I thought it would be great for Easter to shine a spotlight on local businesses with Easter candy. Being a health writer, I, of course, wanted to be able to give healthy options, too.
Those special dietary options may not be in the form of traditional Easter characters. Hopefully, your Easter basket recipient will have an open mind and be pacified by delicious treats.
After some research, I culled the list to three family-owned candy shops that sell both traditional Easter candy and treats for those with dietary challenges. I am happy to say one of the shops that made the list is a family favorite!
(“Mrs Hanna Krause Candy.” Google Search, Google, www.google.com/gasearch?q=mrs+hanna+krause+candy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.)
Hanna Krause Candy started with Alfred Krause and his wife, Hanna Krause. They sold her cakes, cookies, ice cream, and homemade candies at their coffee shop.
Their candies grew so popular that they outshone everything else in the coffee shop.
Mr. Krause then promised his wife, “I will put your name in lights”! And so began their adventures in a candy-making business.
Three generations later, it is still family-owned and run. They offer the traditional Easter candy like chocolate bunnies and jellybeans. They also have some leveled up combinations like chocolate dipped peeps and chocolate crispy nests.
For those who wish to indulge without the risk of overdoing on the sugar, they have a sugar-free assorted chocolate box. You can do all milk or all dark. You can also do a mixed selection.
Hanna Krause Candy is located at 2200 Route 37 E, Toms River. You can contact them at (732) 270-9236.
If you’d like to look at their available goodies before heading to the shop, click on Hanna Krause Candy.
(Google Image Result for Https://Astorchocolate.Com/Cdn/Shop/Files/Screen_shot_2022-02-01_at_11.56.14_am.Png?V=1643741800&width=750, images.app.goo.gl/D9AuL7p6yBS2oFeJ6. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.)
Astor Chocolate has maintained its chocolate family traditions for over 95 years, which began with its patriarch, Erwin Grunhut. Four generations later, they continue maintaining his dream and standards.
Knowing where your ingredients come from and how they are processed has become very important to many.
60% of their energy use is green, coming from solar and natural gas. Their current goal is to become zero waste certified within the decade.
Astor Chocolate does have kid-friendly Easter candy, like their chocolate bars decorated in Easter-themed wrappers.
I got the feeling, perusing their online offerings, that they are a little more like Willy Wonka grows up, in a good way.
They have items like herbal-infused chocolates. Some of the choices are Sleep, which is an orange valerian combination, and Calm, which has lavender and black currant.
For those counting calories, they have a line of 100-calorie chocolate bars. A couple flavors you can try are Blueberry Dark Chocolate and Red Velvet Milk Chocolate.
Their botanical line is beautifully wrapped. It has fascinating options like Milk Chocolate Toasted Coconut Black Lava Sea Salt (yes, that is all in one chocolate bar) and Milk Chocolate Gianduja Crepe Dentelle.
If you are looking to fill a grown-up Easter candy basket, this chocolate shop may be just the Golden Ticket you were looking for. I certainly wouldn’t mind a basket filled with their chocolates to try!
You can find them at 651 New Hampshire Ave., Lakewood, NJ. They can be contacted at (732) 901-1000.
For a sneak peek at what is available before you arrive, click on Astor Chocolate. Bonus: they are offering 15% off your first order if you sign up online for their newsletter!
(Google Image Result for Http://A.Mktgcdn.Com/p/Fwykaxgfrnae392salrdrip47rov7_9ra20wx53bhfu/1205x900.Jpg, images.app.goo.gl/DyKLBNpjfZ7y2yt17. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.)
This candy shop is a personal favorite of my family. There is always something new to discover for each holiday.
I have yet to get out of there in less than 30 minutes because it is too much fun seeing everything they have. I have also never made it home before dipping into whatever deliciousness I discovered on the latest trip.
Word of warning: If you are shopping for someone else, be sure to get some goodies for yourself. No one wants their Easter candy basket pilfered from.
The Meyer Family got their start in 1904, selling chocolates at their luncheonette in Jersey City. Somewhere along the way, the chocolate business was sold to the Van Holten Family.
Van Holten’s Chocolates carries Easter candy favorites like beautifully decorated coconut-filled and peanut butter-filled eggs.
If you’re in a hurry, they have whole Easter candy baskets you can pick up and be out the door in a flash. Order your basket ahead by clicking on this link: Easter Basket.
The shop has offerings for dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options.
You can choose sweets like gluten-free marzipan, sugar-free fruit slices, and vegan dark chocolate nut barks. These, and many others, will look and taste great in any Easter candy basket.
Van Holten’s has three Jersey Shore locations. You can find them at:
· 1893 NJ-88, Brick, New Jersey - (732) 840-0888
· 802 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ - (732) 830-2220
· Lacey Mall 344 Route 9, Lanoka Harbor, NJ - (609) 971-0871
To browse before you go, click Van Holten’s Chocolates.
This is by no means a definitive list of candy stores at the Jersey Shore. These are just the ones that I found that had Easter candy and dietary options.
We’d love to hear about your favorite candy shop, whether they have Easter candy or not. Feel free to share the name of your favorite place and what you love about them in the comments.
Wishing you and your family a sweet and Happy Easter.
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