Treats for Your Buffalo Chocolate Checklist

By Karen Fashana

Published on | Last Updated

I’m not sure where the connection between Valentine’s Day and chocolate came from (The Aztecs? Mr. Cadbury? Whoever makes heart shaped boxes?), but I’m not the least bit upset about there being one. I’m usually on the receiving end of the tradition and it’s exactly where I, and my sweet tooth, want to be.

Over the years, a variety of Valentine’s Day chocolates have passed by my lips, all from an entire box of milk chocolate cream centers to a 5 lb. chocolate heart with my name on it to a bag of individually wrapped dark chocolate truffles from a national retailer. I know my chocolate. So, if you’re looking for some sweets for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, here’s my chocolate checklist:

Sweet-Jennys-hearts

The Human Heart

Nothing says “Our Hearts Beat As One” like giving your Valentine an anatomically-correct 3-D heart. Offered in a life size option or sucker form at Sweet Jenny’s, this truly unique gift is available in dark or milk chocolate. The life size heart is a semi solid, full-scale replica of a human heart, while the sucker version is solid chocolate. Whatever your heart desires, you can trust that Sweet Jenny’s has your chocolate needs covered.
WHERESweet Jenny’s, 5732 Main Street, Williamsville; (716) 631-2424
PRICE – $5 for a sucker and $15.99 for life-sized

Blue Table Chocolates (Facebook)

Romantic Heart Truffles

While a 5 lb. chocolate heart can be appealing, a decadent truffle is proof that size doesn’t always matter. When you pick up a pack of heart-shaped truffles from Blue Table Chocolates, your sweetheart will appreciate your attention to quality over quantity. To celebrate the season of love, Blue Table has created two heart shaped truffles, including a floral hibiscus flower jelly over a milk chocolate black currant ganache in a milk chocolate shell and a Coconut Dulce de Leche truffle in a dark chocolate shell.
WHEREBlue Table Chocolates, 799 Seneca Street, Suite D1 Buffalo; (716) 866-3725
PRICE – Starting at $15.00

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

It’s the classic chocolate treat that comes to everyone’s mind for Valentine’s Day. Antoinette’s hand dips fresh, juicy strawberries in their homemade white AND dark chocolate. These double layered chocolate strawberries are only available for order Feb. 12-Feb. 14 to ensure ultimate freshness. We love a delicious and romantic combo!
WHEREAntoinette’s Sweets, 5981 Transit Rd, Depew; (716) 684-2376
PRICE – Call ahead to order and for pricing

Chocolate Smooches

How do you measure love? How about with a little smooch? Give more than a “kiss” this Valentine’s Day with these solid chocolate smooches from Alethea’s Chocolates. Available in both a classic shape and heart shape, these smooches are proof that a little kiss can go a long way!
WHEREAlethea’s Chocolates, 8301 Main Street, Clarence; (716) 633-8620
PRICE – $3.95 for an 1.5 oz. “Smooch,” $4.95 for a 2.25 oz “Smooch With Heart”

Bean-to-Dark Chocolate Bars

If you or your S/O are dark chocolate lovers, these extremely pure, ultra-fresh high-quality organic cacao beans bars use only all-natural ingredients. Dark Forest Chocolate is Western New York’s first small-batch “bean-to-bar” chocolate maker. Their chocolates feature rich, complex flavors that have been recognized with several international awards. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever settled for anything less.  
WHEREDark Forest Chocolate, 11 West Main Street, Lancaster; (716) 288-9167
PRICE – Starting at $10.00 / bar

Sponge Candy

Buffalo’s signature confection is tried and true. Its longevity in the Buffalo area should be what all of our loving relationships strive for. Sponge candy is an airy, crunchy-yet-creamy, sweet confection that Buffalonians have called their own since the early 1900s. What makes up this sweet treat may seem simple – caramelized sugar spun into a light honeycomb and covered in melted chocolate. But take a deeper dive and you’ll realize that each chocolatier takes an incredible amount of time and care in perfecting their recipes. That’s why when you give the gift of sponge candy, you give the gift of long-lasting love. Be sure to check out our full Sponge Candy Trail to sample more.
WHEREWatson’s Chocolates, Fowler’s Chocolates, Antoinette’s Sweets, Wahl’s Candies, Parkside Candies, Bella Mia Candies, The Family Chocolate Shoppe, Ko-Ed Candies, Mike’s Homemade Candies and all shops mentioned above.
PRICE – You can’t put a price tag on love. Just buy it.

Karen Fashana headshot

Karen Fashana

Lifelong Buffalonian with a crazy passion for this city. My job as the Vice President of Marketing at Visit Buffalo Niagara is a match made in heaven. Go Bills!