MOM'S LITTLE BLACK BOOK | Kilwin's Chocolate Experience in Elmhurst

CHOCOLATE CREATIONS

I have two guilty pleasures in life - Flaming Hot Doritos and Chocolate. I love them both dearly so it doesn't take much for me to reward myself and completely justify my actions with a giant bag of each - after all, it's Mother's Day!

Combining my love for adventure with my love for chocolate was a total win-win with Kilwin's Kitchen Experience. This might be Elmhurt's best kept secret as one cannot discover them on Kilwin's website; however, with a quick call to local store manager, Megan Gavin, you can schedule a group of maximum 8 to play Chocolatier for an hour. Better yet, this activity works for anyone 5 years old and up and can be tailored to all ablities.

Each experience is customizable. Megan's enthusiasm and talents exude as she leads the class so patiently and skillfully, while maintaining lightness and laughter.

We each started with a tray boasting one giant handmade marshmallow, one pretzel rod, one oreo cookie, one graham cracker square, a decorative sugar candy, sprinkles, and a stick. Megan led us through the basic steps to make each item.

Who knew a hammer and a giant 10 lb. block of chocolate were the beginning steps of each delicious piece!?! Although some moms might enjoy a nice relaxing massage to reduce their stress, I personally found smashing a massive chocolate bar equally as satisfying for the same end result!

We next added our chunks to the melter and learned the fine art of dipping items. Some of us dipped with diligence and perfection, while others of us (me!) giggled and dipped like a young child with no regard to exterior appearances.

We learned how to secure the stick in the marshmallow and lay the sugar candy with grace. We sprinkled in orderly fashion and designed with ripples and swirls. The experience was completely fulfilling to watch a simple food item develop into a divine edible crafted creation.

The highlight of the session was learning how easy Nonpareil Candies are to make - even I couldn't mess them up!

The afternoon was incredibly relaxing and enjoyable and was indeed a multi-sensory experience that will excite your senses. Kilwans is "Sweet in every Sense since 1947".

OVERVIEW

Kilwins Elmhurst features Hand-Crafted Chocolates, Mackinac Island fudge, caramel apples, and 32 flavors of Original Recipe Ice Cream. Watch in store treats being made in the kitchen window or become a chocolatier for the day in a Kitchen Experience.

Kilwins Elmhurst

148 North York Street, Elmhurst

(630) 903-6056

www.kilwins.com/stores/kilwins-elmhurst

Hours: By Appointment

Price $: Prices vary based on experience selected

ABOUT THE WRITER

Kristen Kucharski’s days are never dull, her kids are never bored! Over the years #MomsLittleBlackBook has explored hundreds of kid friendly things to do in our surrounding community and on the road. As her girls have grown and gone away to college, she continues to enjoy unique activities, excursions, day trips, weekend get-a-aways, and road trips while rediscovering my own passion for adventure with friends, girls nights outs, and date nights. In her words “Life is a journey–might as well have fun along the way. Go, fly, roam, travel, voyage, explore, discover!”