Thanksgiving sides as truffles? How a Memphis chocolatier, Campbell's Soup made it happen

This time of year, people across America start dreaming of their favorite Thanksgiving dishes. It’s a topic of much debate — with everyone having a strong opinion on what side dishes are best.

Until now, we are pretty sure that no one has ever contemplated which of their favorite holiday dishes would make a delicious chocolate. But that is about to change.

Sides season just got sweeter now that Memphis chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix of Phillip Ashley Chocolates has unveiled his limited edition Campbell’s Soup recipe-inspired chocolate truffles.

If anyone could pull off making traditional Thanksgiving side dishes into a delicious chocolate, it’s Memphis’ own Willy Wonka.

The collection includes six different truffles, each inspired by a traditional Thanksgiving side dish: Green Bean Casserole, Jalapeño Cheddar Mac & Cheese, Baked Corn Casserole, Hot Honey Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Everything Bagel Mashed Potatoes and Apple, Fennel & Herb Stuffing.

"Creating out-of-the-box chocolate flavors that are delicious and tell a story is a true passion of mine,” Rix said. “There are so many stories that come from celebrating the holidays with loved ones. It has been an honor to create this new collection inspired by Campbell’s essential side dishes that every holiday dinner table should include.”

Rix said the Green Bean Casserole was the most challenging dish to transform into a chocolate. It’s a dish his mother made annually so he was familiar with the flavors.

“I wanted to celebrate the dish and the umami flavors,” he said, as he described how he freeze dried green beans and mushrooms and turned those ingredients into powders to incorporate into the chocolate. Sea salt and onion powder offer a hint of French fried onions.

Each of the chocolates has a Campbell’s soup at its core, so in this one, he used the traditional casserole ingredient of Cream of Mushroom Soup.

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Texture plays a role just as much as flavor. “I imagine how it tastes ... and the mouth feel,” Rix said. “To land a piece like green bean casserole, I imagined it as a fudge.”

“It’s about getting the experience of the dish, but have it be a chocolate,” said Rix of how he incorporates these unconventional flavors into a truffle.

Campbell’s reached out to Rix to design this collection as part of its annual “State of the Sides” report on holiday food trends.

“Phillip’s creativity and ability to turn unique flavors into delicious chocolate offerings was something that made us very excited to see what he could to with our side dishes,” said Marci Raible, vice president of Integrated Marketing at Campbell's. “We loved learning about his personal connection to Campbell’s and how he enjoyed many of the recipes featured in the collection as a child.”

From traditional tastes to trending flavors, the 2023 “State of the Sides” report surveyed 5,000 Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving to hear what recipes will be on their holiday tables and how side dishes continue to reign supreme as America’s “go-to” choice to fill their plate over the traditional main course.

The dish that the majority of Tennesseans want on their holiday table is either stuffing or dressing.

We are guessing that means that Tennesseans will love Philip Ashley’s Apple, Fennel & Herb Stuffing truffle. This truffle transforms roasted apples, fennel and Campbell’s Cream of Celery Soup bread pudding into a blond chocolate bonbon.

Beginning Nov. 7, the limited edition Holiday Sides Collection will be available to purchase for $35 per box on PhillipAshleyChocolates.com.

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Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Campbell's Soup, Phillip Ashley Chocolates create holiday collection