In Latin, chocolate’s name—theobroma cacao—means food of the gods, and the gods sure have smiled down on Wisconsin, which offers some of the best chocolate in the Midwest. Here’s a roundup of five delectable chocolate shops in the state.
Beerntsen’s Confectionary
Opened in 1932 by Joseph Beerntsen, this Manitowoc institution makes more than 125 different candies, including butter almond toffee, turtles, and fairy food. Owner Dean Schadrie recently began making a special line of European dark chocolate truffles. 108 N. 8th St., Manitowoc, or W61N520 Washington Ave., Cedarburg; (920) 684-9616, beerntsens.com.
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier
Former cartographer Gail Ambrosius imports her chocolate from all over the globe. Her all-dark chocolate truffles have been known to make Odessa Piper (founder of L’Etoile Restaurant) cry—they’re that good. Try her gold-dusted, 99-percent cacao truffle. 2086 Atwood Ave., Madison; (608) 249-3500, gailambrosius.com.
Kehr’s Candies
Kehr’s hand-dipped chocolates have been making Milwaukeeans smile since 1930. Try the tempting meltaways, real-cream caramels, and intriguing truffles—like the red hot pepper chocolate. “The best part of my job is coming up with new recipes,” says owner Paul Marinka. 3533 W. Lisbon Ave., or inside the Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water St., Milwaukee; (414) 344-4305, home.comcast.net/~kehrs.
Legacy Chocolates
These hand-dipped beauties have found their way into the pages of Newsweek and Better Homes & Gardens magazines. Try the mint, the caramel pecan, or the double chocolate-on-chocolate truffle. New recipe: the tartlet—a cookie crust shell filled with a chocolate ganache. 643 S. Broadway St., Menomonie; (715) 231-2580, legacychocolates.com.
The American Club
Every year in November, this five-diamond resort hosts the all-you-can-taste “In Celebration of Chocolate” event, which features some of the wildest chocolate fantasies imaginable. The rest of the year, enjoy Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates, including Kohler’s terrapins, a modern twist on chocolate turtles. 419 Highland Dr., Kohler; (920) 457-8000, destinationkohler.com, kohlercandies.com.
