Visit Hilo: Big Island Candies

If you are visiting Hilo, you must make a stop at Big Island Candies.

I absolutely love their chocolaty confections - dipped shortbreads, chocolate-covered brownies, and dipped "Da Kines" (animal crackers, mochi balls, etc.).

They make wonderful omiyage - if you don't eat them all yourself.

As soon as you walk into the shop, you are greeted with samples and mouth-watering displays of cookies, candies, coffees, and more!

Although there is a retail store in Ala Moana Center on Oahu, there are certain items you can get only in the Hilo store, but no matter which sweet treat you get, it will be sure to delight!

On a recent visit, one of my colleagues and I had the opportunity to try our hand at dipping some goodies.

We dipped shortbread cookies, ika, arare, and macadamia nuts.

I tried dipping shortbread cookies and macadamia nuts (Yumi did all four items).

It's so hard!

For the shortbread, you need to hold each cookie at a specific point and dip them at a certain angle, shake off the excess, and make sure both sides are smooth and evenly covered.

Definitely not as easy as it  sounds.

I made these!

The chocolate-covered macadamia nuts were even harder!

You have to make sure each macadamia nut is covered in enough chocolate to make an 8 oz box, ensuring the chocolate doesn't hit the sides of the wrapper.  You can tell from the above photo that I didn't do a very good job.

You can watch the pros (many of whom have been with the company for decades) in action through the huge window at the store.  They hand-dip thousands of cookies each day!

Debuting very soon will be a chocolate cookie with white chocolate chunks and Hawaiian chili peppers.  I loved the sweet and spicy combo!

Be sure to visit Big Island Candies next time you're in Hilo!

Big Island Candies
585 Hinano St
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-8890