No trip to Hilo is complete without getting some Big Island cookies and candies. These delicious concoctions are available at Big Island Candies, right in the heart of Hilo.
A Taste to Remember
My taste buds first met this wonderful creation of chocolate-dipped mac nut shortbread Big Island cookies during a fifth-grade day trip. The blend of smooth and crunchy, sweet and salty really made an impression on my taste palette – I’ll always remember that taste.
Whenever I am on the island, those cravings for chocolate-dipped shortbread take me straight to the Hilo storefront. I’ll usually buy a couple of boxes of Big Island cookies to take back to my Oahu family, without ever guaranteeing they will get there unopened.
Big Island Cookies: Flavors Galore
Big Island Candies has since come up with a variety of chocolate-dipped flavors – including white chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel chocolate, mint chocolate, and green tea chocolate – the list seems seriously endless.
On top of that, there are different Big Island cookie combos. Do you want regular or coffee shortbread? Lemon shortbread or coconut?
Don’t even get me started on their assortments of chocolate and coffees… Shopping here can really be quite stressful. So many choices! Luckily, the shop caters to indecisive sweet teeth by selling boxes of assorted flavors. That way, you can try all the flavors without having to stress because we all know DESSERTS is STRESSED spelled backward! Hence, the compulsive shopping and spending way more than our travel budget allows.
A Local Tradition
Big Island Candies has been around since 1977, earning numerous awards for their innovation in the cookie/candy/coffee departments. Although they’re known more for their Big Island cookies, they still make other mouth-watering goodies.
The company prides itself on using all-local ingredients, including Kona Coffee, local macadamia notes, and island eggs. It’s definitely a shop worth spending several sweet moments in!
Where to Find Big Island Cookies
Big Island Candies serves up its signature shortbread cookies throughout the week at its Hilo location. You’ll find them at 585 Hinano Street or call them at (808) 946-9213.
