NC Chocolatier, formerly Illinois Nut & Candy, offers Chocolate Factory Tours to teach guests of all ages how chocolate is made and give you the opportunity to make your own chocolate dipped cookies and pretzels, caramel apple with toppings, and chocolate bar. You can also taste their delicious gelato before you leave.
Not only is this experience special, you also get to bring home a bag full of hand-crafted treats! You won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience in Chicagoland.
This article is sponsored by NC Chocolatier, and all opinions are my own.
First, let’s talk about how beautiful their renovation is! NC Chocolatier offers customized confections and the presentation is impeccable. The chocolates in the case and pre-wrapped gift boxes belong in a magazine. You’ll want to get there a little early for your tour to admire all of their products and scope out what you want to try before you leave! This family-owned candy shop offers a wonderful range of sweets, with gluten-free, kosher, organic and vegan treats.
Chocolate Factory Tours at NC Chocolatier
The Chocolate Factory Tour starts in the store, where they explain how chocolate is made and the components of a Belgian chocolate bar. First we put on a hairnet and gloves for food safety and an apron that is yours to keep, then they showed us a model of a cacao pod and how cocoa beans are extracted and ground into nibs and cocoa powder. We measured and mixed the ingredients to pour into a candy bar mold so it had time to set while going on the rest of the hands-on tour.
The tours can be booked for up to eight guests, so at the chocolate bar-making portion of the tour the participants take turns contributing to the process.
Once we finished learning about how chocolate is made and making a chocolate bar, we went behind the scenes to see the chocolate-making process guided by two chocolatiers. The 200 lbs of Belgian chocolate recirculating as they created their masterpieces was mouth watering and smelled amazing!
We felt like we were part of their family business as they showed us where the chocolatiers work and the equipment they use on a daily basis. Then we headed into the second kitchen area where everything to create sweet treats was prepared for us. We made chocolate-covered pretzels and cookies and they set out several containers of sprinkles of all colors to decorate our creations.
Throughout the process, the chocolatiers gave us tips and were so kind and patient. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend their Chocolate Factory Tours and it was clear that they focus on making it a good experience for everyone.
Next, we made caramel apples. We chose our apple, washed and dried it, used their tool to insert the stick safely, dipped the apple into fresh, warm caramel, and rolled it into toppings. They had trays of nuts, colorful cereal, and cookie crumbs to choose from.
Each person on the tour made their own treats, which cooled in the cold room before we bagged them and applied stickers for a nice presentation.
After the tour, we headed back into the store to sample their gelato flavors (we loved the Dulce de Leche and Tiramisu flavors!). They have house-made waffle cones made to order too, which makes it special.
It was fun to bring home so many chocolate treats that we created! Everything was delicious – very high-quality compared to mass-produced chocolate.
When we were admiring all of the beautiful chocolates and candies, the tour before us was just finishing and we met the cutest family that said they are Kidlist fans!
Tips for Visiting
Discuss food allergies in advance: If you or your guests have any food allergies, reach out before booking. We were working in a space that contained nuts and dairy products. Make sure this is a safe space for your family before you confirm your reservations. They have gluten-free cookie and pretzel alternatives for dipping if you contact them ahead of time, but please be aware that their facility is not a gluten-free environment.
Keep your attire simple: Chocolate and caramel are everywhere in the kitchen, so don’t be surprised if things are a bit messy. Guests are required to wear hair nets in the kitchen, and encouraged to make sure their jewelry is covered. Non-slip shoes are also recommended.
Allow plenty of time to arrive: The tour starts promptly at the start time since the experience lasts a full hour. Families from all over Chicago and the suburbs enjoy their tours and we recommend planning to arrive early just in case there is unexpected traffic or road construction. We’d hate to have your time cut short!
Have a good adult to child ratio: The tours are designed for ages 1 and up. Younger children are welcome, but they need to be accompanied by a paying adult so you can assist them when necessary. Children 12-18 years old can do the tour without a paying adult, but a parent or guardian needs to remain on site for the duration.
Make it a combo trip: There’s so much to see and do in Skokie. Visit the Skokie Water Playground, Old Orchard Mall, or Exploritorium for a day filled with family-friendly fun.
Hours
Tours run on Sundays from 11:00am – 5:00pm, and Mondays through Thursdays from 12:00pm – 6:00pm. Each session is booked in 1-hour blocks.
Pricing and Reservations
All participants must have a ticket, which is $19.50 per person and includes the tour, making two chocolate-covered pretzels, two chocolate-covered cookies, and one caramel apple with toppings. You also receive the chocolate bar that your group makes in the beginning of the tour, gelato tasting at the end, and the aprons you wear throughout the experience.
Reservations must be made in advance on their website and tours are limited to 8 people.
Recommended Ages
More so than age, it’s important to consider your children’s maturity level when deciding to visit. The tour lasts up to one hour, for which you are standing the whole time. The kitchen is narrow, so how well your child follows directions, and is careful with supplies, will determine the success of your outing more than anything. Katie went with a 5, 8 and 10-year old, who all enjoyed their time on the tour.
NC Chocolatier
3745 Dempster Street
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-5777
Looking for more cooking opportunities with your kids? Check out our 15 Hands-On Kids Cooking Classes Where Little Chefs Learn Kitchen Skills.