Handcrafted in Reading, Massachusetts
Our story
A family candy shop. Four generations of craft. A love for making something sweet, one small batch at a time.
Discover our confectionsThe Chocolate Truffle – Candy Canes
Step inside our kitchen with RCTV Studios.
Since 1989
Decades of artisanal excellence
Since establishing itself in 1989 as a premier destination for decadent confections, The Chocolate Truffle has remained a beacon of quality. In 2015, Craig and Jennifer Burkinshaw took the helm, realizing their lifelong dream of stewarding an authentic, old-fashioned candy shop.
Today, they honor the original founders’ legacy while integrating cherished recipes from the Cooper family, formerly of Priscilla’s Candies, to offer an unparalleled selection of decadent truffles, gourmet chocolates, small-batch fudges, buttery caramels, and traditional brittles.
The people behind the sweets
A family tradition, made by hand
Craig Burkinshaw
Craig, a fourth-generation candy maker with over three decades of mastery, carries confectionery in his DNA. Drawing inspiration from his great-grandfather’s early 20th-century techniques, Craig transitioned from high-volume production to artisan crafting to focus on pure creativity.
His mission remains steadfast: producing the finest confections in small batches using time-honored methods and superior ingredients.
Jennifer & the family
Jennifer brings 30 years of strategic expertise in accounting, marketing, and small business operations to the shop. Alongside their daughters, Meagan and Allie, the Burkinshaws foster a warm, family-oriented environment where every single treat is hand-crafted with meticulous care and passion.
Quality in every batch
Exceptional ingredients are the soul of every confection
Our commitment to sustainability begins with cocoa from Cargill of North America, paired with fresh cream from Crescent Ridge Dairy and premium butter from Cabot Creamery. We source all-natural peanut butter from Teddy Peanut Butter of Everett, MA, use only Domino sugar, and proudly use vanilla from Dolan Flavoring Co. of Portland, Maine.
By partnering with these esteemed suppliers, we ensure every bite reflects our dedication to the art of candy making.
See our kitchen
The art of candy making
Watch our family’s craft up close, from caramel nut delights to a perfectly chosen box of chocolates.
Candy making is a family tradition.
Craig crafting a batch of peanut brittle.
Caramel Nut Delights
How to build a perfect box of chocolates
Chocolate Store Tour
Old Fashioned Candycanes at The Chocolate Truffle
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
Sweet words from our community
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I only place an order through the website?
No, you can give us a call during our normal business hours and we are happy to take your order over the phone. If you don’t see what you are looking for online and saw it in our store or would like to put a special box or gift basket together we are also happy to do that over the phone as well.
Where is the best place to keep my chocolates after I take them home?
The best place to keep your chocolates is in a room that is between 64 and 68 degrees with low humidity and of course away from direct sunlight and any other heat source. So many people make the mistake of putting them in the refrigerator but this is not a good idea for a few reasons. The first issue is that due to the fact that chocolate is very susceptible to absorbing odors; they will often pick up the flavor of any strong odors that could be in the refrigerator. The second issue is that refrigeration may cause the cocoa butter in the chocolate to migrate to the outside of the piece and cause the chocolate to turn white. Thirdly the refrigerator holds a lot of humidity and will cause condensation on the chocolates which will make them discolor and make the pieces a little tacky to the touch.
How long will my chocolates/truffles last after I purchase them?
Any solid chocolate pieces will last up to a year or so believe it or not. However, any filled pieces such as caramels, creams, jellies or toffee have approximately a 6 to 8 week shelf life. Truffles have approximately a 2 to 4 week shelf life due to the fact that they are made with fresh heavy cream. All of this information is based on the fact that the chocolates or truffles are stored in the recommended 64 to 68 degree low humidity environment.
What is a truffle?
A truffle is a combination of scalded heavy cream, blended with a creamy rich chocolate, and infused with different flavors to create a ganache. The mixture is left overnight to cool and then hand rolled and hand dipped in our premium chocolate.
What is the difference between regular fudge and Swiss fudge?
Our regular fudge is traditional fudge that perhaps you’ve made at home. It is a combination of light cream, sugar and butter that is cooked and then flavored, poured into pans and left to set overnight. Swiss Fudge on the other hand is really a chocolate it is fudge in name only. It is a blend of a variety of chocolates with a touch of coconut oil which gives it a signature velvety texture, smooth, creamy and delicious!
Do you accept returns?
We do not except returns. The only exception is if you receive an item that is damaged.