Life Handed Us 20 Boxes of Chocolates—We Found the Best Ones for Gifting (or Keeping for Yourself)

I never liked the old adage, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” You see, I believe that we humans have free will (this is the one thing that stuck with me after slogging through my college philosophy class). Sure, some things can’t be explained or controlled, but I do think you have agency; you CAN choose a good box of chocolates! And in the case of this article, I mean that quite literally. 

We (that is, associate commerce editorial director Riddley and I) set out to find a truly great box of chocolates (remember, free will!) by ordering 20 from various online purveyors. After eating ourselves sick with chocolate (and interviewing a professional chocolatier—what a cool job!), we came up with this list of truly fantastic bonbons and delights for you and yours on whatever occasion you see fit. 

The Tests

• Packaging Test: We inspected the shipping and packaging of the chocolate boxes we ordered, and also checked on the chocolates to see if they were damaged or melted. 
• Taste Test: We tasted the chocolates, noting the variety and flavors. We also noted if the box had a guide to what was in it and if it was useful. 

What We Learned

A Good Box of Chocolates Should Be Well-Crafted and Balanced

The chocolates we tried came in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, but one thing really distinguished the so-so chocolates from the great ones: delicacy and balance. When you bite into a bonbon, you don’t want an old, cakey, chalky, or thick chocolate coating; instead, you want a fresh, thin layer that’s crisp and almost brittle, but that immediately melts into a smooth (not grainy) puddle in your mouth. How long the bonbon has been sitting in the box is a part of this, as is how the chocolate is crafted.

Michael Klug, head chocolatier of L.A. Burdick Chocolates, says that hand-forming the chocolates can help achieve a delicate outer layer. “When you use a chocolate mold you always have a little bit of a thicker coating, and that plays a little bit against the mouthfeel,” he explains. 

Another thing to consider is the interplay of the chocolate with the flavors inside. While flavors are fun, if they’re cloying or overwhelming, they risk obliterating any nuance—a flavor blast, if you will. “I think it's important that the chocolate stands on its own and has the other flavoring components really as a companion, as something that goes with it instead of really riding totally over it,” he says. “You don’t want anything too overpowering.”  

Our favorite chocolates were exercises in (playful!) subtlety. The cookie dough brown butter bonbon in the Melissa Coppel box was not only fun, but the interior was also creamy and smooth, and the flavor didn’t overwhelm the light chocolate coating. We were also blown away by the cute, chocolate mice from L.A. Burdick; the dark chocolate interior is infused with port and cinnamon, and this little bite was balanced, light, and utterly delicious. 

Most Chocolatiers Take Shipping Seriously 

One thing we didn’t realize (and this was after testing mail-order hams, turkey, and even food subscription boxes) was how seriously chocolatiers take shipping their goods. These boxes were triple-insulated, double-stuffed, and ultra-packed and they shipped incredibly fast—like, maybe a day or two passed for the “slow” ones to arrive. This was heartening since a lot of the chocolates we ordered were on the pricey side, so it showed the makers cared enough to get you some great chocolate quickly and without any melting or degradation. 

Chocolate Bonbons Don’t Last Forever 

With that in mind, if you’re planning on gifting someone who loves chocolate a fancy box of bonbons, it’s best to order them about a week before giving them; yes, you should cut it close. This is because most chocolates are recommended to be eaten within 10 days of getting them, and the longer they sit around, the higher the chance they will degrade/melt. But before you open your refrigerator to store them, well, don’t! 

“Don't taste chocolate cold,” says Klug. “That is a cardinal sin because chocolate is made out of cocoa butter. When the cocoa butter is too cold, it leaves a chalky flavor and texture in your mouth. And a lot of the flavor components are completely hidden.” Instead, store them in a dark, cool (but not cold) place away from heaters and direct sunlight, and consume them with abandon. 

There Really Is Something for Everyone 

We tested 20 chocolate boxes, and there truly is something for everyone. There are more traditional boxes with a focus on classic flavors (like the La Maison du Chocolat, which had ganaches, pralines, and caramels) and boxes with whimsical chocolates that showcase creativity and unexpected flavors. We loved the Vietnamese-inspired chocolates from Socola, which featured passionfruit and Jasmine bonbons, and we also adored the whimsical shapes and painted colors of Melissa Coppel chocolates (purple, blue, white) which transported us to a galaxy far, far away. Most of the boxes—even the funkier ones—had traditional bonbons, too, so there was a nice balance of classic and new. 

“I very much like introducing people to new flavors, but also I know there is a certain comfort food aspect of chocolate, so you also need some that are easy to understand and also, quite simply, just satisfying,” says Klug. 

Overall, we preferred variety; even if the chocolates weren’t fantastical combinations, it was nice to pick up a chocolate and be surprised by its flavor. That said, we also tried some boxes with a single flavor selection (usually caramels) and quite enjoyed them, particularly the Fleur de Sel Caramels from Ricchuiti.

Flavor Pamphlets Were Useful 

While it can be fun not to know just what chocolate you’re eating, we did like having the option to read a little bit about the chocolates’ components. Ricchuiti, Dandelion, and Vosges had particularly nuanced and involved pamphlets for tasting their chocolates, offering advice on how to eat them and, of course, detailing the flavors. But we also liked the simple presentation of Marissa Coppola, which had the flavors and components listed underneath each chocolate; just pick it up and you’re on your way to savoring that cookie dough brown butter ganache chocolate (which, by the way, was so, so good). 

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Box of Chocolates

When you’re searching for a box, make sure to do your research; most websites include online lists of the chocolates they include (see, you can choose!). We also liked chocolates that shipped promptly, were well-insulated, and offered a variety of traditional and fun flavors. But, perhaps most importantly, we liked chocolates that were well-made, melted in your mouth, and weren’t pasty and cloyingly sweet.

The Best Classic Boxes of Chocolates

L.A. Burdick Everyday Chocolate Assortment Box

View on Burdickchocolate.com

L.A. Burdick Signature Chocolate Mice

View on Burdickchocolate.com

L.A. Burdick Chocolate Snowmen

View on Burdickchocolate.com

No attention to detail was spared with these charming boxes from the New Hampshire-based chocolatier. We received three boxes, one with a larger selection of bonbons and the other two sporting dainty chocolate mice (complete with ribbon tails) and the cutest ever seasonal snowmen, both of which are hand-formed. The snowmen were a cascade of chocolate, citrus, and crunchy hazelnut; the chocolate mice were filled with dark chocolate ganache spiked with cinnamon and port—both were so good, my husband gobbled up the snowmen up like a Yeti when I wasn’t looking. The larger box featured pairings of bite-sized bonbons, a fun idea that highlighted each chocolate’s flavor (we enjoyed nibbling on a carrot cake chocolate accompanied by a ginger bonbon). The chocolate coating on all of the bonbons was light and delicate, with a pleasant snap and luscious melt that gave way to beautiful flavors within. This is a box (or boxes) of chocolates worth gifting to someone very special. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: Varies 
• Sample flavors: Chocolate ganache with clementine and hazelnuts, chocolate ganache with cinnamon and port, pistachio praline, carrot cake, ginger, sunflower seed

La Maison du Chocolate

View on Amazon View on Williams Sonoma

Sometimes simple is best, and this was a lovely box of dainty chocolates with classic flavors, like hazelnut, almond, crunchy praline (which had a faint saltiness that we loved), and whipped ganache. If you’re looking for a small, but sweet, chocolate gift, this is a really nice one. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 9 or 16
• Sample flavors: Dark chocolate with lemon zest and lemon cream, dark chocolate ganache with raspberry pulp, praliné with almonds and hazelnuts with silvers of roasted almonds, almond paste with pistachio in dark chocolate

Guido Gobino Assorted Italian Chocolates Box

$109 at Amazon View on Giadzy.com

“This box is heavy on gianduja chocolates (chocolate-hazelnut!) which I'm not complaining about,” says Riddley. “I liked the assortment of chocolates in here, though I wish there was a printout explaining what was in the box. I also find the box's size to be a bit deceptive. The box is large, but the chocolates themselves are on a platform of sorts, so the box isn't actually full of chocolates.” 

Overall, if you know someone who is a sucker for hazelnut and chocolate, you could give them a jar of Nutella, or you could hand them a pretty box of Italian hazelnut chocolates—I think you know which way we lean.

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 52
• Sample flavors: Chocolate gianduja (hazelnut)

Andre’s Assorted Chocolate Candies

View on Andreschocolates.com

“Andre's is a Swiss chocolatier based in Kansas City, MO. And while they sent me a bunch of chocolates, I feel their assorted chocolates showcase the brand really well,” says Riddley. “There's a card detailing each chocolate, too, so you can match up the pictures to the box. Every milk or dark chocolate candy in this box was a delight. Be it the ultra-creamy mocca topped with a chocolate coffee bean, the marzipan with rum ganache, or the simple square of nougat and roasted almonds enrobed in chocolate that I wished I had an entire box of."

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 6, 12, 21, 40
• Sample flavors: Mocca, marzipan, nougat, cocktail truffles, hazelnut, pecan

Knipschildt Assorted Chocolates, 12 Pieces

$39 at Amazon $37 at Williams Sonoma

Like many a good box of chocolates, this one not only had classic combinations and new flavors, but it was also a box of well-crated bonbons. We really liked the rosemary-infused caramel with mushroom salt (herbaceous, woody, sweet, musky!) and the simple but rich hazelnut bonbon. Plus, they are pretty to behold, too, with colorful painted chocolate exteriors, served in a brilliant red box with a little bamboo piece that holds the lid in place. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 12, 25
• Sample flavors: Caramel and sea salt, mint, tangerine/ancho chili, dark chocolate bonbon, hazelnut, elderflower jam, strawberry and lemon thyme, rosemary infused caramel with mushroom salt, Madagascar pickled green peppercorn topped with black Cyprus lava salt

Dandelion Single Origin Truffle Collection

View on Dandelionchocolate.com

Dandelion x Feve Classic Box of Chocolates

View on Dandelionchocolate.com

We immensely enjoyed these single-origin truffle chocolates, which are described as a "simple cube shape, pure ganache, and thin shell" that "keep focus on the single-origin chocolate." Riddley says, “The chocolates were visually stunning and impeccable tasting.” The box comes with a booklet detailing the truffles, including the chocolates’ harvest year and tasting notes. The Costa Esmeraldas, Ecuador was a favorite, with ganache that was reminiscent of chocolate pudding. We also loved the Classic Box of Chocolates (21 bonbons in seven flavors) which is made in partnership with Feve Artisan Chocolatiers. Riddley notes this was the one she would give as a gift to anyone looking to experience high-quality, exceptional flavors. “The chocolates were beautiful and flavors like Hazelnut Noir (with hazelnut praline!), Coconut Gianduja, Pistachio Rosemary Caramel, and Exotic Passion Fruit were unexpected and delicious,” she says. “The chocolates themselves come packaged in a cardboard box with a magnetic closure and a see-through window. There's also a card that details each chocolate (and has pictures to help you identify the bonbons).” 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 15 single origin; 21 classic box
• Sample flavors: Coconut gianduja; pistachio rosemary caramel; cherry vanilla; hazelnut noir; peanut butter crunch; cardamom almond; exotic passionfruit

Petits Richart Intense

View on Richart.com

After eating our way through 21 boxes of chocolates, we came to really appreciate this gorgeous box and its petite bites from French chocolatier Richart; it was just enough to give us the thrill of eating something sweet and luxurious without being overwhelmed or feeling sick afterward. Plus, it’s a beautiful box with a vast array of flavors, including classics like chocolate raspberry, as well as floral caramels and spicy ganaches. The box we tasted had two drawers, one with petite chocolates and one with thin wafers of various chocolates from different locales with different cocoa amounts, which showcased just how diverse chocolate can be. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 15 single origin; 21 classic box
• Sample flavors: Violet, raspberry, ginger ganache, citrus

The Best Creative Boxed Chocolates

Recchiuti Black Box 16

View on Recchiuti.com

Recchiuti Fleur De Sel Caramels

View on Recchiuti.com

This is a stunner of a box of chocolates, with a dignified black box and an array of delightful bonbons, including anise pink peppercorn, Bergamot, and sesame nougat. Every piece of chocolate was wrapped in a paper-thin layer of chocolate, which melted smoothly and was the perfect sweetness, and none of them were dry or stale. We especially loved the chocolate-covered candied orange peel—it was super fresh, with a little bit of pith bitterness that offset the sweetness, and the thinnest layer of dark chocolate cloaked around it. Ricchuiti also sent us a box of their popular fleur de sel caramels, which we literally couldn’t stop eating. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 16
• Sample flavors: Burnt caramel, maple pecan praline, ginger heart, piedmont hazelnut, force noir (vanilla ganache), sesame nougat, tarragon grapefruit, star anise and pink peppercorn, lemon verbena, bergamot tea, peppermint, candied orange peel, spring jasmine tea, lavender vanilla, Kona coffee, rose caramel

andSons Chocolatiers Signature Collection

View on And-sons.com

This second-generation chocolatier proffers up a box with old-world and new-world offerings. Think simple bonbons like dark chocolate hazelnut praline and gianduja, alongside funky offerings like double yuzu and hibiscus honey (and our favorites, the speculoo bonbon and passionfruit caramel). This is a perfectly balanced box of chocolates (with thin and light outer shells) great for anyone who loves a simple bar of cocoa but also likes to try new flavor combinations. Oh, and it’s beautifully presented with a minimalist, white box that slides apart to reveal the delights within, making it a lovely Valentine's Day gift.

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 6, 12, 24, 36, 54, or 84
• Sample flavors: Dark chocolate, double milk chocolate, hazelnut gianduja, Huntington orange, PB&J, dark hazelnut praline, passion fruit caramel, salted caramel, double yuzu, speculoos, Huntington tea caramel, hibiscus honey

Melissa Coppel Bon Bons

View on Melissacoppel.com

This gorgeous, nebula-esque box even came with shiny purple insulated bubble wrap, a little detail that made it feel extra special. Not to mention the actual chocolates, which looked like little bites of interstellar matter (many were painted with colorful swirls and flecked with metallic bursts), and which were nuanced, balanced, and delicious. The cookie dough brown butter ganache bites were a favorite—like a more decadent, rich, brown buttery Ferrero Rocher. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 3, 12, or 24
• Sample flavors: Mango lassi, cookie dough brown butter, bitter espresso and crunchy gianduja, boba tea

Socola Chocolatier Little Saigon Box

View on Socolachocolates.com

Founded by sisters Wendy and Susan Lieu, Socola Chocolatiers creates chocolates that pay homage to their Vietnamese heritage. Flavors include Jasmine Tea, burnt caramel, and Durian bonbons, and the presentation in a bright blue box is stunning. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 4,12, or 24
• Sample flavors: Jasmine tea, peanut butter and jelly, dark chocolate, burnt caramel, matcha, durian, sriracha

Vosges Exotic Truffle Collection

View on Goldbelly.com View on Vosgeschocolate.com

This box not only gives you a primer on chocolates, how they’re made, and how to eat them, it also blows your tastebuds away with funky, groovy, spacey flavors. Think ginger-wasabi, fennel pollen, and even chocolate with horseradish (and no, it doesn’t taste like shrimp cocktail sauce). This is a great box for a self-assured, bold someone who likes to try new things and has a deep love of all things whimsical. 

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 9 or 16
• Sample flavors: Chef Pascal (Kirsch + 62% cacao dark chocolate + dried Michigan cherry); Absinthe (Chinese star anise + fennel + absinthe + 62% cacao dark chocolate + cocoa powder); black pearl (ginger + wasabi + 62% cacao dark chocolate + black sesame seeds); Polline di Finocchio (wild Tuscan fennel pollen + 62% cacao dark chocolate)

Tavernier Chocolates Large Classic Bonbon Collection

View on Tavernierchocolates.com

“This chocolate is so Vermont-y and produced by a small business located in Brattleboro. It's the perfect blend of refined and folksy,” says Riddley. It comes with printouts describing each chocolate, but it was still a bit of a (fun!) guessing game since they weren’t numbered. We particularly enjoyed the solid chocolate bear with maple nuggets, the white chocolate pine cone with dried Vermont spruce, rosemary needles, toasted pine nuts, and flake sea salt, and the mint leaf with Vermont cultured butter and tulsi.

Key Specs

• Number of chocolates: 14 (and other various selections) 
• Sample flavors: Caramelized maple sugar logs, burnt caramel truffles, deep mint leaves, puffball mushroom truffles, caramel corn truffles, smoked maple geodes

The Competition 

• Sheila Kearns: While the box was visually delightful with red lips, starfish, and other whimsical bonbons, they were a little stale, and the chocolate coatings were waxy and thick rather than thin, light, and melt-in-your-mouth. Still, they were beautiful to behold. 
• Ginger Elizabeth: This was a more traditional box, but it did include some fun flavors like raspberry rose and wildflower honey bee. While the chocolate exterior was somewhat delicate, some of the fillings were a bit waxy, especially the brown butter, which was bland and pasty. We also found the chocolates a bit too sweet, with a cloying aftertaste. 
• Trifulot Journey To Piedmont Truffles Box: This box comes with five flavors of truffles (four truffles of each flavor. There's Bianco (white chocolate), nero (dark chocolate), cappuccino, amaretto, and cardamomo (cardamom). Each truffle is individually wrapped in striped paper and they're all square and pretty dry and crumbly. We liked the cardamom, which had crunchy bits of something throughout. However, overall we found the textural variety of these chocolates underwhelming. They were all pretty sweet and powdery tasting. As of September 2024, these were no longer in stock.
• Louis Sherry 12-Piece Sea Salt Caramel: We really liked this box of caramels, which came in a beautiful little tin. However, they seem to be out of stock on most retailers.

FAQs

How long does a box of chocolates stay fresh?

Most brands we tried recommend consuming the chocolates within 10 days of receiving them. 

What’s the best way to store a box of chocolates?

First, don’t open the fridge door! Refrigerating chocolates can mess with the texture and dull the taste. We recommend storing chocolates in a cool (not cold) place out of direct sunlight, so they don’t melt. 

What are the best affordable box of chocolates?

Many good quality boxed chocolates don't come cheap—indeed, many of our top picks hover around $50. Cheaper chocolate often means less cocoa and more sugar, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just a different kind of bonbon. This smaller box from Knipschildt was one of the more affordable options we liked at around $36 for 12 chocolate bonbons.

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor for Serious Eats. 
• Prior to this, she tested equipment and ingredients for America’s Test Kitchen. She's worked as a journalist and has done stints as a cook and bartender. 
• She has written dozens of reviews for Serious Eats, including petty knives, tinned fish, fish spatulas, and tortilla presses, among others. 
• Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm is the senior commerce editor for Serious Eats.
• She's reviewed kitchen equipment professionally for about six years and previously worked for America's Test Kitchen, Food52, and more. She's reviewed air fryers and Ooni ovens, amongst others.
• For this review, we ordered 20 boxes of chocolates, examined the packaging and information provided, and tasted the chocolates. 
• We interviewed Michael Klug, head chocolatier at L.A. Burdick Chocolates to get insights on what to look for in a good box of chocolates, as well as how to store and enjoy them.