Our Favorite Hand-Dipped Chocolates by State

Zak's Chocolates are ethically sourced and made in small batches by owners Jim and Maureen Elitzak. You'll find them in Scottsdale where they create fine chocolate combinations and infusions.

Award-winning Richard Donnelly of Donnelly Chocolates infuses chocolates with interesting blends such as lavender, cardamom, and chipotle. He limits his daily production in order to provide the freshest chocolates to his customers. Try his honey vanilla caramel.

Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates is located in Northern California. She honed her chocolate-making skills by interning with Jacque Torres, also included on this list. She specializes in bonbons and macarons.

See's Candies began in 1921. Today, it offers a huge online presence while also retaining its friendly atmosphere in its stores across America. The company continues to make its sweets the old-fashioned way. You won't be disappointed in See's 1-pound assorted chocolates.

Chocolove was started by Timothy Moley "to take care of people... I thought great chocolate could be that medium to share this love." Speaking of love, we're head-over-heels with Chocolove's gold-dusted caramel-filled dark chocolates.

Patsy's Candies is Colorado Springs' premiere chocolate and candy retailer. They have been delighting taste buds for over 100 years through high-quality handcrafted chocolates. They're creamy, smooth, and delicious!

Munson's Chocolates has been making award winning chocolates in Connecticut for over 70 years. Today, this third generation family owned company is the largest retail chocolate manufacturer in Connecticut. Munson's is headquartered in Bolton and has 8 retail stores across the state. Best sellers include chocolate bark, truffles, boxed chocolates and fudge.

It only seems right that the word “love” sits in the center of a person’s name who makes chocolates. Not only does Norman Love pureé fruits for some of his offerings, he hand paints each one, making it a work of art. You’ll find Norman Love Confections in Fort Myers.

Kristen Hard, owner and founder of Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Company, is the first female chocolate maker in the U.S.A. We’re partial to her Pave Chocolate Box and her Graham Crack.

Savannah's Candy Kitchen has grown enormously, but the company still has a down-home charm. Plus, have you tasted their prize-winning turtles with their special caramel and Georgia pecans? Indulgent!

Puna Chocolate is a family-owned chocolate farm and small
business. Not only do the farmers make chocolate, but they also grow the cacao beans, making this selection 100% U.S.A. origin. Stateside, you can find a Puna Chocolate storefront in Wauconda, Illinois. Try the Cardomom Pistachio Rose Bar made with 70% dark chocolate.

Owned and operated in Chicago, Frango is well-known for its melt-in-the-mouth mint chocolates. The company also makes raspberry-filled chocolates, toffee chocolates, and a chocolate box collection of all three.

Puna Chocolate is made from 100% U.S.A. sourced cacao beans and chocolate from Hawaii. Read about the connection between the Islands and Wauconda, Illinois chocolate master, Teri Potter.

Simply stated, Katrina Markoff of Vosges Chocolates is brilliant with her ability to blend unusual flavors into her chocolates. The Olio d’Oliva, featuring first press extra virgin olive oil, white chocolate, and green olives, is divine.

DeBrand Fine Chocolates, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been treating customers with exquisite chocolates for over 30 years. Everything is made from scratch, and the exterior packaging matches the interior delight.

It's crazy to discover great chocolate in a very small Indiana town, but when Ghyslain Maurais settled in his wife's hometown of Union City, he just kept doing what he does extremely well: make chocolate in the form of confections, pastries, bread, and macarons. Ghyslain Chocolatier is a destination not to miss. Each creation is other-worldly.

In 1912, Sam Hasaus opened Olympia Candy Kitchen in the small Mennonite town of Goshen, Indiana, and little has changed about either the store or the way chocolates are made. Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush served these fine confections at their respective inaugural balls. The store's distinctive Charlie Chaplain is made with marshmallows, peanuts, coconut, and rich milk chocolate.

Wichita, Kansas is home to Cocoa Dolce Artisan Chocolates, which began in 2005. Everything is made from scratch, and the chocolates are as good to look at as they are to eat. The grey salt caramels are absurdly good.

Laura's Candies opened in 1913, making it New Orleans' oldest candy store. The store, located in the heart of the French Quarter, makes a variety of chocolates including traditional New Orleans confections. Laura's Mississippi Mud, a store original, is so good, it's been trademarked!

Rockland, Maine is home to Bixby Chocolate, one of only a few bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the USA. The beans are ethically harvested from other countries where the workers receive a fair wage and there’s minimal impact on the environment. Bixby, a family-owned business, makes a variety of confections from its chocolate, from bonbons to bars, creams to toffees, and more. The Maine Maple Vanilla Bon Bon is shown; it’s made from Golden Maine maple syrup and warm vanilla ganache, then covered with Bixby bean-to-bar dark chocolate. Bixby ships nationwide. Receive 15% off your first order when you subscribe to the Bixby newsletter.

Located in Portland, Maine, Dean's Sweets is entrenched in the culinary world. Makers there use locally sourced blueberries, maple syrup, beer, vodka, cream, butter, and more to make their world-class chocolates. Their nonpareils are pretty enough to be a decoration, but be sure to eat them, too. Their chocolate covered blueberries are pretty spectacular, too. Honestly, I would go for their seasonal subscription boxes.

There's a distinct difference between truffles and bonbons, and Detroit's Bon Bon Bon serves up some of the most creative bonbons you'll ever meet—or eat. Indulge in their box of Everything But The Nuts. This place is edgy in a really good way. Even their website is fun to read!

Now owned by Michigan's Kar's Nuts, Sanders Candy continues to maintain a firm chocolate presence and has done so since—wow!—1875! The dark chocolate raspberry sea salt caramels are incredible with a chewy interior rather than creme.

Three words: wine-infused truffles. They're a chocolate game changer at owner and nationally-renowned Michael Canzano's J. Emanuel Chocolatier. The store's truffles have been around since the 1970s, but Canzano continues to push the envelope.

Hands down, Jacques Torres Chocolate is the best in New York. Affectionately known (or should we say “confectionately”known) as Mr. Chocolate, Torres was the first to bring cocoa beans to New York City and make his own chocolate. A renowned pastry chef, he opened his first chocolate store in Brooklyn in 2000. His Taittinger champagne truffles are made with real champagne and taste effervescently light and chocolately.

Krause's Chocolates, located in the Hudson Valley, has developed a cult following. Obviously, their chocolates are great, but their customer service is second to none. Live in a hot, humid climate? No problem. Your chocolates will arrive safe and sound covered in ice packets.

Almeda Rupp began making chocolates in her Archbold, Ohio home in the early 1920s. Today, cousins own Al-Meda Chocolates but continue to make them the same way as their predecessor. The store is best known for its Chocolate Stix that consist of toffee covered with nuts and chocolate. Call before you visit, as the store holds limited hours.

You'll find Esther Price chocolates and candies throughout Ohio, including its home base in Dayton. The company continues to use locally sourced milk and butter in its chocolates. Most of the chocolates are made using the same recipes as its founder and namesake, Esther Price, in the 1920s. Share a one-pound box with the family, but keep the chocolate covered cherries for yourself.

Asher's Chocolates has been around since 1982 when Chester A. Asher began making chocolates to satisfy a sweet tooth. Asher's makes its chocolates in small batches. Their sugar free milk and dark chocolate assortment will not disappoint. You'll find an Asher's store in Souderton, Pennsylvania, and at other retailers throughout the state.

Chocolatier Christopher Curtin learned to make chocolates and pastries from the world's best. Today he has his own store of handcrafted artisan chocolates in West Chester, Pennsylvania, slightly northwest of Philadelphia. Called one of the world's best chocolatiers, Curtin makes a stunning, world-changing Peruvian Nacional Truffle, or try his pumpkin pie bonbons. Éclat Chocolates is a bucket list-worthy experience.

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates is a family-owned business located near Scranton, Pennsylvania. Its humble beginnings started during the Great Depression when Gertrude used her knowledge and skills to make chocolate. The "Smidgen" was created in the 1970s and remains one of the top selling chocolates today. These small heart or Santa-shaped chocolates come in a variety of flavors. We like the milk chocolate pretzel.

John and Kira are chocolate experts in their own right. When they opened their store and hired Chef Angela Sticco 10 years ago, the trifecta became unstoppable in the world of chocolates. In the early 2000s, Gourmet Magazine featured John and Kira's on the cover of its magazine. From their sophisticated truffles to their whimsical bees and ladybugs, you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Can't Decide? Grab a 15-piece Every Flavor Chocolates box.

Sweenor's Chocolates is the largest chocolate manufacturer in Rhode Island. They are 3rd and 4th generation confectioner owned and operated and have been making high quality chocolates for over 60 years. Sweenor's offers boxed chocolates, truffles, novelty chocolates, and more. Their peppermint patties are to die for!

Dinstuhl's has been making chocolates and candy since 1902 and remains family-owned in spite of its growth and popularity. The Memphis-based company has been called upon through the years to supply its chocolates to the Kentucky Derby, super bowls, Elvis' Graceland, and more. The chocolate maker has been hailed as best candy store in the south as well as #1 fudge in America. Dinstuhl's Valentine's Day chocolate covered strawberries is a must try.

Leon's Handcrafted Candy makes its home in Nashville where, in 1988, Leon Vlahos dusted off his father's chocolate recipes and opened up a store front. Family keeps the business going today. Leon's chocolates have been featured in magazine and television shows alike, and his pralines were served at George W. Bush's inaugural dinner. The company makes exquisite caramels, but they're best known for their pralines. Our favorite: Leon's Classic Pralines.

Good things come in small batches at Artisan Confections located in Arlington, Virginia. Made with Valhrona chocolate and fresh cream, these chocolate beautifies delight your sight, smell, taste, and touch. Make them part of your memory, too, especially the artisan truffle collection.

We might be cheating a little by highlighting a sauce, but we're gobsmacked by Fran's Chocolate Sauces. They come in dark chocolate, caramel, and raspberry. They pair wonderfully with ice cream, nuts, and fruits, but our favorite way to eat them is by the spoonful. Fran's Chocolates is located in the Seattle, Washington area. Former President Barak Obama enjoyed getting his smoked salt caramels from here.

Located in Seattle, Theo Chocolate was the first organic, fair trade certified chocolate maker in North America. Everything the company makes and sells meets the highest organic and fair trade standards. We're over the moon with the apple cider caramels. Choose your favorites and create a custom box.

Fritz Holl, a Swiss Conditorei, immigrated to the USA in 1958 and worked for another company. In 1986, he fulfilled his dream and opened Holl's Swiss Chocolates. As the story goes, "When a customer entered the chocolate shop, [Holl's wife] Elizabeth would greet them by name and have a sample of their favorite chocolate ready. This special attention, and the superior taste of Fritz’s chocolates, made a trip to Holl’s Chocolates an experience people were eager to tell their friends about." Fritz's son continues to run this Vienna, West Virginia shop with the same goal of his father: staying small while making some of the best authentic traditional Swiss chocolates.