SweetPuzzles Introduces Customized Alfajores to U.S. Consumers

MIAMI, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- If you've ever needed a chocolate fix but nothing seemed quite right, SweetPuzzles is for you. Chocolate aficionados everywhere can now create their own gourmet Alfajores and chocolate bars with the launch of SweetPuzzles, www.sweetpuzzles.com. Blending the finest in premium- and exotic-ingredients with Latin American tradition, SweetPuzzles offers consumers the opportunity to customize from more than 1 million combinations of confectionary bliss.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120821/FL60136 )

Culinary wannabes can get as creative as they've ever dreamed with luscious ingredients, fillings and toppings in premium Belgian chocolate bars and south-of-the border Alfajores, which are now poised to explode in the U.S. market. No other custom-chocolate company offers the opportunity to create your perfect chocolate with a range of ingredients that includes everything from exotic spices (like Cyprus black lava or green tea Japanese sencha), nuts (try rosemary-garlic pistachios and almonds), cereals (granola), cookie favorites and fruits (starfruit to chilied-mango).  

The more traditional connoisseur can choose anything from hazelnuts to teddy-grahams to multi-flavored crispearls. Or, you can order from the favorites, like classic Alfajores or plain chocolate. There also is a selection of edible toppings ranging from well wishes to sports team logos. Many ingredients are imported and all offerings are the highest quality available.

The idea for SweetPuzzles was launched in the summer of 2011 at a backyard barbeque. One of the guests brought Alfajores and Belgian chocolate back from his trip to Argentina. "We started combining the chocolates and the Alfajores -- which we knew were virtually undiscovered treasures in the U.S.-- and agreed that intermingling the two would be a great way to bring international traditions to the states," said Sweet Puzzles co-founder, Alfredo Poncio.  "After further trials and tastings, we each had our own favorite combinations. Hence, SweetPuzzles was born," he said.  

Ordering from SweetPuzzles is fun and engaging. To create your own chocolate bar:

• Choose from four flavors of premium Belgian chocolate: milk, white, dark or snowy – a combination of milk and white chocolate.
• Add up to four ingredients, with selections from nuts and seeds, exotic fruits, international spices, candies, cookies, cereal or coffee.
• Choose up to four toppings, ranging from teddy-bear graham crackers to edible congratulatory messages.

Alfajores are easily customized as well:

• Choose from three flavors of cookies: chocolate, vanilla and lemon.
• Select from a variety of fillings for your cookie sandwich that range from mango cream to peanut butter.
• Pick either a dark or white Belgian-chocolate coating.
• Add a topping.

The gourmet creation yields six Alfajores, but that quantity may be increased.

Your order is lovingly hand-assembled, then packed and insulated with cool-shield bubble roll, ice packs or Styrofoam and shipped within two business days for worry-free delivery. Bulk and customized orders also are available for weddings, corporate, sporting and other events.

Poncio recognizes that another important aspect of savoring chocolate creations is combining them with the perfect wines, coffees, spirits and teas. SweetPuzzles will offer tips and recommendations for pairing customized Alfajores and chocolates with the appropriate beverages on the Gourmet Selections tab, on Facebook and on Twitter.

"Those who really enjoy chocolate know that it's not about throwing something on top of a chocolate bar. It's about how you combine ingredients so they complement an occasion," says Poncio. "The art of combining the moment with a customized chocolate or Alfajor is like solving one of life's sweet puzzles," he said.

SOURCE SweetPuzzles