The Toad & The Butterfly, a Blog
Claire's Maple Reserve is back
Long before Fat Toad Farm Caramel was a twinkle in its founders’ eyes, I was cooking up my own maple-sweetened, cajeta-style caramel in California. And when Fat Toad Farm and I were farmers market neighbors, I was always trying to convince them to make a caramel sweetened entirely with maple. But it never fit into their plans.
The caramel reactions at the Big E
When you’re saying the same words over and over and over at an event, it’s glorious to watch people revel in the caramel.
We don’t have time to make dessert
When we want a weeknight dessert, but don’t have time to make a weeknight dessert, caramel comes in clutch.
Where we started and where we met
Today, goat's milk caramel is still made by only a handful of companies in the US. And we're by far the largest. Which is crazy to say because, um, have you noticed how not-large we are?
A Love Letter to Peaches and Caramel
Vanilla and peaches belong together. And the rich, nutty depth of the goat's milk caramel completes it.
How many uses can you get from one jar?
Most folks buy a jar with one idea in mind. Then they discover three or four more before the jar is empty.
The farmers market mistake I never minded making
I was positive that I'd figured out the best possible ice cream sandwich.
Turns out I hadn't bought a caramel company yet.
Your taste in caramel probably changed
These days, I still love caramel (I mean, why else would I buy a whole caramel company?). But what I want out of my caramel has changed.
Peak Season Strawberries Are Perfection
Peak season strawberries are perfect. I know that. You know that. The people standing in line at the farmers market know that. But...
Let dessert be easy
There are two kinds of dessert people. The ones who plan ahead, bake from scratch, and have a cooling rack situation. And the ones who remember dessert about five minutes after dinner.
Turn breakfast into dessert
None of this requires new equipment, new skills, or even that much effort.
Your coffee is missing something
There are lots of ways to make coffee better. But I’m here to suggest the easiest possible upgrade.
A deeper cinnamon flavor, by design
If you have ever wondered why Fat Toad Farm Cinnamon Caramel tastes so layered and balanced, here is the secret: we use two kinds of cinnamon. On purpose.
Cold hands around a warm mug
I’ve been making it on cold weekend mornings, but it might be even better as an afternoon reset. Just a few minutes. Kettle on. Stir. Breathe.
Love at first spoonful
I think that Valentine's Day is as much about joy as it is about love. Joy for others, joy for yourself, joy for existence.
