Aunt Belle’s Bear Paws

July 25, 2011

Aunt Belle's Confectionary, LLC has two stores in northern Minnesota, and I just found one of them in Walker, MN.

Walker is a small town with a main street that looks and feels like a trip back in time.  Aunt Belle's boasts old fashioned homemade candies and fudge.  According to their website, you'll step into their store and feel like a kid again.  I did feel giddy like a kid in a candy store (pun intended) and picked out all the goodies I thought I'd enjoy; chocolate dipped brittle, chocolate covered potato chips, chocolate covered nut clusters, and chocolate fudge.

While they had several different types of nut clusters such as the traditional turtle, I chose one of the variations called the Bear Paw. 

The Bear Paw is a caramel pattie with mixed nuts, completely covered in a dark milk (blend of milk and dark) chocolate.  With full coverage that's more chocolate than a typical turtle.  And with more nut variety too, it piqued my interest.  However, the combination brought great expectations but delivered mediocre results. 

I was disappointed by the chocolate impact.  The chocolate was too mild for the sweet caramel and nutty flavors of the pattie.  I did not taste much chocolate even at the end.  The caramel was sweeter than it was buttery and, unfortunately, some of the nuts were a bit off-flavor.  Overall, it reminded me more of a vending machine candy bar experience - I was simply not impressed nor satisfied.

Now, part of the joy of sampling is to keep going, trying something else, and giving the confections as many second chances as you can.  I know, it is a tough job, but chocolate lovers just have to do it! 🙂  Next week, I'll review one of the fudges in Aunt Belle's assortment.  Did Aunt Belle's get it right?  You'll find out!

Bryn Kirk
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