10 Pennsylvania Chocolate-Covered Foods That Outsiders Can’t Believe Exist
Pennsylvania’s chocolate heritage runs deeper than most people realize, stretching far beyond the iconic Hershey name.
From the historic Wilbur factory in Lititz to the dozens of family-run shops tucked into small towns, Pennsylvanians have been perfecting the art of covering just about anything in silky, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate.
Growing up in Lancaster County, I first discovered these sweet curiosities at farmers markets and county fairs, where chocolate-dipped pretzels, bacon, and even pickles were sold alongside the classics. Some of these combinations may sound unusual to outsiders, but here in the Keystone State, they’re beloved traditions—delicious proof of our playful chocolate spirit.
1. Salty-Sweet Symphony: Chocolate-Covered Potato Chips
My grandmother used to say that potato chips and chocolate were meant for each other long before food trends made it cool. The crunch of an Utz or Herr’s chip beneath a layer of rich Pennsylvania chocolate creates the perfect salty-sweet balance.
Local chocolatiers hand-dip these crispy treasures in small batches, ensuring each chip maintains its satisfying crunch. Some shops in central PA even sprinkle sea salt on top for extra flavor contrast.
During the holidays, my family exchanges tins of these addictive treats, and they’re always the first to disappear from the gift table. Once you try them, ordinary chips seem downright boring by comparison.
2. Twisted Tradition: Philadelphia’s Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Pennsylvania proudly wears the crown as America’s pretzel kingdom, and what’s royalty without a chocolate robe? The marriage of our signature hard pretzels with Hershey’s finest creates something magical that visitors rarely forget.
Philadelphia chocolatiers have perfected this art form, often drizzling white chocolate patterns over dark-coated pretzel rods or sprinkling colorful toppings on chocolate-dipped knots. I’ll never forget watching artisans at Reading Terminal Market transform simple pretzels into edible masterpieces.
These treats pack perfectly in your bag for a day exploring the Liberty Bell or strolling along Boathouse Row. The salt-chocolate combination delivers an irresistible one-two punch of flavor.
3. Historic Chocolate Buttons: Wilbur Buds Reimagined
Before Hershey’s Kisses stole America’s heart, Lititz’s Wilbur Chocolate created these button-shaped delights. As a child, I’d press my nose against the glass at Wilbur Chocolate Factory, watching confectioners transform these iconic treats into something even more spectacular.
The original buds – smooth, rich, and wrapped in signature foil – now serve as the foundation for countless creative variations. Imagine these chocolate buttons hugging pretzels, dried fruits, or candied nuts.
Fourth-generation chocolate makers still use copper kettles and marble slabs to perfect these treats. The distinctive taste comes from a closely guarded recipe that locals swear tastes nothing like mass-produced chocolate – it’s richer, smoother, and carries hints of Pennsylvania’s sweet heritage.
4. Breakfast Meets Dessert: Chocolate-Covered Bacon
“You dipped WHAT in chocolate?” That’s the typical reaction when I offer visitors this Pennsylvania fair favorite. Thick-cut, crispy Pennsylvania Dutch-style bacon gets dunked in milk or dark chocolate, creating a mind-blowing flavor experience.
The smoky, salty pork paired with sweet chocolate shouldn’t work – but somehow it absolutely does. At the York Fair last summer, I watched a chocolatier dip freshly cooked bacon strips into a chocolate fountain while a crowd gathered in fascinated disbelief.
Some artisans add a sprinkle of cayenne or cinnamon to enhance the flavor complexity. The contrast between the crunchy, savory bacon and smooth, sweet chocolate creates an unforgettable taste sensation that perfectly represents Pennsylvania’s culinary fearlessness.
5. Sweet Molasses Magic: Chocolate-Covered Shoofly Pie Bites
Lancaster County bakers have committed what some might consider dessert sacrilege by taking our beloved molasses-based shoofly pie and dunking chunks into chocolate. The result? Pure Pennsylvania Dutch magic on your taste buds.
My Amish neighbor first introduced me to these treats at a community fundraiser. The dense, spiced molasses filling becomes something entirely new when encased in a chocolate shell. The contrast between the dark, complex molasses and sweet chocolate creates layers of flavor that unfold with each bite.
These treats rarely make it beyond county lines, making them a true hidden gem. Visitors who stumble upon them at roadside stands often buy multiple boxes to share with disbelieving friends back home.
6. Pucker Up: Chocolate-Covered Pickles
The first time my grandfather offered me a chocolate-covered pickle at the Kutztown Folk Festival, I thought he was playing a prank. One bite revealed this wasn’t a joke – it was a revelation!
Pennsylvania Dutch Country carnival vendors take crisp dill pickles, pat them completely dry, then dip them in tempered dark chocolate. The tangy, vinegary crunch beneath rich chocolate creates a flavor contradiction that somehow works brilliantly.
Most outsiders approach these treats with extreme skepticism. The brave ones who try them often become instant converts. Some specialty shops in towns like Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand now sell these year-round, though they’re still primarily a summer fair delicacy that showcases Pennsylvania’s willingness to experiment with unlikely flavor combinations.
7. Philly’s Daring Delicacy: Chocolate-Covered Cheesesteak Bites
Philadelphia’s experimental confectioners have created the ultimate conversation starter: chocolate-covered cheesesteak bites. These aren’t actual sandwiches dipped in chocolate – they’re clever mini beef-and-cheese croquettes enrobed in a thin chocolate shell.
Last year at a food festival near South Street, I watched tourists’ expressions shift from disgust to curiosity to delight as they sampled these unusual treats. The savory, seasoned beef and cheese mixture is formed into small balls, fried until crispy, then carefully dipped in high-quality dark chocolate.
Locals call them “tourist dare food,” but they’ve developed a cult following among adventurous eaters. The combination of Philadelphia’s most famous sandwich with its confectionery tradition creates a uniquely Philly experience that challenges everything you thought you knew about flavor pairings.
8. Double Chocolate Delight: Chocolate-Covered Whoopie Pies
Pennsylvania Dutch bakers weren’t satisfied with creating America’s favorite cake sandwich – they decided to gild the lily by dunking entire whoopie pies in chocolate. The first time I saw these at an Amish market, I wondered if there was such a thing as too much chocolate. (Spoiler alert: there isn’t.)
Traditional chocolate whoopie pies with their creamy white filling get either half-dipped or fully enrobed in a chocolate shell. The result is a multi-textured dessert experience with three distinct layers – fluffy cake, sweet cream, and snappy chocolate coating.
Lancaster County bakeries compete for the most creative variations, adding peanut butter, mint, or raspberry to the filling before applying the chocolate coating. These indulgent treats have become popular wedding favors at Pennsylvania countryside celebrations.
9. Carnival Classic Reimagined: Chocolate-Covered Funnel Cake
Funnel cake already reigns supreme at Pennsylvania fairs, but add chocolate and you’ve got something truly extraordinary. At the Bloomsburg Fair last September, I stood mesmerized as fresh, hot funnel cake disappeared beneath a waterfall of molten chocolate.
The crispy, airy pastry maintains its distinctive texture while the chocolate fills every nook and cranny. Some vendors at the Kutztown Folk Festival serve their chocolate-drizzled creations with a side of Pennsylvania maple syrup for dipping, creating a breakfast-meets-dessert masterpiece.
What makes this treat uniquely Pennsylvanian is the attention to detail – many vendors use locally-sourced chocolate from small-batch makers rather than commercial chocolate sauce. The result is a fair food elevated to gourmet status that draws long lines of eager customers.
10. Root Beer’s Sophisticated Cousin: Chocolate-Covered Birch Beer Candies
Pennsylvania’s love affair with birch beer goes beyond the soda fountain. In small chocolate shops across Lancaster and Berks counties, confectioners transform this distinctive flavor into something extraordinary – birch beer centers coated in milk or dark chocolate.
My first encounter with these treats came from an elderly chocolatier in Lititz who explained how he reduces birch beer syrup until it forms a soft, intensely flavored center. The herbal, slightly spicy notes of Pennsylvania Dutch birch beer create a sophisticated flavor profile when paired with quality chocolate.
Visitors rarely believe such a combination exists until they experience the complex taste sensation. These truffles showcase Pennsylvania’s knack for honoring traditional flavors while creating something innovative. They’ve become popular corporate gifts that represent the state’s unique culinary heritage.