a gourmet gift

i know it's january but i feel like christmas came all over again.  yesterday i received a special delivery in the mail ~ a box of confections from allison's gourmet.  remember back in december when my cinnamon & chocolate linzer cookies won 3rd prize in the 1st annual vegnews holiday cookie contest?  well this was my prize!  {i'm still giddy over that win by the way}  i can't help but feel like it was a gift though... just look at the beautiful package...

{unwrapping}

it's obvious how much love and effort went into putting this together, from the ribbon to the tissue, to even the care guide for the goodies.  i took my time unwrapping this and savouring each new layer and discovery.  and then i got to the real gift.  four packages of gorgeous sweets!  i almost didn't know where to start.  almost.

first things first i went for the salted vanilla caramels.  they were soft and creamy and so amazing with just the right kick of salt.  i was happy just with that, but i felt it would have been wrong to not dig into the other bags too - for you of course - i mean, i wanted to be able to tell you dear readers about them.  yeah... that's it...

{salted caramels}

next up i savoured one of the salted chocolate caramels: again, so creamy and chewy and i loved the crunch of the tiny sprinkle of himalayan salt on top.  {i love caramels and i can't believe i hadn't had one since becoming vegan!}

then i opened the chocolate almond toffee.  wow.  this was like the best skor bar i ever ate.  only way better and with a more grown up flavour profile.  part of me really wants to crumble some of this over banana soft serve like the blizzards of my university days youth.  i'm not sure if i'll actually follow through or not - but i'll keep you posted.

{chocolate almond toffee}

finally i opened the spiced peanut brittle and tried a small little piece.  then i reached back in and pulled out the biggest one in the bag.  such a great 'snap' to it and perfectly spiced with just a hint of cinnamon & cayenne pepper.  in one word: delish.

{spiced peanut brittle}

many thanks to vegnews & allison's gourmet for this sweet gift and for making a little exception about shipping to canada!  you have no idea how much i appreciate it.

four lovely confections and all four are delicious winners.  if you've been eyeing allison's gourmet online and considering an order, stop thinking and just do it!  i promise you won't be sorry.

just remember to brush those teeth before bed.