Well, not exactly dietetic chocolate. But close.  If last week's cocoas were just too rich and too caloric for your New Year's resolutions-restricted waistline, then hie thee to Godiva or to Neiman Marcus and scoop up one of the company's brand-new scented candles.  Infused with delicious aromas of luscious chocolate flavors, the nearly one-pound candle (the glass container contributes to the weight of the pillar-style candle), imparts heady, chocolate-y flavors even when unlit.  Candles are about 3" tall, with a 10"diameter, and are "enrobed" in a cocoa-brown glass container.

Five mouth-watering flavors are on the market:  Milk Chocolate Truffles, Black Almost Truffles, White Chocolate Magnolia, Raspbery Ganache, and Peppermint Bark (inspired by one of the company's traditional bestsellers, peppermint bark), and, all of which are truly evocative of the real deal.  Created by Laura Slatkin (formerly of the eponymous Slatkin & Co., makers of fine home fragrances, which is now part of the Bath & Body Works family), the scents are intoxicating and they smell as if a few dozen boxes of rich and robust chocolates have been opened in proximity of the receptive scent detectives in your nose!  Sniff the caramel, the Madagascar bourbon vanilla, the fresh mint, brown sugar, and ripe fruit...

The candles are available at Neiman Marcus  and Bath & Body Works  for $22.50 (50 hours' burn time); there are also smaller, travel versions (10 hours' burn time), for $12.50.

Posted on January 14, 2010 - by