Where to find candy-making chocolate in Greater Milwaukee

Finding quality bulk chocolate for candy making and dipping in the Milwaukee area doesn't have to be a treasure hunt.

Whether you're coating pretzels for a school fundraiser, creating elegant holiday truffles, or making hand-dipped strawberries for a special occasion, this comprehensive guide covers every source—from hidden gem specialty suppliers right here on the North Shore to big-box stores with surprisingly good selections. We've gathered addresses, phone numbers, hours, and pricing so you can spend less time searching and more time creating delicious chocolate treats with your family.

The Milwaukee area is home to several exceptional resources for candy makers, including Burke Candy & Ingredients in Whitefish Bay—a third-generation family business that supplies professional confectioners nationwide—and Cook's Cake Decorating & Candy Supplies in West Allis, which has been the go-to destination for local candy makers since 1965. Beyond these specialty shops, you'll find options at craft stores, restaurant suppliers, and even your neighborhood grocery store.

Understanding your chocolate options

Before you start visiting stores, it helps to understand the different types of chocolate available for candy making, as each serves a distinct purpose and handles differently.

Compound coating (sometimes called candy coating or almond bark) is the most beginner-friendly option. Brands like Merckens and Wilton Candy Melts contain vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter, which means they melt smoothly and set up with a glossy finish without requiring the complicated tempering process that true chocolate demands. They're available in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white, and dozens of colors. Expect to pay $8-15 per pound at specialty stores or $4-6 for 12-ounce packages at craft and big-box stores.

Couverture chocolate is the professional choice, containing higher cocoa butter content (at least 32%) that creates that satisfying snap and glossy finish prized by chocolatiers. Brands like Callebaut, Guittard, and Valrhona fall into this category. Couverture requires tempering—a process of carefully heating, cooling, and reheating the chocolate to specific temperatures—but the results are worth the extra effort for special occasions. Prices typically run $15-25+ per pound.

Baking chocolate includes chocolate chips and baking bars from brands like Ghirardelli, Nestlé, and store brands. While designed for baking, quality chips can work for simple dipping projects, though they won't set up quite as smoothly as compound coatings or properly tempered couverture.

Cook's Cake Decorating & Candy Supplies is your candy making headquarters

For the most comprehensive selection of candy making supplies under one roof, Cook's Cake Decorating & Candy Supplies in West Allis should be your first stop. This family-owned store has served Milwaukee-area candy makers for nearly six decades, and their knowledgeable staff can guide beginners through their first project or help experienced candy makers troubleshoot tricky techniques.

Cook's Cake Decorating & Candy Supplies

• Address: 7321 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214

• Phone: (414) 257-0055

• Website: cookscakeandcandy.com

• Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday: 10am-5:30pm; Thursday: 10am-7pm; Saturday: 9am-1pm; Sunday: Closed

Cook's carries Merckens and Clasen's compound coating wafers in milk, dark, white, and super white chocolate, plus an impressive rainbow of colored candy melts for decorated treats. They sell chocolate by the scoop for small projects or in bulk bags for larger productions. Beyond chocolate, you'll find hundreds of candy molds, flavorings, packaging supplies, and every tool imaginable for candy making. The Thursday evening extended hours are particularly convenient for working parents who want to stock up after the kids are in bed.

Cook's also operates a wholesale division at 8656 W. National Avenue, West Allis (phone: 414-328-4034) through Cook Specialty Company. While the wholesale operation requires an account and serves commercial bakeries, home candy makers with small businesses or large church group projects may qualify.

Burke Candy brings professional-grade ingredients to Whitefish Bay

Right here on the North Shore, Burke Candy & Ingredients offers something truly unique: access to the same professional candy-making ingredients used by commercial confectioners nationwide. Their Whitefish Bay retail location, which opened in March 2023, puts these specialty products within easy reach of North Shore families.

Burke Candy & Ingredients - Whitefish Bay

• Address: 513 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 (across from Sendik's)

• Phone: (414) 312-8718

• Website: burkecandy.com

• Email: orders@burkecandy.com

• Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm; Saturday: 10am-4pm

Burke's ingredient catalog reads like a candy maker's wish list: Perfecto Caramel Slabs ready for cutting and dipping, cream centers for filled chocolates, invertase (the enzyme that creates those liquid cherry cordial centers), pectin powders for homemade gummies and jellies, toffee pieces for dipping, nukreme for nougat, and professional-grade flavorings, colorings, and essential oils. All products are Kosher certified.

Their main production facility at 3840 N. Fratney Street, Milwaukee (phone: 414-964-7327 or toll-free 888-287-5350) handles larger orders and offers viewing windows where you can watch candy being made. Burke's has been a family business since 1929, and they ship ingredients to candy makers across the country. Online ordering is available through their website with competitive pricing clearly displayed.

Downtown Dough in Cedarburg is perfect for candy mold enthusiasts

About 25 minutes north of Milwaukee, Downtown Dough in charming downtown Cedarburg specializes in cookie cutters (over 2,600 styles!) but also maintains an excellent candy making section.

Downtown Dough

• Address: W63N658 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI 53012

• Phone: (262) 421-8466

• Website: downtowndough.com

• Email: downtowndoughcedarburg@gmail.com

• Hours: Tuesday: 10am-3pm; Wednesday: 10am-5pm; Thursday-Saturday: 10am-4pm; Sunday: 10am-2pm; Monday: Closed

You'll find over 186 candy mold styles, candy ingredients, candy writers for decorating, and an extensive LorAnn Oils & Flavors collection with more than 61 products. The store's location makes it a perfect excuse for a family day trip to Cedarburg's shops and restaurants. Online ordering is available.

Restaurant supply stores offer bulk pricing without bulk minimums

Gordon Food Service (GFS) stores are a fantastic resource for candy makers because they offer restaurant-quality products at wholesale-style prices—and unlike Restaurant Depot, they're completely open to the public with no membership required.

Gordon Food Service - West Milwaukee

• Address: 2064 Miller Park Way, West Milwaukee, WI 53219

• Phone: (414) 383-4282

• Website: gfsstore.com

• Hours: Monday-Saturday: 7am-8pm; Sunday: 9am-6pm

Gordon Food Service - Franklin

• Address: 6919 South 27th Street, Franklin, WI 53132

• Phone: (414) 761-1686

GFS carries baking chocolate and chocolate chips in both consumer and foodservice sizes, plus baking supplies, extracts, and packaging. Same-day delivery is available through Instacart, and the stores offer curbside pickup—helpful when you're wrangling kids.

Restaurant Depot offers excellent bulk chocolate options but requires a membership with business credentials. If you have a small candy-making business, catering license, or non-profit organization, the free membership may be worth pursuing.

Restaurant Depot - Milwaukee

• Address: 125 W. Becher Street, Milwaukee, WI 53207

• Phone: (414) 483-1800

• Website: restaurantdepot.com

• Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday: 7am-6pm; Thursday: 7am-7pm; Saturday: 7am-4pm; Sunday: 9am-3pm

Their selection includes commercial brands like Callebaut couverture chocolate in large bulk sizes at wholesale pricing. A second Milwaukee location is planned for 10330 W. Silver Spring Drive.

Craft store options have changed significantly in 2025

The craft store landscape has shifted dramatically with JOANN Fabrics closing all locations following bankruptcy in early 2025. Michaels has acquired some JOANN brands and remains the primary craft store option for candy makers.

Michaels carries Wilton Candy Melts in their baking section:

• Light Cocoa Candy Melts (12oz): $14.75

• Dark Cocoa Candy Melts (12oz): $14.75

• Bright White Candy Melts (12oz): $14.21

• Bright White Candy Melts (36oz bulk): $13.98

• Colored Candy Melts (various): $4.78-$14.75/12oz

Michaels - Milwaukee (Point Loomis Center)

• Address: 3545 S. 27th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53221

• Phone: (414) 644-8010

• Website: michaels.com

Additional Milwaukee-area Michaels locations include Brookfield, Germantown, Grafton, and New Berlin. Watch for Michaels coupons offering 20-40% off single items—these make craft store chocolate much more affordable.

Hobby Lobby offers an excellent budget alternative with their house-brand candy wafers priced at just $2.99 per bag—significantly less than competitors. Quality reviewers praise the smooth melting texture.

Hobby Lobby - West Allis

• Address: 6900 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Allis, WI 53214

• Website: hobbylobby.com

Additional Milwaukee-area locations include Wauwatosa (3850 N. 124th Street), Menomonee Falls, Brookfield (18200 W. Bluemound Road), Oak Creek (6803 S. 27th Street), and Franklin. Hobby Lobby doesn't accept coupons but runs rotating 50% off sales on different categories each week.

Big-box retailers offer convenience and competitive pricing

For quick trips and competitive prices, your neighborhood Walmart and Target stores stock reliable candy making supplies.

Walmart carries multiple brands:

• Wilton Candy Melts (12oz): $4.78

• ChocoMaker Vanilla Candy Wafers (16oz): $5.22

• Merckens Compound Melting Wafers (5lb): $26.45

• Ghirardelli Melting Wafers (10oz): Available seasonally

Key Milwaukee-area Walmart locations include 3355 S. 27th Street (phone: 414-383-1113), 401 E. Capitol Drive (phone: 414-967-7804), and 4140 W. Greenfield Avenue, West Milwaukee (phone: 414-978-2010). All open at 6am daily.

Target shines with their Ghirardelli selection:

• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers (10oz)

• Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers (10oz)

• Ghirardelli White Vanilla Melting Wafers (10oz)

• Plus premium chocolate chips in various cacao percentages

Target - Greenfield

• Address: 4777 S. 27th Street, Greenfield, WI 53221

• Phone: (414) 282-1000

• Hours: 8am-10pm daily

Other convenient Target locations include Glendale/Bayshore area, West Allis, Brookfield, and Wauwatosa. Use Target Circle deals and the RedCard 5% discount for additional savings.

Costco and Sam's Club offer bulk options, though with an important recent change: Costco has discontinued Kirkland Signature chocolate chips due to rising cocoa prices, replacing them with Nestlé Toll House products at approximately $15.48 per bag. Both warehouse clubs require membership.

Costco - Grafton (closest to North Shore)

• Address: 950 Port Washington Road, Grafton, WI 53024

• Phone: (262) 204-1050

Sam's Club - Milwaukee

• Address: 8050 N. 124th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53224

• Phone: (414) 365-3700

• Hours: Monday-Friday: 10am-8:30pm; Saturday: 9am-8:30pm; Sunday: 10am-6pm

North Shore kitchen stores stock quality chocolate and essential tools

Sur La Table at Bayshore offers premium chocolate brands alongside the tools you need to work with them professionally.

Sur La Table - Bayshore

• Address: 480 W. Northshore Drive, Space P-114, Glendale, WI 53217

• Phone: (920) 745-8767

• Website: surlatable.com

• Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-8pm; Sunday: 11am-6pm

Their selection includes Guittard and Callebaut couverture chocolate, quality cocoa powders, candy thermometers, double boilers, silicone molds, and tempering equipment. Sur La Table also offers periodic cooking classes that sometimes include chocolate and candy making—perfect for a parent-child outing or date night.

Williams-Sonoma at Mayfair Mall (2500 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa) carries similar premium brands including Valrhona, along with high-end tools, though at higher price points than Sur La Table.

Grocery stores with notable specialty sections

Sendik's Food Markets throughout the North Shore carry quality baking chocolates and specialty ingredients in their extensive baking sections.

Sendik's - Whitefish Bay

• Address: 500 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217

• Phone: (414) 962-9525

• Website: sendiks.com

• Hours: Daily 7am-9pm

Outpost Natural Foods co-op stores feature impressive bulk sections with organic and fair-trade chocolate chips and baking chocolate. No membership is required to shop, though members receive additional discounts.

Outpost Natural Foods - Mequon

• Address: 7590 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092

• Phone: (262) 242-0426

• Website: outpost.coop

• Hours: Daily 7am-8pm

Additional Outpost locations include Capitol Drive (100 E. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee), Wauwatosa (7000 W. State Street), and Bay View (2826 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue).

For outstanding cocoa powder, Milwaukee's own Penzeys Spices offers natural high-fat cocoa (22-24% cocoa butter) in various sizes at their Brookfield location (19300 Janacek Court, phone: 262-785-7607) and Greenfield location (5016 S. 74th Street, phone: 414-817-0773). Hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm.

Local chocolatiers who may accommodate special requests

While these artisan chocolatiers primarily sell finished confections, some may be willing to discuss wholesale chocolate purchases for serious home candy makers or assist with special projects.

Buddy Squirrel operates a factory store at 1801 E. Bolivar Avenue, Saint Francis (phone: 414-483-4500). Founded in 1916, they use "premium, pure, Swiss-style chocolate" and have a bulk chocolates section on their website. Factory tours are available Tuesday through Thursday.

Kehr's Candies (3533 W. Lisbon Avenue, Milwaukee; phone: 414-344-4305; website: kehrs.com) has been hand-crafting chocolates since 1930 and offers bulk ordering with a 40-box minimum. Smaller quantities ship with free shipping on orders over $60.

Indulgence Chocolatiers has a convenient Shorewood location at 4525 N. Oakland Avenue (phone: 414-332-2749). While they focus on finished truffles and confections, they're a wonderful resource for inspiration and gift-giving. Fall/Winter hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Cocoa Tree Confectionery in Mequon (1330 W. Mequon Road; phone: 262-643-4692) creates gorgeous hand-painted bonbons using Barry Callebaut chocolate. They're primarily retail-focused but offer custom orders for events.

Essential tips for candy making success

Timing matters for holiday projects. Chocolate and candy making supplies fly off shelves before Easter and Christmas. Order specialty items from Burke Candy or Cook's by October for Christmas projects and by February for Easter. The week before Valentine's Day is particularly challenging for finding supplies.

Be aware of current supply challenges. Merckens products (manufactured by Cargill in Milwaukee) have faced supply issues, with some varieties potentially unavailable until 2026. Call ahead to confirm specific products are in stock before making a special trip.

Store chocolate properly. Keep chocolate in a cool, dry place (60-68°F) away from strong odors. Avoid refrigeration, which can cause condensation and sugar bloom (those white streaks on chocolate). Properly stored, compound coatings last about a year; couverture chocolate keeps 6-12 months.

Start with compound coating if you're new to candy making. The forgiving nature of Merckens or Wilton products means you can focus on technique without worrying about tempering. Graduate to couverture chocolate once you've mastered the basics.

Invest in a good thermometer. Accurate temperature control is crucial for both tempering true chocolate and ensuring candy coatings don't overheat (which causes them to become thick and unusable). Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma carry reliable candy thermometers.

Buy more than you think you need. Between taste-testing, learning curves, and the inevitable "just one more" dipped pretzel, most candy makers underestimate their chocolate needs. Better to have extra than to run out mid-project.

Conclusion

Milwaukee families have excellent options for sourcing bulk dipping and candy making chocolate, from specialty suppliers like Burke Candy and Cook's that cater specifically to candy makers, to convenient big-box options at Walmart and Target. The North Shore is particularly well-served with Burke Candy's Whitefish Bay location bringing professional-grade ingredients to our neighborhood, Sur La Table at Bayshore offering quality chocolate and tools, and Sendik's and Outpost providing specialty grocery options.

For the best experience, start at Cook's Cake Decorating & Candy Supplies if you need compound coatings and molds, or Burke Candy & Ingredients if you're making caramels, nougats, or filled chocolates that require specialty ingredients. Supplement with Hobby Lobby's budget-friendly candy wafers for practice batches and large-volume projects. With this guide in hand, you're ready to create memorable chocolate treats with your family—and maybe start some sweet new traditions in the process.