If you’ve ever handed someone a box of See’s Candies and thought I can do better, you’re right — you can. The Bay Area has a genuinely impressive artisan chocolate scene, and gifting a box of handcrafted bon bons has become the thing to do when you want to actually impress someone.
Here’s what makes artisan chocolate worth the upgrade, and what to look for when you’re shopping.
What Makes Artisan Chocolate Different?
The word “artisan” gets thrown around a lot, so here’s what actually separates handcrafted chocolate from commercial candy.
Couverture chocolate. Artisan chocolatiers use high-quality couverture chocolate — typically from producers like Valrhona (France), Felchin (Switzerland), or Callebaut (Belgium). These chocolates have higher cocoa butter content, better flavor complexity, and are worlds apart from the compound chocolate used in commercial candy bars.
Small-batch production. Artisan bon bons are made in small quantities, often daily or weekly, so they’re fresh. Commercial chocolates can sit in distribution for months.
Handpainted shells. The colorful, glossy finish you see on artisan bon bons isn’t dye — it’s cocoa butter mixed with food-grade colorants, hand-applied to each mold before the chocolate is poured. No two pieces are exactly alike.
Intentional flavors. Instead of “milk chocolate,” you get “lemon cheesecake with white chocolate shell” or “Tennessee whiskey caramel with toasted pecan.” The flavor development is closer to fine dining than candy.
How to Choose the Right Gift Box
For someone who likes classic flavors: Look for a box that includes vanilla caramel, milk chocolate ganache, and maybe a hazelnut or praline option. These translate well even for people who aren’t adventurous eaters.
For the adventurous foodie: Go for seasonal or signature flavors — think pistachio kanafeh (Dubai), fig & goat cheese walnut, or passionfruit dark chocolate. These are conversation starters.
For a corporate or large group gift: Larger boxes (12 or 24 pieces) with a mix of dark, milk, and white chocolate options cover the most dietary preferences. A good artisan chocolatier will label allergens clearly.
For a romantic occasion: A small 2 or 4-piece box, beautifully packaged, often lands better than a big box. Think of it like bringing a great bottle of wine rather than a case.
Hanna’s Chocolates: Pleasanton’s Artisan Chocolatier
At Hanna’s Chocolates, we make everything from scratch in our Pleasanton studio using French techniques learned at the Chicago French Pastry School. Our bon bons are available in 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24-piece boxes — starting at $8.
We carry 25+ rotating flavors including:
- Dubai Bon Bons (milk & dark) — pistachio kanafeh, our most viral flavor
- Lemon Cheesecake — bright lemon zest with cream cheese in a white chocolate shell
- Tennessee Whiskey — bold whiskey caramel with toasted pecan, dark chocolate shell
- Strawberry Matcha — ceremonial-grade matcha with a bright strawberry coulis
- Fig & Goat Cheese Walnut — a savory-sweet classic with tangy goat cheese
We also offer Gift Certificates in any amount — available in-store or by phone.
Hanna’s Chocolates
4825 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton, CA
Tue–Fri 12–6 PM · Sat 11 AM–4 PM
(925) 587-8050
Shop Our Flavors → | Visit the Shop →
Named one of Yelp’s Top 50 Chocolate Shops in the Bay Area and featured in SFGate, Mercury News, and KRON4 News.