8 Chicago Suburban Bakeries and Chocolate Shops for Easter and Spring Treats

 


8 Chicago Suburban Bakeries and Chocolate Shops for Easter and Spring Treats

With Easter around the corner, so many of us are thinking treats. I put together a list of some of my favorite spots not just for Easter treats but also something springy for after Easter too! Take a peek:

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9 Chocolate Shops to Know in the Chicago Suburbs

9 Chocolate Shops to Know in the Chicago Suburbs

So I may or may not plan some of our excursions based on our proximity to chocolate shops. Ok, I totally plan out excursions to enjoy chocolate. Here are 9 local chocolate shops that I have discovered during our journeys and I love:

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The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee: Making Dining a Chocolate Experience

The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee: Making Dining a Chocolate Experience

The Chocolate Sanctuary in Gurnee, Illinois has been on my chocolate radar for awhile. Finally, we had a free afternoon for a little winter adventure. The Chocolate Sanctuary is quite the experience for chocolate lovers with chocolate being infused into many of the dishes. Of course, the foodie adventure also can include a large variety of chocolate desserts, drinks, truffles and more should you choose.

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Enjoying Something Sweet at Pease's Candy in Springfield, Illinois

On our road trips, I often look for some type of local chocolate or ice cream to visit along route. I had heard from my friend Cindy at Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl about Pease's Candy in Springfield, IL and immediately put it on my list. On our way back from Grafton, Illinois, we had the opportunity to stop and I am so glad that we did:

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Eclat Chocolate in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Chocolate. Chocolate somehow always makes it way into our road trips. I wonder how? Could it be that I love locally made chocolate?  While in Pennsylvania visiting family, we ventured into Eclat Chocolate in West Chester. On a previous trip to Pittsburgh, I savored an Eclat bar I discovered at a local chocolate shop. So, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to explore Eclat's Factory Store!

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Louisa's and Millie's Chocolates in Downer's Grove

Did someone say chocolate? I always find it difficult to pass up local chocolate shops. I have been gradually exploring the chocolate shops in the Chicago suburbs and had the chance to explore Louisa's and Millie's Chocolates in Downer's Grove.  While the storefront looked like the shop could be a little small, I have to say Louisa's and Millie's packs quite a selection of chocolate inside!

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6 February Chocolate Experiences in the Chicago Suburbs

Valentine's Day is around the corner and we are all craving chocolatey goodness! Here are some chocolate experiences to have on your list this month:

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All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva, Illinois: Chocolate Heaven

We have found chocolate heaven at All Chocolate Kitchen! All Chocolate Kitchen located in Geneva, Illinois is the creation of renowned Pastry Chef Alain Roby. Chef Roby developed his culinary art in Paris and has won numerous accolades. He has been featured on numerous Food Network Shows, The Martha Stewart Show and The Learning Channel as well as many publications. Chef Roby even holds several Guinness Book of World Records titles including the longest candy cane.

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Maumee Valley Chocolate and Candy in Ohio

If you have been following this blog for awhile, you know that I have an affinity for chocolate. So, I definitely had to make a new chocolate discovery on our recent trip. I checked for something en route and found Maumee Valley Chocolate and Candy in Maumee, Ohio not too far from Toledo.

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Chocolatines: A Chocolate Discovery in Schaumburg

Hidden in an industrial area of Schaumburg is a chocolate secret: Chocolatines. Everyone needs a little chocolate spoiling from time to time and Chocolatines is a local place to do it. The spartan surroundings of Chocolatines gives way to a haven of chocolate luxury once you enter the shop.

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Anna Shea Chocolates: A Chocolate Gem in South Barrington

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Whenever we visit The Arboretum Shops in South Barrington, we cannot resist a stop inside of Anna Shea Chocolates. Right in the middle of an outdoor mall, Anna Shea continually delights visitors with inventive artisanal chocolates crafted right on the premises. Not something you expect to find in a mall!

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Anderson's Candy Shop {Barrington}

Chocolate tastes so much better when it is fresh and handmade! That is why I am entirely fortunate to not live very far from Anderson's Candy Shop in Barrington. The Anderson family has been making chocolate confections in Richmond, Illinois for three generations--since the 1920's! A few years ago, the family opened a second shop in Barrington giving more families an option to enjoy their delights!

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ChocolateFest in Burlington, Wisconsin Memorial Day Weekend

Chocolate carving. Image courtesy of Real Racine.

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

I cannot think of a better way to spend a long weekend than by enjoying some sweet chocolatey decadence. Good thing Burlington's annual ChocolateFest is over Memorial Day Weekend. If you haven't checked, Memorial Day is swiftly approaching! So definitely mark your calendars for this event! ChocolateFest runs Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25. The fun includes a carnival, family fun including puppet shows and kids game shows, live music, wandering entertainers, an arts and crafts show, an illusionist and more. Wait--did I forget the chocolate? There will be all sorts of chocolate fun from chocolate carving to tastings to a professional chef competition to a chocolate eating contest to cookie decorating and more! Sounds like plenty to do capped off with a nice treat!

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Family Friendly Ideas for Valentine's Day in the Chicago Suburbs

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Do you have plans with the family? Here are some family-friendly ideas right here in the Chicago suburbs to make the day special:

Cupid's Craft Corner--The Book Market in Glenview at 11AM. The Valentine's Day Event will include free crafts, snacks and fun. Register online. A LOVEly way to start the day! (EVENT IS FULL)

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Le Chocolat du Bouchard: A Piece of Paris in the Chicago Suburbs

If you are looking for a little bit of chocolate heaven in the suburbs, Le Chocolat du Bouchard is the place to go. Le Chocolat Bouchard satisfies both those looking for a little dessert out or searching for a decadent gift or even those desiring something tempting to bring home.

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Theo Chocolate Comes to Chicagoland Meijers {and a Look at the Classic Bars}

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary Theo Chocolate Bars for the purpose of this review. No compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

I first tried Theo Chocolate a couple of years ago and have not been able to turn down a bar since. I have always found their chocolate selections to be lusciously thick, rich and delicious. When you bite into a Theo Chocolate Bar, you can immediately tell that it is a quality bar. While Theo does make a wonderful chocolate bar, the bars with the add-ins really grab you! As I write this, I am actually enjoying a few nibbles of their new Ginger Bar--made with 70% cacao chocolate. The chocolate is rich and decadent. The ginger is certainly fresh and pops out at you with a delightful bit of sharpness.

Theo is a Feel Good Company:

Besides having quality products, Theo is a company that you truly feel good about supporting. Theo's overall mission is to make the world a better place and to honor the interconnectedness of every person and place on Earth. Our actions here affect people nearby as well as people as far flung as the Congo or Ecuador. Something that seems pretty innocuous like buying a chocolate bar can have far reaching effects when you consider sourcing and all the people that have come together to create that bar and get it to you.

Ginger Bar, Raspberry Bar, Dark Chocolate Salted Almond Bar

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On the Road: Sampling Fun in Burlington, Vermont Featuring Lake Champlain Chocolates and Magic Hat Brewing Company

Today, I am continuing our Spring Break trip with a little window on the fun stuff we uncovered in Burlington, Vermont! When we arrived, we immediately checked into our room and were welcomed by a gorgeous view of Lake Champlain--even in its frozen state. Great view, right?

Burlington is a charming town and definitely worth a walk around. Vermont's pride in locally sourced products and companies that contribute to the community is very evident. When we were there, the Church Street shopping area was dazzling with lights at night which really added some fun to our evening walk!

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Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Park Ridge: A Girls' Day Out Adventure

**Disclosure: We received a complimentary chocolate tasting in order to facility an accurate review. All opinions are 100% our own.

If you have not tried treats from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory before, you have been missing out. Rocky Mountain can certainly serve up every fresh treat you are looking for whether it be something just pleasantly sweet or something all out decadent and rich.

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Escaping the Usual with Eclat Chocolate's ALP Aleppo Pepper and Pink Peppercorn Bar

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

I am continually on the hunt for unique chocolate bars. I wouldn't say that I always go for crazy flavors or combinations, but I do like to try combinations that are different from the norm yet still seem like they may blend together. On one of our trips to Pennsylvania, my husband happened to discover an interesting chocolate bar by Éclat Chocolate. Éclat has a series of destination bars inspired by Chocolatier Christopher Curtin's love of travel. The particular bar we picked up highlights Aleppo Pepper and Pink Peppercorn, reminiscent of spices from old trade routes through the ancient world. As a fan of pepper and chocolate, this bar sounded like quite the find. But, would the pepper be too much? Of course, curiosity piqued--I had to try the bar!

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Taza Ginger Chocolate Mexicano {Yummy Review}

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this review. I happen to love this product and wanted to share it with you. All opinions are 100% my own.

Lately, I have become enamored with Taza Chocolate. When I first tried stone ground chocolate, I was not entirely sure that I liked it. Yet, something about the unrefined cacao bits and cane sugar kept me coming back. The texture that they provide certainly is intriguing and quite different on the palate than other chocolates. So, now I find myself craving the sweet, rich and gritty selections crafted by Taza from time to time.

Picking up on my latest obsession, my husband slipped a Taza Ginger Chocolate Mexicano treat in my stocking for Christmas. I was pretty excited to find this delight in my stocking since I have started to really enjoy chocolate covered ginger. Taza's packaging is unassuming yet elegant enough to recognize that you are about to dive into an artisan chocolate. I love that it isn't flashy!

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