Does spooky season have you craving candy? Charm City’s got you covered with decadent treats that are much more unique than the stuff you’ll find at your local big-box store. Whether it’s an array of truffles and nonpareils or rich chocolate-covered strawberries, these locally owned shops have everything you need to build your sweet stash. We even offer a signature sweet for each, if you really need help narrowing down the options.
Berries by Quicha: Fruit and chocolate. What could be sweeter than that? Berries by Quicha in Federal Hill creates show-stopping chocolate-covered strawberries. They’re dipped, designed, and even customized for special occasions. Stop in to treat yourself, or place a custom order online. Signature sweet: Red velvet chocolate-dipped strawberries. 922 Light St. 410-440-3239
Charm City Chocolate: Celebrate the start of fall with this Hampden sweet shop’s seasonal favors. Enjoy premium chocolates made from family recipes and handcrafted on site. Among them are almond bark, chocolate-covered pretzels, malted milk balls, and colorfully decorated truffles. Signature sweet: Currently, it’s the chocolate-dipped, orange-and-black BaltimOreos. 809 W 36th St. 443-449-5164
IT’SUGAR Baltimore: What’s that they say about being a kid in a candy store? This Harborplace staple quite literally delivers on the expression with tons of sweet and sour scooping candy, including nostalgic Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, Nerds, and Swedish Fish. Naturally, there are also giant plush toys in the shape and design of your favorite treats. Signature sweet: All- pink Starbursts. 201 Pratt St. 443-836-4565
Jinji’s Chocolate: Founded in 2012 by Jinji Fraser and her father, Guy, this sweet shop, opening in its new home in Waverly this month, provides chocolate with a meaningful backstory. Maintaining a high level of sensitivity to the farmers who grow and harvest the cacao, the chocolate comes in bar, bark, truffle, fudge, and drink form. Signature sweet: Dark chocolate hazelnut spread. 3100 Greenmount Ave. 443-835-1636
Kirchmayr Chocolatier: If you’re looking for elegant European chocolate, look no further than Timonium. At Kirchmayr, you can experience the perfect combination of bitterness, fruitiness, and acidity within its confections. (Think: truffle boxes, dipped nuts, and even chocolate crab candies that infuse Old Bay.) The team prides itself on using the highest quality beans from across the world. Signature sweet: Trail mix bark. 1811 York Rd Suite E, Timonium. 443-275-2145
Kilwins’s Chocolates & Ice Cream: You can often smell the sweet aroma of this Fells Point stalwart, home to hand-crafted chocolate and original recipe ice cream, from outside on Thames Street. Enjoy an array of fudge, caramel apples, caramel corn, brittle, and 32 flavors of ice cream. If you need some caffeine, you can also take advantage of espressos and lattes in their cafe. Signature sweet: Mackinac Island fudge. 1625 Thames St. 410-276-9300
Natasha’s Just Brittle: Back when she ran a daycare business in Hamilton, Natasha Wainwright would make brittle for the children. Eventually, she was inspired to open her own shop, which is now the anchor of Wainwright’s B’More Made With Pride commercial kitchen on Harford Road. Enjoy brittle (40 different types, to be exact, from apple spice to snickerdoodle,) as well as gourmet popcorn and handcrafted chocolates. The brittle is made with special combinations of organic sugar, fresh nuts, salted butter, sea salt, and exclusive spices and extracts. Signature sweet: Classic peanut brittle. 6617 Harford Rd. 410-982-9995
Rheb’s Homemade Candies: Formerly Louis and Esther Rheb’s garage, this Catonsville sweet spot officially opened in 1950. Their most important ingredients? “Quality, service, and value.” Now into their fourth generation, the store is known for its chocolate goodness with truffles, creams, nuts, chews, and festive holiday treats. Signature sweet: Pecan turtles. 3352 Wilkens Ave. 410-644-4321
The Velvet Chocolatier: Three words: chocolate potato chips. Ruthie Carliner’s Stevenson shop churns out tons of satisfying sweets, including caramel cups, chocolate-covered discs, and chocolate hearts. But the sweet-and-salty dark chocolate-dipped waffle potato chips are a must-try. All of Carliner’s products are all-natural, kosher, and gluten-free. Signature sweet: Chocolate potato chips.(It bears repeating.) 10403 Stevenson Rd. 410-365-9883
Wockenfuss Candies: This sweet shop began with Herman Charles Wockenfuss, who came to America in 1885 and learned how to make candy. His grandson, Paul, now owns the business and continues to expand, selling chocolates, candies, and seasonal products at multiple locations. Look out for fan favorites like chocolate-covered gummy bears, sour belts, marshmallow bars, and chocolate-covered raisins. Signature sweet: Caramel apples. Multiple locations including 6831 Harford Rd. 410-483-4414