What's In The Cauldren? Death By Chocolate

When two alchemists come together to create a sublime Halloween gift, there's no telling what they're going to brew up. In this case the two are chocolatiere extraordinaire, Valerie Gordon of Valerie Confections, and designer to most other senses, Douglas Little of D.L. & Co. Their concoction, Mori ex Cacao, or Death By Chocolate, is very close to the most sensory experience you can give to a chocolate lover, on Halloween or any other occasion, so be ready to create an environment for it.

From the black satin ribbon and miniature hat box coffin to the skull served up in its dark paper tray, the presentation makes death look rather seductive. The skeleton head is finely carved but smooth, almost handsome in a macabre kind of way. This effect is achieved by smoothing a colored cocao butter over each semi-sweet chocolate skull. There are three delectable sounding fillings, all made with organic ingredients, available to die by...

Scorched Caramel is made by slowly adding sugar to organic cream over an intense flame until it becomes deep amber. It is described as "decadent." (I'll bet.)

Bitter White Brandied Cherry is "an exquisite and unusual confection of indulgent bitter chocolate, kirsch-perfumed ganache and succulent sour cherries steeped in liqueur, finished in porcelain white cocoa."

And the Curious Chili is described as "an eccentric array of chilies and spices... combined with the deepest chocolate into an exotic and exciting sensation, with a heat that lingers long after the chocolate is gone... an extraordinary experience."

If you can't decide which $25 chocolate to purchase, you can buy the "gift set" for $65 and give all three skulls in a larger coffin.

Death By Chocolate is available at Valerie Confections. Trick or treat? Let your recipient decide.