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Style Magazine

The Hot List: For the Love of Chocolate

Indulging in a piece of handcrafted chocolate isn’t only tasty—it’s also good for your health (in moderation, of course!) . This month, we invite you to curb those confectionery cravings, help your health, and show some love to these local chocolatiers. 

Snook's Chocolate Factory


If you know Historic Folsom, you know Snooks Chocolate Factory. This family-owned business has been a staple in the city since 1963, thanks to their superior sweets with an old-fashioned flair. Think truffles filled with lemon zest and Irish cream, butter brittle hand-stirred in copper kettles, and hand-cracked cinnamon and butterscotch candies. The shop’s intimate atmosphere will satisfy your sweet tooth and instantly make you feel like part of the Snook family. snookscandies.com 

Cru Chocolate


Karla McNeil-Rueda, who’s originally from Honduras and studied cacao technology and fine chocolate confectionery in Cuba, owns Roseville-based Cru Chocolate. The award-winning, bean-to-bar company sources fine cacao from Mesoamerica and the Caribbean to make all of their small-batch, pretty-packaged creations, including a Nicaragua bar (made with tones of spiced herbs and caramel) and a milky coconut cacao drink that’s seriously sweet. cruchocolate.com 

Puur Chocolat


Puur Chocolat offers selections that look like stunning (and delicious) works of art, presenting a more luxurious take on sweet treats. With offerings that run the gamut from toasted Fiddyment Farms pistachios covered in layers of pistachio praline, white chocolate, and crunchy feuilletine; to a honeycomb fennel chocolate bar; and hazelnut praline candy finished with cocoa nibs and layered with chewy caramel, these creative confections utilize the area’s agriculture and never fail to wow a crowd. puurchocolat.com

Annabelle's Chocolate Lounge


The hills have spoken! Annabelle’s Chocolate Lounge in El Dorado is consistently voted the community’s favorite candy store. Known locally for their vast selection of chocolates, they’re also beloved for their friendly and warm hospitality. Crowd favorites of these daily-made chocolates include sea salt caramels, peanut butter cups, and my personal favorite: carmallows! annabelleschocolate.com

The Chocolate Architect


The Chocolate Architect specializes in a traditional European style of chocolate making that boasts a luxurious texture and a smooth, creamy flavor. Similar to a truffle, but with no added preservatives, no trans-fats, and no edible wax, favorite flavors at this Folsom-based shop include limoncello, nutty dark, and cookies & cream. They also offer gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan selections; and did we mention that you can pair your chocolate with wine or beer, too? Sounds like a sweet Valentine’s Day idea to us! chocsilk.com

Ticket Chocolate


When you click on the “shop” section of the Ticket Chocolate website, you might notice one of the greatest inventions of all time: hot chocolate on a stick! Using fine Belgian couverture (high-quality chocolate made with extra cocoa butter), in a variety of flavors, they’ve created a mess-free and travel-compatible block of chocolate. Any kid (or kid at heart) will be amazed as they watch their warm milk become a cup of instant happiness. Need some s’mores to go? They also make the cutest kits that come complete with fine chocolate, gourmet marshmallows, and handcrafted graham crackers. ticketchocolate.com


By Tara Harbert

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE CHOCOLATIER WITH US AT [email protected]!