There are a few things that really stand out in the Smokies, whether it’s a must-do experience, a must-see waterfall, or a must-taste treat. Pigeon Forge has dozens of restaurants that span the globe in cuisine, but sweets are always a favorite. If you’re like us, you’re always on the hunt for the best sweets around. In Pigeon Forge, you’ll have your pick of great desserts, from donuts, old-fashioned candy, and ice cream to candy apples, taffy, and FUDGE!
What’s better than rich, creamy fudge in classic milk chocolate or loaded with your favorite candies? Many guests who make Pigeon Forge an every-year occurrence always make sure they get a bite (or 10) of fudge when they come. It’s one of those classic Smoky Mountain experiences that you look forward to all year long. Just like moonshine, apples, and barbecue, it’s a taste of the mountains you don’t want to miss. Read on for the best places to grab fudge in the Smokies – and save room for this delectable dessert!
The Old Mill Candy Kitchen
The Old Mill Square is a great place to spend a few hours, eating, shopping, and browsing. They offer everything from ice cream to pottery, but you’ll definitely want to try some of their fudge! They cook in those classic copper kettles, and hand dipped many tasty chocolate treats. Enjoy brittles, toffee, jellies, licorice, pralines, divinity, a variety of rock candy, and plenty of sugar-free candy as well!
While you’re at The Old Mill, you can also grab some fresh bread and cakes, get a pecan (or chocolate pecan) pie to enjoy in the cabin, or sit down at the Pottery House Café and Grille or The Old Mill Restaurant for a tasty Southern meal. They even have mixes you can take and make on your own, including cornbread, fritters, hushpuppies, biscuits, and banana nut muffins.
175 Old Mill Ave | At traffic light #7
The Fudgery
Serving up mouthwatering fudge – in a great variety of flavors – for more than 25 years, The Fudgery offers 3 locations in the Smokies. So no matter where you are in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, you won’t be far from the sweet smells of this shop. For fudge, try Extraordinary Chocolate, chocolate nut, Rocky Road, dark chocolate, chocolate caramel, chocolate peanut butter, creamy vanilla, peanut butter, and cookies and cream.
Not in the mood for fudge? Of course they have much more on the menu. Bag up chocolate caramel clusters, pralines, pretzel twists, and candy apples to take back to your cabin in Pigeon Forge and enjoy later.
Tanger Outlet at Five Oaks | Gatlinburg 636 Parkway Suite #2 | The Island
Fudge Shoppe of the Smokies
Made fresh daily in the shop, the creamy fudge at the Fudge Shoppe of the Smokies (with 2 locations) will call your name as you pass by on the Parkway. And they go well beyond the classic chocolate fudge. They also have cookies & crème, vanilla, dark chocolate, peanut butter, classic walnut, chocolate pecan, maple walnut, peanut butter pie, chocolate peanut butter, peanut butter pie, Rocky Road, and Penuche (pure brown sugar, maple sugar, and almond extract for a rich caramel taste). Is your mouth watering yet? They stir their homemade fudge in large copper kettles, bringing in ingredients like sugar, pure cream, butter, and corn syrup.
716 Parkway, Gatlinburg | 812 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen
Touted as the “home of the original Taffy Logs,” Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen traces its roots to 1950 and a couple who saw the potential of Gatlinburg while on their way to make it in California. They wanted to provide tourists with tasty candies while offering entertainment, and that tradition continues today. Stop in front of the windows to watch them pull taffy and stir in copper kettles before heading inside for a taste of the mountains.
Grab a box of taffy (24 assorted flavors) or satisfy that sweet tooth with fudge: chocolate, chocolate pecan, peanut butter, vanilla, and vanilla pecan. They also have a huge assortment of classic and new candies, along with some fun toys for the kids! And be sure to get a box of Brown Bears (a family favorite) to take back to the cabin!
744 Parkway, Gatlinburg | 642 Parkway, Gatlinburg (The Village Shops)
Kilwin’s
A great spot for generous chocolate-dipped strawberries, Kilwin’s on the Parkway in Gatlinburg also offers creamy Mackinac Island Fudge in tasty and unique flavors. Along with classics like chocolate (the #1 seller), peanut butter, and turtle, you’ll enjoy fun flavors such as sea-salt caramel, chocolate English walnut, chocolate peanut butter, maple walnut, mud (vanilla with chocolate chunks and caramel), peanut butter chocolate chunk gem, toasted coconut, and peanut butter & jelly!
Want more? They also offer caramel apples dipped with everything from pecans, white chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and dark chocolate with sea salt to milk chocolate, peanuts, and your favorite candies. Grab some caramel corn for movie night in the cabin, pick up a bag of brittle as a gift, get dipped pretzels, or surprise that special someone with chocolate dipped Oreos or a beautiful gift basket.
645 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Big Rock Candy Kitchen
For your favorite candies of yesteryear, dipped apples with tons of toppings, saltwater taffy, gourmet popcorn, gelato, and rich fudge in Pigeon Forge, head over to Big Rock Candy Kitchen at The Island. The store has a little bit of everything, so you can please the whole group, and you can take your candy and treats for a walk around The Island. They also have lots of truffles and chocolate-dipped candies, along with the unique moonshine bars in flavors like black raspberry and wild strawberry.
The Island, Pigeon Forge
Country Candy Kitchen
Hand stirred in copper kettles, the original-recipe fudge at Country Candy Kitchen comes in flavors to satisfy any craving. Treat yourself to chocolate pecan, vanilla, chocolate walnut, vanilla pecan, or classic chocolate. Or try their new recipe – marble slab – in slabs from 8 oz to 6 lbs. They go well beyond fudge, too, with hand-dipped chocolate candies, nut clusters, caramels, jellies, pecan turtles, regular and sugar-free taffy, apple butter, and more!
3341 Parkway, Pigeon Forge | At traffic light #7
Our beautiful Pigeon Forge cabins with fully equipped kitchens are incredibly convenient when you want to make your own baked goods or store fudge and treats you picked up in town. And you’ll appreciate the cozy couches, relaxing porches, and comfy beds after you’ve filled up on sweet treats. Come back to our cabins – boasting amenities like hot tubs, big screen TVs, incredible mountain views, game tables, private indoor pools, and home theaters – at the end of the day for some much-needed rest and relaxation on vacation.