Imagine a world where calories don’t count and chocolate flows like maple syrup.
Welcome to Vermont’s hidden chocolate paradise, where artisanal confections are as plentiful as Ben & Jerry’s pints!
1. Village Peddler and Chocolatorium (Arlington)
Nestled in a charming white clapboard building, the Village Peddler and Chocolatorium is like stumbling upon Willy Wonka’s summer home.
This quaint shop, with its red-trimmed windows and flower boxes, is a feast for the eyes even before you step inside.
As you approach, you might catch a whiff of cocoa in the air, mingling with the scent of Vermont pines.
It’s enough to make you wonder if the squirrels here have developed a taste for truffles.
Inside, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
The shelves are lined with an array of handcrafted chocolates that would make even the most disciplined dieter weak at the knees.
From classic fudge to innovative flavor combinations, this place is proof that good things come in small packages – and small towns.
But don’t let the old-fashioned charm fool you.
These chocolatiers are wizards with cocoa, conjuring up confections that are anything but ordinary.
It’s the kind of place where you go in for “just one piece” and leave with a bag full of goodies and a grin that says, “Worth it!”
2. Mother Myrick’s Confectionery (Manchester)
If Mother Myrick’s Confectionery were a person, it would be that cool grandma who sneaks you cookies before dinner and teaches you how to play poker.
This Manchester mainstay has been satisfying sweet tooths since before sweet tooths were cool.
The white clapboard exterior with its cheery blue sign is like a beacon of sugary hope in a world of kale smoothies.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where butter and sugar reign supreme, and “diet” is a four-letter word.
Their legendary buttercrunch toffee is the stuff of Vermont legend.
It’s so good that locals joke that it should be the state currency.
And let’s not forget about their other confections – each one a little piece of edible art that almost seems too pretty to eat.
Almost.
As you browse the display cases, you might find yourself wondering if it’s possible to move in.
Spoiler alert: it’s not.
But don’t worry, they’re open year-round, so you can get your fix whenever the craving strikes.
3. Laughing Moon Chocolates (Stowe)
Tucked away in a bright blue Victorian house in Stowe, Laughing Moon Chocolates is like the cool kid of the Vermont chocolate scene.
It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder if you’ve accidentally stumbled into a Wes Anderson movie set.
The moment you walk in, you’re hit with the intoxicating aroma of chocolate and the realization that your diet doesn’t stand a chance.
The shop is a colorful wonderland of confectionery delights, where every truffle, bar, and bonbon seems to wink at you from behind the glass.
What sets Laughing Moon apart is their commitment to using local ingredients.
It’s like they’ve taken the best of Vermont and dipped it in chocolate.
Maple cream truffles?
Check.
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream-inspired chocolates?
You bet.
It’s a locavore’s dream come true, assuming that locavore has a serious sweet tooth.
Don’t miss their chocolate-making demonstrations.
It’s like watching a magic show, except at the end, you get to eat the magic.
And let’s be honest, that’s way better than pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
4. Vermont Country Store (Weston)
The Vermont Country Store in Weston is like stepping into a time machine that’s been programmed by someone with an insatiable sweet tooth.
This isn’t just a store; it’s a full-blown nostalgia trip with a side of sugar rush.
From the outside, it looks like the kind of place where Paul Revere might have stopped for a snack during his midnight ride.
Inside, it’s a treasure trove of old-fashioned candies and chocolates that will have you saying, “Oh, I remember those!” even if you were born yesterday.
Their chocolate section is a trip down memory lane, featuring treats you thought were extinct alongside new creations that’ll make you wish you had a bigger mouth.
It’s the kind of place where you can find chocolate-covered anything – and I mean anything.
Chocolate-covered bacon?
Sure.
Chocolate-covered pickles?
Why not?
It’s a judgment-free zone.
But the real magic happens when you discover a candy you haven’t seen since childhood.
Suddenly, you’re eight years old again, begging your parents for just one more piece.
Except now, you’re the parent, and the answer is always yes.
5. Lake Champlain Chocolates (Burlington)
Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington is to chocolate what Ben & Jerry’s is to ice cream – a Vermont institution that makes you proud to have taste buds.
It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever wasted time on those waxy chocolate bars from the gas station.
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Their shop on Church Street is like the United Nations of chocolate, bringing together flavors from around the world in perfect harmony.
From classic milk chocolate to exotic dark chocolate infused with flavors you can’t pronounce, there’s something for every chocoholic on the spectrum.
What really sets Lake Champlain Chocolates apart is their commitment to quality.
They’re so serious about their chocolate, you half expect to see lab coats and microscopes behind the counter.
But instead, you get friendly faces and free samples.
It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory, if Willy Wonka had gone to business school and discovered ethical sourcing.
Don’t leave without trying their famous hot chocolate.
It’s so thick and rich, you might be tempted to eat it with a fork.
And in the summer, their chocolate-dipped ice cream bars are proof that there is indeed a benevolent higher power.
6. Snowflake Chocolates (Jericho)
Snowflake Chocolates in Jericho is the kind of place that makes you believe in love at first bite.
From the moment you spot their charming sign glowing against a Vermont sunset, you know you’re in for something special.
This family-owned business has been crafting chocolates since 1986, which in chocolate years is practically ancient.
They’ve got the art of confectionery down to a science, producing chocolates so perfect you’ll want to bronze them instead of eat them.
But trust me, eating them is way more satisfying.
Their specialty is hand-dipped chocolates, each one looking like a tiny, edible work of art.
It’s the kind of place where you buy a box as a gift, only to eat half of it on the way home.
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
What really sets Snowflake apart is its seasonal offerings.
Come fall, their maple cream chocolates are so good that you’ll be tempted to write a sonnet about them.
In winter, their hot cocoa bombs are like little grenades of happiness, exploding with flavor in your mug.
7. The Chocolate Barn (Shaftsbury)
The Chocolate Barn in Shaftsbury is exactly what it sounds like – a barn full of chocolate.
It’s like someone took your childhood dreams, added a hefty dose of cocoa, and wrapped it all up in a charming rural package.
From the outside, it looks like any other Vermont barn, albeit one that smells suspiciously delicious.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where chocolate reigns supreme and calories are just numbers.
Their handmade chocolates are the stuff of legend, crafted with the kind of care usually reserved for newborn babies or vintage cars.
From classic truffles to quirky Vermont-inspired creations, each piece is a little taste of Green Mountain magic.
But the real showstopper?
Their homemade ice cream.
It’s the perfect partner in crime for their chocolates, creating combinations so good they should probably be illegal.
It’s like they’ve figured out how to improve on perfection, which I didn’t even know was possible.
8. Tavernier Chocolates (Brattleboro)
Tavernier Chocolates in Brattleboro is the cool, artsy cousin in the Vermont chocolate family.
It’s the kind of place that makes you feel sophisticated just by walking through the door, even if you’re wearing sweatpants and haven’t brushed your hair.
Housed in a historic building with big, inviting windows, Tavernier is like a modern art gallery where all the exhibits are edible.
Their chocolates aren’t just confections; they’re tiny masterpieces that make you question whether you should eat them or frame them.
What sets Tavernier apart is their commitment to unique, often locally-inspired flavors.
Think chocolate infused with foraged herbs or truffles made with local craft beer.
It’s like they’ve taken everything great about Vermont and condensed it into bite-sized pieces of joy.
Their tasting flights are an experience in themselves, guiding you through a range of flavors like a sommelier of sweets.
By the end, you’ll be throwing around terms like “notes of elderflower” and “hints of spruce” like you’ve been doing it all your life.
So there you have it, folks – eight chocolate shops that prove Vermont is more than just maple syrup and cheese.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some important “research” to conduct.
For science, of course!