You have questions, we have answers
Please see below the most frequently asked questions that we have encountered. If you don't see an answer to your question please Contact Us directly and we will be happy to answer any question you may have. Our customers are most valuable ingredient in our business we strive to make everyone completely satisfied.
Enjoy!
Brownies
American Brownie believes in a Quality Product. So we only use the freshest and highest quality ingredients available when baking our products. The way they were when you were a kid only BETTER!
Nutritional information on American Brownies products
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Ganache
The origins of Ganache are debatable but it is believed to have been invented around 1850. Ganache is the creamy chocolate found in the center of a rich Chocolate Truffle it also is found as a filling for cake layers, as a primary compound for a chocolate soufflé, or can be cooled to roomtemperature so it becomes a spreadable icing.
American Brownie Company uses four different types of Ganaches ( Dark Chocolate Ganache, White Chocolate Ganache, Sugar-Free Ganache and Peanut Butter Ganache ) in our products and we make each of them from our own secret blend of varying types of chocolate which produces an incredibly smooth velvety texture.
The taste and quality of the Ganache is primarily dependent on the quality of chocolate you start with. Remember not all chocolates are the same. Chocolate begins with the beans from the tropical tree Theobroma which translates to "Food of the Gods". There are three types of cacao beans (Forastero, Criollo, and Trinitario) and the type and/or blend of beans, their quality, and where they are grown all contribute to the quality and taste of the chocolate. Other factors affecting taste and quality are how the beans are roasted, how the beans are ground into a mass called chocolate liquor, how much extra cocoa butter is added to the chocolate liquor, quality and amount of other ingredients added, and how long the chocolate liquor is conched (processed). A chocolate with a higher cocoa butter content will produce a ganache that is firmer than one made with a chocolate that has a low cocoa butter content. A chocolate with a velvety smooth texture will produce a ganache that is velvety smooth.
To make ganache boiled heavy cream is poured over chopped chocolate and the mixture is stirred until velvety smooth. The proportions of chocolate to cream can vary depending on its use, but the basic form is equal weights of chocolate and cream.
Source: Jaworski, Stephanie "Joy Of Baking" 1997-2004 http://www.joyofbaking.com/ganache.html
View our Gourmet Brownie Selections
Benefits of Chocolate
Recent studies suggest that consuming dark chocolate is good for your heart. Here are a few articles that suggest a diet of dark chocolate can lead to healthy living. We use only Gourmet Belgium Dark Chocolate in our brownies and Ganaches ensuring you get the best product possible. I always told my mom chocolate was good for me.
Sources:
WebMD Health - "Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away"
USA WEEKEND Magazine -"Eat Smart"by Jean Carper
Consumer Health Journal - "Chocolate Shown to Combat Aging" by Alison Stewart
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History of Brownies and Blondies
Ever wonder when Brownies and Blondies were first created. Some sources say that is was back in 1897 in a Sears and Roebuck Catalogue that they forgot to include baking power in a chocolate cake recipe and the cake came out dense and fudgy. Others say that is was first published also in 1897 in a Fanny Farmer Cookbook but the brownies recipe did not have chocolate but molasses instead and still others stake their claim to the brownie fame. Anyway you cut we are happy that someone created them. Click here to see The Food Timeline for Brownies and Blondies.
Sources:
The Food Timeline - by Lynne Olver
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Storage and Handling
We suggest you refrigerate your brownies to keep them fresh longer. They will last approximately 21- 30 days if refrigerated and 10 - 14 days if left out on the counter. Like most bakery products eventually your brownies will start to dry out in a fashion similar to bread. As with almost any product freezing is always a possibility. If you would like to freeze them place the brownie in an individual freezer bag trying to evacuate all excess air and place them flat in your freezer until frozen. Our brownies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Remember eat them fast so you can order more exciting new flavors.
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Ordering
Placing an order online is simple and easy. Simply fill out our convenient order form, select which items you wish to purchase with the quantity, choose your method of payment. Sit back and relax your personal order will be baked once we receive it and usually shipped on the very same day.
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Brownie Flavors
We have created specific selections of our most popular flavors to assist you with ease of ordering convenience when giving our Gourmet Brownies as Gifts. However, if you would like to customize your order by selecting your own flavors please Call Us at 1-877-354-5888 for personalized service and flavor assistance.
Below is a key to our most common flavor selections
Gourmet Brownies
All Chocolate Brownies:
Receive a Brownie Box Full of our "Traditional"
Double Dark Chocolate Brownies. This is Perfect for the True Chocoholic!!
Gone Nuts:
Love Nuts? This Flavor Combination is for you. Receive one of each:
German Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, White Chocolate
Walnut Blondie, Turtle Brownie, Triple Peanut Butter Blondie and of
course one of our "Traditional" Double Dark Chocolate Brownies.
All White Chocolate Walnut Blondie:
Not a Fan of Dark Chocolate. Then this
All White Chocolate Blondie Pack is for you. You will Receive 48 Gourmet White Chocolate Walnut Blondies.
Chefs Assortment:
Can't decide on what to get. Let our Pastry Chef create a unique combination just for you. You never know
what you might get; perhaps a Holiday Flavor or the chance to receive
a New Flavor that we are working on. This is an excellent choice if
you are new to our Gourmet Brownies or sending as a Gift.
Half and Half:
Half of you wants White Chocolate and
Half of you wants Dark Chocolate. Well here is a pack designed to
please all. Receive Half an Order of White Chocolate Walnut Blondies
and Half an Order of Double Dark Chocolate Brownies. The Perfect Balance!
No-Sugar Added Brownies
No Sugar Added All Chocolate:
Receive a Pack of all No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate Brownies.
No Sugar Added Assortment:
Receive a pack full of: All Chocolate, Chocolate Chunk, Peanut Butter
Cup and our All Nuts No Sugar Added Brownies.
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Shipping
Orders are usually shipped on the same day they are baked to ensure that you receive the freshest products available. We do not ship on Sunday and only special request shipments on Saturday please keep this in mind when placing your order. Orders placed after noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday are normally shipped on the next business day. Unfortunately, we are unable to control the shipping process. In the event something happens to your shipment please contact us as soon as possible. We will be glad to send you another package to replace the one damaged. However, we do not refund any shipping charges.
FUTURE SHIPMENTS
We can accommodate orders placed today and shipped at a predetermined later date. When filling out the shipping information please indicate the Future Shipping Date in the Message Section if you wish for us to ship your brownie package at a later date. ( please keep in mind that we ship 2-3 day USPS Priority Mail® ) We process orders on a first in first out system and will not place your order ahead of another. We will however, do all that we can to accommodate your request if it is possible.
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Packaging
We package our brownies in Parchment Paper for a clean and beautiful display.
We have been asked why we do not individually wrap our brownies. We are very pleased that we are sending you a gourmet product made with the finest ingredients available. We have found that when we wrap them it tends to alter the taste of the brownie slightly. Our way of thinking is that we do not want to affect the taste of our products by wrapping them in cellophane which allows small amounts of chemicals and oils to transfer to the brownies. Also, our brownies are so large and covered with ganache that wrapping them may also affect the size and characteristics of each brownie. Even thought it is food safe we want you to experience brownies with incredible flavor and taste.
Remember your mom would never want you to have a bad brownie and neither would we.
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Special Requests
No request is too silly. If you have something special in mind or would like us to put our brownies in a special container or basket that you provide we will always do our best to accommodate your request. Contact us and we will see if your special request can be fulfilled.
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Corporate, Large Orders, Special Events
MULTIPLE SHIPMENTS
We are accustomed to handling multiple shipments for organizations and corporations. Please contact usdirectly for personalized service and volume discounts.
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December Ordering
Ok so you are saying that it is July and you are contemplating sending our brownies as wonderful gifts for the holidays. December is our busiest time and we suggest that you order now for a shipment at a later date or you may Contact Us directly with your gift list. IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY.
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Wedding Favors
Are you looking for our Wedding Favors?
Please Contact Us directly for special Wedding Favor Discounts. We
can also discuss with you Personalization and Customization Options.
You may reach us at 1-877-354-5888 we look forward to working with
you to create a special and memorable gift for your guests.
Remember nothing is "Equally appealing to a 5 year old as a 95 year old".
