2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards
Chocolate
Product Submissions
| Exhibitor | Brand | Product | innovation Statement | Price | Weight | Product Photo | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issei | Issei | Mochi Gummies - Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry | Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry Mochi Gummies combine a soft, bouncy gummy with rich dark chocolate for a new, multi-textural candy experience. This viral, fun format taps into global flavors and indulgent snacking, driving differentiation and incremental sales at retail. | $9.99 | 4 oz |  |  |
| CAL Marketing | Alli & Rose | Strawberry Moochies | Experience a "lil’ smooch" of flavor with Strawberry Moochies. These bite-sized, strawberry-flavored gummies are coated in silky milk chocolate and finished with a delicate white chocolate drizzle. A playful and premium multi-textured treat that perfectly blends fruity sweetness with rich cocoa. | $9.00 | 15.9 oz |  |  |
| The Hershey Company | Reese's | OREO Cup | When America's #1 candy and the #1 cookie finally decided to break the internet (and your snack standards). This is the iconic duo our fans have been dreaming about. The Reese’s OREO® Cup brings together milk chocolate and white creme peanut butter cups with OREO® cookie crumbs. | $2.99 | 2.8 oz |  |  |
| Tru Fru LLC | Tru Fru | Freeze Dried Milk + White Chocolate Strawberries | Ripe-picked, freeze-dried strawberries coated in smooth milk and white chocolate. Made with real fruit and chocolate, perfect for anytime, anywhere. | $5.23 | 3.4 oz |  | |
| R. M. Palmer Company LLC | R.M. Palmer | Hostess Ding Dongs Mini Candies - 10oz Laydown Bag | Created through a partnership between RM Palmer Company, LLC and Hostess®, Ding Dongs® Mini Candy Pieces reimagine the classic chocolate cake with a chocolatey coating and cream‑flavored filling in perfectly poppable, shareable bites. | $4.99 | 10 oz |  | |
| Maeve Chocolate | Maeve Chocolate | Virgin Dirty Shirley Truffle Bar | Maeve Chocolate partnered with the Dungeon Crawler Carl universe to create a bar inspired by Princess Donut’s favorite drink, the Virgin Dirty Shirley. A shell of dark chocolate melts to reveal a smooth cherry-forward white chocolate center and popping candy fizz that crackles. | $8.00 | 2.5 oz |  | |
| Astor Chocolate Corp. | Cocoa Cluck | Nashville Hot Chocolate Chicken Leg | The viral chicken leg...leveled up! Cocoa Cluck brings trendy Nashville Hot sweet heat (vanilla cayenne crème), milk chocolate & crispy cornflake crunch. No importing...Made in the USA! It’s a scroll-stopping craveable treat to drive impulse purchases, attract new shoppers & spark incremental sales. | $7.99 | 1.9 oz |  | |
| Mars Snacking | M&M’S | POP’d Caramel | M&M’S® POP’d Caramel is the brand’s first-ever freeze-dried candy, offering an all-new irresistible and poppable snacking experience. M&M’S POP’d Caramel features the classic caramel flavor fans love in an unexpectedly light, crispy and crunchy texture. | $5.99 | 5.5 oz |  | |
| Lindt & Sprungli USA | LINDOR | Pistachio Milk Chocolate Candy Truffle Stick | This chocolate pistachio bar is perfect as a midday treat, special indulgence for yourself or a milk chocolate candy gift for someone special. Inspired by Lindt LINDOR chocolate truffles, this irresistibly smooth milk chocolate bar features a flavored center. LINDOR Pistachio: Made to Melt You. | $1.99 | 1.3 oz |  | |
| Lindt & Sprungli USA | LINDOR | Pistachio Milk Chocolate Candy Truffles | Finely crafted with a premium milk chocolate shell, these truffles are filled with an irresistibly smooth, melting pistachio center for the ultimate treat. LINDOR Chocolate Truffles embody the passion and expert craftsmanship of Lindt Master Chocolatiers for a rewarding Lindt chocolate experience. | $7.99 | 5.1 oz |  | |
| Russell Stover Chocolates | Russell Stover Sugar Free - Dessert Bites | Brownie Truffle | Russell Stover Sugar Free Dessert Bites offer a fun twist on your favorite indulgent treats. This piece features a decadent brownie truffle center in rich milk chocolate candy. Our Dessert Bites are made with Stevia extract, a plant-based sweetener with no added sugar. | $7.49 | 4.8 oz |  | |
| Honorable Foods | RAYANA | DOLCEVA Twins - Classic Milk Chocolate | A milk chocolate truffle with Dubai style filling. First of its kind - ever. | $1.99 | 1.08 oz |  | |
| Chubby Checker Snacks | CheckerBar | Milk & White Checker Chocolate | CheckerBar is classic chocolate with a twist. From Chubby Checker Snacks & developed by the legendary Chubby Checker himself, CheckerBar has a bold checkerboard pattern of creamy rich milk & white checker chocolate featuring a Checkerlicious taste of either flavor or both together in one bite. | $2.29 | 2 oz |  | |
| Chocolat Lamontagne Inc. | Lamontagne Chocolate | Neapolitan Almonds | Inspired by the classic ice cream favourite, dry roasted almonds are layered in milk chocolate and white confectionery, enhanced by strawberry and vanilla taste for a perfectly balanced bite. Smooth, creamy, and nostalgic — it’s a moment of pure comfort and joy in every piece. | $6.99 | 8 oz |  | |
| Tony's Chocolonely | Tony's Chocolonely | Milk Chocolocate Gooey Caramel Sea Salt Crunch Filled Bar | This indulgent milk chocolate bar combines Tony’s Chocolonely’s signature smooth, ethically sourced chocolate with their first-ever gooey salted caramel filling, creating a perfectly balanced sweet-and-salty flavor experience. Each bite is elevated by chunks of crunchy caramel pieces. | $5.97 | 4.76 oz |  | |
| DIRTY GUT | DIRTY GUT | Probiotic Chocolate Bites - Classic Milk | The world's first chocolate made with gut-friendly A2 dairy, plus live probiotics and 25%+ of your daily fiber per bag. The delicious, classic taste consumers expect, but now made guilt-free. | $7.99 | 2.8 oz |  | |
| Chocolove | Chocolove | Dark Chocolate Marzipan filled bar | Soft and silky almond marzipan nestled in rich premium dark chocolate. A timeless European confection crafted for pure indulgence. Perfect for sharing or treating yourself anytime. Thoughtfully made. Responsibly sourced. No artificial ingredients. Designed to surprise and delight in every bite. | $3.99 | 3.2 oz |  | |
| Bubblegum Kids | Bubblegum Kids | Cotton Candy Angel Hair Chocolate Bar | Milk chocolate bars packed with fluffy cotton candy and strawberry-flavored cream for a fun, melty surprise in every bite. Naturally colored, zero artificial dyes, incredible taste! | $4.99 | 3.17 oz |  | |
| Chocolaterie Guylian NV | Guylian | Temptations Salted Caramel | Irresistible individually wrapped (in paper wrappers) chocolate seahorses in a unique salted caramel flavour. | $14.99 | 7.23 oz |  | |
| Chocolat Lamontagne Inc. | Lamontagne Chocolate | Cookies N' Creme Crunch | Specially crafted by the Lamontagne family, this refined twist on a timeless classic combines crunchy chocolate cookies with delicate white confectionery and generous cookie pieces. A perfectly indulgent balance of texture, comfort, and classic flavour. | $5.99 | 8 oz |  | |
| Lindt & Sprungli USA | Lindt | Dubai Style Milk Chocolate with Pistachio & Kadayif Stick | Indulge in the finest Lindt chocolate, filled with a rich and creamy pistachio filling, boasting 45% pistachio for an unparalleled flavor experience. Delight in the crispy texture of kadayif threads and the irresistible crunch of almond brittle, perfectly complementing the smooth pistachio cream. | $5.79 | 1.4 oz |  | |
| Russell Stover Chocolates | Russell Stover Sugar Free - Dessert Bites | Caramel Pecan Brownie Truffle with Sea Salt | Our Sugar Free Dessert Bites offer a fun twist on your favorite indulgent treats. This piece features a rich, sea salt caramel + pecan brownie truffle center in rich milk chocolate candy. Our Dessert Bites are made with Stevia extract, a plant-based sweetener with no added sugar. | $7.49 | 4.2 oz |  | |
| pladis North America | GODIVA | Pistachio & Kadayif Milk Chocolate Bar | We’ve blended Eastern tradition with GODIVA artistry to reinvent the beloved Middle Eastern delicacy: the kadayif pastry. Smooth, creamy GODIVA signature milk chocolate wraps around crunchy pistachio and crispy kadayif pieces, creating a treat that’s as satisfying as it is irresistible. | $12.99 | 4.3 oz |  | |
| Tante Frida | Tante Frida | Choco Fruits Whole Strawberries in White Chocolate with Pistachio | Whole freeze-dried strawberries covered double coating of premium Belgian chocolate: one layer of white chocolate and one layer of white chocolate with pistachio. 100% natural product without palm oil, artificial colours and flavours. Delicious and healthy. | $5.99 | 3.53 oz |  | |
| Ritter Sport USA, Inc. | Ritter Sprort | Cookie DUO - Cocoa 'N Cookie & Cookie 'N Cream | Milk chocolate filled with cocoa cream and cocoa biscuit pieces meets milky cream with cocoa and vanilla biscuit pieces—two distinct flavors and textures side by side in one bar for a balanced, indulgent cookie experience. | $8.49 | 7.7 oz |  | |
| Galil Brands | Leonessa Chocolatier | New York Style Bar - Milk Chocolate with Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Filling, Crunchy Peanuts and Crispy Kataifi | Leonessa New York Style Chocolate Bar reimagines the bold, on-trend flavors inspired by our viral Dubai Style Chocolate. Featuring Belgian milk chocolate, salted caramel peanut butter filling, crunchy peanuts, and crispy kataifi - all come together for a rich, textured, premium experience. | $7.99 | 3.5 oz |  | |
| CandyCo LLC | Copper Kettle | Dark Chocolate Tuxedo Cookie Creme Bites | Crunchy cookie bits, smooth crème, and rich dark chocolate—what’s not to love? These bites feature layers of white chocolate crème, crunchy cookie bits, and milk chocolate crème, all wrapped in a decadent dark chocolate shell. Individually wrapped for the perfect anytime treat. | $12.99 | 16 oz |  | |
| Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut / Hawaiian Host | Hawaiian Host | Cinnamon Sugar Milk Chocolate Macadamias | Hawaiian Host Cinnamon Sugar Milk Chocolate Macadamias combine creamy milk chocolate, buttery macadamias, and cinnamon sugar with a delicate crunch. Leveraging growing demand for nostalgic, texture-led indulgence in confectionery, this elevated treat delivers the perfect balance of sweet and spice. | $8.99 | 4 oz |  | |
| Setton Pistachio/Setton Farms | Setton Farms | Dark Chocolate Pistachios with Sea Salt | Setton Farms Dark Chocolate Pistachios with Sea Salt (6oz.) deliver a premium snack in a resealable bag. The original dark chocolate pistachio, now reformulated with a natural cocoa finish. Crafted in-house with real cocoa and presented in fresh, modern packaging. | $8.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| World's Finest Chocolate, Inc. | Give Back Bars | Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bar | A craveable sweet and salty dark chocolate pretzel bar that delivers indulgent flavor and satisfying crunch, with a built-in give-back model that turns everyday snacking into meaningful impact. | $2.00 | 1.1 oz |  | |
| Promise Confections / Edward Marc Brands | Edward Marc Chocolatier | WowCups | “Wow, I can’t believe it’s not peanut butter!” Milk chocolate WowButter truffle cups . | $5.99 | 6 oz |  | |
| Morris National | Kraft | Caramel Milk Chocolate Pretzel Bark 4.7oz | Indulgent bark made with creamy milk chocolate, crunchy pretzel pieces, and rich Kraft caramels, delivering the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors in every bite. Great for everyday snacking, sharing, or seasonal gifting. | $5.99 | 4.7 oz |  | |
| CandyCo LLC | Copper Kettle | Dark Chocolate Pistachio Caramel Clusters | Crunchy pistachios, buttery caramel, and rich dark chocolate—what’s not to love? These clusters start with perfectly roasted pistachios, get drenched in smooth kettle-cooked caramel, and are finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate for the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat. | $12.99 | 16 oz |  | |
| Chocolat Lamontagne Inc. | Lamontagne Chocolate | Sweet & Salty Caramel Almonds | The Lamontagne Family presents an indulgent creation crafted to delight your senses. Enjoy the comforting aroma of caramel and the perfect sweet‑and‑salty balance of crunchy dry‑roasted almonds coated in silky milk chocolate and sweet confectionery. A treat to savour again and again. | $6.99 | 8 oz |  | |
| Russell Stover Chocolates | Russell Stover | American Style - Crispy Peanut Butter | American style chocolate - milk chocolate with peanut butter & crispy kataifi pastry. An All-American take on trending indulgence. This Russell Stover Dubai Style Chocolate is the perfect flavor fusion of crispy kataifi pastry, salty-sweet peanut butter, and smooth milk chocolate. | $9.99 | 4.2 oz |  | |
| Verse Chocolate | Verse | Crunchy Cashew Butterscotch Cup - 70% | Creamy cashew butter blended with sweet butterscotch and a satisfying crunch, creating a rich, crave‑worthy bite. Some notes of maple syrup are in this luscious dark chocolate cashew butterscotch cup. | $7.49 | 3.95 oz |  | |
| Verse Chocolate | Verse | Toasted Coconut Caramel Cups - 70% | Smooth 70% dark chocolate cups filled with toasted coconut caramel, offering a rich, tropical twist in every bite. | $7.49 | 3.95 oz |  | |
| JOJO's Chocolate | JOJO's Chocolate | Dark Chocolate Covered Coconut Gluten Free Pretzels | Premium dark chocolate, crunchy gluten-free pretzels, and toasted coconut flakes combine for an irresistibly delicious snack that leaves you happy and satisfied. Enjoy indulgent dark chocolate snacks with added protein and less sugar! | $5.99 | 3 oz |  | |
| Ritter Sport USA, Inc. | Ritter Sport | Sweet 'N Salty DUO - Caramel Crush & Big Brownie | Caramel cream with salted butter biscuit pieces meets rich brownie cocoa cream—two distinct flavors side by side in one bar for a perfectly balanced sweet and salty experience. | $8.49 | 7.7 oz |  | |
| Chocolove | Chocolove | Dark Chocolate Coconut filled bar | A reimagining of an iconic indulgence that features the luscious sweetness of creamy real coconut filling enrobed in the velvety richness of premium dark chocolate. Thoughtfully made. Responsibly sourced. No artificial ingredients. Designed to surprise and delight in every bite. | $3.99 | 3.2 oz |  | |
| TCHO Chocolate, B Corp | TCHO | Winter Squeeze | TCHO’s limited-edition bars are bursting with bold holiday flair. Winter Squeeze is a citrusy bright, smooth 62% Dark Chocolate with Vibrant Orange. Crafted with organic & completely traceable cacao. 100% dairy-free. | $6.99 | 2.1 oz |  | |
| pladis North America | GODIVA | Pistachio & Kadayif Dark Chocolate Bar | We’ve blended Eastern tradition with GODIVA artistry to reinvent the beloved Middle Eastern delicacy: the kadayif pastry. Decadent, delicious GODIVA signature dark chocolate wraps around crunchy pistachio and crispy kadayif pieces, creating a treat that’s as satisfying as it is irresistible. | $12.99 | 4.3 oz |  | |
| Ritter Sport USA, Inc. | Ritter Sport | Crunchy DUO - Crispy Cream & Choco Crunch | Milk chocolate filled with cocoa cream, chopped hazelnuts, and cocoa macaron pieces meets hazelnut cream with crunchy cornflakes—two distinct textures and flavors side by side in one bar for an indulgent crunch. | $8.49 | 7.7 oz |  | |
| Verse Chocolate | Verse | Raspberry Creme Cups - 90% | Rich 90% dark chocolate cups filled with smooth, bright raspberry crème—an indulgent, ultra‑dark treat with a vibrant fruit twist. | $7.49 | 3.95 oz |  | |
| Verse Chocolate | Verse | Almond Butter Cinnamon Cups - 70% | Verse 70% Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cinnamon Cups are crafted for true dark chocolate lovers who crave depth and balance. Inside, creamy almond butter adds a luscious, nutty richness that softens the intensity of the dark chocolate without overpowering it. | $7.49 | 3.95 oz |  | |
| TCHO Chocolate, B Corp | TCHO | Dark Lemon Twist | A fudgy 67% dark chocolate shell and a bright, creamy lemon filling with a sprinkle of sea salt and a glug of extra virgin olive oil from our friends at La Tourangelle. Made with organic, completely traceable cacao. | $5.49 | 2.1 oz |  | |
| Storck | RIESEN | Espresso | RIESEN Espresso combines a smooth European chocolate coating and rich chocolate caramel filling with bold espresso flavor for an indulgent, satisfying chew to deliver a uniquely delicious treat. | $2.99 | 5.5 oz |  | |
| Harken Sweets | Harken Sweets | The Nutty One | Your favorite classic peanut candy bar reinvented as a gut-friendly, #fibermaxxed treat: salted date caramel, nougat, peanuts, & oat chocolate —naturally sweetened by dates with 21% of your daily fiber and just 70 calories. No sugar added, vegan, kosher, gluten-free — all the joy, none of the junk. | $7.99 | 3 oz |  | |
| Ritter Sport USA, Inc. | Ritter Sport | Milk Chocolate Pistachio Stand-Up Bag | Golden roasted, perfectly salted pistachios wrapped in smooth milk chocolate, packaged in a convenient resealable stand-up bag. | $6.69 | 5.29 oz |  | |
| Russell Stover Chocolates | Russell Stover | Dubai Chocolate - Standup Bag | Dubai Style Chocolate - Milk Chocolate with Pistachio Butter & Crispy Kataifi Pastry Inspired by indulgence. This Russell Stover Dubai Style Chocolate bag of individually wrapped pieces is the perfect blend of crispy kataifi pastry, rich pistachio butter, and smooth milk chocolate. | $10.99 | 4.2 oz |  | |
| Russell Stover Chocolates | Russell Stover | Dubai Chocolate - Gusset Bag | Dubai Style Chocolate - milk chocolate with pistachio butter & crispy kataifi pastry. Inspired by indulgence. This Russell Stover Dubai Style Chocolate bag of individually wrapped pieces is the perfect blend of crispy kataifi pastry, rich pistachio butter, and smooth milk chocolate. | $10.99 | 4.2 oz |  | |
| Russell Stover Chocolates | Russell Stover | Dubai Style Chocolate Single | Dubai Style Chocolate - milk chocolate with pistachio butter & crispy kataifi pastry. Introducing a opening price point to consumers to help a broader audience be able to experience the delight of our Dubai Chocolate that will drive a trial-and-trade-up strategy | $2.99 | 1.1 oz |  |
