This week Saturday Sweets takes us on an adventure a little more north to our newly discovered favorite chocolate shop on Las Olas Boulevard, Hoffman’s Chocolates, where they believe everything and I mean EVERYTHING, should be celebrated with chocolate. 

Now that’s a philosophy I can definitely get behind!  Hoffman’s Chocolates started as a family owned business 40 years ago and even though they were recently bought by BBX Sweet Holdings, they still hold on tightly to their family run values. With nine locations throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties they continue the family tradition of made on site chocolates.

Hoffman’s Chocolates has a crazy fun list of chocolates and confectionary items including everything from gourmet chocolates, double-dipped chocolate-covered pretzels, customized chocolate drenched cookies, chocolate-covered strawberries, caramel apples, coconut cashew crunch and a massive selection of distinctive gift baskets. 

Need a gift basket so personal that it has the recipient’s name all over the chocolate or even the logo to their business?  Hoffman’s can make it happen.

Recently I spent part of a Saturday afternoon in one of their newer locations, where I was warmly welcomed by their manager Debbie and her wonderful staff.  One of my favorite parts about Hoffman’s, other than being surrounded by endless chocolates, was finding out that everyone in the store knows how to make and prepare every product.  There wasn’t a specific person with a specific talent – everyone was equally creative and talented and as a baker that’s something I appreciated immediately.  I got to sample a few of the Gourmet Caramel Apples, the Coconut Cashew Crunch (also took a box of it home and it didn’t last more than 3 days, oops!), and the Coconut Getaway Milkshake.  I happily wandered the quaint little shop for over an hour oohing and awing at all of their delicious options.  From pure chocolate life-size high heels and purses to chocolate roses and cigars, every nook and cranny of the store had something perfect for everyone and every possible occasion.  I was starting to make up holidays in my head just to have excuses to devour all their tasty treats. 

Hoffman’s also loves to give back to the community.  Currently they plan on donating ten percent of all ice cream sundae and milkshake sales during June and July to United Way of Broward County’s ReadingPals Program and United Way of Palm Beach County’s, partner, Literacy Coalition. In addition, all guests are invited to visit any Hoffman’s Chocolates location to share how they “Stay Cool & Celebrate” by taking photos of themselves enjoying any Hoffman’s Chocolates treat and sharing via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #CelebrateWithHoffmans. One photo will be selected randomly, and the winner will receive FREE chocolate for a year!  I’ve already entered the contest three times – wish me luck!

With nine locations in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, including the most recent location opening at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport earlier this month, Hoffman’s Chocolates has plans to continue its expansion throughout Florida.  After this visit, it’s safe to say that once they expand to Miami-Dade – more specifically South Miami, there’s a huge possibility I’ll be there once a week.  It’s just THAT good!  Be sure to check out Hoffman’s Chocolates any time you venture near them, it’s absolutely worth the drive.

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Editor's Note: Hoffman’s Chocolates is proud to announce that it will be supporting the Orlando, Florida community by donating a portion of sales of its special edition Love Wins Oreos® Box of 3 to the OneOrlando Fund. The South Florida chocolatier has created these special cookies, designed with a Love Wins logo, a rainbow heart and rainbow sprinkles, to signify its support of the victims of the Pulse Night Club tragedy, their families and the LGBTQ community. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer recently announced the formation of the OneOrlando Fund (#OrlandoUnited), to help provide financial support to the victims of the tragedy and their families.

Hoffman’s Chocolates Love Wins Oreos® Box of 3 costs $6.50 per pack and Hoffman’s will donate $1.00 of each pack sold to the OneOrlando Fund. The Love Wins Oreos® will be available at Hoffman’s Chocolates nine retail locations in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and online at www.hoffmans.com beginning the week of June 27th. 

Lois Marino, Director of Marketing for Hoffman’s Chocolates, stated: “We mourn the loss of the victims of this horrific tragedy.  Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost loved ones in Orlando.”

Hoffman’s Chocolates is available at multiple locations throughout Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Check for locations on their website www.hoffmans.com