Welcome to our Products We Love series, where we feature one of our favorite product vendors. All of our products are chosen for their uniqueness and quality. Many of them are from small businesses with a passion for what they do and a genuine belief in the product they create. Some of our products are well recognized brands and some are up and coming. They are all products we would absolutely give to our own family and friends. So you can trust that all of the products in our gift baskets are superior quality!

We have been using Annie B’s flavored popcorn in our gift baskets almost from day 1. While their Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar popcorn is my personal favorite, we also use Caramel, Sea Salt Caramel and their Triple Treat as well. Triple Treat is a mix of Cheddar, Caramel and White popcorn, which is similar to a famous Chicago mix. Annie B’s popcorn flavors are tastefully rich and decadent, as are their famous caramels.

While I first discovered Minnesota based Annie B’s on my search for the perfect popcorn, I also discovered their famous caramels, which we plan to add to our gift baskets this fall. One of Oprah’s favorite things for 2014, their caramels are the perfect taste and consistency for caramel lovers like me, and they come in a variety of seasonal flavors.

To round out their delicious treat line-up, they recently merged with B.T. McElrath, a Minnesota based chocolate company.

I recently interviewed Whitney Lehr of Annie B’s about their history and what makes them so well loved:

How long have you been in business?

We've been crafting caramel & popcorn by hand since 1978.

How did your business get started?

Annie B's was founded in 1978 by Tom & Carol Bouquet in Kellogg, MN. The couple enjoyed making caramels out of their kitchen and soon discovered they could make a living doing just that. They named their business after their daughter Annie.

A few years later, handcrafted popcorn was added to the products offered. What a hit!

While our original caramel is still our bestselling, more than 20 additional flavors have joined the lineup over the years. Our caramels are slow-cooked in large copper kettles, so they are sure to be consistently buttery and delicious.

Tom & Carol have since retired after selling the company in 2012. Our small but mighty team is working to make sure that our products are of the highest quality, and that our customer service is top-notch.

Oprah Winfrey gave Annie B's caramels her stamp of approval by naming us to her Favorite Things list in 2014. What an honor!

In 2015, Annie B's merged with another highly-respected Minnesota company, B.T. McElrath Chocolatier. Caramels, popcorn and chocolate make a lot of sense together, and you're sure to see some exciting new products in the coming months.

Until then, we hope you enjoy what we have to offer, and please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions, comments or just feel like have a little chat. We'd love to hear from you!

Why are you passionate about your product?

Caramels, Popcorns, and Chocolates – what’s not to love?!

What are your customers saying about you/your product?

“Annie B's Salted Caramel is so delicious. My aunt found it as an option for favors at my wedding because we were looking for a sweet & salty treat to match both mine and my husband's taste. This is absolutely the best salted caramel I have ever had. We heard nothing but "Wow!" from our guests. Thank you Annie B's for helping make our special day perfect!” Sarah B

“Absolutely the best caramels (& popcorn!) we have EVER tasted!! Order plenty...whatever you order, it won't be enough!! YUM!!!” Lisa J

“Boss just shared a Salty Dog Bite with me ---- EXCELLENT. How do I get more!!!!!!” Joan G

Thank you Whitney for sharing your story with us.

Annie B’s is our go-to popcorn for many of our gift baskets throughout the year.