Valerie teams with LA Mill for Black Velvet toffees; chocolate skulls spotted in Williams-Sonoma catalog

Los Angeles-based chocolatier Valerie Confections has been busy. Its selection of uber-delectable toffees is expanding, with a new toffee flavor made with LA Mill's Black Velvet coffee -- "Toffee Noir" is crisp, delicate toffee made with ground coffee beans and enrobed in Valrhona 61% chocolate. Also in the works is a line of chocolate bars in collaboration with San Diego's Extraordinary Desserts, which Valerie will begin selling in November.

Meanwhile, those amazing Mori Ex Cacao chocolate skulls (in flavors like Scorched Caramel and Bitter Brandied Cherry) that were a collaboration between Valerie and D.L. & Co. last fall are still available at Valerie Confections. Plus, spotted in the latest Williams-Sonoma catalog: Valerie's solid-chocolate skulls.

Black Velvet, skulls ... Is it already time to refresh the fake blood on the old Medea costume?

Valerie Confections, 3360 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, (213) 739-8149.

-- Betty Hallock 

Photo of Valerie chocolates from Valerie Confections