Planning is crucial ingredient in dipping chocolates

Deseret Morning News

If you want to organize a large family group to make chocolates, decorate cookies or whatever, here are tips from Vivian Stapley, whose family has been making chocolates together for 50 years.

• Plan ahead, because bargains during the year can cut costs. Stapley bought 100 pounds of sugar when it was on sale — a major savings since the group uses 110 pounds of it.
• Prepare a work area. The night before, family members cover the living room carpet with plastic and the furniture with sheets to protect against spills. "And you don't go home until Viv's house is cleaned up," she adds.
• Consider the ages involved. "You need to be careful about kids, because there's lots of hot stuff with candy," she said. "We say that if you bring kids, you've got to take care of them."
• Invest in the right equipment: tables, marble slabs, thermometers, cooking pots and roasting pans to melt the chocolate.
• Make sure everyone understands the commitment. "People come knowing they're going to be working, and they will have to stay the whole time," she said. "If people want their share of candy and can't give their time, we don't think that's fair for those who are working their butts off. You have to commit to two days of work if you want your share. But, we have fun working together."