America is home to some of the most iconic chocolate manufacturers whose bars and candies can be found all over the world, as well as incredible local shops.
That being said, there are thousands of companies producing chocolate all over the world, so sifting through them all to find only the best American chocolate brands is no easy task. Thankfully, we’ve done all the research for you and have compiled the ultimate list below.
List of Chocolate Made in the USA
Hershey’s (Most Iconic)
| Popular Chocolates | Milk Chocolate Bars, Kit Kats, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and many more! |
| Year Founded | 1894 |
| Origin | Pennsylvania, USA |
Hershey’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
Most people have heard of Hershey’s chocolate. They’re an absolutely legendary chocolate brand that sells candies all over the world. Being that I was born in raised in Pennsylvania, I’m slightly biased towards Hersey, although I do feel they certainly deserve the number 1 spot on the list. I’ve been a Hershey fan for as long as I can remember, and I’ve even toured their facility in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and got to sample some chocolate that was hot off the assembly line!
The company has two manufacturing plants in Heresy, Pennsylvania. At their plant in West Hershey, which opened in 2012, they make over 70 million Hershey Kisses per day! They also have facilities in Memphis, TN, Robinson, IL, and Stuarts Draft, VA.
I love the Hershey company because despite being one of the largest chocolate companies in the world, they’re always looking for ways to expand their chocolate line!
What We Love About Hershey’s Chocolate
Hersey has many of the most popular chocolate products worldwide. Everything from Kit Kats to Reese’s Pieces to their classic milk chocolate bars, Hersey chocolate is simply incredible. In the past, Hershey’s Kisses candy was actually wrapped by hand. Can you imagine how long it would take to wrap the 70 million made daily today? If you’ve never had one, they truly are a simple, classic bite. Perfect for stocking stuffers, a candy dish, or wherever! If you haven’t already, give Hershey’s chocolate a try!
Dove Chocolate
| Popular Chocolates | Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate Bar, Dark Chocolate Almond Promises, Peanut Butter Chocolate, and Many More! |
| Year Founded | 1939 |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
Dove’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
One interesting thing about Dove Chocolate is that it’s made in the US and sold under the name Dove, but the company that owns Dove, called Galaxy, also makes the exact same chocolate in other countries but markets it under the name Galaxy. That said, Dove is still an American company that makes a ton of chocolate in America and hires lots of American workers.
I really love the ethos of this brand. Here is a great video talk talks about the Dove company and its mission to ensure that all of its chocolate is made with the highest-quality cocoa. The video also explains how the company is dedicated to helping women and overall just giving back to the world through their company. From including inspiring quotes inside their chocolates to paying their workers great wages to ensuring they’re using only the best cocoa, it really seems like Dove is doing everything right and is certainly a company worth supporting! If you want to learn more about Dove Chocolate’s story, check it out here.
What We Love About Dove Chocolate
I’m personally a huge fan of Dove Chocolate. I find that it’s silky smooth, and compared to many other chocolate brands that are made overseas, they source higher-quality ingredients and still sell their bars at a very competitive price.
If you haven’t ever tried Dove Chocolate, you have to give it a try! The video below is a funny video of Irish people trying Dove Chocolate and giving their thoughts about it. Dove has a lot of different chocolates, so be sure to try a few of their most popular chocolates before you make a final decision about the brand!
Fannie May (Fine Handmade Chocolates)
| Popular Chocolates | Peanut butter buckeyes, milk chocolate-covered caramel with pecans, assortments, and much more! |
| Year Founded | 1920 |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
Fannie May’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
One chocolate company that is also recognized worldwide but started in America is Fannie May. The company was started in Chicago, Illinois, and today still employs hundreds of American workers.
The company was founded by Teller Archibald in 1920. The company started out with just a few staple chocolates, but nowadays, they have expanded its product lines to include hundreds of chocolates. What separates Fannie May from many of its competitors is its large assortment and the number of combinations. They also take a lot of pride in their chocolates which definitely shows in their products.
What We Love About Fannie May Chocolate
Their most popular treat is their finest chocolate combined with smooth caramel and crunchy pecans. For over 100 years, they’ve been making so many great chocolates chocolate-covered cherries to buckeyes to flavored chocolates. If you haven’t given them a try yet, you’re really missing out. Their chocolates are simply incredible.
Boyer Candy Company (Most Nostalgic)
| Popular Chocolates | Mallo Cups, Clark bars, and many more! |
| Year Founded | 1936 |
| Origin | Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA |
Boyer’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
The story about how the Boyer brothers founded their company is truly inspiring. During the great depression, the family was struggling financially and decided to start a chocolate business right out of their mom’s kitchen. The family worked together, and everyone took part in the process, from creation to wrapping to going door-to-door selling it. That hard work paid off, and now their chocolate reputation practically sells itself. They’ve become a massive success and today have around 70 employees.
What We Love About Boyer Chocolate
As a child, I used to love these butterscotch peanut butter cups and wondered if they are still available. My mouth is watering just thinking about them!
This 15-pound bag of Smoothie Cups is sure to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth. In this giant bag, you’ll find approximately 450 Smoothie Cups, which is more than enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. This is one of those brands that really brings back nostalgia for a lot of people because the company has been around for so long. The Boyer company continues to make some amazing chocolate so give some of their most popular chocolates a try!
Sanders Chocolate
| Popular Chocolates | Pecan turtles, cherry cordials, hot fudge, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1875 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, USA |
Sanders’ Origin and Manufacturing Locations
Next on this list, we have another household name, Sanders Chocolate. You can find their fudge and chocolates in big-box retailers pretty much everywhere. The founder Fred Sanders Schmidt opened the chocolate company in Detroit with almost no funding and had to actually borrow a barrel of sugar to get started. After becoming a massive success in Michigan and the Great Lakes area, they eventually continued to expand the company, and now they have over 50 locations where they sell their delicious treats and chocolates.
What We Love About Sanders Chocolate
I personally love Sanders Fudge and chocolates. Growing up, I also had Sanders fudge with my ice cream. Along with their fudge, they also make lots of other great candies and chocolates! Check out their website to see all of their delicious creations. You’ll be blown away by the number of chocolates they make!
Ghirardelli
| Popular Chocolates | Assorted chocolate squares, hot chocolate, and much more! |
| Year Founded | 1852 |
| Origin | San Leandro, California, USA |
Ghirardelli’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
Domenico Ghirardelli, the founder of the legendary Ghirardelli chocolate company started as an apprentice at a local candy maker. The skills he learned as an apprentice would later help him create one of the largest chocolate empires of all time. The company’s first store was located in Stockton, California. Not long after, a second store was opened on the corner of Broadway in San Francisco. Later, Ghiradelli moved its production facilities to San Leandro, California, where the company continued to expand.
What We Love About Ghirardelli Chocolate
Rather than roasting the entire bean, Ghirardelli Chocolate squares premium chocolate assortments use only the nib, which is the heart of the cacao bean. They are able to produce a more consistent chocolate flavor by going straight to the heart of the bean. They believe that details make the difference. I personally find their chocolates to be very smooth and delicious.
If you’d like to try Ghirardelli chocolates, they can be found in most retail stores across America. You can also find them online and pretty much everywhere because they’ve become so popular in the USA. Overall, Ghirardelli is easily one of the best American chocolate brands out there!
DeMet’s Candy Company (Most Classic)
| Popular Chocolates | Chocolate-covered pretzels, pecan turtles, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1898 |
| Origin | Connecticut, USA, and Toronto, Canada |
DeMet’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
In America, DeMet’s chocolate-covered pretzels and turtles are simply some of the most popular chocolates. The chocolates can be found in all of the largest stores, including Walmart, target, etc. The company was founded in 1898, and even today continues to grow and has become an absolute juggernaut in the chocolate industry.
What We Love About DeMet’s Chocolate
You can’t go wrong with a Turtles Classic Bar when you want creamy caramel, crunchy pecans, and luscious chocolate. Demet’s chocolate turtles are my personal favorite chocolate candy in the world. They’re also extremely popular gifts for holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas.
Esther Price Candies
| Popular Chocolates | Chocolate-covered potato chips, assorted chocolates, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1926 |
| Origin | Dayton, Ohio, USA |
Esther Price’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
The story of Ester Price Candies started when the founder, Esther Price, started to make fudge while her children were asleep to make some extra money. Through her grit and determination, she was able to sell her chocolates door-to-door. Esther was truly a talented chocolate maker, and she could tell just by looking at it whether it was done or not. She would taste each batch of chocolate to ensure it met her high standards. In 1926, she reach reached a point where she simply could not make enough chocolate to meet demand. This is a great problem that every small business owner dreams of. Today, all of the company’s candy supply is still made in the factory she built around her house on Wayne Avenue in Dayton, Ohio.
Since the inception of the company, Ester has been dedicated to quality ingredients and customers, and the company still adheres to those standards.
What We Love About Esther Price Chocolate
Premium chocolate, milk, butter, almonds, pecans, and cashews are used to make their fine creations. A perfect gift for a loved one or to enjoy on your own. If you’re looking for the best chocolates in the USA, take a look at the offerings from Esther Price Candies.
Gertrude Hawk
| Popular Chocolates | Mini Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Truffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries, assorted chocolates, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1936 |
| Origin | Dunmore, Pennsylvania, USA |
Gertrude Hawk’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
At the age of 12, Gertrude Hawk started working at a local candy store in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After losing her dad and mother, she was stuck in a difficult situation where she had to find a way to support her family.
Gertrude learned and developed a love for chocolate. In 1936, Gertrude decided to start her own business during the very difficult times of the Great Depression. Gertrude Hawk Chocolates was born in her family kitchen in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The company was a massive success, and today the company has over 500 employees and supports a lot of hard-working American workers. If you want to learn more about the company’s history, check out their about us page here.
What We Love About Gertrude Hawk Chocolate
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates makes a large variety of chocolates, and I personally find them delicious! Their tiny sea salt caramel truffles are filled with milk chocolate. An unusual addition to a candy buffet or candy dish. They are a small but interesting bite that is sure to delight anyone! Check out their website to learn more about all of their chocolates. Gertrude Hawk is without a doubt, one of my favorite American chocolate brands!
Bedre (Most Whimsical)
| Popular Chocolates | Milk chocolate-covered gummi bears, nut bars, melting chocolate, and many more! |
| Year Founded | The 1980s |
| Origin | Ada, Oklahoma, USA |
Bedre’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
The next company on this list has been in business for over 40 years. Bedré Fine Chocolate was founded in Oklahoma and quickly became popular. In 2000, the company was purchased by Chickasaw Nation. The new owners expanded the business rapidly, and now the Bedre company is known all over the world.
The company has truly become a premium chocolate company and has some incredible state-of-the-art machinery that they use to make their chocolate.
What We Love About Bedre Chocolate
Their chocolate gummy bears are my personal favorite candies that they make, but this company has a large selection. From chocolate-covered nuts to flavored chocolates, this company has a truly impressive selection.
Dean’s Sweets (Most Locally-Sourced Ingredients)
| Popular Chocolates | Assortments, squares, hot chocolate, and more! |
| Year Founded | 2004 |
| Origin | Portland, Maine, USA |
Dean’s Sweets Origin and Manufacturing Locations
The story of Dean’s Sweets is a rather interesting one. The company started as a hobby to treat family and friends but after getting so much great feedback from family and friends. What I like most about his company is how they use a lot of organic ingredients, and many of the ingredients are locally sourced. No preservatives or artificial ingredients are made in the process of making their chocolates
What We Love About Dean’s Sweets Chocolate
Because their chocolates are not mass-produced by machines, the chocolates often differ in size. The company has a ton of great assortments, sauces, and chocolate bars. If you’re looking for more of a boutique chocolate company, give Dean’s Sweets a look!
Asher’s Chocolate
| Popular Chocolates | Assorted chocolates, chocolate bark, chocolate pretzels, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1892 |
| Origin | Souderton, Pennsylvania, USA |
Asher’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
For Asher’s Chocolate Company, a simple box of chocolate is one of life’s sweetest pleasures. With over five generations of making fine chocolates and other classic confections, Asher’s is a family-owned and operated business.
The same recipes they followed for over 100 years have been used by them because they use the freshest and finest ingredients around. Did you know that they have one of the largest lines of sugar-free chocolates in the country? The best sweet treats from Asher’s are made with locally sourced ingredients that are of the highest quality.
What We Love About Asher’s Chocolate
Sweet milk chocolate and lightly salted pretzels combine to make an irresistible pairing. This delectable treat contains a little of everything you love about milk chocolate and pretzels. Sweet and salty Asher’s branded gourmet milk chocolate pretzels come in a 6.5 oz package.
The milk chocolate smothered pretzels have an old-fashioned aesthetic that is presentable right from their delivery box. Stocking stuffers and Valentine’s Day gifts can be made from milk chocolate pretzels!
Carolina Candy
| Popular Chocolates | Toffee, Carolina buckeyes, pecan turtles, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1919 |
| Origin | Wilmington, North Carolina, USA |
Carolina Candy’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
Over the last 18 years, Carolina Candy Company has been satisfying customers with an incredible variety of toffees and chocolates. Their delicious treats are made from scratch at their store in beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina, using only the highest quality ingredients.
In addition to the United States, their creations have made it to several countries in Europe! They make the best toffee you’ve ever tasted.
What We Love About Carolina Candy Chocolate
It’s made from scratch with only the best whole ingredients, including butter, sugar, pecans, and chocolate.
Their toffees are all handcrafted in small batches so that we can ensure a soft, buttery crunch in every bite. Fresh ingredients are always used. This is a gourmet treat that everyone will enjoy! The company makes tons of delicious chocolates, so be sure to check out their website to learn more about their offerings.
Dinstuhl’s Chocolate Elvis Records (Most Unique)
| Popular Chocolates | Fudge, assortments, brittle, chocolate bars |
| Year Founded | 1902 |
| Origin | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
Dinstuhl’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
The story of Dinstuh’s chocolates started in 1902 in Memphis, Tennessee. The company blew up due to their famous chocolate pecan fudge recipe, which even to this day has been passed down and used from generation to generation.
Today, the company specializes in custom products like the ones you see above-featuring celebrities like Elvis. This company has been ranked the “Best Candy Store in the South” and “#1 Fudge in America.”
What We Love About Dinstuhl’s Chocolate
Dinstuhl’s become so famous because they had some incredible recipes and used high-quality ingredients. A lot of hard work was also part of the equation to their success. On their website, you’ll find delicious fudge, chocolate bars, gift assortments, and a whole lot more. I have to say this is certainly one of the more unique chocolate brands on this list
Frango Chocolates
| Popular Chocolates | Dark chocolate bars, chocolate mints, assorted chocolates, and much more! |
| Year Founded | 1918 |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, USA |
Frango’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
The story of Frango chocolates starts in 1918, and today they’re best known for their chocolate mints and other candies. Their mints are really what made the company go mainstream. Their secret recipe used cocoa beans from South America and Africa, along with other ingredients that weren’t easy to source.
What We Love About Frango’s Chocolate
Frango mints are truly a unique chocolate candy that melts in your melt and is utterly delicious. If you haven’t tried any of their candies, I definitely recommend starting with their mints since that’s what they’re best known for.
Annabelle’s Chocolate (Most Flavorful)
| Popular Chocolates | Rocky Road Bars, Big Hunk, and more! |
| Year Founded | 1950 |
| Origin | Hayward, California, USA |
Annabelle’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
If you like the idea of a fluffy marshmallow covered in rich, delicious chocolate and topped with roasted cashew nuts, then Rocky Road Bars made by Annabelle’s chocolate might just be your new favorite candy.
Annabelle Candy Company is now over 70 years old and includes many legendary chocolates under its name, including Abba-Zaba, Rocky Road, Big Hunk, U-NO, and Look! The company has been passed down for three generations, and they are still as motivated as ever to produce great chocolates that people love!
What We Love About Annabelle’s Chocolate
There was a large discount warehouse where I used to purchase these, but they no longer carry them. Since these are also hard to find in other places, I had to order them when I saw that they were available here at such a good price. Chocolate-coated marshmallows with small amounts of nuts in the coating are just my kind of treat. The order I received did not disappoint. Although they showed up quickly and in perfect condition, if you live in a warm climate, be cautious as they may arrive melted.
Birnn Chocolates (Most Traditional)
| Popular Chocolates | Many assorted chocolate options |
| Year Founded | 1915 |
| Origin | Highland Park, New Jersey, USA |
Birnn’s Origin and Manufacturing Locations
Birnn Chocolates is one of New Jersey’s most popular chocolate companies.
One interesting thing about this company is that all of their chocolates are made in the same factory where they sell them from. They do this to ensure they are as fresh as possible. The company does, of course, still package and ship their chocolates, so if you’re interested, you can order some offline!
What We Love About Birnn Chocolate
Where I feel Birnn Chocolate shines most is their assortments. These make a great gift idea!
Wrap Up:
That does it for this article. America is home to some of the most innovative companies in the world, and many of the chocolate brands started in America have certainly changed the candy landscape forever. Let us know what you think is the best American chocolate brand in the comments below. Also, let us know if there are any great brands that we missed that we should add to this list. We are always looking to expand our list!
Hi, my name is Kevin and I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Choosing products made in America is important to me because it supports local economies, creates jobs, helps the environment, and ensures ethical labor practices. I also find that American made products are usually of higher quality so although they’re a little more expensive, you save money in the long run. Before starting this website I was in the USMC infantry and nowadays I work on this website as a hobby.
Fellow Pennsylvanian here. Love my Hershey chocolate. I used to tour the factory all the time when I was younger but haven’t gone in years. Reese’s are still the greatest chocolate ever made.
Hey Taylor, I too have been to the Hershey factory! I live near Pittsburgh now, so I live far from the factory. I think they still have the tours. Reese’s and Kit Kats are life!
Hershey went woke so I will no longer purchase anything owned by Hershey Brand.