A century of Christmas chocolates

Enticing and exquisite chocolates have been a part of our Bettys tradition since the beginning. Before that, even: when he opened the very first Bettys Café Tea Room in Harrogate in 1919, our founder Frederick Belmont could already style himself ‘Chocolate Specialist’, having refined his skills studying with the master confectioners of Switzerland and Paris.

A century later, the chocolatiers at our Craft Bakery uphold Frederick’s standards of imagination and finesse in every chocolate they create – rich truffles, nutty pralines, dainty creams, soft marzipans and indulgent caramels. From classics such as our Lady Betty Peppermint Creams to contemporary favourites like our Salted Caramel Chocolates, all are crafted from the finest Swiss Grand Cru made from prized Venezuelan Criollo cocoa beans, then hand-finished with a dedicated eye for detail.

We’ve taken our special anniversary year as the cue to go hunting through Bettys archives for some extra-special chocolates from days gone by. Our Centenary Chocolate Box includes three exclusive new flavours – Benedictine Truffle, Pineapple & Cognac and Sherry & Raisin – inspired by those our 1930s customers could indulge in, and still as tempting today.

Of course, there are the only-at-Christmas favourites that we look forward to every year. Our Christmas Chocolate Selection and our Bettys Christmas Chocolate Box are returning, in new boxes that capture the timeless joy of the festive season. And our Chocolate Liqueur Stars are back, filled with Christmas spirit in both delicious senses. With sumptuously rich ganache centres fortified with Cointreau and cognac, housed in white and milk chocolate star-shaped shells and dusted with icing sugar and cocoa, they’re perfect for grown-up stockings and for gifting to your own ‘Chocolate Specialists’.