By Hayleigh Gowans
Staff Writer
Lune Chocolat in Manlius, best known for their artisan and locally-made chocolate creations, has expanded to include treats to help customers cool down and enjoy the hot summer weather, including frozen popsicles made with fresh fruits and herbs as well as specialty ice cream sandwiches with vegan and gluten free options.
“I really wanted to find a way to showcase the products that can be found right in Central New York. We really want to stress that these products are made with fresh, organic and locally-sourced ingredients,” said Michael Woloszyn, co-owner of Lune Chocolat. “We use local eggs, butter, milk, fruits and herbs. We really want to be able to tell the customer exactly where all ingredients used in what they’re eating come from.”
Starting about a year ago when Lune Chocolat moved into their current space on Brickyard Falls Road in Manlius, Woloszyn said they began to made fresh fruit popsicles. The shop offers a variety of popsicles made with locally grown fruits, herbs grown right in the back of the shop and local products such as balsamic vinegar from Olive on Brooklea.
So far this summer, Woloszyn said they have offered mango and basil, watermelon and mint, strawberry and balsamic vinegar, pineapple and jalapeño and cherry and pistachio. Woloszyn said little sugar is needed to make these popsicles taste sweet because the fruits are reduced on a stove before being mixed and frozen.
One of the specialty popsicles that is regularly stocked in the freezer is a fudge pop made with Lune’s 61 percent cacao dark chocolate and milk from local cows.
New this year are specialty ice cream sandwiches, which is homemade ice cream sandwiched between two cookies, both made in store in small batches. Flavors for ice cream sandwiches have included: coconut mint ice cream sandwiched between chocolate coconut cookies, which are vegan and gluten free; honey lavender ice cream sandwiched between sugar cookies; bourbon, pecan and bacon ice cream between classic Snickerdoodle cookies; and apricot ginger ice cream partnered with citrus cookies.
“We’re interested in combining ingredients together to create unique flavors,” said Woloszyn. “I’ve been playing around a lot with adding flowers to create flavors.”
Interested customers can be updated on which flavors will be offered by following them on Twitter, @Lune_Chocolat_, or liking their Facebook page, facebook.com/luneauchocolat. Lune Chocolat’s frozen treats can by enjoyed at the shop located at 4675 Brickyard Falls Road in Manlius, or from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays at the Fayetteville Farmers Market in Fayetteville Towne Plaza.
Lune Chocolat is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The store is also open by appointment with 48 hours notice by calling 692-4173 or emailing [email protected].
