The holidays are just around the corner, and what better way to warm the hearts (and hands) of your loved ones than with the gift of artisan hot chocolate? Forget the powdered mix – this year, we’re diving into the world of craft chocolate makers crafting exquisite, luxurious hot chocolate experiences.
Whether you’re shopping for a die-hard chocolate enthusiast or someone who simply appreciates the finer things in life, this curated guide features a delightful array of unique and delectable options from America’s best craft chocolatiers. Get ready to discover the perfect gift for every hot chocolate lover on your list!
Exquisite Hot Chocolate Creations for the Discerning Palate
Stick With Me Sweets: Whimsical Winter Wonderland
This holiday season, transport your loved ones to a whimsical winter wonderland with Stick With Me Sweets’ adorable creations. Chocolatier Susanna Yoon handcrafts delicate white chocolate snowmen sculptures ($28) and vibrant ornaments ($25) in a rainbow of colors. Each hollow snowman is filled with melt-in-your-mouth malted chocolate snowballs, while the ornaments offer a delightful crunch with their chocolate cereal mix and mini chocolate pearls.
Expert Tip: “These delicate treats are as fragile as freshly fallen snow,” advises renowned pastry chef, Emily Carter. “Ordering online for pickup from their Tribeca boutique ensures a safe and delightful gifting experience.”
Valerie Confections: Indulgent Elegance
For the hostess who exudes elegance, look no further than Valerie Confections’ hand-dipped petits fours. Their champagne petit fours ($55), featuring Taittinger champagne ganache dipped in dark chocolate, are guaranteed to impress. Alternatively, opt for the festive eggnog petit fours ($60), boasting nutmeg butter cake layered with bourbon ganache and enveloped in white chocolate.
Robert Kline Art Insider Tip: These moist, miniature cakes, each adorned with a touch of 23k gold leaf, are the perfect way to elevate any holiday gathering.
Beyond the Cup: Unforgettable Chocolate Experiences
Chocolate for the Spirit: A Taste of Nostalgia, Elevated
Indulge the peanut butter lover in your life with Chocolate for the Spirit’s irresistible chocolate barks ($12). Julie Bolejack, the mastermind behind these creations, uses only Grand Cru single-origin chocolate. The golden tiger swirl bark, a symphony of dark, milk, and white chocolate intertwined with peanut butter, pecans, French sea salt, and edible gold, is a particular standout.
A Word from the Artist: “My inspiration stemmed from childhood memories of enjoying peanut butter fudge with family,” shares Bolejack. “These barks are a sophisticated twist on a cherished classic, designed for discerning palates.”
Milla Chocolates: Savory Crunch, Sweet Reward
While Milla Chocolates excels in crafting exquisite bars and bonbons, it’s their chocolate-covered dragées that truly steal the show. Imagine roasted and caramelized almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts enveloped in layers of 70% single-origin chocolate, further enhanced by accent flavors like bourbon sea salt, cayenne pepper, Turkish coffee, or raspberry. For a gift that keeps on giving, the set of three tubes ($52) is a perfect choice.
Why This Gift Shines: This unique gift bridges the gap between sweet and savory, offering a delightful crunch and an explosion of flavor with every bite.
The Gift of Experience: Hot Chocolate Rituals to Savor
Dandelion Chocolate: Craft Your Own Hot Chocolate Ritual
This year, give the gift of Dandelion Chocolate’s renowned hot chocolate experience – to be enjoyed in the comfort of home. Their hot chocolate mix ($18) arrives in a beautifully crafted reusable bottle made in Japan. Inside, discover the ground 70% Camino Verde, Ecuador single-origin chocolate base used in their acclaimed cafes.
Robert Kline Art Recommendation: Elevate the experience further by pairing the mix with a high-quality milk or a plant-based alternative for a truly decadent cup.
L.A. Burdick Chocolate: Whimsical Delights
L.A. Burdick is renowned for its handcrafted chocolate sculptures that are almost too adorable to eat. This year, delight your loved ones with their signature chocolate snowmen ($40 for nine). Each snowman boasts a miniature clementine ganache body, topped with a whole roasted hazelnut head, and dipped in white chocolate. Chocolate penguins ($34 for nine), filled with whipped lemon and limoncello ganache, offer a refreshingly tart alternative.
Fun Fact: These charming penguins commemorate the 20th anniversary of L.A. Burdick’s Cambridge, Massachusetts, shop, adding an extra layer of significance to this delightful gift.
More Than Chocolate: Interactive & Festive Experiences
Michel Cluizel: A Personalized Chocolate Surprise
For a gift that truly speaks volumes, consider Michel Cluizel’s ChocoVoice gift box ($75) – a unique offering that combines the joy of chocolate with a personalized touch. Upon opening the box, your recorded message of up to 20 seconds plays alongside a festive jingle. As the message fades, recipients can assemble the milk and dark chocolate pine forest, complete with chocolate reindeer and Santa figures on a bed of white chocolate snow.
Robert Kline Art Appreciates: Michel Cluizel’s commitment to using pure vanilla and no soy lecithin in their New Jersey-made chocolate ensures a high-quality, ethically sourced treat.
TCHO: Affordable Indulgence for the Chocolate Connoisseur
Berkeley-based TCHO has been a leading voice in promoting fair trade and organic chocolate while educating consumers about cacao origins and flavor profiles. Their limited-edition holiday bars ($3.99/ea) offer an affordable way to experience their dedication to quality. Choose from milk chocolate rum raisin, peppermint mocha with roasted coffee beans, or creamy white chocolate eggnog infused with nutmeg and rum.
Where to Find Them: These delightful bars are available at various retailers nationwide, including Sprouts, Fairway, HyVee, Lucky’s Market, and New Seasons, as well as online at TCHO.com.
Vosges Advent Calendar: A Chocolate Journey to Christmas
Make the countdown to Christmas even sweeter with Vosges Haut-Chocolat’s luxurious advent calendar ($140). This treasure trove of chocolate delights features chocolate-covered caramels, mini bars, spiced snow bunnies, matcha mint woodland gnomes, and burnt sugar pecan hedgehogs – a different treat to discover each day.
For Sharing: Their Soirée Smash ($55) is another fantastic option, perfect for groups and inspired by the playful spirit of founder and chocolatier Katrina Markoff’s sons.
Embrace the Art of Gifting with Robert Kline Art
This holiday season, go beyond generic gifts and embrace the art of gifting with artisan hot chocolate. From whimsical creations to interactive experiences, there’s a perfect chocolate gift waiting to be discovered.
Don’t forget to explore the exquisite selection of handcrafted gifts available at Robert Kline Art – perfect for complementing your artisan hot chocolate gift and creating a truly unforgettable experience.
What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy hot chocolate during the holidays? Share your thoughts and traditions in the comments below!