Our local guide to some of the best specialty foods in our area
Sweets for the season!
The holidays are officially here, and that means it’s time for sweets, sugar, and sparkle! Whether you’re hunting for stocking stuffers, gourmet chocolates, or over-the-top milkshakes, our area is full of fun and flavorful spots serving up holiday cheer by the handful. From classic fudge to artisan truffles and build-your-own candy bags, these local sweet shops will make your December deliciously bright.
Norman Love Confections
A chocolate lover’s dream, Norman Love Confections brings true artistry to every bite. Its handcrafted gourmet chocolates are as beautiful as they are delicious, with each piece painted by hand and filled with rich ganache, fruit purées, or caramel. The Boca boutique feels like a mini chocolate gallery, offering elegant holiday collections, truffle boxes, and cocoa-themed gifts that are perfect for anyone on your nice list (or yourself!).
It’Sugar
If candy had a theme park, it would look like It’Sugar. With local locations in Boca Raton and Coconut Creek, this bright, bold candy superstore is packed with giant gummy bears, novelty sweets, and nostalgic favorites. From outrageous chocolate bars to oversized lollipops and candy bundles, it’s the perfect stop for last-minute gifts, stocking stuffers, or just a sweet shopping break. Its festive holiday displays make it nearly impossible to leave empty-handed.
GoYummy Swedish Candy
Just opened in Boca and already a hit, GoYummybrings a modern twist to the classic candy store. Build your own bag from rainbow walls of gummies, sour belts, chocolates, and international sweets, or grab a festive holiday jar to go. It’s bright, colorful, and totally Instagram worthy. Perfect for stocking up on custom mixes or just treating yourself after a long day of shopping.
SugarHi
For those who like their candy with a creative twist, SugarHi takes dessert to the next level. Its cookie-stuffed milkshakes, edible cookie dough cups, and loaded brownies are local Boca legends—and its winter specials, like the Hot Cocoa Bomb and the Peppermint Brownie Shake, are as photogenic as they are delicious. Every visit feels like stepping into dessert heaven.
Sloan’s Ice Cream
Whimsical, pink, and candy-coated, Sloan’s is a must-see for sugar lovers. Alongside its rich, homemade ice cream, you’ll find walls of colorful candies, chocolate-covered pretzels, and gift-worthy sweets. Holiday flavors like Peppermint Stick, Santa’s Cookie Dough, and Gingerbread make this Boca Raton spot a holiday highlight and the perfect place for a post-shopping treat with friends.
SOME SWEET FACTS
- The average American eats about 22 pounds of candy per year, with December as the peak month!
- Peppermint and chocolate are the most popular holiday candy flavors.
- Approximately 150 million chocolate Santas are produced each year.
- The candy cane is the No. 1–selling non-chocolate candy in December.
- During Hanukkah, chocolate gelt—foil-wrapped coins—are a traditional treat, symbolizing good fortune and often used when playing Dreidel.
Sources: The Chocolate Store, “Random Candy Facts” (thechocolatestore.com); FlavorSum, “Candy, Snacks & Flavor Cravings” (flavorsum.com); Food & Wine, “The Most Popular Christmas Candy in Every State” (foodandwine.com); Forbes, “America’s Favorite Holiday Candy by State” (forbes.com); My Jewish Learning, “The Sweet Story of Hanukkah Gelt” (myjewishlearning.com).