Our Story

Under the shadow of Mount Mansfield Vermont’s highest mountain, you will find one of New England’s sweetest secrets.

Snowflake Chocolates of Jericho is a small family business specializing in handcrafted confections made from recipes passed down over 75 years through 4 generations.  Inspired by Jericho’s renowned historical legend Wilson A. Bentley, affectionately known to all as “Snowflake Bentley”, our parents Bob and Martha Pollak established Snowflake Chocolates in 1986.  Like Bentley’s thousands of photographs of single snowflake crystals, our hand-crafted chocolates are unique and delightfully delicious!

Our tradition of chocolate began with my Grandparents Mike and Helen. Grandpap, a first generation American learned his confectionary craft from a Greek candymaker at the age of thirteen. Through the years Grandpap worked the day shift in a Pittsburgh Pennsylvania steel mill. Time after work was spent creating his mouthwatering confections in his basement candy kitchen.  Mike, Helen and their children worked diligently to create a successful candy business that still exists in Pittsburgh today.

Our father, known to all as “Papa”, grew up working in the family chocolate business at his father’s side.  His dreams were not his father’s and so his life would take him and our family in a different direction. In late winter of 1972, we found ourselves heading north for a new life in Vermont. We made our home in Jericho, grew and adapted to country life and the beauty of New England.

How exactly did we get to this point?  With chocolate in our hearts, it was difficult to ignore the calling and the memories. It was our mother who had the dream of Snowflake Chocolates. With Grandpap’s recipe book in hand, she convinced our father to do a little cooking.   And so, from one batch of peanut brittle to craft fairs and church bazaars, Snowflake Chocolates was born.

Today we work together 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation candy makers. Now the 5th generation has begun their intro into what it means to grow up in a chocolate family.  Woven through these generations are the lessons of family, hard work, and belief in our product. 

Like our grandfather, we believe that fine chocolates reasonably priced are the ingredients for success.  Our chocolates are made from the finest and freshest ingredients, including fresh Vermont butter and cream, and pure Vermont Maple Syrup.

We are dedicated to our family, our customers and the quality of our chocolates.  Every piece is a tribute to our grandparents, to the love, laughter and hardships of the past and present.  Most importantly, each piece is made with the hope that our family tradition will continue as part of yours.  Snowflake Chocolates.  Where taste and  tradition come together.

Looking for something special?

Here at Snowflake Chocolates, we have handcrafted chocolates for any and every occasion. Browse our offerings!