How It’s Made at Kilwins

Ever wonder how Kilwins chocolates, fudge, caramel apples and other sweet treats are made? Many of our treats are hand-crafted in the Kilwins Kitchen in Petoskey, Michigan. Others are made fresh every day in Kilwins stores across the country.

Come behind the scenes to see how some of your favorite Kilwins treats are made, from the treat-making traditions we've kept for generations to the hand-crafted confections made right in our stores.

It Starts with Kilwins Heritage Chocolate

Every great Kilwins treat starts with great chocolate. Kilwins Heritage Chocolate is our signature Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate, made from our own exclusive recipe. We craft it ourselves at our headquarters in Petoskey, Michigan. The result is the rich, smooth taste that has been a hallmark of Kilwins for generations.

How Kilwins Fudge Is Made

Kilwins fudge is made fresh in our stores the old-fashioned way. Each batch is cooked in copper kettles, then poured onto marble tables to cool, where it's hand-paddled until it reaches that rich, creamy texture our Guests know and love. Faster and less expensive methods exist, but we keep making our fudge by hand because the result is simply better.

Because so many Kilwins stores make fudge on site, there's a good chance you'll catch a batch being paddled on the marble table during your visit. Can't make it in? You can also shop Kilwins fudge online.

What's Inside a Kilwins Dubai Chocolate Truffle

Kilwins Dubai Chocolate Truffles start with a rich pistachio filling mixed with crispy kataifi, a delicate shredded pastry. Each truffle is then surrounded by Kilwins Heritage Chocolate, our signature Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate. The result is a decadent mix of creamy, crunchy and chocolatey in every bite.

Our team has been molding and enrobing chocolates since 1965, so we know a thing or two about chocolate. That experience guides the care and craftsmanship we bring to every creation, including our new Dubai Chocolate Truffles. Watch the video to see how each truffle is shell molded and filled with our pistachio filling.

Crafting Light, Fluffy Gourmet Marsh-Mallows

Kilwins Marsh-Mallows are a far cry from the store-bought kind. These gourmet marshmallows are hand-crafted using time-honored techniques, and every batch gets the care it takes to create their light, fluffy texture. They're soft, sweet and a longtime Kilwins favorite.

Follow along in the video for an up-close look at the Marsh-Mallow-making process and the care that goes into every batch. Enjoy them on their own or share them with someone who loves a sweet treat.

How Our Kilwins Caramel Apples Are Made

Kilwins Caramel Apples are dipped and coated by hand right in our stores. Each apple gets a thick layer of caramel and is then finished by hand, making them as fun to watch being made as they are to eat. Choose from the timeless Original or with toppings like Chocolate, Peanut and Pecan.

Since they're made in store, Caramel Apples are one of the treats you can often see being dipped during your visit. Next time you're at Kilwins, grab one of these hand-crafted favorites to take home.

Fresh Strawberries Dipped in Heritage Chocolate

Kilwins Chocolate-Covered Strawberries start with fresh strawberries, each one hand-dipped in Kilwins Heritage Chocolate, our signature Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate. The pairing of juicy fruit and rich, smooth chocolate makes this one of our most classic chocolate-covered treats.

Simple, fresh and made with care, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries make a sweet gift for someone special or a well-deserved treat for yourself.

Behind the Scenes of Our Classic Cherry Cordials

Kilwins Cherry Cordials are a classic favorite, pairing sweet cherries with rich Kilwins Heritage Chocolate. Each one is crafted with the same care and craftsmanship that has gone into our chocolates for generations.

From the first cherry to the final layer of chocolate, the video shows the craftsmanship behind this timeless treat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Kilwins Treats Are Made

Kilwins Heritage Chocolate is made at our headquarters and chocolate kitchen in Petoskey, Michigan, where Kilwins was founded in 1947. Many other Kilwins treats are made fresh in our stores across the country, using the Heritage Chocolate we make in our chocolate kitchen.

Yes. Many Kilwins stores make fudge fresh on site. It's cooked in copper kettles, cooled on marble tables and hand-paddled until it's rich and creamy.

Yes. Many Kilwins stores make treats like fudge and caramel apples on site, so Guests can often watch them being made during a visit.

Yes. Kilwins Heritage Chocolate is Fair Trade Certified™ and made in the U.S.A. from our own exclusive recipe.

Each Kilwins Dubai Chocolate Truffle has a rich pistachio filling mixed with crispy kataifi, surrounded by Kilwins Heritage Chocolate.

Kilwins Caramel Apples come in classics like Original, Peanut and Pecan, and each one is dipped and coated by hand in store.

Kilwins has been making confections since 1947 and has been molding and enrobing chocolates since 1965. We began making our own proprietary Heritage Chocolate in 2011, which is used in our chocolates and confections today.