As Valentine’s Day approaches and significant others begin to sweat the upcoming romantic holiday, we’ve get some helpful tips on where to find the sweetest of treats. Here are some highlights for the best chocolate, candy, and desserts you’ll find in the Cumberland Valley.
Sweet Treats
Hellenic Kouzina
Baklava may be a non-traditional mix-in choice for a dish of ice cream but you have to try it during your Valentine’s Day dinner at Hellenic Kouzina. You will not be disappointed. This restaurant in Mechanicsburg is known for its tasty Greek menu and especially for the huge assortment of Greek homemade desserts – but none is better than baklava ice cream. Three scoops of vanilla fill the cup with the sweet goodness of homemade baklava that provides the perfect consistency and flavor.
Pennsylvania Bakery
They have SO many options for sweet treats at the Pennsylvania Bakery that you really can't go wrong. From cupcakes and cannoli to cinnamon buns and a variety of danishes...it's all scrumptious. Valentine’s Day specials include fun and unique creations such as the Chocolate Stiletto, a hand-made chocolate shoe filled with your choice of vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry mousse and topped with chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate-covered cherries or try the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cheesecake for 2, a heart-shaped strawberry cheesecake covered in chocolate ganache and garnished with a chocolate-covered strawberry.
Helena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie
Among the many menu delights at Helena's Chocolate Cafe & Creperie, The delicate French macarons are a must-try customer favorite. They are made in-house using traditional recipes and come in a variety of inspired flavors. Their dessert selection also features made-from-scratch cakes, cookies, and pastries, gelato. Top off your dessert of choice with their indulgently rich and sweet mochas and hot chocolate featuring authentic 64% dark Belgian chocolate.
Candy
Georgie Lou's Retro Candy & Gifts
For Valentine’s Day, forget the boxed chocolate and head to Georgie Lou’s. Your sweetheart would love to receive decadent gourmet chocolate bars or a yummy selection of homemade treats such as delicious fudge, giant chocolate-covered marshmallows, and chocolate-covered Oreo cookies, and just for Valentine’s Day – chocolate-covered strawberries (pre-orders are recommended). Good old-fashioned candy never goes out of style, and here you can find favorites such as Charleston Chew, Mallo Cup, Necco Wafers, Laffy Taffy, and rock candy, plus a selection of Harry Potter-themed sweets. With bulk candy, hard candy, candy bars, gummies, and chocolate…this store meets every craving. To top it off, they also sell a unique selection of retro gifts.
Macris Chocolates
The chocolate recipe used at Macris Chocolates 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. This elegant store, with stylish seasonal décor, welcomes customers with more than 100 varieties of chocolate, including nougats, jellies, toffees, pretzels, and more. Boxed chocolates, custom gift baskets, and specialty gift items are also available. If that's not enough, Macris serves Penn State Berkey Creamery Ice Cream with a constantly changing selection of delicious flavors.
Lindt Chocolate
Lindt Factory Outlet is a chocolate lover’s paradise! As soon as you walk through the front door, you are greeted with thousands of Lindor Truffles in a huge array of flavors such as Extra Dark Chocolate, Sea Salt with Caramel Dark Chocolate, and Coconut, to name just a few. While there, you can also browse fun-flavored chocolate bars (popcorn flavor anyone?) and find great bargains on the chocolate “seconds” (not as cute, but equally as delicious).
Exquisite Chocolates
Exquisite pleasures can be found at Exquisite Chocolates, a boutique store carrying a wide range of gourmet and artisan chocolates and pastries from around the world. These mouthwatering delights include confections from Ghyslain Chocolatier, John Kelly Chocolates, Moonstruck Chocolate Co., and Neuhaus. Made from the freshest premium ingredients, these handcrafted creations offer the finest in indulgence and make the perfect treat for yourself or a loved one.
Mummert Chocolates
Mummert Chocolates specializes in handmade milk and dark Swiss chocolates made on-site from family recipes. Choose from 36 varieties including toasted coconut, peppermint patties, cordial cherries, and assorted hand-roasted nuts. If you can’t decide, purchase some pre-packaged nonpareils, chocolate-covered pretzels or graham crackers, and other seasonal molded chocolates. These decadent treats will tempt your taste buds and satisfy your sweet tooth cravings.
Read our Chocolate Paradise blog to learn more about our chocolate artisans.
