We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and wouldn't it be great to incorporate some sweet candy and Vermont chocolate into your daily pick-me-up?  Really, pancakes taste great with just about anything from chocolate chips to gummy bears if you accompany it with Vermont Maple Syrup.

Regardless of what you had for breakfast, who doesn't like a little sweetness in life?  Here are some of the best chocolate and candy shops in Vermont that you'll want to check out and stock stock up for those cold winter nights (or mornings).  Just don't tell your dentist we sent you!

11. The Village Peddler - 261 Old Mill Rd, East Arlington

Stop in for a chocolate tasting - you won't regret it! Loads of options to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings including the outstanding death by peanut butter bar, peanut butter cups & the caramel crispies.

10. Mother Myrick’s Confectionery - 4367 Main St, Manchester

Chocolates and candies and cakes - oh my! Everything is wonderful here, but there are a few 'must try' items: Buttercrunch (milk or dark chocolate), Lemon Lulu cake, Lemon Almond Brittle, Rugelach. Yum.

9. Lake Champlain Chocolates - 2657 Waterbury Stowe Rd, Waterbury

Luxurious, refined, decadent chocolates, and they are conveniently located next to the Cabot Cheese Outlet. Pictured are chocolate bacon ties. Yes, CHOCOLATE BACON TIES!

8. Red Kite Candy - 226 B Industrial Dr, Bradford

Red Kite is a small, local company and it shows in their attention to detail and customer service. Hands down some of the best caramels you'll ever have. Get the maple ones - you won't regret it.

7. Vermont Nut Free Chocolates

With nut allergies on the rise, this is a great place for specialty chocolates - especially if you need nut free. They do a lot of mail order but also have a shop at the Grand Isle factory.

6. Snowflake Chocolates - 81A Vermont Rt 15, Jericho

You'll find a selection of novelty items like white chocolate golf balls with a milk chocolate tee, maple candy canes and peony marzipan. Their chocolate and fudge are some of their best items, especially their maple walnut fudge. You'll love that this a local business, and most of the items are made in the room nearby.

5. Amarah’s Chocolate - 24 Taft Corners Shopping Center, Williston

Chock full of hand crafted confections striking the right balance of texture and sweet, creamy and oh so chocolate! Popular favorites are the milk chocolate cashews turtles and chocolate covered gummy bears.

4. Shelburne Country Store - 29 Falls Rd, Shelburne

Now this is a candy store, and then some. You'll find great Vermont products like homemade fudge, Vermont maple syrup, candies, chocolates, crafts, decorations, tshirts, toys, books, calendars, fragrances, soaps, and various other knick knacks. Make sure you set aside some time to check out everything else in the store after your candy selection.

3. Vermont Confectionery - 1541 West Rd, Bennington

With chocolates as sweet as the two owners and cheese as delicious as the sights of Bennington's scenery, make it a point to stop into Vermont Confectionery. Everything is homemade on the premises, which makes for some darn good chocolate. The prices are so low you'll be pleasantly surprised.

2. Nutty Steph’s - 961C US Rte 2, Middlesex, VT

All of Nutty Steph's creations are delicious, especially the Salted Caramel Bar (also in truffle form) which will blow your mind. There are some great options for samplings on Saturdays, and if you can't make it to the store, you'll find Nutty Steph's products in health food stores all over Vermont.

1. Middlebury Sweets - 12 Ossie Rd, East Middlebury

Middlebury Sweets is the largest candy store in Vermont and has over 1,000 different selections of candy. Don't miss the World's Largest Gummy Bear weighing in at 27 lbs! They have novelties, gummies, old fashioned penny candy, salt water taffy, old fashioned lollipops, 72 bins of Jelly Belly Beans, M&M Colorworks which includes 21 fabulous colors, Vermont-made products and so much more!

Where do you like to go to satisfy your sugar craving?  Let us know in the comments and share this with people who would try gummy bears in their pancakes!