It’s breathing time for us… a chance to try new recipes, a chance to concoct confections we’ve been too busy to perfect. The raspberry Truffle is our latest. Feedback from our samplers (you or those who happened to stop at our shop this week) has been all thumbs up. But we still need to find a decoration for the top. Any ideas are welcomed.
Daisy snacking on jelly beans
It’s hatching time @ Wilmar! Our little chocolate farmette is teeming with bunnies in varieties that will have you peeping for more. Most of our bunnies are a tawny brown, but some dark brown and a few are white. So far many have been adopted, but more need good homes. All of our rabbits have gentle personalities and come with a solid chocolate guarantee. Take one home soon.
Our Valentine drawing winner is Linda Eichsteadt. Our Valentine’s Day contest is a random drawing and the winner receives a beautiful heart box full of chocolates. Linda was a bit surprised to win, because she did not enter the drawing. Her husband wrote her name on his entry. What a sweet Valentine! Nice move Mr. Eichsteadt. Congrats Linda.
Our beautiful winner, with her beautiful box of chocolates
Pecan Wilmarvel Hatchlings
Ever wonder about Chocolate Turtles – why they are named Turtles? The original confectionary Turtle resembled the reptile of the same name; with pecans as the legs, caramel for the soft body and chocolate for the shell. Turtles were developed in the San Francisco/Oakland area sometime in the late 1920-30′s by a couple who learned to make candy from Mary See of See’s Chocolates.
Somewhere along the way the product was trademarked and sold. Nestle Corporation owned it for a time and now Turtles are sold as a DeMet’s Candy Company product.
Which is why we’re feeling Wilmarvelous. The name turtle is a registered trademark, so you’ll notice that though almost all confectioner/candymakers make a turtle-like product there are many unique monikers for the delicious confection. Pecan Buds, Snappers, Tortoises, Tuttles are a few of the alternative names.
For us the name is Wilmarvels. Years ago we had a contest to name our January seasonal speciality which was a macadamia, caramel and chocolate concoction. Wilmarvel was our choice. Over the years the name has come to describe our original “turtle” and our cashew variety. To distinguish between the three varieties we use Pecan Wilmarvel, Cashew Wilmarvel and the Macadamia Wilmarvel (MacMarvel for short!).
It’s our MacMarvel Season now (early January through February, sometimes March). Pecan and Cashew Wilmarvels are always in season.
Our OH SO LUCKY contest winner, David Vondrachek. Guessed 1318 ornaments, correct count was 1318. He won five pounds of chocolates! Congratulations David, we wish you continued luck in 2012.
Our LUCKY contest winner David
Wilmar was again voted Best Candymaker in the Post-Crescent Best of the Valley contest. We’re honored to serve the Fox Valley in this IMPORTANT way! Much appreciation to those of you who took the time to vote for us.
The photo attached is the WIL & MAR who started it all. It is because of our founders & you that we continue to be the #1 chocolatier in the area.
Our holiday newsletter will be available online and at our shop on November 22, until then:
Need some see-food? Our first batch of chocolate oysters are ready.
Need a truffle rush? The seasonal Hot Buttered Rum truffles await you.
Need chocolate? Stop in. Breath in the aroma of chocolate. Try our free sample of the day.
Wilbur & Mary Jane circa 1970's
Hooray! Wisconsin Avenue is completed and 100% OPEN. Come for a drive, it’s a smooth ride! The horizontal power lines were buried, so it has a cleaner look. And while you’re out, stop for our free chocolate sample; no zigging or zagging necessary to get to us.
Opening Day, Wisconsin Avenue Block Party
It’s honey crisp time! Yesterday we made our first batch of x-large apples using honey crisp variety apples. These apples are big, crispy, slightly tart, juicy. We make four caramel apple variations; au natural, with peanuts, chocolate laced, and pecan with chocolate. When we say BIG we mean it. This apple begs to be shared, and if not shared it’s a meal on a stick!
We’ve been briskly making and selling our medium sized caramel apples all of September; natural, peanut and chocolate laced. We use locally grown apples, changing varieties as they ripen, so you can practically taste the fresh air and sunshine. We started with paula reds and are now using macintosh.
Our caramel is made from scratch, using locally produced milk and cream. Listen for the moo.
It’s a great apple year according to Don at Star Orchard; loads of apples. The season looks to be long and sweet. We hope you to see you often and hope you find Wilmar caramel apple season to be completely Fall-filling.
Wilmarvel apple before chocolate lacing
After our annual July shutdown, it’s great to be back; every copper pot shined, all the floors freshly waxed, everyone rested. Our chocolate stores are fully replenished, and our delicious confections are being devoured by those who gave up chocolate for July!
August is the kickoff of our chocolate “season.” Throughout the year we change up our specialties, incorporating local ingredients or festivities into our confectionery offerings. Right now it’s cherry picking season in Door County (a favorite nearby Wisconsin destination where tart montmorency cherries grow in abundance), it’s also cherry pie season! We pay homage with our Cherry Pie chocolate bar. This season’s Door County cherries (dried), freshly roasted almonds, a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt are mixed with creamy milk chocolate. The result? A 7.5 ounce decadent vitamin packed chocolate bar.
Sound irresistible? It is. And if you want proof, just present yourself any Thursday, Friday or Saturday in August at our shop. It’s our free sample on those days.
How to Find Us: Use Richmond or Oneida to Wisconsin Avenue. Or if you are daunted by the ROAD CLOSED signs, use Summer Street. Watch for our signs. They will guide you to our shop. On Wisconsin Avenue watch for our big sign or our shop. Please call us if you need more detailed directions.
Wilmar Cherry Pie Chocolate Bar
On Monday, August 1 we’ll reopen your favorite chocolate shop for the upcoming season. Thankfully road construction on our stretch is open for business traffic and getting to our shop is smooth sailing. Easiest drive to Wilmar: Richmond or Oneida Streets from the north or south, then turn onto Wisconsin Avenue. Remember there will always be a free sample awaiting you.
Mix It Up! chocolate bars are “live” on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. You may order for pick up any day of the week, Monday through Saturday. Just give us 24 hour notice. We’ll be sampling our new Cherry Pie chocolate bar, with Door County cherries, almonds, cinnamon, and sea salt, all through August on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
If the weather stays warm… our best confections for warmer weather travel are wrapped caramels and Wisconsin butter toffee (both Wisconsin State Fair winners.) And of course our home roasted cashews are perfect since they don’t melt!
Wilmar wrapped caramels in three flavors; vanilla, chocolate and vanilla nut