Quest for Best Chocolate Bunny Leads to Galena’s Kandy Kitchen

With 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies produced annually, I decided to search for Dubuque's best chocolate bunny. Unfortunately, although I stopped by a few long-established shops and grocery stores, the wascally wabbit was elusive. Even Betty Jane's Candy was sold out!

So I headed to Galena, knowing I had seen a candy store or two along the historic town's famous Main Street. Being a late Tuesday afternoon with a fading sun, the town was sleepier than usual. As a result, there was parking as far as the eye could see, but only a few open businesses.

However, as luck would have it, I saw the light on under a sign for Galena's Kandy Kitchen. I stumbled upon this unique chocolate shop started nearly 50 years ago by Mr. George Paxton.

George was a man who dreamt of continuing the family heritage of making confectionaries. So in 1974, he left his Chicago computer career and set up shop on Galena's historic Main Street.

Although George has passed, his wife Dianne continues to carry on his passion today. Dianne and her loyal staff make hand-dipped chocolates the old-fashioned way, using the finest ingredients, including fresh cream & butter.

Dianne takes extreme care and pride in producing a product that lives up to her late husband's legacy.

Easter is the number one holiday at the Kandy Kitchen. Dianne says the creative confections are typically fun to make. The desire for milk chocolate bunnies and eggs remains as popular as ever.

Indeed, after indulging in some of the samples, I confirm the traditional recipes, superior ingredients, small-batch, and hand-crafted chocolates are sublime.

"All of our homemade candy is made from scratch, and I use the best quality of chocolate that I can buy," said Dianne

"It makes me feel good when a repeat customer tells me they've returned to Galena primarily to visit our store and buy some of our chocolates. So that's where I get my reward," added Dianne.

Galena's Kandy Kitchen is located at 100 N. Main Street.

For more information, visit GalenasKandyKitchen.com. Phone: (815) 777-0241