I was introduced to Hilliard's candy over thirty years ago when I arrived at Stonehill College. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The best chocolate in the world and only a short walk from campus. Since that time, I have always been drawn back to buy confections for many holidays. Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day (my dad loves their homemade marshmallow peeps), ice cream in the Summer, chocolate covered candy apples in the Fall, Halloween, Christmas...did I miss one? Even when I worked for the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce, we had Hilliard's chocolate stars decorating the tables at our annual meeting.
Hilliard's also holds a special place in my heart because I grew up enjoying chocolate from Merken's Chocolate (now ADM Cocoa) located in Mansfield, MA. Having lived less than a mile from the "chocolate factory", I woke up many mornings to the smell of chocolate. Because ADM hasn't sold chocolate at a retail level for many years, you have to find a candy shop that uses it. Hilliard's uses ADM Cocoa.
My son and I went over last night to pick up some Valentine's Day goodies. As we were looking around, I found a bag of hot chocolate mix and homemade marshmallows. I love good hot chocolate and this one was amazing. Rich, smooth, chocolaty and the marshmallows were amazing. Much better than the stale ones you buy at the supermarket. Doesn't that cup look delicious? I'm thinking of putting a few tablespoons of chocolate in my cinnamon coffee tomorrow morning...Mexican Mocha!
I also found Praline Pecans, Milk Chocolate Pretzels and Chocolate Covered Wintergreen and Peppermint Mints. This was one stop shopping for all my confection lovers.
I know I might be a little late for Valentine's Day, but you can still get out and get some chocolates for your sweetheart. Hilliard's has three locations, Easton, Canton and Hanover, MA. If you don't have time this weekend, make it a point to visit Hilliard's for your next holiday or event. It's easy to become hooked. I did!