Dear Coco Confections (Review): The Best Artisan Dairy-Free Chocolates

I was so sad when Dear Coco shuttered there doors. They were truly one of the best! But there are many other dairy-free chocolatiers to praise. See our Dairy-Free Chocolate Reviews for numerous options. If your looking for gift-worthy chocolate specifically, see our Dairy-Free Chocolate Holiday Gift Guide and our Dairy-Free Valentine Chocolate Guide.

I’ve previously sung the praises of Dear Coco’s amazing truffles, toffee chocolate bars, caramel turtles, and hot chocolate spoons. But there are even more artisan dairy-free chocolates that I simply must share, because EVERYTHING they make is always beautiful and delicious.

Tasting Notes for Dear Coco Chocolate Collections

Explore Collections

This year we sampled their new chocolate collections: Explore Garden and Explore Peanut Butter. Each gift-worthy box contains an elegant array of Dear Coco’s artisan dairy-free chocolates with a bonus treat on top.

The Explore Peanut Butter Collection includes Virginia Peanut Caramel Turtles (rich peanut buttery caramel filling), Peruvian Peanut Truffles (creamy decadence with a hint of heat), PB&J Crunch Cups (almost like bark in a cup shape), Mini Chesapeake Toffee Chocolate Bar (chocolate with shards of dairy-free toffee). All were delicious, but the icing on the cake was the Colossal Peanut Butter Cup. Wow! It’s definitely meant for sharing and has a delicious, grown-up, creamy center that isn’t too sweet. This treat is also available to purchase separately.

The Explore Garden Collection includes Garden Mint Meltaways, Provence Lavender Truffles, Tuscan Berry Basil Meltaways, Mini Massachusetts Superfood Chocolate Bar, and a Summer Garden Chocolate Pop on top. We’re not big floral and herb fans in our home, but the dreamy Meltaway centers were impossible to resist. And the Garden Mint was simply amazing. I thought it had an “After Eight” vibe, but Tony declared it far better. He also devoured the Superfood Bar, and I delighted in the bright fruitiness of the Tuscan Berry Meltaway.

Salts of the Earth Tile Collection

Last year we had the chance to sample these dairy-free artisan chocolates, and fortunately, they are still available! I love salted chocolate so much that it became my obsession to find the perfect one. Some have come close, but Dear Coco may take the prize.

This collection of artisan dairy-free chocolates includes 15 thick pieces – 5 of each flavor – in a lovely, gift-worthy box. Each of the varieties look similar, with smatterings of coarse salts on top, but all have a unique flavor profile. In the end, the full tasting experience was beyond impressive.

Black, Pacific Northwest Smoked Sea Salt – Each bite has an amazing depth of flavor. It was more rich than salty, but those little specks were still a standout on the smooth chocolate.

Grey, French Sel Gris de Guerande – This chocolate had a smooth, subtle, calm almost cooling salty vibe.

White, Sicilian Trapani Sea Salt – This variety packed a pure sodium punch. But it added nice contrast and gave this chocolate more of a semi-sweet flavor.

Pink, Himalayan Mountains Pink Salt – The salt was more sparsely distributed on these tiles. But the chunks were bigger for intermittent bites of pure semi-sweet chocolate and crunchy chocolate enrobed salt. Talk about a salty sneaker punch!

Red, Hawaiian Alaea Sea Salt – This variety had unique, earthy, warming little salt crystals interspersed. These added notable flavor without being over the top.

The Facts on Dear Coco Artisan Dairy-Free Chocolates

Availability: Dear Coco Artisan Dairy-Free Chocolates are shipped direct to customers throughout the U.S. You can order them at www.dearcoco.com.

Certifications: Dear Coco Artisan Dairy-Free Chocolates are Certified Kosher Pareve. They are also labeled as gluten-free and vegan, but we did not note those certifications.

Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Dear Coco Artisan Dairy-Free Chocolates are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, tree nut-free, vegan / plant-based, and vegetarian. However, always read the label and check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Also, processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company / product.

For More Product Information: Visit the Dear Coco website at www.dearcoco.com.