Missouri Serves Up Sweet Treats for Chocolate Lovers
Jefferson City, Mo. — Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. You have purchased a gift to satisfy the sweet tooth, but what do you do to make the evening special? For those in the St. Louis area, head to the 2009 Sauce Magazine Favorite Place for Date Night winner, Baileys’ Chocolate Bar, www.BaileysChocolateBar.com. Offering a variety of martinis, including the chocolate bar signature martini (served hot or cold), thin mint martini, Mexican martini and a selection of more than 75 beers, you are sure to have an enjoyable evening.
What do lawyers, cupcakes and chocolate have in common? Sounds like the start of a bad joke, but these three elements led to the establishment of Askinosie Chocolate in Springfield, www.Askinosie.com. Shawn Askinosie, creator of these tasty chocolates, was a successful lawyer when he developed a new hobby, baking. His original plans were to open a cupcake store, but he soon turned to chocolate, and Askinosie Chocolate was born.
Introducing Midwesterners to the delectable chocolate that was once only found in Europe was the dream of André and Elsbeth Bollier when they emigrated from Switzerland to Kansas City in 1955 and opened Andre’s Confiserie Suisse, www.AndresChocolates.com. Now, nearly 55 years later, Andre’s still uses only the best ingredients and has expanded its business to include the Tea Room, which serves a light Swiss lunch.
History and chocolate go hand-in-hand when you step into Crown Candy Kitchen, www.CrownCandyKitchen.net, in St. Louis, where a policy dating back to 1913 states that anyone who can drink five 24-ounce malts or shakes in 30 minutes gets them free, their name inscribed on a plaque in the store and a free T-shirt. Many have tried over the 97 years, but few have succeeded. One of St. Louis’s oldest attractions, Crown Candy Kitchen also makes chocolates, including chocolate hash—marshmallows covered in chocolate and topped with pecans.
The delicate artwork of chocolate dipping by hand can still be found at Bankhead Chocolates, www.BankheadChocolate.com, in Bowling Green. Established in 1919, this family-owned business is dedicated to maintaining the individual artistry that is evident in each piece of chocolate, distinguishing it from other machine-stamped chocolates.
Ever wondered just how chocolates and candies are made? Bring your family on a tour of the Candy House, www.CandyHouse.net, in Joplin. Visitors will see how peanut brittle and English toffee are made, how candies are enrobed in chocolate and see chocolates being dipped by hand. The best part of the tour comes at the end when you get to taste some of these delightful treats.
Chocolate, candies, milk shakes, all scrumptious treats, what could be better? How about a cookie dipped in chocolate? The Candy Factory, www.TheCandyFactory.biz, in Columbia takes your favorite cookies, like Oreos and Nutter Butters, and dips them in chocolate for a sweet treat. Want more of your snack-time favorites dipped in chocolate? Then you must try their chocolate-covered potato chips. The perfect blend of sweet and salty, your choices include original, salty kettle cooked and jalapeno kettle cooked.
A sweet shop with a cause is what you will find on a trip to Smithville. Nellie’s Sweet Shoppe, www.NelliesSweetShoppe.com, was opened in 2007 after a family member, Janelle “Nellie” Tebbs, lost her battle with melanoma. Filled with chocolates, fudge, candy corn, “Remember When” candies and more, Nellie’s also has a melanoma information education corner and sells special UV-sensitive beaded accessories that change color to alert you when you should apply sunscreen. Proceeds from some of the treats are sent to melanoma organizations.
For more information sweets in your area, or to receive a free copy of the 2010 Missouri Travel Guide, log onto www.VisitMO.com or call toll-free at 800-519-4800.
More Sweet Treats:
The Fudge Shoppe, Washington. www.TheFudgeShoppe.net
Paddlewheel Popcorn & Candy Company, Hannibal. www.PaddlewheelPopcorn.com
Kakao Chocolate, St. Louis. www.KakaoChocolate.com
Classy Chocolate, Liberty. www.ClassyChocolate.com
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Contact:
Sarah Luebbert
Missouri Division of Tourism
Sarah.Luebbert@ded.mo.gov
573-522-5501
