I'm on a journey to explore the world of American craft chocolate

Craft Chocolate Makers Eat Crap Candy Too

*Bryan Graham from Fruition enjoying a Snickers. Pinkies up!*

Listen, if you put peanut M&Ms or York Peppermint Patties in front of me, I will DEMOLISH those suckers. Sure, I spend most of my waking (and sleeping) hours thinking about, writing, and tasting bean-to-bar chocolate, but once in a while, Snickers really satisfies. After all, we grew up eating this kind of stuff, and beyond the nostalgia factor, it’s designed to be a rush of sugar and fat, just what our body loves.

I’m not alone. Everyone has a few candy bars in their closet. I asked a handful of chocolate makers, chocolatiers, and specialty chocolate store owners about their favorites. And they actually told me! As Anna Stout from Ritual said, “This is definitely tapping into the chocolate maker's deep dark secrets.” Read on to see their secrets revealed, in order of most popular candy to least.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Buffs

Art Pollard, Amano: “with white chocolate so that it doesn’t have any Hershey’s milk chocolate in it”

Todd Masonis, Dandelion: “I ate so many of these as a kid, and even now on Halloween I'll try one or two for nostalgia. Though I have to say they taste much better in my memory!”

Sara Ervin, Ethereal: “ M&Ms are a close second.”

Hallot Pearson, Escazu: Escazu makes their own peanut butter cups, but apparently Hallot still buys a pack of Reese's now and then.

Lauren Adler, Chocolopolis (specialty store and chocolatier): "I have a wonderful store full of our own confections that I can enjoy any time, so I would never purchase these candy bars. If I’m at an event and there are some in a bowl on the table, I’ll eat them, but I wouldn’t purchase them."

Snickers Lovers

Robbie Stout, Ritual: “They always tempt me at Home Depot when I'm buying stuff for the factory. They're also good in the middle of a long bike ride when I have to stop at a gas station for water.”

Bryan Graham, Fruition

Colin Gasko, Rogue: “They taste fucking delicious.”

Matt Caputo, A Priori Specialty Food Importing & Distribution

Twix Fiends

Charley Wheelock, Woodblock: He says he only eats them from his kids' Halloween supply or when he visits the hardware store. “Or if I want to put on airs, I eat a Cadbury Violet Crumble that my father in law sends from Australia!”

Danielle Centeno, Escazu

Jael Rattigan, French Broad: "I’ve recreated them from scratch!"

Junior Mints Addicts

Alan McClure, Patric

Michael Recchiuti, Recchiuti Confections (chocolatier)

Jujyfruit Junkies

Shawn Askinosie, Askinosie

Peanut M&M Nuts

Kim Hack, Cocoa & Co. (chocolate cafe and store): “ I've been known to scarf down a bag of peanut M&Ms while no one's looking”

Ritter Sport Enthusiasts

Nate Hodge, Raaka: “milk chocolate with hazelnuts and raisins”

Butterfinger Buddies

Dan Rattigan, French Broad

KitKat Connoisseurs

Roger Ling, Chococurb (chocolate subscription box): Japanese KitKats in Hokkaido Red Bean and Hokkaido Melo flavors

PayDay Pals

David Menkes, LetterPress

SourPatch Kid Junkies

Josh and Giovanna Rosen, Charm School

What's your favorite? Especially if you're a bean-to-bar maker or chocolatier, or own a specialty shop or sell craft chocolate, I want to hear from you! Email me at megan@chocolatenoise.com or tell me on Facebook or Twitter and I'll include your comments in the next Chocolate Today!