The tantalizing smell of delicious sweet chocolate fills the air as you walk down the street towards Chocolates by Leopold in Montrose, Pennsylvania. When you enter the store, your eyes feast on a large variety of handmade gourmet German chocolates and other treats. Which delicious treat should you enjoy?
Pennsylvania is home to some of the most delicious chocolate shops in the country. Chocolates by Leopold is known for its authentic German chocolates. The chocolate-makers here use recipes that have been passed down through four generations.
If you are a chocoholic like me or just an occasional chocolate lover, you will enjoy sampling the truffles and other delicious treats at Chocolates by Leopold. I visited last fall and was amazed at the process used to make the scintillating candies. I had the opportunity to talk with the candy makers and the marketing manager to learn more about their process and what makes their German recipes so unique.
Chocolates by Leopold provided a gift box of samples for us to taste. All opinions are my own.
The History
People have been eating chocolate in solid form since 1847. The chocolate is usually mixed with vanilla, sugar, lecithin, and sometimes other flavors. Milk is added to milk chocolate, and sometimes cocoa butter is added to make the candy rich and smooth.
Master chocolatier Leopold Schreiber has worked with chocolates for more than five decades. He has extensive chocolate knowledge and lots of experience since he started working with chocolate at the young age of 12. Leopold was also gifted with a creative flair. He combined these traits to make exquisite chocolate creations and sweets to delight his customers.
Leo opened his chocolate shop in Binghampton, New York, where he had a loyal customer base, and then moved his shop to Montrose.
You can find all the traditional candies and trending chocolates in Chocolates by Leopold. The company focuses on “providing the best gourmet chocolates with the finest ingredients available globally.”
Quality Ingredients
Only high-quality ingredients are used to create the fine artisanal chocolates at Chocolates by Leopold. The best possible ingredients are secured globally to make each confection a masterpiece. The lack of fillers and additives gives each piece a very creamy and delicious taste. Chocolates by Leopold treats have a taste comparable to the finest chocolates in Europe.
The German Recipes
German chocolates have a unique and delicious flavor that is sure to please even the pickiest chocolate connoisseur. Chocolates by Leopold uses the recipes handed down through the generations to create delightful masterpieces.
Truffles with a ganache center flavored with fruits, spices, or liquors are coated in chocolate and available in various flavors along with their signature candy, the Buttercrunch. All are made using German recipes.
Signature Candy
Chocolates by Leopold’s signature candy is Buttercrunch, made by following a century-old German butter toffee recipe handed down from master confectioner to master confectioner.
They roast raw almonds in butter to give them an intense flavor and then hand dip the center in chocolate and roll it in crushed almonds, creating the delicious treat that has become their most sought-after confection.
Handmade Deliciousness
Chocolates by Leopold are made with care in their small factory in downtown Montrose. Many of their processes, such as dipping, rolling, etc. are still done by hand. They use a technique known as conching to knead the chocolate, making it feel smooth and creamy on the tongue.
You can schedule a tour to watch the process of gourmet chocolate making. We enjoyed a tour when we visited, which was fascinating to watch. Tours for groups are free but must be scheduled in advance.
The Taste
The mix of quality ingredients, old-fashioned candy making, and new approaches make the chocolates absolutely delicious. Chocolates by Leopold customers agree it is the best tasting gourmet chocolates you can find.
The creamy and flavorful centers of many of the candies are handmade using fourth-generation German recipes that include starch-casting creams. Less sugar and zero fillers are used, contributing to the exquisite taste.
Hand Decorated Chocolates
Molded items are decorated by hand. When we visited, I was amazed at the decorations on some of the chocolates. The fall leaves were so pretty with the hand-painted designs, and the sunflower pop with the bee was my favorite. Many of the hand-decorated items are completed in stages requiring multiple visits to each piece to complete the decorations.
Variety Of Products
A wide selection of chocolates, from truffles to caramels to nuts, are available at Chocolates by Leopold. Other favorites include chocolate-covered cherries, nut barks, peanut butter cups, and nonpareils. Don’t forget about the Buttercrunch. They also have gift baskets, molded chocolate pops, and decorative candy.
Chocolate Is The Perfect Gift
Chocolates are a great gift for any occasion and are thought to inspire romance and happy thoughts. Chocolate is used as a gift for Valentine’s day, Christmas, wedding favors, and other special moments. They have boxed candies ready for gift-giving, and shipping is available.
Chocolate is also the perfect gift to give yourself once in a while. You can make every day special by eating delicious gourmet chocolate.
Pro Tip: If you have diabetes or your doctor has asked you not to eat chocolate, please don’t treat yourself.
Available In Different Locations
Chocolates by Leopold’s main store and factory is located in Montrose, a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. They have other locations in Johnson City and Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. You can also order their authentic German chocolate treats online.
If you are ever in the Montrose, Pennsylvania area and in the mood for some delicious authentic German chocolates, be sure to stop by Chocolates by Leopold for some exquisite treats. Not only are their products delicious, but they also offer a wide variety of other goodies that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
