NEWS NEARBY: Russell Stover Candies Reportedly Moving Into Des Peres

Russell Stover Candies reportedly plans to move into the former Ahner Nursery site on Manchester Road this year.

(For instant news updates follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter.) According to the Webster-Kirkwood Times, the Des Peres Board of Aldermen issued approval for Russell Stover Candies to open a location at the former Ahner Nursery site at 11697 Manchester Road. As previously reported by Patch, Ahner Nursery closed in 2011 after 64 years in business. The Times reports the new restaurant will sell mainly candies, but it will also offer some baked goods, ice-cream, coffee and patio seating. The restaurant is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving, the article states. Read the Webster-Kirkwood Times article here.

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Gooey Butter Recipes from the Simple to the Sublime

Please share any of your own recipes you may have for gooey butter goodness. Plus, check out the wonderful ones below!

Old Fashioned Gooey Butter Cake Cake: Topping: Heat over to 3350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan For the cake, combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In another mixing bowl whisk together the sugar, melted butter and egg. Add in flour mixture then spread on bottom of the baking dish. For the topping, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Reserve two tablespoons of confectioners sugar for finishing. Add remaining confectioners sugar to cream cheese mixture along with melted butter. Pour over top of cake dough, spreading evenly over the entire surface of cake. Bake for 40 – 45 minutes or until top is set and obtains a golden brown crust but is still …

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Culinary Corner

A Square of Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Many studies have found that dark chocolate may improve your health and your mood.

Chocolate, in all of its variations—white, milk, dark—is a luscious, sexy, delicious treat. It has been associated with feelings of well-being, relaxation, euphoria, and most commonly, feelings of being in love—some even consider it an aphrodisiac. Recently in the news,  there are claims that chocolate improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure and may lower LDL cholesterol. Chocolate comes from the theobroma cacao (or cocoa) tree. Facts-about-chocolate.com explains the different types of chocolate. White chocolate is not technically one of the types of chocolate, because it does not contain any chocolate liquor. White chocolate must contain at least 20 percent cocoa butter and 14 percent milk, plus sugar in varying amounts. …

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