Dallas: Jerry's Donuts- What a find, just in time for the Super Bowl

The DFW Metroplex is known for it's donut (or doughnut) shops. Those that know have told me that in this region there are more donut shops per person than anywhere else on the planet.  Almost every major strip center has a shop, with many intersections having 2 or 3.  That must mean we know more about the fried pastry than almost anyone - choices abound and I have tried most.  I have my normal pattern of hitting my favorite 2 or 3 on a fairly regular basis: Krispy Kreme, Shipley's and most recently Hypnotic to name 3.  Add chocolate to a hot donut and you have the perfect breakfast.
 
For those living in Farmer's Branch, TX, this may not come as a shock or surprise, but for me, a North Dallasite, I feel like my whole donut world has been rocked. Today I found Jerry's.

Jerry's "chocolate 'filled' donuts" to be exact.  As you can see, Jerry has conveniently filled the hole with his absolutely delicious chocolate icing.  It is a different experience than a traditional chocolate iced donut.  Jerry starts with an original glazed donut (a must for a great chocolate iced) and then adds the chocolate in the middle. Jerry's chocolate is terrific!  My hats off to Jerry for this great concoction.

If you are in town for the Super Bowl, drop by and experience the other Jerry's world .  Don't be confused by the outside, you won't find a taste like this at many other places in the country.

Aspen: Paradise Bakery- a Aspen Institution.

This is what Aspen is all about (for me).

EVERYONE in Aspen knows and has experienced Paradise Bakery. Summer or Winter, this place churns out some of the best brownies and cookies and ice cream that can be found anywhere.

This trip I only went once- we had so much chocolate from my Fancy Food show excursion, it wasn't right to add more to that mix.

Because of time constraints, I just got the basics- cream cheese and chocolate double fudge brownies and cookies- chocolate chip, triple chocolate and snicker-doodle. PB never changes!  These delectables are the same goodness today as they were when I had my first about 30 years ago.

Oh yea, not chocolate but the cinnamon rolls are unbelievable too!  : )

Snow Mass: Waffle Shrine & such a Sweet Life + Hot Chocolate

Weather was terrific today, so I headed to the slopes for a few hours to get some skiing in. I can really work up an appetite for hot chocolate on the slopes but was so excited at the bottom of the hill to see two new places to eat more chocolate.

In the new Snowmass Base Village, you will find Sweet Life and Waffle Shrine.  Waffle Shrine makes terrific waffles right at the entrance to the lift.  You can get a little chocolate and whipped cream to add to this waffle treat.  Good at breakfast or immediately after a hard day of skiing.
The Sweet Life is a candy store complete with every type of chocolate, gummy, candy and ice cream just across the path from the Waffle Shrine.  Great place to stock up for the slopes or to reload after you come off the mountain.
After a few runs, I took a quick siesta from skiing with our good friend Gilian to enjoy some great hot chocolate at Sam's Smokehouse.  We were about to go for cup 2, when her husband Steve aborted our mission- getting us back on the mountain for a group picture.
Love Snowmass this time of year!

Aspen: CP Burger- great milkshake

Aspen has a new Burger joint. CP Burger at the ice rink serves up a really good hamburger and really great shakes.

I hadn't planed on ordering a shake but my friends Larry and Beth did and they handed one to me when the order hit the table.

Wow- this non-spiked shake was chocolate with oreo bits in it.  

I'll certainly be ordering one next time!

Fluffernutter with a different spin- chocolate.

From Wikipedia: "A fluffernutter is a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow creme.  It is particularly popular in the Northeastern United States and has been proposed as the official Massachusetts state sandwich."

Chefs constantly tweak their recipes in the constant search for the perfect dish. My never ending search for finding ways to eat more chocolate led me to the kitchen and a twist to this old favorite sandwich.

Today I made my first fluffernutter sandwich of the year using Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co.  Adding chocolate to an already great sandwich recipe adds a really nice new chocolaty option to my lunch repertoire.