In a world full of divided and differing opinions, it’s hard to come by something as universally accepted as chocolate, and Cumberland Valley has some of the best around. Several shops even offer vegan chocolate and sugar-free chocolate so people with various dietary preferences or restrictions can still indulge their sweet tooth.
Macris Chocolates
Macris Chocolates has been in Lemoyne since 2013, but the family tradition of making chocolate goes back to 1919 when the owner’s grandfather created Philadelphia Candies. The chocolate recipe, which uses only the highest-quality ingredients, has been passed down through the generations and is still used to make the store’s candy from scratch at their factory north of Pittsburgh.
The layout and decor of the store are as alluring as the scent and flavor of chocolate. Elegantly designed for various holidays, the stylish interior welcomes customers to create their favorite assortment of candies from a bulk showcase offering more than 100 varieties of chocolates, including nougats, jellies, toffees, pretzels, and more. Boxed chocolates, custom gift baskets, and specialty items like chocolate-covered strawberries are also available.
If that’s not enough, Macris serves Penn State Berkey Creamery Ice Cream with a constantly changing selection of delicious flavors, including Death by Chocolate and Chocolate Marble. If you can’t make it to their Lemoyne location, check out their recently opened second location in Mechanicsburg.
Mummert Chocolates
Located on fun and funky Pomfret Street in historic downtown Carlisle, Mummert Chocolates specializes in handmade milk and dark Swiss chocolates. The 25-year-old family business moved into its retail space in 2016. Before that, the owner made her confections in a commercial kitchen at home. Now made on-site at the store from family recipes, the shop features a display case with 36 varieties of chocolate that will tempt the taste buds and satisfy any sweet tooth cravings. Better yet, these delicious treats can be purchased by the piece, giving you a chance to try an assortment, including toasted coconut, peppermint patties, cordial chocolate-covered cherries, buttercreams, raisin clusters, almond butter crunch, and assorted hand-roasted nuts. If you need help deciding, their milk and dark chocolate salted caramels are popular. Or purchase a pre-boxed set of chocolates, which makes a great gift for any holiday!
In addition, the store also sells pre-packaged nonpareils (the dark chocolate variety is another customer favorite), chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate-covered graham crackers, and other molded chocolates appropriate for the season or holiday (chocolate bunny lollipops, anyone?).
For companies looking for an extra-special treat, Mummert can work with you to create a custom mold of your logo for corporate gift-giving to employees or customers.
Exquisite Chocolates
Located around the corner from Mummert Chocolates, Exquisite Chocolates offers gourmet confections that are a work of art. Visitors to this boutique chocolate shop can experience the mouthwatering flavors of some of the finest chocolates in the world. Here, you will find creative chocolates and pastries from Ghyslain Chocolatier, Inc.; handmade small-batch chocolates from John Kelly Chocolates; and decadent chocolates with fresh flavors of the Pacific Northwest and beyond from Moonstruck Chocolate Co. Savor an inspired selection of truffles, plus a line of vegan chocolate bars. They also carry imported Belgian chocolate from Neuhaus, which comes in milk and dark varieties, and a vegan chocolate collection, which includes caramels and pralines. The friendly staff is happy to share more information about these artisanal chocolates and help you choose the best selection to enjoy on-site, save for later, or give as a gift.
Georgie Lou’s Retro Candy
Step into Georgie Lou’s Retro Candy, and you’ll feel like a kid again! With over 800 kinds of candy in this impressive candy store, you’re sure to find some of your childhood favorites, plus plenty of new items to try. Browse retro sweets like A&B Unicorn Pops, Big League Chew, Pez Dispensers, Werther’s Originals, and Astronaut Ice Cream. Enjoy candy bars from Hershey’s, Nestle, and less well-known candy companies. They even carry candy from the Harry Potter franchise, including Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans and Chocolate Frogs. Georgie Lou’s also carries non-candy pop culture items and an extensive collection of glass bottle soda. Every visit is a treat and an experience!
Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet
Lindt is known for its premium chocolate truffles. The Lindt Chocolate Factory Outlet in Carlisle is a wonderful way to discover unique and rare varieties at a discount. Create your own truffle assortment from more than 20 flavors, including seasonal varieties. You can also purchase chocolate bars, gift boxes, and seasonal molded chocolates.
Helena’s Chocolate Cafe & Creperie
If you need something a little more substantial, Helena’s Chocolate Cafe & Creperie serves breakfast and lunch and offers an inventive menu of sweet and savory crepes, as well as soups and sandwiches. But you can’t leave without trying something sweet! Helena’s offers an extensive selection of desserts, including two dozen different flavors of macarons, plus various cakes, cookies, pies, scones, and biscotti. And be sure to try the decadent homemade mochas and hot chocolate. These rich and sweet drinks feature authentic 64% dark Belgian chocolate.
Lollipop Shop
The Lollipop Shop in Shippensburg carries a full line of fine chocolates, fudge, Bavarian cinnamon nuts, and hand-painted chocolate lollipops. Their lollipops are molded and painted for each holiday, such as their Christmas Santas, Thanksgiving Pilgrims, turkeys, candy corn, and a wide range of Halloween characters. Shop for holiday chocolate gifts, like chocolate-covered pretzels, molded and hand-painted chocolate-covered Oreos, or their famous clear toy candy, a Pennsylvania Dutch confection molded into festive shapes. They even have grab-and-go chocolate gift baskets. Take home a hot chocolate bomb to warm up on a cold day, available in several flavors. Chocolate-covered strawberries can be pre-ordered for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Gourmet candy apples are available in the fall. They even offer sugar-free candies to make their treats more accessible to those with dietary restrictions.
Want to discover more chocolate treats? Sign up for the Coffee & Chocolate Trail (seasonally from February through May) to embark on an enchanted journey through 20 Cumberland Valley bakeries and coffee shops. Why not make a weekend of it and plan an Art, Wine & Chocolate getaway? And if you need something more substantial between all the treats, visit our Restaurants page to explore some of our favorite eateries.
