Resist the urge to steal from some kid’s Halloween candy stash—you’ll only be disappointed by the synthetic fruit flavors and waxy chocolate. Instead, treat yourself to a few of our favorite new local handcrafted candies, found at metro-area specialty shops including Sugar Sugar Candy (3803 Grand Ave. S., Mpls., 612-823-0261, sugar-sugarcandy.com), Local De’Lish (208 N. First St., Mpls., 612-886-3047, localdlish.com, and Heartland Farm Direct Market (289 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, 651-699-3536, heartlandrestaurant.com).
Sweet Jules Caramels
These wicked-sticky caramels come in eight different flavors, including Sicilian Orange and Beer & Pretzel, but the basic, butter-rich Vanilla Bean is our favorite. • sweetjulesgifts.com
Poorboy Caramels
Try Poorboy’s electric Fleur de Sel sweets and you’ll understand why salted caramel is the flavor of the decade. • poorboycandy.com
B.T. McElrath Buttered Toast Chocolate Bar
This is a gourmet’s Nestle Crunch, made with crispy Rustica breadcrumbs toasted in salted Hope Creamery butter to contrast creamy milk chocolate. • btmcelrath.com
Mademoiselle Miel Honey Bon-Bons
Minnesota honey forms the lush center of these elegant bon bons, its super sweetness tempered by the bitterness of a 99-percent dark-chocolate shell. • mademoisellemiel.com
Craftmade Caramel Corn Toffee
Milk chocolate tops buttery toffee studded with Mexican quicos, or corn nuts, which gives the effect of a robust, salt-spiked caramel corn. • craftmadetoffee.com
