Swedish chocolate is a world apart from Hershey's. Creamier, richer, and made with real cocoa butter instead of the vegetable oils common in American chocolate. Here are the best Swedish chocolate bars and brands worth importing.
Why Swedish Chocolate Tastes Different
The first time you try Swedish chocolate, you'll notice something immediately: it's smooth. Like, suspiciously smooth. That's because Swedish chocolate is made with real cocoa butter, real milk powder, and a slow conching process that creates a velvet texture American mass-market chocolate simply can't match. There's no butyric acid (the compound that gives Hershey's its distinctive tang), no PGPR fillers, and no vegetable oil shortcuts.
Swedish chocolate makers also tend to use a lower sugar-to-cocoa ratio than their American counterparts. The result is chocolate that tastes like chocolate — not sugar with chocolate flavoring. For the full deep dive on what makes Marabou's process special, check out our brand guide.
The 10 Best Swedish Chocolate Bars
1. Marabou Mjölkchoklad (Milk Chocolate)
Rating: 5/5 | Type: Classic milk chocolate bar
🛒 Buy Marabou Mjölkchoklad on Amazon (~$6-15) →
There's a reason Marabou has been Sweden's favorite chocolate since 1919: nobody does creamy milk chocolate better. The 200g bar (yes, they come big) has a slow-melt texture that coats your entire mouth, with a subtle caramel sweetness that comes from Marabou's proprietary roasting process. This is the chocolate that makes first-time visitors to Sweden buy an extra suitcase. No gimmicks, no fillings — just perfect milk chocolate. If you buy one Swedish chocolate bar, make it this one.
2. Daim (Crunchy Almond Caramel)
Rating: 5/5 | Type: Chocolate-covered almond butter toffee
🛒 Buy Daim Bars on Amazon (~$3-5) →
Daim is the bar that sneaks into your life through IKEA and never leaves. A thin coating of milk chocolate over a crunchy, buttery almond toffee that shatters satisfyingly with every bite. The ratio is perfect — enough chocolate to taste it, enough toffee to feel that crack. Some people describe it as a "better Butterfinger," but that's selling it short. Daim is its own thing, and it's been its own thing since 1953.
3. Marabou Schweizernöt (Hazelnut)
Rating: 4.5/5 | Type: Milk chocolate with whole hazelnuts
Take Marabou's already-excellent milk chocolate and stuff it with whole roasted hazelnuts. That's Schweizernöt (literally "Swiss nut"), and it's arguably better than the plain bar. The hazelnuts add a toasty crunch and nutty richness that elevates the chocolate from "really good" to "why haven't I been eating this my whole life." If you're a Ferrero Rocher fan, this is your graduation ceremony.
4. Kexchoklad (Chocolate Wafer)
Rating: 4.5/5 | Type: Crispy wafer in milk chocolate
🛒 Buy Kexchoklad on Amazon (~$5-10) →
Sweden's Kit-Kat, except the Swedes had it first (Kexchoklad launched in 1938) and the chocolate is substantially better. Layers of crispy wafer coated in Cloetta milk chocolate. It's the kind of unpretentious candy that makes you wonder why you ever settled for the American version. Perfect with coffee, perfect as a snack, perfect at 2 AM when you're making questionable life choices in front of the fridge.
5. Plopp (Soft Toffee Center)
Rating: 4/5 | Type: Chocolate shell with soft toffee filling
Once you stop giggling at the name (everyone does, Swedes included — they just pretend they don't), Plopp reveals itself as a genuinely excellent chocolate. A thick milk chocolate shell surrounds a smooth, buttery toffee center that's soft without being sticky. Think of it as a premium Rolo that doesn't weld itself to your molars. The original has been around since 1949, and there's a salted caramel version (Plopp Saltlakrits) for the brave.
6. Center (Praline Box)
Rating: 4/5 | Type: Assorted chocolate pralines
Center is Sweden's answer to the classic chocolate box — a selection of pralines with various fillings: hazelnut cream, nougat, truffle, and caramel. It's the chocolate Swedes give as a gift when they want to seem thoughtful but also know that the recipient will eat them all in one sitting. The quality is a significant step up from comparable American boxed chocolates, with each praline having a distinct, well-balanced flavor.
7. Polly (Chocolate-Covered Foam)
Rating: 4/5 | Type: Milk chocolate over marshmallow foam
Polly is where Swedish chocolate meets Swedish marshmallow expertise. A light, airy foam center — subtly sweet with vanilla notes — wrapped in a chocolate shell. The texture contrast between the crisp chocolate coating and the pillowy interior is addictive. It's lighter than most chocolate bars, which means you'll eat twice as many without feeling guilty. That's just math.
8. Dumle (Chewy Toffee)
Rating: 4/5 | Type: Chocolate-covered chewy toffee
Technically Finnish (made by Fazer), but adopted by Sweden with the same enthusiasm they reserve for meatballs and flat-pack furniture. Dumle is a chewy toffee wrapped in milk chocolate — think Milk Duds, but if Milk Duds actually tasted good. The toffee has a genuine butter flavor and the chocolate coating is real chocolate. Available in individual pieces or sharing bags (though "sharing" is a strong word).
9. Marabou Frukt & Mandel (Fruit & Almond)
Rating: 4/5 | Type: Milk chocolate with raisins and almonds
Marabou's Frukt & Mandel is the "healthy option" of the Swedish chocolate world — and by healthy, we mean it has raisins and almonds in it, so you can pretend it's basically a salad. The combination of chewy raisins, crunchy almonds, and Marabou's signature creamy chocolate is surprisingly complex. It's a bar that rewards slow eating, letting each bite deliver a different texture combination. Not the most exciting on this list, but consistently excellent.
10. Marabou Mint
Rating: 3.5/5 | Type: Milk chocolate with mint crisp pieces
Mint chocolate is polarizing everywhere, and Sweden is no exception. But if you're in the mint camp, Marabou Mint does it right — small crunchy mint pieces distributed throughout the chocolate rather than a mint cream layer. The mint is refreshing without being toothpaste-y, and the Marabou base chocolate prevents it from becoming overwhelming. A solid choice for after-dinner chocolate or for anyone who thinks Andes mints were onto something but needed better execution.
Swedish Chocolate Brands Worth Knowing
Marabou — The undisputed champion. Founded in 1916, now owned by Mondelez. Makes 242 million tablets per year. If you see a purple wrapper in Sweden, it's probably Marabou.
Cloetta — Sweden's oldest candy company (founded 1862). Makes Kexchoklad, Plopp, Polly, and Center. The quiet giant behind many Swedish favorites.
Fazer — Finnish, but deeply integrated into Swedish candy culture. Their Fazer Blue milk chocolate is a worthy rival to Marabou.
🛒 Buy Fazer Blue Chocolate on Amazon (~$8-14) →
Swedish Chocolate vs American Chocolate
The core differences come down to ingredients and process. Swedish chocolate uses real cocoa butter where American chocolate often substitutes vegetable oils. Swedish chocolate uses real milk powder; some American brands use whey or milk substitutes. And crucially, Swedish chocolate doesn't contain butyric acid — the compound that gives Hershey's its "tangy" flavor that Europeans describe as tasting like... well, let's just say Europeans find it unpleasant.
For the complete comparison, including regulations and labeling differences, read our European vs American candy guide.
Marabou, Plopp, Daim and more — shipped fresh to the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Swedish chocolate in the US?
IKEA carries Marabou and Daim at the best prices. For the full range, check online Swedish candy retailers — see our where-to-buy guide for current options.
Is Swedish chocolate healthier than American chocolate?
It's still chocolate, so let's not pretend it's a superfood. But Swedish chocolate generally has simpler ingredient lists, uses real cocoa butter instead of palm oil, and contains fewer artificial additives. The sugar content is comparable, though Swedish chocolate often has a lower sugar-to-cocoa ratio.
What's the best Marabou flavor?
The classic Mjölkchoklad is the best-seller for a reason, but Schweizernöt (hazelnut) has a devoted following that will argue passionately. Daim-flavored Marabou bars also exist and are exactly as good as you'd hope.
Does Swedish chocolate melt during shipping?
It can, especially in summer. Most reputable online retailers use insulated packaging or cold packs for warm-weather shipments. Order during cooler months if you're worried, or choose retailers that guarantee delivery quality.
Founder & Editor
Former Swedish candy & FMCG professional turned US-based founder of SwedishCrave. Built the site to fill the gap he saw when he moved stateside.
