Béquet Confections, Bozeman, Mont. Lauded for her creamy homemade caramels, Robin Béquet followed her stomach after a 25-year career in technology sales tanked. Today, Béquet Confections has garnered acclaim for its rich caramel flavors including Celtic sea salt, chipotle and pomegranate. bequetconfections.com
Atelier Ortega, Jackson, Wyo. These award-winning airbrushed chocolates are almost too beautiful to eat, but eat you will. Like a mad scientist, Oscar Ortega infuses his confections with complex flavor combinations that wake the taste buds. Try the Cabernet Reduction, Ginseng & Black Tea and Almond Praline. atelierortega.com
Laughing Moon Chocolates, Stowe, Vt. Leigh Williams prides herself on using local ingredients in her hand-dipped chocolates. Signature truffles are made with not only local dairy products, but also local liquors such as Vermont Apple Brandy and Green Mountain Sunshine Vodka. laughingmoonchocolates.com
Cristina’s Restaurant, Sun Valley, Idaho In the petite kitchen of her renowned café, native Italian Cristina Ceccatelli Cook painstakingly crafts chocolate-dipped candied orange peels that are prized by locals and savvy visitors alike. cristinasofsunvalley.com
