Dark Chocolate from Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut
Meltable bits are essential as you don’t want your chocolate burning or seizing when the heat is on. The dark chocolate morsels from Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut are made with couverture chocolate, so they melt easily and stay smooth.
11 Calgary locations, bernardcallebaut.com, @chocberncal
Gin Rummy from Eau Claire Distillery
With flavours of gin, rum and spiced fruitcake, whisk a shot of this seasonal spirit into your chocolate if you want to make things boozy.
Available at most good liquor stores, eauclairedistillery.ca, @eauclairecraft
Caramel popcorn and Almond and Pistachio Nougat from Framboise
Chewy, nutty nougat makes for a different dip. For an extra layer of indulgence, pick up some of Framboise’s salted caramel squares, caramel bourbon popcorn or florentine bites.
1104 20 Ave. N.W., 403-210-0023, framboisebakery.ca, @framboisecafe
Shortbread from Crave Cookies & Cupcakes
Though best-known for their cupcakes, cookies were the first love of Crave co-founders and sisters Carolyne McIntyre Jackson and Jodi Willoughby. Crave’s shortbread is made using their grandmother’s recipe, with the cookies still rolled out and cut by hand.
1107 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-270-2728 and three other locations, cravecupcakes.ca, @craveyyc
Marshmallows from Manuel Latruwe
Manuel Latruwe sells soft, chewy handmade marshmallows by the dozen. If you like, cut them smaller so they’re easier to skewer.
1333 1 St. S.E., 403-261-1092, manuellatruwe.com, @manuellatruwe
Biscotti from Lina’s Italian Market
Cut into bite-sized pieces, almond biscotti makes a decent dunker. Or pick up a panettone, a sweet Italian Christmas cake, and cut into cubes.
2202 Centre St. N.E., 403-277-9166, linasmarket.com