Great chocolate is arguably the world's best present--now more than ever, because the artisans who make it have never been more inventive. Combine the heady perfection of top-tier dark chocolate with cleverly chosen ingredients like tea, sea salt, or single malt Scotch, and you've got a gift that's both original and sure to please. We'd be thrilled to find any of these delights under the tree.
Clockwise from bottom left:
1/ megan romano chocolate-dipped candied orange slices
Megan Romano, pastry chef at Aureole in Las Vegas, has a talent for pairing fruit and chocolate--her candied orange slices dipped in chocolate taste even better than they look.
$11 for a package of 6 slices; chefmeganromano.com **
2/ gail ambrosius tea-inspired collection
Silky truffles are subtly infused with Earl Grey, jasmine, blueberry, and rose teas.
$22 for a box of 12; gailambrosius.com **
3/ theo single malt scotch chocolate
Who knew that chocolate brings out the smokiness of great single malt? Perfect for Scotch and chocolate fiends alike.
$11 for a box of 4; theochocolate.com **
4/ john kelly dark chocolate truffle fudge bites with french grey sea salt
These fudgy treats are great stocking stuffers.
$9 for a box of 2 or $15 for a box of 4; Neiman Marcus or johnkellychocolates.com **
5/ recchiuti peppermint thins
Chocolate-and-mint aficionados, don't say we didn't warn you: Here are the best peppermint patties. Ever.
$8 for a box of 10 or $18 for a box of 24; recchiuti.com **
6/ alma habanero caramel crowns
Many of Alma's chocolates are gilded and come in charming shapes. Here, artisans work magic with chocolate, caramel, and spice.
$23 for a box of 10; almachocolate.com