Is everything vegan?
Yes! Everything at Hope’s Vegan Treats is 100% vegan and made without dairy, eggs, or any animal-derived ingredients. I’ve been vegan since 2019, and plant-based chocolate is at the heart of this business.
Some bars may include FDA-approved food dyes or flavorings as part of decorative cocoa butter designs. These are used in very small amounts and fully comply with food safety regulations. If you prefer no colors please send us a message along with your order.
Is your chocolate dairy-free?
Yes. All chocolate is completely dairy-free. Vegan milk chocolate is made using rice milk, not dairy.
What types of chocolate do you use?
I use high-quality vegan chocolates chosen for flavor, texture, and how they perform in small-batch production:
- Callebaut Dark Chocolate Couverture– In process of switching to Guittard Vegan Dark Chocolate
A premium dark chocolate with a deep cocoa flavor and smooth finish. It’s naturally dairy-free and melts beautifully, giving my dark chocolate bars their rich taste and snap. - Enjoy Life Rice Milk Chocolate
A creamy, dairy-free alternative to traditional milk chocolate. Although it’s not couverture, it certainly behaves like couverture, it’s certified vegan, allergen-friendly and adds a smooth, slightly sweet flavor without overpowering the fillings. - Lynn’s Vegan White Chocolate
A plant-based white chocolate made by a small chocolate supplier. It’s naturally very creamy and sets firm, making it perfect for filled bars. It does contain palm kernel oil, an ingredient some people prefer to avoid and while we’re always mindful of ingredients, vegan white chocolate in bulk is surprisingly hard to source. After testing many options, this remains the best balance of quality, performance, and accessibility for our small-batch brand.
Is your pistachio paste homemade?
Yes — all of my pistachio paste is made from scratch.
I make it using premium raw pistachios sourced from California, along with a small amount of sugar, pinch of coconut oil, pinch of salt, and vanilla extract. That’s it — no fillers or shortcuts.
Making pistachio paste is a time-intensive process that takes quite a while from start to finish, but the result is a smooth, deeply flavorful filling that’s absolutely worth it. It’s one of the most labor-intensive parts of my chocolate bars — and one of the reasons they’re so special.
Do you use artificial food dyes?
While I wish a good vegan food dye existed without artificial ingredients, some bars use a very tiny bit of colored cocoa butter for decorative designs, which include FDA-approved (and vegan) color additives such as FD&C dyes, mica, or titanium dioxide. These are used in very small amounts and are fully compliant with food safety regulations. If you prefer your chocolate without colored cocoa butter, feel free to contact us — all bars can be made without it upon request.
Why is your chocolate more expensive than store bought?
Hope’s Vegan Treats chocolates are handmade in small batches using premium ingredients and real pistachios — not mass-produced fillings. Each bar is hand-poured, filled, and finished individually in a licensed commercial kitchen. This process takes significantly more time and care than factory-made chocolate, resulting in a higher-quality product.
Why are the white chocolate bars priced higher?
White chocolate behaves differently than dark or milk chocolate.
Because of its ingredients, most white chocolate does not release cleanly from polycarbonate molds, which I use for most of my bars. I’ve tested many options and couldn’t find silicone molds in the exact same size — so the white chocolate bars are made in slightly different molds.
To keep pricing fair, white chocolate bars are priced by weight (per ounce) at the same rate as my other chocolates. While they may look more expensive at first glance, they’re actually priced the same.
💡 If you’re trying white chocolate for the first time, I recommend the 5.0 oz “small” size — it’s generous, satisfying, and the best way to try it.
Are you VDACS approved?
Yes. Hope’s Vegan Treats is fully approved by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and operates in compliance with all state food safety regulations.
Do you make your chocolate in a commercial kitchen?
Yes. All products are made in a licensed, inspected commercial kitchen — never in a home kitchen. All products are made following strict food safety and sanitation standards.
Are your chocolates handmade?
Yes! Every bar and bonbon is handmade in small batches with care and attention to detail. We do use a commercial tempering machine to ensure chocolates are uniform and perfectly tempered.
What does “Dubai-style chocolate” mean?
Dubai-style chocolate refers to a rich, pistachio filled chocolate bar style inspired by popular Middle Eastern dessert flavors and textures first created in Dubai— reimagined here in a vegan, small-batch format. But that’s not all we make! We are constantly trying new chocolates combos. Got a suggestion? Let us know!
Why are your pistachio bars so popular?
Our pistachio filling is made from real pistachios — never artificial flavors — and each bar is generously filled by hand for maximum flavor and texture.
Do your products contain nuts?
Some products contain nuts, including pistachios. Please check individual product descriptions for specific allergen details.
Are your products gluten-free?
Not all products are gluten-free. Some items contain ingredients like kataifi that include wheat. Always refer to the product listing for allergen information.
Do you offer nut-free options?
Some products may be nut-free, but all items are made in a kitchen that handles nuts.
Do you use refined sugar?
Yes, some products contain sugar. I use a certified vegan sugar.
How should I store my chocolate?
Store chocolate in a cool, dry place between 60–70°F (16–21°C), away from direct sunlight and heat.
Do your products need to be refrigerated?
No. All products are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration when stored properly. However, if your chocolate arrives soft feel free to pop in the fridge for a bit before enjoying! Live in a hot place? Chocolates CAN be refrigerated if needed, but may develop sugar bloom from the fridge moisture. Still safe to eat, just may not look the same! If you do this, make sure to wrap the chocolate well.
What is the shelf life of your chocolate?
Best within 2 months, but safe to eat for several months if stored properly.
Do you ship during warm weather?
Yes, but warm-weather shipping may be limited or include ice packs to help prevent melting.
Will my chocolate melt during shipping?
Chocolate is heat-sensitive. During warmer months, protective packaging and ice packs may be used, and shipping schedules may be adjusted. While precautions are taken, melting is still possible in hot temperatures. If chocolate arrives soft, placing it in the refrigerator will restore it.
Where is your chocolate made?
All Hope’s Vegan Treats chocolates are handmade in a licensed commercial kitchen in Virginia.
Why does my chocolate sometimes look different?
Because each bar is handmade, slight variations in color and appearance are normal and part of the artisanal process.
Where do you ship?
Currently, orders ship within the United States. Shipping availability may change seasonally.
How long does shipping take?
Orders typically ship within 2–5 business days. Delivery time depends on your location and carrier.
Do you accept returns or exchanges?
Due to the perishable nature of chocolate, returns are not accepted. If there’s an issue with your order, please contact me and I’ll do my best to help.
Can I order chocolate as a gift?
Absolutely! Many products are perfect for gifting and special occasions.
Do you offer custom or bulk orders?
Custom or bulk orders may be available depending on timing and availability. Please reach out through the contact page for inquiries.
Do you offer wholesale?
Wholesale opportunities may be available. Please contact us for details.
Is Hope’s Vegan Treats a small business?
Yes — Hope’s Vegan Treats is a small, independently owned business focused on quality over quantity.
Who makes the chocolate?
All chocolate is made by me, Hope — from recipe development to production — with care in every step.
Still have questions?
If you didn’t find what you were looking for, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help.
👉 Send a message through the Contact page, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.