What can I say? Some articles are more fun to write than others. This feature story involved a lot of late nights – so I could avoid sharing my research project! Here are some of the most special candies to be had, south of the Mason-Dixon line. So, call up these terrific places and tell ’em you saw it here!
Lynchburg Cake and Candy Co. – Lynchburg, Tennessee
Billy H. Thomas and his family are the hearts and hands behind Lynchburg Cake and Candy Co. Billy is a retired accountant with the Jack Daniels Distillery and his son still works there. Naturally, all of their sweets are kissed with Jack Daniels. The family day starts at 4:30 in the morning and often goes to 10:00 at night.
The company was featured on “The View”, and also Paula Deen’s sons’ show, “Road Tasted” on the Food Network. Recently, it was also featured on Food Network Canada (hello, our Canadian friends!).
While their whiskey cake is very whiskey-laden, their Whiskey Balls candy (developed by Bill in 2005) is a little more muted – so, even the kiddies can enjoy. The chocolate is creamy and the whiskey ball centers have a rich, smooth texture. They are delectable on their own, but you should also try slicing them up as an exotic ice-cream topping! They would be elegant passed around on a silver tray to dinner guests.
To order, check out www.lynchburgcakeandcandy.com, 1-877-759-7441.
SouthnFrance – Wilmington, North Carolina
Charlene Dupray and Pascal Siegler are the husband and wife team behind SouthnFrance: she’s a Southerner who met her French husband while studying abroad. You can tell from their web site that she’s as packed full of personality as their chocolates are packed full of flavor. In fact, Charlene is even in demand as a motivational speaker. As for their candies, the bonbons just won “Best New Chocolate Product” at the Philadelphia Candy, Gift and Gourmet Show.
Their bonbons are generously sized, filling up your mouth with a feeling of indulgence. The candies are natural tasting, not too sugary — and very rich. Handmade without preservatives, SouthnFrance ships their candies in special cold-packing and recommends refrigeration.
The flavors are meant to be a blending of Southern and French tastes. They have six flavors of bonbons…and of their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavor, Charlene says this: “Southern women like their chocolate chip cookie dough just like their men: rich and sweet, Sugah!”. SouthnFrance also makes a “Peanut Buttah”, Pistachio, Cookies ‘n’ Cream, Coconut (which really has a fresh coconut flavor) and Fudge Brownie (candy and brownie in one bite!).
For ordering information, see www.southnfrance.com or call 910-762-6882.
Bomboy’s – Havre de Grace, Maryland
Bomboy’s is located in the picturesque and historic coastal town of Havre de Grace. A family business that makes their own chocolates, fudges and decorative candies, they are a favorite stop for tourists and locals alike. Bomboy’s also has an incredible array of sugar-free old-timey candies and because of this, they have been supplying several of Col. Tamar’s elderly, sugar-intolerant but candy-eatin’ relatives for several years. Bomboy’s also has what I consider to be the most genius business model of all times (read up, Wharton B-School!): they have an ice-cream store across the street where they mix in pieces of their homemade candies from the candy shop!
Made fresh daily, Bomboy’s chocolates are velvety and just the right amount of sweet. Their cashew “crabs” (instead of turtles) which are bite –sized, are insanely good, with creamy caramel and salty cashews. Take your pick of milk or dark chocolate; they’re both great. They also create what they call “Havre de Mints”. These are after-dinner type chocolate mints – but please don’t think of that foil wrapped variety you grab for free at the steakhouse! These are incomparably rich and the mint is pleasant… not mouthwashy.
Bomboy’s does all kinds of molded and custom chocolates, that people order for wedding favors, souvenirs, etc. This is not an easy task! I once took a chocolate-making class and the stuff ended up all over the walls. They are able to cold-ship anywhere, so you can enjoy their decadent and cute candies wherever you may be.
To order, call Jean Bomboy at 410-939-2924 or check out www.bomboyscandy.com
Nanny’s Candy Co. – Carencro, Louisiana
Whether you pronounce them “pray –leens” or “praw- leens” (like they do in Louisiana), pralines are a historic candy first made in France. The French originally made pralines with almonds, which are plentiful there. When they colonized Louisiana, they had to “make do” with the newly-discovered pecan. Most people love our American version best! Nanny’s makes their pralines with luscious local pecans. If you’ve never had a Louisiana praline, you haven’t had the real thing. These pralines are made with a creamy, delicate, sugary texture – much like French marzipan.
Nanny’s Original Southern Style Popcorn Balls are huge, fresh and chewy. They’re made with pure Louisiana cane syrup, so they’re pleasantly and naturally sweet. Think of these confections as a Southern crispy treat.
Their Southern Style Peanut Brittle is tenderly crunchy with lots and lots of peanuts. Nanny’s has a recipe section on their site, including one for making ice-cream parfaits with the brittle…yum! And with their Chewy Pecan Caramels, you can taste that they’re made with things like real butter and real vanilla.
To order, call Eddie at 337-896-5682, 888-896-6335 or click on http://www.nannyscandy.com/ .
Louis J. Rheb Candy Company – Baltimore, Maryland
Rheb’s is a family tradition in Baltimore. They’ve supplied the Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Easter, Secretary’s Day and first-date candy boxes for many people for many generations. The Rheb family started making taffies, fudge, brittles and jellies in their basement starting back in 1917. They have a stand-alone store, as well as a stand in one of America’s oldest markets, Lexington Market (George Washington was a customer there!).
Rheb’s candy always has a classic fresh flavor that highlights the ingredients, without being too sweet. They carry some of those very hard to find cream varieties that people think of so wistfully: almond butter creams, opera creams, walnut creams. You can actually get dozens of different chocolates from Rheb’s, including special almond, Cashew and Black Walnut barks.
Each Rheb’s candy is lovingly shaped and some are individually wrapped, to protect their coatings.
To order some for yourself, call 1-800-514-8293 or click on www.rhebcandy.com .
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