra Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker. If you already own a café or restaurant, the addition of a Waffle Maker will increase your profits by leaps and bounds. The turn-around time in producing a crispy golden waffle is only 2 minutes, so you won’t have customers twiddling their thumbs while waiting for their meal. As we mentioned above, there are so many options available you won’t have trouble creating a variety of favorites for your customers, either.Waffle Fridays for Your Business Staff
Hey bosses and managers… at Sephra we have “Waffle Friday”. The employees really look forward to each Friday (not just because it’s “the weekend”,) but they really do love the Waffle experience. We whip up a batch of Waffle Batter, turn on the Belgian Waffle Maker and let them do their own thing. Nothing to worry about… no time wasted and when it’s their lunch or break time, everyone can make their own creation. A bottle of syrup and a tub of butter or margarine and you’re set! It’s things like this that create a cohesive group of employees. Go the extra mile to show your appreciation for their hard work.Waffle Carts are Money Makers on Wheels
Grab a booth at your local Farmer’s Market or Swap Meet. Your speedy Sephra Belgian Waffle Maker will impress with perfect results every time. Our Waffle Batter is so easy to make, you can whip up a batch in a hurry and turn out crispy waffles for people to munch as they browse the aisles shopping for bargains or have a can of Redi-whip and some fruit in season available and you’ve got a lovely brunch treat. Probably can sell the Waffles for $3 or $4 and they’ll cost you pennies to make.Fast, Easy and Delicious Waffle Batter in Seconds
Let’s talk about the Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter. This Waffle Batter is flat out delicious! It’s not cloying, as so many batter mixes are, but has a crisp, yet tender, texture and flavor that’ll make you think you’re walking the streets of Brussels, Belgium. The wonderful part of our Waffle Batter is the ease of mixing. Measure the desired amount of Waffle Batter into a mixing bowl, add water (yes…that’s all, just water) and mix with a whisk until smooth. You don’t even need an electric mixer. Ladle the proper amount of Waffle Batter (if it’s a self-serve buffet, furnish a measure so the guests won’t over fill) onto the Waffle Maker and rotate…2 minutes later they will have a gorgeous, golden, tender & luscious waffle. Meanwhile…the aroma of cooking the Belgian Waffles will fill the room and everyone will want to get in on the act! Hurry! Don’t delay. The Sephra Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker and the Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter Mix is in stock and ready to help you increase your profits for 2017! Make a small investment in a BIG future for your business today. Remember, what you purchase this year is deductible…right? Talk to you soon, ShirlIntroducing the new Sephra Belgian Waffle Baker
The New Sephra Commercial Belgian Waffle Maker is here! Not to mention one of the most outstanding waffle batter recipes I have ever tasted! The Sephra Belgian Waffle Batter Mix comes in 5 and 30 lb bags. So easy to make - just add water!
How to assemble your home chocolate fountain
[caption id="attachment_2330" align="aligncenter" width="2000"]
The Sephra Select Home Chocolate Fountain is perfect for small gatherings[/caption] Need help to assemble your home chocolate fountain? No problem! Check out our handy guide below. The video below demonstrates how to assemble our Select Home Chocolate Fountain and fountain delicious caramel fondue for your guests. It's rather dated but the assembly is still the same! How to assemble your Select Home Chocolate Fountain
Putting Sephra's Select Home Chocolate Fountain together couldn't be easier and should only take around two minutes. We'll add some liquid caramel fondue and, as always, recommend using the special wooden fork-type skewers. This prevents spinning and lost fruit in the fountain basin. As you can imagine, it's pretty amazing! All that rich, buttery caramel cascading over the tiers of the fountain. Yum! Basically, you just put the tier set on, add the fondue and turn it on!Step-by-step assembly
[caption id="attachment_2331" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
The Select is Sephra's smallest fountain, standing at 16" tall [/caption] It really is as easy as 1,2, 3. Here's our guide broken down with specific steps for if you're a first timer! 1. Place your fountain base in the perfect place for dipping, as well as being able to plug it in. Remember your home chocolate fountain needs power! 2. Plug it in and turn on the "Heat" setting to get the basin warmed up. 3. Next you'll add part of the tier set. Slide the bottom cylinder into place over the three pegs in the basin. 4. Then add the top half of the cylinder. There's a little groove in the top half of the cylinder to slip it onto the lower section. 5. Drop in the auger and make sure it is seated properly (over the center assembly) so it won’t twist or turn. (This will make sure it doesn't spin as it needs to when turned on.) 6. Now you can add the fondue – just before you put the tiers on. It's just easier to pour the fondue into the fountain before seating the tiers. 7. Next, seat the tiers. Slide the larger bottom tier over the cylinder followed by the smaller tier. They will just "sit" right where they are supposed to! Boom. Top with the crown and you’re set. 8. Make sure the fountain is level. The fountain has adjustable feet which twist up and down to assure you get it level. You can use a small level from Home Depot or Lowes or just eye ball it once the fondue it on. (The levels are only $3 or $4 dollars and will make your job more “professional”.) Place the carpenters level on top of the crown and adjust the feet so that the bubble in the level is in the middle. 9. Turn on the fountain and let's get dipping! About the Sephra Select Home Fondue Fountain
The Sephra Select is the smallest home fondue fountain standing about 16" high. It's perfect for small gatherings and groups of up to about 25 people. And, of course, there's plenty of fun to be had for the family too! The fountain can hold up to 6lbs. of fondue, but runs well on 4lbs. You can always add more fondue as you go – which is super simple to do.So many fondue recipes!
[caption id="attachment_2297" align="aligncenter" width="1773"]
Home chocolate fountains are so much fun! [/caption] The fondue options are limitless! You can serve your family something different every week there is such a great variety. Chocolate is – and will continue to be – the most popular! Milk, Dark or White, Salted Caramel or Ruby... they are all delicious. You can even color the White Chocolate to match the decor of your event. Holidays, wedding and baby showers, kids favorite colors for birthdays – it's so much fun! The Select also flows well using caramel, liquid peanut butters, Ranch Dressing, BBQ sauce, cheese fondue, and Maple syrup! Fresh Strawberry Muffins with Chocolate Chips
I was in the mood to bake muffins today and went to my cupboard looking for the usual muffin recipe ingredients. Found nothin'! No blueberries or apples. Not even a can of pumpkin - which makes sense. It is March. I did find some fresh strawberries, though. Having never made muffins with fresh strawberries I was a little hesitant, but these turned out great. The other key ingredient, which I always have on hand is a bag of Sephra Dark Chocolate Chips. I never buy store bought chocolate chips - ever. Sephra chocolate is so superior, taste wise, creamy wise and also has so many uses you can't do with regular store bought chocolate chips. So I was set and ready to give these a try. They are a nice moist muffin with a Springtime twist. The chocolate stays melty inside the muffins giving them a bit of dark chocolate in every bite. And as we know - dark chocolate is actually good for you, so I try to use them whenever possible!
Chocolate Covered Bacon - Strangest Foods Dipped into Chocolate
Chefs and chocolate lovers are constantly experimenting with chocolate. After all, you never know what might taste great covered in chocolate until someone is brave or creative enough to try it. Although these bizarre chocolate dipped treats might not make it onto traditional dessert menus, they are finding their ways into willing mouths everywhere.
Chocolate-Covered…Bacon?
In Mississippi, Quad-City chef Jeff Grunder has been busy creating chocolate-covered bacon treats. In 2009, Grunder collaborated to develop chocolate-covered bacon skewers, of which he sold 30,000 at two local fairs: the Mississippi Valley Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair. He plans to make a splash this year with a take on chocolate-covered bacon with gooey chocolate chip bacon cookies. Grunder says he just wants to give hungry fair-goers something new to snack on. He also offers a fresh take on traditional moon pies by dunking them in fresh, warm chocolate and sprinkling a healthy layer of freshly friend bacon bits and nuts. Grunder claims the vanilla filling complements the smokiness of the bacon and predicts they’ll be best sellers.Dipping Bacon in the Chocolate Fountain?
Many of the chocolate fountain rental companies who use our fountains and chocolate have had interesting experiences with bacon being served as a dipping item. Typically, you have your strawberries, marshmallows, creams puffs, etc. Every now and again a caterer will bring out a huge tray of bacon (as ordered by the bride, or whoever is hosting event. And BAM! Before you can say chocolate covered strawberry - it's gone! Guests go crazy for the chocolate covered bacon. Even though it may not sound appealing at first, that combo of sweet and savory cannot be beat. So the next time you're racking your brain for something out of the ordinary at a chocolate fountain rental event or family party - break out the bacon!Julia Roberts Serves Chocolate-Covered Crickets
Well, if Hollywood isn’t completely ready, Julia Roberts is ready to introduce all her friends to this unusual chocolate treat! Roberts hosted a dinner party, where she presented platters of chocolate-covered crickets to her guests. Although a source at the party attributes this gesture as typical Roberts’ style and says she is always trying new things, the source also claims that Roberts was just about the only guest who indulged in this particular chocolate treat. Maybe Hollywood isn’t quite ready for that kind of chocolate decadence just yet.Chocolate and Chicken Skins?
Although many professed chocoholics might claim that chocolate would taste great on anything, chicken skins might not have been uppermost in their minds at the time. However, Dominique Persoone, a Belgian chef known for his outrageous chocolate combinations and creations, introduced chocolate biscuits encrusted with chicken skins or gribenes – meaning chicken skins fried until crisp. This treat was introduced at the Paris Chocolate Show along with another interesting chocolate treat: chocolate-dipped cheese balls, which are apparently the new pairing for red wine. The world of chocolate is constantly evolving, and those creative enough to try seemingly outrageous chocolate combinations just might discover the next chocolate craze to sweep around the world. You just never know what chocolate-covered delight is right around the next corner.Chocolate Fountain - How much Chocolate do I need?
One of the questions we're commonly asked here at Sephra about our Chocolate Fountains is how much Chocolate is needed to flow properly at rental events and Home Fountain parties. If you work in the rental or catering business, you'll want to know the answer too – especially if you want to advise your clients. If you are hosting your own chocolate fountain party at home, knowing the right quantity is just as imperative! Of course, it depends on the size of your fountain how much it will need to curtain effectively.
Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
[caption id="attachment_2610" align="aligncenter" width="2560"]Picture caption: Jared Kaeb[/caption] We've taken this classic Chocolate Peppermint Cookie recipe and given it a fresh, new twist... with Peppermint Marshmallow Cream!