Looking for the sweetest spots in Vermont to satisfy your fudge cravings?
This guide will take you on a journey through eight delightful candy shops known for their heavenly, handcrafted fudge.
Prepare to indulge in rich, creamy confections that will leave you wanting more with every bite.
1. Village Peddler and Chocolatorium (Arlington)
Picture this: a quaint white building with red trim, nestled in the heart of Arlington, Vermont.
No, it’s not Santa’s summer home – it’s the Village Peddler and Chocolatorium!
This charming shop looks like it jumped right out of a Norman Rockwell painting, complete with flower boxes and a welcoming porch.
As you step inside, the aroma of chocolate hits you like a sweet, cocoa-scented tidal wave.
It’s as if the air itself is made of melted fudge.
The shop is divided into two sections: the Village Peddler, offering an array of Vermont-made gifts, and the Chocolatorium, where the real magic happens.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Chocolatorium” sounds like a made-up word from a children’s book.
But trust me, it’s very real, and it’s very delicious.
This is where they craft their famous fudge, using a recipe that’s probably older than most of the trees in Vermont.
The fudge here isn’t just food; it’s an experience.
It’s so creamy and rich that it should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous happiness and uncontrollable smiling.”
Their maple fudge is a local favorite, combining two of Vermont’s greatest treasures – maple syrup and chocolate.
It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited!
2. Mother Myrick’s Confectionery (Manchester)
Next stop on our sugar-coated journey is Mother Myrick’s Confectionery in Manchester.
This place is like the wise grandmother of Vermont’s candy scene – it’s been around forever, and it knows exactly how to make you feel loved through the power of sweets.
The shop itself is a vision in white, with a classic New England charm that makes you want to curl up with a good book and a box of their famous buttercrunch.
Speaking of which, their buttercrunch is so good, it should be illegal.
It’s buttery, it’s crunchy, it’s covered in chocolate – it’s everything you never knew you needed in life.
But let’s talk about their fudge.
Oh boy, their fudge.
It’s smoother than a jazz saxophone solo and richer than a tech billionaire.
They have flavors ranging from classic chocolate to wild concoctions that sound like they were invented during a fever dream.
Maple bacon fudge, anyone?
It’s like breakfast and dessert had a baby, and that baby was delicious.
The best part?
Mother Myrick’s is more than just a candy shop – it’s a Manchester institution.
It’s the kind of place where locals gather to gossip over hot cocoa and tourists leave with enough sweets to put them in a sugar coma for days.
It’s not just selling candy; it’s selling a slice of Vermont life, wrapped in chocolate and tied with a bow.
3. Laughing Moon Chocolates (Stowe)
Tucked away in the picturesque town of Stowe is Laughing Moon Chocolates, a place that takes its chocolate seriously but itself?
Not so much.
The shop is housed in a charming blue building that looks like it could be the setting for a Hallmark movie about a big city lawyer who falls in love with a small-town chocolatier.
(Hollywood, if you’re reading this, I want royalties.)
Step inside, and you’re greeted by the sight of chocolatiers hard at work, crafting their confections right before your eyes.
It’s like watching a delicious magic show, only instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, they’re pulling truffles out of tempering machines.
Their fudge is a work of art.
It’s so smooth, you could probably use it as a mirror if you weren’t too busy eating it.
They offer classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, but they also get creative with options like cappuccino and peanut butter swirl.
It’s like they took all your favorite desserts and condensed them into perfect, fudgy cubes of joy.
But what really sets Laughing Moon apart is their commitment to using local ingredients.
Their maple cream fudge is made with real Vermont maple syrup, giving it a depth of flavor that’ll make you want to hug a maple tree.
It’s so authentically Vermont, it might as well come with its own pair of hiking boots and a flannel shirt.
4. Vermont Country Store (Weston)
Ah, the Vermont Country Store in Weston – it’s like stepping into a time machine that’s powered by nostalgia and penny candy.
This place isn’t just a store; it’s a full-blown experience.
It’s the kind of spot where you go in for a quick look and emerge three hours later, wondering where the time went and why you’re suddenly craving foods from your childhood that you didn’t even know still existed.
The store itself is a sight to behold.
It’s housed in a classic red building that screams “New England charm” so loudly, you half expect Paul Revere to come riding by.
Inside, it’s a labyrinth of aisles filled with everything from old-fashioned toys to obscure sodas you thought went extinct in the 1950s.
But we’re here for the fudge, and oh boy, does the Vermont Country Store deliver.
Their fudge counter is like the United Nations of sweet treats – every flavor you can imagine is represented.
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They’ve got your classics like chocolate and vanilla, sure, but they also venture into wild territory with flavors like penuche.
What makes their fudge special is that it tastes homemade, like your grandmother spent all day in the kitchen whipping it up just for you.
Except your grandmother probably didn’t make 20 different flavors and display them in a case that makes you want to press your face against the glass like a kid in a… well, candy store.
5. Lake Champlain Chocolates (Burlington)
Next up on our fudge-fueled tour is Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Isn’t this place named after a lake?
Are they fishing chocolate out of the water?”
Well, no, but after tasting their treats, you might wish they were, because that would mean an endless supply.
Lake Champlain Chocolates is to Vermont what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris – iconic, beloved, and likely to give you a sugar high if you spend too much time there.
Their shop in downtown Burlington is a chocolate lover’s paradise, with a sleek, modern interior that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the Apple Store of confectionery.
Their fudge is the stuff of legends.
It’s so creamy and rich, it should come with its own warning label: “Caution: May cause spontaneous declarations of love to inanimate objects.”
They offer a rotating selection of flavors, but their maple fudge is a standout.
It’s so packed with authentic Vermont maple flavor, you’ll swear you can hear the sap running through the trees with every bite.
But what really sets Lake Champlain Chocolates apart is their commitment to quality.
They use local ingredients whenever possible, which means your fudge isn’t just delicious – it’s also supporting Vermont farmers.
It’s like each bite is a tiny, delicious act of eco-friendliness.
Who knew saving the planet could taste so good?
6. Snowflake Chocolates (Jericho)
Nestled in the town of Jericho is Snowflake Chocolates, a place that proves good things come in small packages.
This family-owned shop might not be as big as some of the others on our list, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in flavor and charm.
The shop itself is cozy and inviting, like stepping into your favorite aunt’s kitchen – if your aunt happened to be a world-class chocolatier.
The smell of chocolate hits you the moment you walk in, wrapping around you like a warm, cocoa-scented hug.
Their fudge is the stuff of dreams – creamy, rich, and so flavorful it’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
They offer a variety of flavors, but their maple walnut fudge is a standout.
It’s like they distilled the essence of Vermont into a perfect, fudgy square.
One bite, and you’ll be planning your move to the Green Mountain State.
But what really makes Snowflake Chocolates special is the personal touch.
The owners are often there, ready to chat about their creations or offer suggestions.
It’s like having a personal chocolate concierge.
And let’s be honest, isn’t that something we all need in our lives?
7. The Chocolate Barn (Shaftsbury)
Don’t let the name fool you – The Chocolate Barn in Shaftsbury isn’t actually a barn full of chocolate (though wouldn’t that be something?).
It’s a charming shop housed in a rustic building that looks like it could tell a thousand stories – most of them probably involving sugar.
As you approach, you’ll notice the quaint sign and the inviting porch.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to sit a spell, as they say in Vermont.
Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s paradise.
The air is thick with the scent of cocoa, and everywhere you look, there’s something delicious.
But we’re here for the fudge, and boy, does The Chocolate Barn deliver.
Their fudge is the kind of treat that makes you close your eyes and sigh contentedly with each bite.
It’s creamy, it’s rich, and it comes in more flavors than you can shake a stick at.
Their maple fudge is a local favorite, perfectly capturing the essence of Vermont in each sweet, creamy square.
But what really sets The Chocolate Barn apart is its atmosphere.
It’s not just a shop; it’s an experience.
It’s the kind of place where you can imagine the fudge being made by kindly chocolate elves in the back room.
8. Tavernier Chocolates (Brattleboro)
Last but certainly not least on our fudge-tastic tour is Tavernier Chocolates in Brattleboro.
This place is like the cool, artsy cousin of the chocolate world – a little bit different, a lot creative, and always delicious.
Housed in a historic building in downtown Brattleboro, Tavernier Chocolates has a sleek, modern interior that feels more like an art gallery than a candy shop.
But don’t let the fancy appearance fool you – they’re serious about their sweets.
Their fudge is a work of art – literally.
Each piece looks like it could be displayed in a museum, if museums displayed delicious, edible exhibits.
But it’s not just pretty to look at; it’s also a flavor explosion in your mouth.
What sets Tavernier apart is their willingness to experiment with unique flavor combinations.
Sure, they have your classic chocolate fudge, but they also offer varieties like lavender honey or chai spice.
It’s like a flavor adventure for your taste buds, and trust me, your taste buds will thank you for the trip.
So there you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Vermont’s finest fudge shops.
Remember, calories don’t count when you’re on vacation… or reading about vacation.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some important fudge-related research to conduct.