Baltimore, MDChocolatiers and Candy Shops

Rheb's Homemade Candies grew out of Louis and Esther Rheb's garage and opened as a shop in 1950, and the fourth generation now runs it. The counter is known for its chocolate: truffles, creams, nuts, chews and festive holiday treats. Order the pecan turtles, the shop's signature.

Wockenfuss Candies traces back to Herman Charles Wockenfuss, who came to America and learned to make candy, and his grandson Paul now runs a business of several shops; this entry is the Harford Road store. The case runs to chocolate-covered gummy bears, sour belts, marshmallow bars and chocolate-covered raisins. Order a caramel apple, the signature sweet.

Jinji Fraser and her father, Guy, founded Jinji Chocolate in 2012, and the Waverly shop is attentive to the farmers who grow and harvest its cacao. The chocolate comes as bars, bark, truffles, fudge and drinking chocolate. Order the chocolate-covered coffee beans or the dark chocolate hazelnut spread.

Kirchmayr Chocolatier is a Timonium shop for elegant European chocolate, made from high-quality beans sourced from around the world, with confections balanced between bitterness, fruitiness and acidity. The range runs to truffle boxes, dipped nuts and chocolate crab candies seasoned with Old Bay. Order a truffle box and a few of the Old Bay crabs.

The Velvet Chocolatier is Ruthie Carliner's shop in Stevenson, turning out caramel cups, chocolate-covered discs and chocolate hearts, all of it all-natural, kosher and gluten-free. The sweet-and-salty waffle potato chips dipped in dark chocolate are a must-try. Order the chocolate potato chips.