Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren

Discovering a truly exceptional local treat is one of the joys of living in or visiting the Jersey Shore, and for those in search of culinary artistry,

Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren

Lauren Klein, a Central New Jersey native, established Handcrafted Chocolate in 2021, building on over a decade of high-level food service experience. Her resume includes working with notable chefs in top New York City kitchens and serving as the opening Executive Pastry Chef at Heirloom at The St Laurent in Asbury Park. This extensive background informs her meticulous technique and imaginative flavor profiles. Recently, Lauren's talent has gained national recognition, including winning first place in a category at the National Pastry Conference Chocolatier Competition in 2024 and appearing as a contestant on Food Network's Season 11 of

Spring Baking Championship

Each bonbon is a small-batch masterpiece, a commitment that ensures both the highest quality and incredible attention to detail. Lauren’s philosophy centers on using ethically sourced dark chocolate for her shells, which she then hand-paints with colored cocoa butter before filling them with luscious ganaches and caramels. For New Jersey residents, this is an opportunity to enjoy world-class chocolate artistry right in our backyard.

Currently, the business operates with a primary focus on online ordering, custom commissions, and pop-up events throughout Monmouth County and the broader New Jersey area, offering convenient local pick-up and nationwide shipping. However, there is exciting news for locals! The company has announced plans to open a dedicated physical storefront in Point Pleasant in the near future, which will offer a consistent, dedicated space for Jersey Shore residents and visitors to explore her exquisite creations.

While the business is evolving, its dedication to its New Jersey roots remains a core element of its identity.

Location and Accessibility

Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren is currently building its presence in the community with plans for a future storefront that will make it a definitive local destination.

For New Jersey customers, the official storefront location is planned for:

2804 Bridge Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA

This location in Point Pleasant Beach places the business in a popular, accessible Jersey Shore town, making it an ideal stop for residents and tourists alike. The opening is currently projected for Fall 2025.

In the interim, customers can continue to access the gourmet chocolates through online orders with nationwide shipping or by utilizing local pick-up options in nearby Central New Jersey locations, such as Tatchen’s Restaurant in Freehold, typically scheduled for Wednesdays.

Services Offered

Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren provides a range of services tailored to both individual enjoyment and special events throughout the New Jersey region:

• Artisanal Hand-Painted Bonbons: Offering a signature line of chocolates and rotational seasonal collections, all featuring hand-painted designs and creative fillings.
• Assorted Box Orders: Available in various sizes (e.g., 9-piece, 12-piece, 15-piece) for easy gifting and personal indulgence, often including a mix of signature and seasonal flavors.
• Gourmet Confections: In addition to bonbons, the offerings include other chocolate items such as Crunchy Peanut Butter Cups, Cordial Cherries, and unique chocolate bars like the Mango Passionfruit Black Sesame Bar.
• Bespoke Event Favors: Specializing in custom and beautiful chocolate favors for events like weddings, corporate gatherings, and parties, allowing for personalized colors and flavors to match any theme.
• Local Pick-Up: Convenient pick-up options available in Central New Jersey, currently at Tatchen's Restaurant in Freehold, for customers who prefer to collect their online orders locally.
• Nationwide Shipping: All products are available for shipping across the country, packaged carefully with insulation to ensure freshness upon arrival.
• Seasonal Collections: Introducing limited-time flavors for holidays and seasons, such as Whiskey Caramel Pretzel and Mint Cookie for St. Patrick’s Day, or Ube for Mother’s Day, utilizing fresh local produce where possible.

Features / Highlights

What sets this local chocolatier apart is its combination of world-class technique and dedication to local sourcing, making it a truly exceptional establishment in New Jersey:

• Award-Winning Chocolatier: Founded by Lauren Klein, a highly experienced chef who is a National Pastry Conference Chocolatier Competition 1st Place Winner and a Food Network TV contestant.
• Hand-Painted Artistry: Each bonbon is individually hand-painted with colored cocoa butter, transforming every piece into a visually stunning, edible work of art.
• Ethically Sourced Chocolate: A commitment to sustainability and quality is evident in the use of dark chocolate sourced from fair-trade companies.
• Locally Sourced Ingredients: Lauren prioritizes using the freshest local New Jersey ingredients, including local honey, lavender, and seasonal fruits like peaches, strawberries, and sour cherries sourced from local orchards like Battleview Orchards.
• Inventive and Unique Flavors: The flavor menu goes beyond the traditional, featuring signature and creative combinations such as Calamansi Meringue Pie, Chili Crunch (chili-infused caramel, miso, and crunchy peanut praline), and Vietnamese Coffee.
• Small-Batch Production: All confections are made in small batches, a process that takes about three days per batch, ensuring maximum flavor, freshness, and quality control.
• Future Point Pleasant Beach Storefront: The eagerly awaited opening of a physical store in Fall 2025 promises a permanent, dedicated location for Jersey Shore customers to experience the chocolates firsthand.
• Customization for Events: Offering bespoke services for corporate gifts and party favors, allowing clients to tailor colors and flavors for a truly personalized sweet ending to any event.

Contact Information

For inquiries, custom orders, or to confirm the status of the Point Pleasant Beach storefront, please use the following contact details:

Address: 2804 Bridge Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA (Future Storefront Location)

Phone: (848) 459-5595

What is Worth Choosing Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren

Choosing Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren is an investment in quality, artistry, and local New Jersey talent. The essence of the business lies in its founder’s commitment to turning simple ingredients into extraordinary sensory experiences. For local users, it represents the best of the New Jersey culinary scene—combining sophisticated, big-city technique, honed in some of the country's most prestigious kitchens, with a genuine dedication to local sourcing and small-batch care. When you purchase from Lauren Klein, you are not just buying a piece of candy; you are acquiring a miniature work of art and a moment of gourmet indulgence.

The meticulous, hand-painted exterior of each bonbon immediately elevates it above mass-produced alternatives, making these chocolates the perfect choice for high-end gifts, impressive wedding favors, or a personal treat that truly satisfies. New Jersey residents planning a wedding or hosting a special event find immense value in her ability to create bespoke, color-coordinated favors that guests consistently rave about. Flavors like the customer-favorite Salted Caramel and the adventurous Calamansi Meringue Pie demonstrate a range that appeals to both traditional and experimental palates.

Furthermore, the future opening of the Point Pleasant Beach storefront provides a wonderful opportunity for the Jersey Shore community to have a consistent source for truly exceptional artisanal products. Until then, the ease of online ordering and local pick-up in Central NJ, coupled with the quality guarantee of ethically sourced ingredients, solidifies Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren as the premier choice for gourmet, artistic confections in the Garden State.

Handcrafted Chocolate by Lauren

2804 Bridge Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA