The “Delicious” Sweet Treat I Always Grab as a Stocking Stuffer (It’s a Hit Every Time!)

This feature is part of The Kitchn’s Gift Edit, our editor-curated collection of gift ideas. Need more inspiration? Check out all our guides here.

There’s a lot to love about the holiday season: the food, the unbridled feeling of joy in the air, and, of course, the gifting. Now, let’s make one thing clear — while I love a good gift just as much as the next person, I much prefer giving over receiving. Maybe it’s the shopping editor in me, but I love having an excuse to give the people I love their metaphoric (and sometimes actual) flowers in the form of “a thing” they’ll love. 

Now, this act of giving doesn’t have to be big. In fact, I love creating small moments of joy with great stocking stuffers! But finding one that stands out? That can be a challenge. After all, you can only stuff a stocking with so many fuzzy socks, beauty items, and scratch-offs. My pick for the ultimate stocking stuffer? An updated play on the humble chocolate gift: one of Spring & Mulberry’s delicious chocolate bars. And reader, it’s a hit every time. 

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Spring & Mulberry came about when founders Kathryn Shah and Sarah Bell, tired of hunting for a sweet treat that could satisfy their sweet tooths while also using high-quality and nutritious ingredients, decided that if no one else was going to make good-for-you sweets, they’d take on the challenge. 

So, what kind of chocolate bars should you expect? While every bar features a base of high-quality dark chocolate and dates (their sweetener of choice), you’ll find unique flavor combinations like Mango Chili, Lavender Rose, and Mulberry Fennel, alongside more traditional picks like mint leaf and coffee as well as a pure dark chocolate option. How’s that for a delicious treat?   

I first came across Spring & Mulberry’s chocolate bars while browsing through a shop in downtown Manhattan. I’ll admit, the first thing that struck me was the adorable packaging. But when I read the (small!) list of ingredients? I knew I had to try it. I’ll admit, I was a bit wary that it would be all bark and no bite (I’ve been burned by “healthy” sweets before), but reader, these chocolate bars are the real deal. They’re rich, they’re flavorful, and best of all, they’re perfectly sweetened. 

After falling in love with them, I wanted to tell everyone, so what better way to do it than by picking up a few bars to stuff some stockings? I’ve gifted them to friends and family alike yearly at this point. It has become a game of, “Which Spring & Mulberry flavor will I be getting this year?” Suffice it to say, I’ve turned everyone on to these chocolate bars, so it was only right that you’d be next. 

Ready to make Spring & Mulberry’s chocolate bars a holiday tradition of your own? Each flavor comes in a pack of three for $24. But if you’re looking to get adventurous and try multiple flavors — or simply are looking for a great gifting moment — the brand also offers variety packs for $50 as well as newly launched holiday collections (complete with a gorgeous gift box!) for $65. So if you want a surefire hit this holiday, pick up these showstopping candy bars. And be sure you don’t forget to stuff your own stocking, too. 

Buy: Spring & Mulberry Embellished Holiday Collection, $65