By Claire Noack

Although some of us are still shedding our winter weight in the Twin Cities, we can afford to indulge in some sweet treats this Easter. And if you’re planning on gnawing on a chocolate bunny in a few weeks, why not choose to shop locally at the best chocolatiers and candy shops in town? Sink your teeth into delicious handmade truffles, caramels, jelly beans and other Easter goodies made with right here in the Twin Cities. Check out some of our favorite local candy shops that are getting into the holiday spirit.

Candyland
For old-timey favorites, head to Candyland for its world-famous popcorn, hand-dipped chocolates and classic candies including licorice, gummies, taffy and more. With locations in St. Paul, Minneapolis and Stillwater, it will be easy to get your hands on Candyland’s prized candies just in time for Easter. Their extensive Easter selection includes all your favorites such as milk chocolate eggs, solid chocolate bunnies, gourmet jelly beans and malted milk eggs.

Abdallah Candies
What better way to celebrate Easter morning than finding high-quality boxes of truffles and cream eggs in your basket? Find extravagant chocolates, toffees, caramels and more at Abdallah Candies. Hop on over to their Burnsville location to save on chocolate bunnies and other goodies in their Easter sale.

Nicky’s Comfort Candy
For healthy (and delicious) vegan treats, we love Nicky’s Comfort Candy based in Minneapolis. They sell all of your favorite chocolates, including peanut butter cups, salted chocolate caramels, chocolate chip cookies and more, using local, organic and 100 percent vegan ingredients. Unfortunately, there’s no store to pop into, but you can order their yummy candies on the website.

Just Truffles’
The name alone tells you exactly what this local chocolate shop is best at creating. The St. Paul community has been loving Just Truffles’ hand-dipped chocolates for more than 28 years with their shop on Grand Avenue. The hard part will be choosing which of their 35 decadent flavors you want to take home. We suggest going for a more grown-up Easter celebration with truffle flavors such as Baileys Irish Cream, stout, espresso and Irish coffee.

Chocolat Celeste
Dark chocolate lovers will rejoice at Chocolat Celeste in St. Paul. This local chocolatier makes award-winning dark chocolate bonbons and truffles. Pick up one of their Easter boxes, ranging from two sweet treats to a box of 25 assorted chocolates.

Painted Turtle Chocolatier
Bring home a whole family of Easter bunnies in every size and style from Painted Turtle Chocolatier. This artisan chocolate shop in Osseo has every type of chocolate imaginable, from chocolate-dipped fruit to caramel pecan turtles to chocolate-covered potato chips. You really can’t go wrong with any of their tasty treats.

Regina’s Fine Candies
The quality found at Regina’s Fine Candies spans three generations. Choose a rabbit in white, milk or dark chocolate flavors, enjoy some handmade fudge, or chow down on from-scratch brittle. Create your own truffle boxes by picking out your favorites from behind the counter in St. Paul. These boxes make the perfect gift when celebrating Easter with relatives and friends, but let’s face it, most of the chocolates will be gone while you’re still in the car.

Honorable Mention
For another sweet candy shop, try Lolli and Pops. This newcomer introduces customers to the best chocolates from around the world with locations in Ridgedale Center and MSP Airport. Their unique assortment of candies, bars and sweet snacks are perfect for filling up your Easter basket.