Calling all Chocoholics

Something I find interesting about Europe vs. USA: Bakeries, chocolate shops, cheese shops, butcher shops and pastry shops abound in Europe and are severely lacking in the US. There is at least one of the shops mentioned above on nearly every block in the cities and small towns alike. They are not nearly as abundant in the US, and no Starbucks absolutely does not count as a pastry shop. Neither does Dunkin Donuts. I suppose that since those shops mesmerize and entice me so much, it is a good thing that they are not so easily accessible. Here are some pictures of the latest chocolate temptations I have encountered in the last week. (And for those that are curious, the chocolate pumpkin is still alive and well.)

Solid chocolate 'chestnut' that appear to be roasting over the fire.

Chocolate porcupine treats on the bottom shelf and on the top shelf solid chocolate cows.

On the bottom shelf are special Lucerne Bridge chocolate cakes.