Looking for the best fudge Michigan has to offer?
These 10 humble shops are where locals swear by the irresistible flavor of every batch!
1. Original Murdick’s Fudge (Mackinac Island)
Oh, Murdick’s, you sly devil.
You’ve been tempting islanders and tourists alike since 1887, and you’re still going strong.
Walking into this white clapboard shop is like stepping into a time machine – if that time machine was powered by sugar and nostalgia.
The smell alone is enough to make you gain five pounds, but who’s counting?
As you watch the fudge-making process through the window, you’ll swear you can hear your arteries hardening.
But fear not, brave sugar soldier!
The creamy texture and rich flavors of their traditional fudge are worth every calorie-laden bite.
And let’s be honest, you’re on vacation – calories don’t count when you’re surrounded by horse-drawn carriages and Victorian architecture, right?
2. JoAnn’s Fudge (Mackinac Island)
JoAnn’s is like that overachieving cousin who always brings the best dish to the family potluck.
Not content with just making fantastic fudge, they’ve gone and perfected other confections too.
It’s as if they’re trying to single-handedly keep the island’s sugar economy afloat.
Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by a rainbow of fudge flavors that’ll make Willy Wonka jealous.
From classic chocolate to wild concoctions, JoAnn’s has something for every sweet tooth.
Just remember to pace yourself – fudge coma is a real condition, and the horse-drawn ambulance service on the island is notoriously slow.
3. Ryba’s Fudge Shops (Mackinac Island)
Ryba’s is the fudge shop equivalent of that friend who always knows where the party is.
With multiple locations on the island, they’ve cornered the market on convenient sugar fixes.
It’s like they’ve created a fudge monopoly, but instead of houses and hotels, they’re dealing in chocolate and peanut butter.
Their fudge-making process is a spectacle in itself.
Watching the staff pour and fold the molten fudge on marble slabs is like witnessing a sugary ballet.
It’s so mesmerizing, you might forget you came to actually eat the fudge.
But don’t worry – the aroma will snap you back to reality faster than you can say “insulin spike.”
4. Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream (Petoskey)
Kilwin’s is the overachiever of the fudge world.
Not content with just fudge, they’ve expanded their sugar empire to include ice cream and chocolates.
It’s like they’re trying to cover all the major food groups – you know, if your food pyramid was designed by Willy Wonka.
Their Petoskey shop is a sensory overload in the best possible way.
The smell of waffle cones mingles with the rich aroma of chocolate, creating an atmosphere that’s part candy store, part torture chamber for dieters.
But resistance is futile – one bite of their creamy fudge, and you’ll be planning your next visit before you’ve even left the store.
5. Sanders Candy (Clinton Township)
Sanders is the elder statesman of Michigan’s candy scene, having been around since 1875.
That’s older than the automobile, folks.
They’ve survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and countless diet fads.
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If that’s not a testament to the power of sugar, I don’t know what is.
Their Clinton Township location is like a pilgrimage site for sweet-toothed Michiganders.
The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a wave of nostalgia so strong it could knock you off your feet.
But don’t worry – the sugar rush from their famous Bumpy Cake will pick you right back up.
6. Alpine Chocolat Haus (Gaylord)
Alpine Chocolat Haus is like that friend who went to Europe once and came back with a slightly affected accent.
But in this case, the accent is delicious.
This Gaylord gem brings a touch of Swiss charm to northern Michigan, proving that you don’t need mountains to make great chocolate – just a healthy disregard for calorie counts.
Their fudge is so rich, it probably has its own offshore bank account.
And don’t even get me started on their hot chocolate – it’s like drinking a hug, if that hug was made of melted chocolate and happiness.
7. Sweetland Candies (Grand Rapids)
Sweetland Candies is the unassuming hero of Grand Rapids’ sweet scene.
It’s not flashy, it doesn’t have a mascot, but what it lacks in pizzazz, it makes up for in pure, unadulterated sugary goodness.
Walking into their shop is like entering a time warp to a simpler era when candy was king and dentists were… well, probably a lot busier.
Their fudge is the stuff of legend – creamy, rich, and more addictive than your favorite Netflix series.
One bite, and you’ll be plotting ways to install a fudge fountain in your home.
8. Mackinac Fudge Shop (St. Ignace)
For those who can’t make it to the island, Mackinac Fudge Shop in St. Ignace is like a little slice of fudge heaven on the mainland.
It’s the methadone clinic for Mackinac Island fudge addicts, providing that sweet, sweet fix without the need for a ferry ride.
Their shop might be smaller than their island counterparts, but their flavors are just as big.
From classic vanilla to wild concoctions, they’re proving that you don’t need to cross the Straits of Mackinac to get a world-class sugar high.
9. Marshall’s Fudge (Mackinaw City)
Marshall’s Fudge in Mackinaw City is like the opening act for the main event of Mackinac Island.
But don’t let that fool you – this opening act could easily headline its own show.
Their fudge is so good, it might make you rethink your plans to cross the bridge.
The shop itself is a charming throwback, with a retro vibe that’ll make you want to don a poodle skirt and order a malt.
But let’s be real – you’re here for the fudge.
And Marshall’s delivers, with creamy, dreamy slabs of sweetness that’ll have you questioning why you ever wasted calories on vegetables.
10. Sayklly’s Candies (Escanaba)
Last but certainly not least, we have Sayklly’s Candies in Escanaba.
This Upper Peninsula staple has been satisfying sweet tooths since 1906, proving that even the harshest Michigan winters are no match for the warming power of really good fudge.
Their shop might not have the tourist-trap charm of some of the others on this list, but what it lacks in frills, it makes up for in flavor.
Their fudge is the kind of good that makes you want to hoard it like a squirrel preparing for winter.
And in the UP, that’s saying something.
There you have it, folks – a tour of Michigan’s finest fudge shops that’s guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and challenge your willpower.
Remember, calories consumed on vacation don’t count, and life’s too short not to indulge in a little (or a lot of) fudge.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a sugar coma and absolutely no regrets.