Easter Chocolate Round-Up

Image: Martha Stewart Living

I don’t know about you, but come Easter I think of two things: Norman Jewison’s film adaptation of the rock-opera Jesus Christ Superstar and, naturally, chocolate.  As a kid I always looked forward to the size-of-my-head chocolate Easter eggs my parents, aunts and uncles would bestow upon my brothers and me.  You know the ones: wrapped up in shiny colored foil and filled with useless but kind of entertaining gimcracks and baubles.  Alas, times change, tastes become more sophisticated.  Not even for nostalgia’s sake can I go back to that waxy gloop masquerading as chocolate.  For my own sake, and for yours, I’ve trolled the information super-highway for some of the finest chocolates, crafted by true artisans.  In no particular order. . .

Sarah Levy of Sarah’s Pastries & Candies has been making some of the country’s most delectable chocolates and candies since she started her business our of her mom’s kitchen back in 2004.  She’s based out of Chicago, but she has a vast array of goodies you can order online and have shipped to you.  Of note: the “custom chocolate” option, where you choose the type of chocolate (dark, milk, white, or sugar free dark/milk for diabetics), the quantity and kind of fillings (too many to mention), and the form (bark, clusters, or bars).

For the truffle crowd, take a look at Portland, Oregon-based Moonstruck Chocolatier.  Their Ladybug, Country Critter, and Spring Chick truffle assortments are painfully cute, and each is formed, dipped and decorated entirely by hand.  The ladybugs are filled with ganaches of milk chocolate, dark chocolate raspberry, and milk chocolate orange.  The critters are an assortment of milk and dark chocolate, and the chicks sport a milk chocolate, cinnamon, and almond ganache.  Order by 11am (Pacific time) on March 31 for delivery by April 4 via standard shipping, or pay a premium for next day shipping.

Norman Love is quite possibly the Michaelangelo of chocolate.  He is counted as one of the top 10 chocolatiers in North America and his Easter collection is nothing short of stunning – so pretty you’ll hesitate to eat them.  And then you’ll eat them.  Chocolate connoisseurs will delight in his Black Single-Origin chocolate line, which explores the unique characteristics of chocolate from Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela, Madagascar, and the Dominican republic.  If you’re in Fort Myers, Florida you can stop in at his Chocolate Salon, or check out one of his 23 partner locations across the country.  Failing that, purchase on-line and receive overnight delivery.

So gather thy family and friends for the Easter feast with an elegant pingg invite, feed them well, and treat them to a true artisanal chocolate experience.  I guarantee you’ll never eat chocolate-y again.