A delicately prepared chocolate can make a woman's heart sing, a child's mouth smile, and a crossing guard's whistle taste even more like justice. Stock up on tasty times with today's Groupon: for $12, you get $25 worth of handmade chocolate at Lake Forest Confections.

The award-winning candysmiths at Lake Forest Confections handcraft small batches of confections using antique copper kettles, marble slabs, and fresh ingredients plucked from around the globe. Customers can treat tongues or woo a lonely gingerbread man with molasses lollies, stick-secured servings of chewy molasses caramel cloaked in rich chocolate ($12 for 12 pieces). Or sink fruit-seeking fangs into plump Australian glace apricots dipped by hand in smooth chocolate ($26 for 12 pieces). Almond bark dotted with freshly roasted almonds ($24/lb.) offers a decadent reprieve from the usual nutty treats, such as plain peanuts or a visit from Roberto Benigni, and a classic assortment ($32 for a 1 lb. box) sates sweet teeth of all tastes with a mouthwatering medley of pecan balls, chocolate truffles, chips, chews, and creams. The European-style chocolate shop greets guests with dark wood accents and a sprawling glass display case offering up glimpses of the gooey goods. The chocolate craftsmen employ traditional techniques, but remain dedicated to ongoing education in their quest to deliver high-quality chocolates with exceptional taste and advanced reading skills.