Imagine a state where cheese isn’t the only thing that makes mouths water.
Welcome to Wisconsin, where family-owned candy shops are the unsung heroes of the culinary scene.
These sugar-coated gems are about to take you on a delicious journey that’ll make your dentist nervously eye their appointment book.
1. Hughes’ Home Maid Chocolates (Oshkosh)
Nestled in a charming white house that looks like it could be your grandma’s place (if your grandma was secretly Willy Wonka), Hughes’ Home Maid Chocolates in Oshkosh is a sweet tooth’s dream come true.
This family-run business has been crafting confections since 1940, proving that some things, like the art of chocolate-making and dad jokes, only get better with age.
As you approach the quaint storefront, you can almost smell the cocoa in the air.
Inside, it’s like stepping into a time machine that’s been calibrated to “peak nostalgia.”
The shop’s vintage charm is as rich as their chocolate, with wooden displays showcasing an array of handmade treats that would make even the most disciplined dieter weak at the knees.
Their specialty?
Well, it’s right there in the name – home maid chocolates.
But don’t let the humble title fool you.
These aren’t your average “I-tried-to-make-truffles-but-created-blob-monsters” kind of homemade.
We’re talking expertly crafted, melt-in-your-mouth delights that’ll have you questioning why you ever settled for mass-produced candy bars.
2. Oaks Candy Corner (Oshkosh)
Just a stone’s throw away (or a chocolate chip toss, if you prefer) from Hughes’ is another Oshkosh treasure – Oaks Candy Corner.
Housed in a building that looks like it was plucked straight out of a fairytale, complete with Tudor-style architecture, this candy shop is proof that you can indeed judge a book by its cover – especially when that cover is made of brick and whimsy.
Oaks Candy Corner has been a staple of the Oshkosh community since 1890.
That’s right, folks – this place is older than sliced bread, and arguably more delicious.
The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by the intoxicating aroma of sugar and childhood dreams.
It’s like walking into a hug, if that hug was made of caramel and nougat.
Their claim to fame?
The “Cashew Grizzly,” a bear-shaped cluster of cashews and caramel drenched in chocolate.
It’s so good, you’ll be tempted to hibernate with a stash of them.
Just remember, unlike real bears, you can’t sleep through dental appointments.
3. Seroogy’s Chocolates (De Pere)
Moving on to De Pere, we find Seroogy’s Chocolates, a family-owned business that’s been around since 1899.
That’s over 120 years of chocolate-making experience, or as I like to call it, “The Sweetest History Lesson Ever.”
The storefront, with its bold lettering and tempting window displays, is like a beacon of hope for the sugar-deprived.
Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s paradise, with rows upon rows of handcrafted confections that make Willy Wonka’s factory look like a corner convenience store.
Seroogy’s is famous for their “Meltaways” – smooth, creamy chocolates that, true to their name, melt in your mouth faster than a snowman in a sauna.
They come in various flavors, each more delicious than the last.
It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, except every choice leads to happiness and a potential sugar rush.
4. Wilmar Chocolates (Appleton)
In Appleton, Wilmar Chocolates stands proud in its green-shingled glory, looking like the cozy cottage where the Keebler elves might vacation.
This family-owned gem has been crafting chocolates since 1956, and they’ve clearly used that time to perfect the art of temptation.
Step inside, and you’re immediately enveloped in the rich aroma of cocoa and nostalgia.
The shop’s interior is a delightful mix of old-world charm and modern efficiency, much like that one aunt who posts memes on Facebook but still writes thank-you notes by hand.
Wilmar’s specialty is their hand-dipped chocolates, each one a little work of art.
They’re so pretty, you almost feel bad eating them. Almost.
Their truffles are particularly renowned – smooth, rich, and more indulgent than binge-watching your favorite show while wearing pants with an elastic waistband.
5. Confections for Any Occasion (Theresa)
Don’t let the name fool you – Confections for Any Occasion in Theresa is not just for special events.
Tuesday afternoon? That’s an occasion.
Successfully adulted today? Occasion.
Breathed oxygen? You guessed it, occasion.
Housed in a historic building from 1916, this candy shop looks like it could be the setting for a Hallmark movie about a big-city lawyer who discovers the true meaning of Christmas through the power of nougat.
Inside, it’s a whimsical wonderland of sweets that would make even the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
Their claim to fame? Custom chocolates that can be molded into practically any shape.
Want a chocolate replica of your dog? They’ve got you covered.
Related: Find One of Wisconsin’s Best Bakeries Hidden in a Quaint Hut
Related: This Mom-and-Pop Bakery in Wisconsin has the Best Homemade Sticky Buns in the Midwest
Related: This Tiny Amish Bakery in Wisconsin has Handmade Donuts Known throughout the State
Chocolate version of your boss for that voodoo doll you’ve been meaning to make? They probably won’t judge (much).
6. Vande Walle’s Candies (Appleton)
Back in Appleton, we find Vande Walle’s Candies, a family-owned business that’s been satisfying sweet tooths since 1974.
The shop’s exterior, with its classic white siding and welcoming porch, looks like it could be the summer home of the Pillsbury Doughboy.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where calories don’t exist and sugar is a food group.
The air is thick with the scent of chocolate and caramel, making you wonder if they’ve figured out how to pipe happiness directly into the ventilation system.
Vande Walle’s is famous for their homemade ice cream and their “Chocolate Covered Potato Chips” – a sweet and salty combination that’s more perfect than a pizza delivery that arrives early.
It’s like they took two of America’s favorite vices and created a supergroup of snacking.
7. Beerntsen’s Confectionary (Manitowoc)
In Manitowoc, Beerntsen’s Confectionary stands as a testament to the enduring power of sugar.
Operating since 1932, this place has survived the Great Depression, multiple wars, and the invention of diet soda.
Now that’s resilience.
The shop’s exterior, with its classic awning and neon sign, looks like it was plucked straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting – if Norman Rockwell had a serious sweet tooth.
Inside, it’s a delightful mix of candy shop and old-fashioned ice cream parlor, like your childhood dreams grew up and got a business license.
Beerntsen’s is renowned for their hand-dipped chocolates and homemade ice cream.
Their “Chocolate Meltaway” is so good, it should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous happiness and temporary amnesia about the existence of vegetables.”
8. Kilwins (Lake Geneva)
Kilwins in Lake Geneva might be part of a larger chain, but don’t let that fool you – this shop has all the charm and quality of a family-owned business.
The storefront, with its striped awning and large windows showcasing their confectionery creations, is more inviting than a warm bed on a cold morning.
Step inside, and you’re hit with a sensory overload that’s sweeter than a love letter written by Cupid himself.
The smell of freshly made waffle cones mingles with the rich aroma of chocolate, creating an atmosphere that’s part candy shop, part olfactory theme park.
Kilwins is famous for their “Original Recipe” ice cream and their Mackinac Island Fudge.
Watching them make fudge is like seeing a delicious magic show – there’s stirring, folding, and suddenly, voila!
A slab of fudge so perfect it could make a grown man weep (not that I’m speaking from personal experience or anything).
9. Indulgence Chocolatiers (Milwaukee)
In Milwaukee, Indulgence Chocolatiers brings a touch of sophistication to the world of sweets.
Their storefront, with its sleek blue exterior and elegant signage, looks like the kind of place James Bond might stop for a truffle before saving the world.
Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s paradise that’s more posh than your average candy shop.
It’s the kind of place where you feel compelled to extend your pinky while eating a bonbon, even if you’re wearing sweatpants and haven’t brushed your hair.
Indulgence is known for their artisanal chocolates and unique flavor combinations.
Ever had a lavender caramel? How about a beer and pretzel truffle?
It’s like they’re playing mad scientist with chocolate, and we’re all happily volunteering as test subjects.
10. Sjölind’s Chocolate House (Mount Horeb)
Last but certainly not least, we have Sjölind’s Chocolate House in Mount Horeb.
Housed in a quaint building that looks like it could be the summer cottage of a particularly stylish gnome, this shop is the perfect blend of Scandinavian charm and chocolate magic.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cozy interior that feels more like a friend’s living room than a store – if your friend happened to be an expert chocolatier with an impeccable sense of decor.
The air is filled with the rich aroma of cocoa, making you wonder if they’ve figured out how to bottle the scent of happiness.
Sjölind’s is famous for their handmade truffles and their commitment to using local ingredients.
Their chocolates are so fresh and flavorful, you’ll swear they must have a secret garden where they grow cocoa trees (spoiler alert: they don’t, but wouldn’t that be amazing?).
There you have it, folks – a tour of Wisconsin’s sweetest spots that’ll leave you with a sugar high and a newfound appreciation for the Badger State’s confectionery prowess.
Remember, calories consumed on vacation (or while reading about vacation-worthy spots) don’t count.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a box of truffles and zero regrets.