Some of the best sweets in Illinois hide behind a plain little storefront you could easily walk past. I almost did, until the smell of warm chocolate and apple cider donuts pulled me through the door.
What I found was a candy counter full of hand-dipped treats, old-fashioned goodies, and pies people plan whole trips around. If you love a sweet surprise that feels like a local secret, keep reading.
A Sweet Shop on Old McHenry Road
Tucked at 114 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove Confectionery Co sits right in the heart of historic downtown Long Grove. The village is a cozy Lake County spot known for walkable streets, small shops, and an old-time feel that makes a candy store fit right in.
From the outside, it looks modest. Inside, though, the shelves tell a bigger story, with handcrafted chocolates, fresh fudge, toffee, truffles, taffy apples, and baked goods all competing for your attention.
Visitors often call it a must-stop when wandering the village, and plenty describe it as one of the highlights of a Long Grove outing. It works whether you want a single treat for the walk or a whole bag of gifts for later.
Think of it as part chocolate shop, part bakery counter, and part trip down memory lane. That mix is exactly what keeps day-trippers circling back to this corner of northern Illinois.
Roots That Run Back Decades
Ask longtime fans about this place, and you will hear stories that stretch back years. Some remember visiting when the shop stood next to the Apple Haus, near the Irish store, before the move to its current home.
One loyal customer mentioned sticking with the Apple Haus treats for about 25 years. They felt real sadness when the original spot closed, and real joy when they learned it had reopened.
Another grew up stopping in for a peanut butter cup, a tiny ritual that still feels special as an adult. That kind of memory is hard to build and even harder to replace.
Not every old-timer loves the change of location, and a few miss the feel of the earlier shop. Still, for many families, coming here remains a rite of passage, the kind of tradition you pass down along with a well-worn bag of fudge.
The Chocolate Case Up Close
Picture a long glass case packed with rows of glossy, hand-dipped chocolates. That is where most first-timers stall, nose nearly pressed to the glass.
Truffles come in several varieties, and dark chocolate shows up on everything from coffee beans to raisins. Regulars rave about the dark chocolate covered orange peels, calling them out of this world.
Turtles are another favorite, made with pecans or cashews. Then there are the homemade caramel covered marshmallows, which one fan admitted are dangerously addictive.
Peanut butter cups deserve their own spotlight. More than one visitor insists these are the best around, a bold claim in a state with no shortage of candy makers.
Back during a chocolate festival in town, one visitor compared vendors and decided this shop’s chocolate beat the rest. Taste for yourself and pick a winner.
Just maybe grab a box to share, because restraint gets tricky fast.
Strawberries, Taffy Apples, and Pretzel Rods
Fruit and chocolate make a classic pair, and this counter leans into it. Chocolate covered strawberries are one of the most talked-about items, with visitors calling them fantastic.
Availability can vary, so if strawberries are the main goal of your trip, calling ahead at 847-634-0080 is a smart move.
Taffy apples are the sleeper hit. One recent guest called them the best they had ever eaten, and another simply used the word addicting, which says plenty in one breath.
Pretzel rods round out the dipped lineup, giving you that sweet and salty crunch that is hard to stop eating. They also travel well, which matters if you have a long drive home across Illinois.
Here is a fun tip for summer visitors: during Long Grove’s Strawberry Fest, the shop has offered strawberry donuts. Plan your weekend around that, and you will understand why locals mark the calendar.
Fudge and English Toffee Bark
Fair warning: the toffee may ruin you for other candy. One devoted fan confessed they can finish a half pound of the English Toffee bark in a single day if it sits within reach.
That buttery crunch, coated in chocolate, is the kind of thing you plan to save and then find empty by dinner. Other visitors have called the toffee simply amazing.
Fudge holds its own too. Guests describe it as rich and fresh, with enough variety to satisfy almost any sweet tooth that walks through the door.
Both make great gifts, though you may want to buy two batches, one to share and one for the car. A whimsical treat called Doodles also turns heads, and one customer even reported that their well-behaved dog chewed straight through a delivery box to reach them.
Nobody can blame the pup for having good taste.
Apple Haus Bakes Worth Planning Around
Funny enough, some people come for chocolate and leave talking only about pie. The Apple Haus baked goods have a fiercely loyal crowd.
The brown bag apple pie is the star, baked right inside a paper bag. One guest said that on a scale of ten, it earned a twenty, and many buy extras for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Apple cider donuts are made daily and sold by the half dozen. Families reportedly beg whoever is visiting to bring some home, along with apple bread.
Apple fritters and strawberry rhubarb pie also earn praise. Prices have shifted over time, with one visitor noting the apple pie at $25, so check current pricing when you stop.
Pair a donut with a box of chocolates, and you have a dessert spread that covers every craving. It is honestly a little hard to leave with only one bag.
Holiday Candy and Old-Fashioned Finds
Seasons change, and so do the shelves. Visitors say the selection of holiday candy here beats almost anywhere else, with themed treats for Easter, Halloween, Christmas, and more.
The pieces are cute enough to photograph before eating. One guest did point out they run a bit pricey, so budget a little extra if you plan to fill a basket.
Nostalgia lovers get their own corner, too. Vintage gums and old-fashioned hard candies spark plenty of grinning recognition from grown-ups who remember them from childhood.
Beyond candy, the shop carries extras like nuts and even a competition bourbon-style barbecue sauce that one shopper picked up for home cooking. It is a handy stop for gift baskets.
Helpful for many families, ingredients are clearly marked on products. A gluten-free visitor was able to shop safely thanks to that labeling, which takes a lot of guesswork out of treat shopping.
Warm Smiles Behind the Counter
Good candy brings people in, but friendly faces bring them back. Staff kindness is easily the most mentioned trait among visitors, more than any single treat.
Shoppers describe the team as welcoming, patient, and happy to help you choose. One employee named Mary was singled out for outstanding customer service by a longtime regular.
Workers also tend to know what is happening around town and share bits of Long Grove history. That makes a quick candy run feel more like chatting with a neighbor.
The atmosphere suits nearly everyone. Families with kids, couples on a weekend stroll, and gift hunters all find a comfortable fit in the cheerful space.
Even replies to customers carry a playful spirit, with notes about elves keeping things busy at the holidays. It is a small detail, but it shows a shop that genuinely enjoys what it does.
Visiting Notes and a Sweet Send-Off
Planning a trip is easy. The shop opens Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and stays closed on Mondays, so skip that day.
You will find it at 114 Old McHenry Road in Long Grove, a short drive from much of the northern Chicago suburbs. Questions can go to 847-634-0080, and the website is longgroveconfectionery.com.
Prices range from reasonable to a little splurgy, depending on what you grab. Many visitors feel the quality and freshness make it a good value, especially for gifts.
So is it worth the drive? For anyone who loves hand-dipped chocolate, a famous bag-baked pie, and a staff that greets you like family, the answer leans strongly yes.
Come with an empty bag and a flexible plan. As one regular suggested, stock up enough to last until your next visit, because there will almost certainly be a next one.
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