Adobe Stock | Photo by Jiri Hera
The Hudson Valley’s eclectic chocolatiers tempt with to-die-for barks, filled truffles, hand-dipped desserts, and other decadent sweets.
Food is always more than just food in the Hudson Valley. When it comes to regional cuisine, each plate tells a story of where and how the ingredients were grown, how the concepts behind the flavors was conceived, and why it looks the way it does. In other words, local dishes are often edible art. Unsurprisingly, crafting the most beautiful and delicious food along the Hudson River is a passion and mission that extends to sweets as well.
In the Hudson Valley, local candy makers frequently draw on decades of experience to perfect their craft. Some shops have stood in the same place for 100 years, while others are fresh on the scene with new ideas from around the world. What every spot has in common is a passion for creating the most divinely decadent desserts possible. Is your sweet tooth ready for it?
P.S. Are we missing a spot? Email us at edit@hvmag.com so we can add it.
Columbia County
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Vasilow’s Confectionary, Inc.
Hudson, 518.828.2717
Located in the heart of Hudson, Vasilow’s creates a paradise of classic chocolates and brand-new creations alike. Chocolate-covered fortune cookies, Twizzlers, and potato chips showcase the team’s creativity and willingness to embrace the fun side of the food industry. Its homemade chocolate truffle centers use heavy cream and butter from nearby dairy farms, and decadent fillings can taste of Chardonnay, Raspberry Chambord, Creme de Menthe, and more. The old-world flavors come from family recipes that date back to Vasilow’s opening in 1923, just a few blocks away from its current location.
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Verdigris Tea and Chocolates
Hudson, 518.828.3139
Verdigris goes far beyond serving cups of herbal delights (though the teas may be the most pleasant way to start a cold winter morning). Kim Bach opened her first retail store more than a decade ago with the intention of focusing on tea. Yet when she filled a small basket in the center of the shop with “death by chocolate” candies, they took off. A friend to all Hudson Valley chocolatiers, Verdigris carries items from Fruition, Oliver Kita, and much more. If you’re more into drinking the dark stuff, turn to the renowned hot cocoas. A spicy Mexican hot chocolate brings lots of kick, while the Angelina — nearly melted ganache in a cup — has big Parisian flair. Around the holidays, check Verdigris for everything from hazelnut mousse tortes to fresh-dipped fruit to dark chocolate biscotti, courtesy of baker Regina Simmons
Dutchess County
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Alps Sweet Shop
Beacon and Fishkill, 888.442.2577
Come 2022, Alps will have 100 years of experience under its belt, with plenty more to go. It was founded in Beacon by chocolatier Peter Charkalis, and the business remains in the family with his granddaughter Sally. Adding to the European influence is Sally’s husband Terry, who has studied in chocolate capitals of the world like Belgium and France. The team prides itself on fresh ingredients and rich-tasting treats. At either location, patrons can spend great amounts of time perusing the decorative assortments under glass. From traditional favorites like the signature Heaven and Earth Truffles (three types of dark chocolate and fresh local cream, rolled in cocoa powder) to fun, gimmicky concepts like chocolate-covered potato chips, there’s something for everyone at Alps.
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The Chocolate Studio
Beacon, 845.765.1165
Just a short walk down Main Street from Alps is Beacon’s Chocolate Studio, another local mainstay. The bubbly candy store perpetually stocks the shelves with rich chocolates and the owners’ signature Gourmetibles, a unique cookie-candy hybrid that satisfies big cravings. Much of The Chocolate Studio’s personality can be attributed to sisters Regina Furphy and Anne St. George, who own and run the place. During the summer months, the shop even whip up creamy, decadent vegan ice cream with the help of in-house cookie maker Chante Tenoso. The homemade alternative milk-based treats offer the perfect texture that non-dairy ice cream can seldom mimic, and come in flavors like mocha chocolate chip and chocolate fudgesicle. (Nut-free customers can choose from flavors made from oat milk). The team likes to experiment, so come back multiple times for the complete experience.
HÅKAN Chocolatier
Beacon, 845.310.4470
Further down Main, find one of the most recent additions to the list of Dutchess County’s decadent dessert destinations. HÅKAN Chocolatier draws a crowd for its cocktail lounge-atmosphere and one-of-a-kind small-batch delights. The shop’s eccentric owner and master chocolatier, Håkan Mårtensson, won multiple international competitions for his creations. His resume is impressive, including a successful stint with the Swedish culinary Olympic team. Find meticulously crafted bonbons filled with exotic flavors like Norwegian goat cheese, tamarind-cardamom, yellow habanero cream, and so much more. Marvel at the massive sculptures made from leftover chocolate, including a menacing dragon. A visit to HÅKAN Chocolatier is an experience; grab-and-go is not an option here. Take a seat under the neon lights and sample wholly unique Hudson Valley chocolates one at a time.
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Krause’s Chocolates
Rhinebeck, 845.876.3909; New Paltz, 845.255.1272; and Saugerties, 845.246.8377
After a lengthy hike in the Shawangunk Mountains, few things compare to a cold, refreshing, chocolate-dipped frozen banana from Krause’s New Paltz location. Owner Karl Krause uses a Swiss formula for chocolate free of any waxes, oils, or unpleasant aftertaste. Hand-dipped items from one of three Krause locations will blow foodies away. In the family for three generations, Krause’s has mastered the arts of confection, drawing upon Karl Krause’s grandfather’s recipes with new and unique creations constantly making their way into the lineup. Plus, the seasonal molded chocolates make for perfect gifts to commemorate almost any holiday. The chocolate Labrador, Henry, is especially adorable.
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Samuel’s Sweet Shop
Rhinebeck, 845.876.5312
Samuel’s Sweet Shop is a destination unto itself. A passion project for actors Paul Rudd and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, this Hudson Valley chocolate shop bursts with retro atmosphere. Decorative homages to the pies from Broadway’s Waitress, Welcome Back Cotter lunchboxes, Beatlemania board games, and much more line the walls inside, along with sugary delights. Among the dynamite desserts are the Next Level Sensations: peppermint patties sandwiched between two Oreos and coated in dark chocolate. Rhinebeck’s sweetest celebrity-owned candy shop also pours a delicious hot chocolate that’s decadent in every way, with excellent coffee to boot.
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Taste Budd’s Café
Red Hook, 833.462.8337
This Red Hook café fosters an unforgettable experience for your Taste Budd’s. So much of what this all-in-one eatery serves is made from scratch, a fact that can be explained by the multiple graduates from the Culinary Institute of America who are often on staff. The team is passionate about sharing an experience of coffee and chocolate indulgence, one of the finest pairings in the world. Chef Daniel Budd brought more than two decades of experience creating delicious desserts across the country (and in France) to Taste Budd’s when he opened in the Hudson Valley in 2000. African cocoa beans called Forestero make the Belgian and American chocolate exceptionally rich, with a strong flavor of spice. Strawberry balsamic, chai caramel, Guinness, and brown sugar whiskey — the latter which bursts with chili pepper and whiskey ganache — are some of the unique truffles from Taste Budd’s. The dark chocolate “Passion Pyramids” are visually striking in arrangement and full of bright passion fruit filling.
Orange County
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Commodore Chocolatier
Newburgh, 845.561.3960
The Commodore Chocolatier is a fan-favorite business located on Broadway in Newburgh. Commodore is a family owned business established in 1935, and is currently under the stewardship of the second and third generations. Utilizing high-quality ingredients sourced locally and globally, Commodore crafts delicious confections like their Pistachio Cardamom Truffles, the historically-inspired “Chop Suey,” and a plethora of marvelous chocolate molds.
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LoveBites Chocolate Shoppe
Monroe, 845.238.5511
Located just off Main Street in Monroe, LoveBites serves Orange County with a wide array of tasty treats. Many of the signature “bites” are available on DoorDash, making multiple orders temptingly convenient. Hudson Valley chocolate lovers will find all the fan-favorites here: chocolate-covered espresso beans, sea salt caramel pretzels, peanut clusters, cherry cordials, and more. Tiramisu truffles and chocolate-dipped sponge candy demonstrate the shop’s willingness to experiment on the quest to provide the Hudson Valley with amazing delicacies. The milkshakes have won Best of the Hudson Valley awards before and are dangerously delicious and extremely Instagrammable.
Rensselaer County
Primo Botánica
Troy, 518.712.9495
Primo Botánica’s Spanish name hints at its origins, sourcing, and roots in herbalism, according to owner Oliver Holecek says. The shop is the first bean-to-bar chocolate company in the Capital Region and takes the chocolate-making process very seriously. It all starts with raw cocoa beans from indigenous, Latin American farmers. Post-roast, the cacao is ground with Colombian panela (cane sugar) to make liquor. This liquor is then conched (when a mixer evenly distributes cacao butter within the chocolate) to produce a product that is smooth and flavorful. Chocolates are dairy and gluten-free. The Keep Your Calm Snxckers have chamomile-infused nougat with mulberries, peanuts, and Mexican vanilla caramel incased in a cacao shell sourced from the Dominican Republic.
Rockland County
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Lucas Candies
Haverstraw, 845.947.1220
This family-owned business is bursting with personality and creativity in the Hudson Valley. The shop has been making candy in the same location since the 1890s. In other words, the Loucas family knows how to make delicious treats. Get a taste of the most popular cocoa-based confections including tons of gourmet chocolate bars, chocolate-covered Oreos and pretzels, and Gobs, a.k.a. dark chocolate and caramel-covered marshmallows. Locals go crazy for the chocolate strawberries around Valentine’s Day.
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Tree of Chocolate
Nyack, 845.348.9899
Nyack has an especially indulgent chocolate experience in store for those with a cocoa craze. Travels to South America, Europe, and across the United States imbue the team at Tree of Chocolate with a passion for culture and cuisine. The chocolate pizza is a great centerpiece for a party spread or enjoyable by the slice. Mexican chocolate, praline, orange peel, and other classic flavors tempt innermost cravings. Tree of Chocolate also carries top-tier bars from other purveyors with bold flavor combinations like parmesan-walnut-fig, cheddar-apple, and turmeric-ginger.
Ulster County
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Hudson Valley Chocolates
Wallkill, 845.851.8232
Say “J’aime le chocolat” at Hudson Valley Chocolates, a hand-crafted confection shop run by French-American pâtissier and chocolate-maker Stephanie Glaisek. She studied under famous French chocolatier Henri Le Roux and worked in Avignon. Glaisek’s passion for candy started as a consumer and grew with each professional experience, including working as a pastry chef for the Castle at Tarrytown. The resulting candy draws inspiration from classic dessert flavor pairings, like dark chocolate-dipped apricots or toasted coconut bark. Ornately decorated desserts in every chocolate box display fleur-de-lis, colorful flowers, and other intricate designs. For those who love a good crunch, try the signature “Cornflake Clusters.”
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Fruition Chocolate
Shokan, 845.657.6717
Fruition Chocolate is a name to remember. Founder Bryan Graham graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and put his expertise to work. Fruition’s cacao beans come from fair trade organic growers and are roasted and ground on location in Shokan. The result? Deep, decadent, full-flavored chocolate that only Fruition can make. Local ingredients like Hudson Valley fruit, maple syrup, honey, and even locally distilled bourbon add nuance to every bar. Fruition’s collaborations do not stop there, as the chocolate flavors ice cream at Nancy’s in Woodstock and milk stouts at Newburgh Brewing Company, to name a few. Shop gift baskets for the ultimate Hudson Valley chocolate lover on Fruition’s website.
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Lagusta’s Luscious
New Paltz, 845.633.8615
Vegan foodies have their very own haven at cookbook author and plant-based alchemist Lagusta Yearwood’s New Paltz sweet shop. With a keen sense of social justice, Yearwood battles industrial agriculture one chocolate-covered caramel at a time, with absolutely no animal products used. Having perfected alternative ingredients, Yearwood makes chewy cardamom caramels, tasty tahini meltaways, and creamy mousse cups. Lagusta’s Luscious treats not only taste amazing, but also look strikingly unique. Anatomically correct heart bonbons (that actually bleed), maple cream leaves, and more edible artwork pop out of their assortment boxes. Subscription boxes can keep the sweets coming every single month, with themed desserts available in-store for every celebration under the sun.
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Lucky Chocolates
Saugerties, 845.247.3134
Anyone who stumbles into this Ulster County confectionery should consider themselves very lucky indeed. A local favorite for candies and truffles, the Saugerties chocolate destination also serves a stellar hot cocoa, paired perfectly with a piece of Lucky’s homemade peppermint bark. Founder Rae Stang loved the idea of producing small pieces of art with shortened lifespans; a piece of chocolate doesn’t hang on a wall for years, it’s eaten. Stang and his crew push for local and organic ingredients as much as possible and even develop several vegan options. Truffle varieties include honey butter, crème brûlée, Chimayo chili, blood orange, and much more.
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Oliver Kita Chocolates
Kingston, 914.388.7233
Oliver Kita provides much more than exquisite chocolates in beautiful packaging in the Hudson Valley. His approach and talent produce jewel-like chocolate with some of the most unique flavors a person can try. Variety boxes introduce chocolate fans to flavor profiles such as natural bee pollen, lavender, lychee, and much more. In bar form, Kita pays homage to the sights of the region, with flavors like “Clermont Cappuccino” (espresso dark chocolate), “Beekman Buttercrunch” (dark chocolate with toffee and sea salt), and “Olana Moroccan Orange” (spiced milk chocolate with orange and ginger). Kita offers plenty of vegan candy, including “The Eight-fold Path of Chocolate Awareness” (tiny candy Buddha statues.) Check the website before every major holiday, as seasonal favorites will surprise and delight anyone with a sweet tooth.
