Meandering through Apple Hill with a few of my best “partners in crime” (aka friends) recently, we stumbled upon one of the best spots for the region’s infamous sweet treats: Fudge Factory Farm. We knew it had to be a mecca of chocolatey goodness when we read the sign on the wood-carved bear out front: “Chocolate Makes Life Bearable.” Sold. I felt five years old again as we darted from case to case looking at all the sugary goodness. My brain and stomach were at war: the former telling me to be sensible, the latter begging me to try five of everything. It was tough, but I compromised by choosing a scrumptious looking blackberry hand pie and three pieces of fudge: dark chocolate, caramel apple pie and English toffee. As I bit into the hand pie it was obvious that the blackberries were fresh picked, and so satisfying that I had to sit down. The fudge was even more glorious—my favorites being the creamy, rich dark chocolate and the incredibly buttery English toffee with a hidden chunk of actual toffee tucked inside. It’s not hard to see why the line winds out the door during the season’s height, and I would gladly brave the crowds for the crave-worthy confections. 

— Adrianna Valencia

Fudge Factory Farm, 2860 High Hill Road, Placerville. 530-644-3492