Delicious chocolate treats from Cynthia's Sweets

Happy 2012!  I know that I post quite a bit about sweets, and yes I am obsessed with chocolate, so when I was sent a box of Cynthia’s Sweets last month to sample I was blown away! If you are looking for something really special for your Wedding sweets table or candy bar, you must give Cynthia a call. Cynthia and her husband Doug handcraft every piece of chocolate and it shows, not only in taste, but in presentation. I felt like one of those kids in the Willy Wonka movie when I opened Cynthia’s sampler box: chocolate covered caramel pretzels, handmade toffee, chocolate covered caramels, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate covered oreos, homemade fudge, peanut butter cups and my absolute favorite…chocolate covered sponge candy. If you have never tasted sponge candy…it is crunchy, creamy and delicious and you must try it!  Cynthia took the time to answer some questions for us so you can learn more about her and her delectable sweets!

Tell me about yourself and your business: I graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Health Care Planning and Administration – the obvious first step to starting a chocolate business! I met my husband and business partner, Doug, in college. After college we both took jobs in our respective fields and began our careers. In 1994, our daughter was born and I was able to quit work and become a stay-at-home mom. Two years later our son was born. Taking after my mother, I enjoyed my role as a mother and homemaker and loved to cook, bake and create in the kitchen.

When did you open your business? In December of 2004, we started Cynthia’s Sweets out of a small store located just a few blocks from home so that the kids could come and go easily. I am responsible for the creative presentation of the chocolates and confections and Doug is responsible for making about 98 percent of the stovetop candies including the English Toffee, which is our single most popular confection.

How did you get started in the Chocolate Business? I learned to make these wonderfully delicious caramel- and chocolate-dipped pretzels and began to give them to people as gifts and used them as favors for wedding and baby showers. Everyone always asked for “just one more.” Our terrific family recipes for English Toffee and Peanut Brittle were also quite popular with friends and family. One day my friend Kim asked me to make her a gift basket of chocolates and then another and another. Between those gifts and the shower favors, people learned about my yummy treats. Inspired by the popularity of these treats and the fact that we could no longer eat in our home kitchen because it was always filled with chocolate and candy-making supplies, we decided to take a risk and turn the passion for creating beautiful and yummy treats into a real storefront business.

What type of events makes up your business? We make traditional chocolates and custom treats for any occasion. We specialize in making just the right treat for each and every customer. We make chocolate centerpieces and trays for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, holidays and bat and bar mitzvahs. We also create favors for birthday parties, weddings, bridal and baby showers, as well as bachelor and bachelorette parties. We’ve worked with wine tastings, corporate events…just about anything you can think of. In addition we have been very popular with brides and grooms who decide to provide chocolate desserts instead of or in addition to the traditional wedding cakes.

What sets Cynthia’s Sweets apart from other companies? We use only high-quality couverture milk and dark chocolates. Many chocolate shops, especially those making custom-molded chocolates, use compound chocolate that substitutes cocoa butter with oil. We also make everything by hand, so we can create more specialty items. We make everything here in our shop, so our customers know they can rely on our quality and creativity. While we have several popular items, clients aren’t limited to those. I love brainstorming creative ideas that help make someone’s event everything they hope for. So when you work with Cynthia’s Sweets, you’re really working with Cynthia — and obviously that’s a great experience.

What are some of your favorite chocolates for wedding receptions? I love creating an entire table of chocolate treats and seeing the reaction of the bride, groom and guests when they take inventory of all their delicious options. Doug and I have been guests at several weddings where we’ve set up a chocolate table, and it’s such a great feeling when you see people going up to the table repeatedly. We fill vases with chocolate and caramel dipped pretzels rods, bowls with English Toffee, platters with truffles, creams and chocolate-covered orange peel as well as large candy jars filled with non-pareils and mini oreo cookies. Everything looks great and tastes even better.

If you had to choose your last dessert, what would it be? That’s a hard one. It probably depends on the day, but today I’d have to say it’s a dark chocolate truffle. Tomorrow it might be a caramel- and chocolate-covered pretzel. During the holidays, it’s a toss up between peanut brittle and dark chocolate peppermint ice.

How can my readers purchase your delicious confections? We are located at 206 N. Route 83 (Barron Blvd) in Grayslake, Illinois (just North of Center Street). They can also order through our website at www.cynthiassweets.com.