Sure, you're heard of Aggie Creamery, but have you heard of Aggie Chocolate Factory?! Me neither, that is, until about a month ago, though I have seen their Thistle & Rose chocolate bars at local businesses, never knowing they were crafted by a team of Utah State students. So cool!
The factory is located in a courtyard shared with the Bull's Head Grill, and surrounded by student housing. I think there was a gallery, too? With no signage along the street, I was puzzled where the store might be, but just park and head to the open area with seating and such (and take note, as there are some great spots to stay and enjoy your treat!). Inside, the space is shared with Utah Artisan Mercantile, a cute café and shop selling local goods, though this further compounds the confusion! The bitty chocolate shop is housed just behind their glass walled viewing area.
Two helpful students cheerfully greeted me. The factory crafts 2 dark and 1 milk chocolate bar (Belize and Ecuador origins), the varieties also available in molded cacoa beans wrapped in colorful foil. This same chocolate is utilized for the candies they offer: DARK (the only acceptable option) chocolate dipped cinnamon bears, dipped pretzels, and nonpareils. In the baked goods we've got chocolate chip cookies, shortbread, brownies, macarons, Nanaimo bars, mousse, cheesecake, and specials (on this occasion, an éclair). A few drinks are offered: sipping chocolate, frozen hot chocolate, coffee and tea. Lastly, there are nuts, a cacoa seasoning rub, cacao beans and nibs, Butchers Bunches jam, and merch like tees and mugs. Day old treats are discounted by 50%!
My order was predestined as both frozen hot chocolate and Nanaimo bars are favorites and "must order" items. I could have selected much more, as near all goodies are just a few dollars, but I had already treated myself quite a bit that day, so showed some (now regrettable) restraint. The frozen hot chocolate is available plain, flavored with raspberry, or salted caramel. I opted to leave it pure, and as I was waiting for it to be made, I looked over the case and lamented the fact that I had not selected a pack of nibby shortbread cookies. Lo and behold, when the drink was served, they had stuck a cookie right into the whipped cream gracing the top. What luck! What presentation!
And that frozen hot chocolate! The excellent chocolate with which it was made, bloomed full of rich and fruity notes, making me all the more grateful not to have polluted it with additional flavors. The ice is slushy and so fine, the whipped cream not-too-sweet, and basically, it is what I have always wished a Frappuccino would be. The Nanaimo bar was graced with a thick slick of their brilliant chocolate, then thick custard filling, finished with a rugged, chocolate coconut cookie-like crust. This is such a special treat that I rarely find in Utah. Make sure to try one out if given the chance.
They offer rotating daily specials, usually 20% off a particular item. The day I visited, I had also stopped by any Logan area purveyors of chocolate and sugary treats I could find, and this sweet, teeny little shop beat them all! Your purchase supports students, and it made me want to go back to school so I could learn all about how to craft such delicious bars myself! Check 'em out! read more