Sweetest Day is one of those holidays that’s gotten a bad name.
Many men groan at the thought of another holiday seemingly destined to lighten their wallets.
But according to Hallmark.com, the toothsome celebration’celebrated this year on Oct. 16’got its start in Cleveland in the 1920s with a candy company employee named Herbert Birch Kingston.
Hoping to spread happiness, Kingston distributed candy and small gifts to orphans, shut-ins, and others as a reminder that someone cared.
Later Sweetest Day spread to Michigan and other midwestern states. Celebrated on the third Saturday every October, the holiday went commercial in the 1960s with the advent of Sweetest Day greeting cards.
Instead of bemoaning another commercial occasion, why not celebrate a simply sweet homemade holiday?
Pick up a few items around town, rent ‘Chocolat,? light some candles, and put on some coffee or open a bottle of wine. Here’s a few recipe ideas to get you started:
Hot fudge sauce
1 12-ounce bag dark chocolate chips
1 14-ounce can sweetened con densed milk
? cup butter
1/3 cup Kahlua or liqueur (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 3 tablespoons corn syrup
Mix chips and milk in heavy saucepan, stirring over low heat until melted. Stir in butter, salt, and vanilla. Stir in syrup a little at a time, as needed. Taste-testing is mandatory.
Serve warm with Cook’s ice cream or bite-sized pieces of pineapple, kiwi, stemmed maraschino cherries, orange segments or strawberries. Add whipped cream if desired.

Brownie pudding cake
In greased 8 x 8 x 2 inch baking pan or casserole dish, mix:
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
? teaspoon salt
? cup sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
? cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup broken walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts
Combine and sprinkle over top:
? cup brown sugar
? cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pour 1 ? cup hot water over the top, then bake 45 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees.
Scoop out portions of cake and sauce and serve hot with Cook’s ice cream, cream, or milk.

Easy Caramello brownies
Mix prepackaged brownie mix as directed, turning 2/3 batter into prepared pan and baking for 20 minutes. Break Cadbury Caramello bars over top; sprinkle with pecans if desired.
Top with remaining batter and bake until top cracks and batter is somewhat set, although don’t expect the toothpick to come clean. Let cool before serving.

Truffles
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 pkg. (12 squares) semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Flavoring ideas: Rum, almond paste, Irish cream, cayenne pepper, strong coffee, orange or raspberry liqueur.
Coating ideas: Finely chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds, unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles, powdered sugar mixed with almond flavoring, flaked coconut, melted butterscotch chips or melted white chocolate.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add sugar, mixing until well blended. Add melted chocolate, vanilla, and desired flavorings; mix well.
Refrigerate one hour or until chilled. Roll into one-inch balls or scoop with melon baller. Roll or dip in coatings; let cool. Display in elegant fluted candy papers on a pretty platter. Serve with champagne or freshly brewed ABeanToGo coffee.