John Kelly Chocolates

by Anne Paddock

John Kelly Chocolates is a California-based company that makes award-winning chocolate fudge products by hand in small batches using premium all-natural ingredients. The company’s signature piece is the Truffle Fudge Bar which combines the rich, creamy texture of a truffle with the intense flavor of fudge. Scrumptious and decadent, the Truffle Fudge Bar is best described as a silky fudge bar coated with a thin layer of semi-sweet chocolate. Made primarily of sugar, chocolate, evaporated milk, and butter, the bars come in a variety of flavors:

Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Caramel with Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt: a thin layer of artisan caramel atop the signature semi-sweet truffle fudge, coated in semi-sweet chocolate
Semi-Sweet Chocolate: the original class chocolate fudge enveloped in semi-sweet chocolate, with or without walnuts
Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Caramel with Walnuts: a think layer of artisan caramel is layered on top of the classic semi-sweet chocolate truffle fudge with walnuts and then covered in semi-sweet chocolate
Dark Chocolate: a bold, bittersweet dark chocolate fudge creation that boasts a cacao content of 86%, enveloped in semi-sweet chocolate, with or without walnuts
Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt: the award-winning dark chocolate truffle fudge covered in semi sweet chocolate and a pinch of sea salt
Dark Chocolate Espresso: the award-winning dark chocolate truffle fudge blended with espresso and then covered in semi-sweet chocolate
Dark Chocolate with Chipotle and Ancho Chile: the signature dark chocolate fudge infused with the spicy and smokey flavor of chipotle and the sweet flavor of the ancho chile, enveloped in semi-sweet chocolate
Dark Chocolate with Habanero and Jalapeno Chile: the dark chocolate fudge combined with the intense flavor of the Habanero and the spicy Jalapeno Chile, all covered in semi-sweet chocolate
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mint: the classic semi-sweet chocolate truffle fudge infused with peppermint flavor and enveloped in semi-sweet chocolate
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Orange: the classic semi-sweet chocolate truffle fudge infused with the fruity taste of citrus and then covered in semi-sweet chocolate
Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Peanut Butter: a creamy peanut butter fudge layered on top of the classic signature semi-sweet chocolate truffle fudge, and then covered in semi-sweet chocolate
Peanut Butter with Himalayan Sea Salt: all natural peanut butter fudge coated with Belgian chocolate with a sprinkle of sea salt on top
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Raspberry: the sweet tart taste of raspberries is combined with the semi-sweet chocolate truffle fudge and then covered in semi-sweet chocolate
White Chocolate Vanilla: velvety white chocolate fudge (with walnuts or without) enveloped in semi-sweet chocolate

The Truffle Fudge Bar comes in 8 ounce and 2 ounce sizes and are meant to be sliced and served. Each bar is wrapped in gold paper reminiscent of Wonka Bars from the classic children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I felt like I was opening a piece of gold but instead of finding the golden ticket, I found a creamy, smooth fudge bar – a cross between a truffle and fudge – that would have made Charlie Bucket very happy.

The company also offers Truffle Fudge Bites which are 1 ounce single servings and Walnut Caramel Clusters which are artisan caramel and walnut clusters enrobed in a dark chocolate with flakes of sea salt on top. All of the products can be purchased in a variety of gift box options.

John Kelly Chocolates are available at the company store in Hollywood, California and at specialty gourmet shops throughout the country. The chocolates can also be ordered through the company website listed below. Each 8 ounce bar is about $15 while the bites and clusters are offered in a variety of box sizes. See the company website for complete information.