This article is written as part of the “Away From Here” series where All Things Madison branches outside of our city and explores destinations for residents to explore when they want to get “away from here”. Today we’re heading to Lowe Mill in Huntsville to discover some of the best sweets in the southeast region. Enjoy!
I’ll never forget the first time I was gifted a few chocolates from Pizzelle’s Confections. We were enjoying a multi-course dinner at a friend’s home with a small group that we are close with, and one of the guests had arrived with a gift for each of us to take home: an attractive little box with a few striking chocolates inside.
About Pizzelle’s Confections in Huntsville, Alabama
Pizzelle’s Confections, read the little circular sticker on the box. I’d never heard of this shop before.
I remember that my first bite was of caramel-filled chocolate, and it was divine. There was something different about these chocolates, and I loved them! I immediately took to Instagram to learn more about the shop and couldn’t have been more thrilled to learn that they were local, just 15 minutes away in Huntsville, tucked quaintly into a railyard room at Lowe Mill.
A few weeks later I had the opportunity to swing over to a photographer’s studio at Lowe Mill and was giddy because this was my chance to check out Pizzelle’s in person! The exterior of the cafe is unassuming as it is part of this historic warehouse community, but one tug on the door to go inside and one knows he or she is in for a treat.
Walking into Pizzelle’s Confections strikes the joy and wonder that walking into any dessert shop of this caliber should feel. The tables are plentiful, the colors are fun, and the glass cases of sweet treats are nothing short of stunning.
What is Pizzelle’s Confections?
Co-owners and sisters Caitlin Lyon and Michelle Novosel describe Pizzelle’s Confections as an affordable, luxury, edible art studio where “everything is edible here, kind of like Willy Wonka!”
All of their creations are desserts and include artisan chocolates (bonbons and bars), cakes, macaroons, and (the creamiest!) ice cream. They also carry house-made sodas, lattes, drinking chocolates, and more.
“Everything is made here,” shares Novosel, who is actually responsible for creating all of the recipes that their team of 10 employees work daily to bring to life.
When asked what is it that makes their products so tasty, both Lyon and Novosel share that they use the best ingredients they can get their hands on, which include not only swiss chocolate, but also the freshest herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
They also strive to source as made ingredients locally as possible, including their coffee and beer (yes, there are a handful of products that incorporate various liquors and beer!) Collaborating with local farmers, food bankers, and business owners has always been important to them.
Novosel says that their creative process often starts with envisioning the end product and then working diligently to achieve the best, truest flavor.
While Caitlin laughs and jokes that some flavors “will punch you in the face a little bit” such as the El Machete bonbon (a dark chocolate ganache with cayenne peppers, Ceylon cinnamon, coffee liqueur, & vanilla bean in a dark chocolate shell), others are much more subtle.
“We want everything we create to be done well and balanced well. We want you to get to the layers and identify each flavor, with some that will come through stronger than others.”
Lyon says that while their products are desserts, they aren’t sugar bombs.
“No one likes that!”
How can I try Pizzelle’s Confections?
The sisters share that guests come to Pizzelle’s to enjoy their products in a number of ways and for a variety of occasions.
“Many people walk in to order an assortment of chocolates or a cake with some coffee and sit for a while to snack and talk,” shares Novosel.
“Others come in to use the wifi and grab something to eat, which is great. We don’t care if you sit here all afternoon,” says Lyon.
“There is also a lot of gift giving,” they explain, sharing that they have options and packaging for order sizes and budgets of all kinds.
From the beginning, both Novosel and Lyon have been passionate about creating a positive, memorable experience for every person that walks through the door, starting with making them smile after pronouncing some of the unique chocolate names (such as “Mama Said Knock You Out”, “Flowah Powah”, or “Totally Tubular”).
“We try to stay innovative and keep this a fun atmosphere,” says Lyon.
Having an atmosphere that the sisters enjoy working in has been crucial to their nearly 10 years of business as co-owners of Pizzelle’s Confections, which opened in March 2013 as just half of the shop that it is now.
How did Pizzelle’s Confections get its start?
Pizzelle’s Confections, a name which is a nod to their Italian roots and favorite cookie/food memory made routinely by their grandmother, was first imagined as a small dessert cafe with expresso, drinking chocolates, and chocolates. Lyon had a full-time office job and Novosel was a brand new mom, so they planned to dip their toes in the water and see where the cafe would go.
Both women had a combined great deal of experience in food service, management, and culinary school training, but they were initially unsure what they wanted to do with their talents.
Both women cite a specific trip in 2008 that was pivotal in shaping their chocolate dreams. They stumbled across a very small chocolate cafe by Christopher Elbow.
“It was the first time we saw chocolate that looked so different,” says Novosel. “The flavors were so unique, and we had no problem spending $120 in that shop!”
The sisters saw that a small cafe like this was achievable, which began to set their dreams into motion.
“We knew that we wanted to do chocolates and we wanted those chocolates to be small.”
On their first day of business, they couldn’t begin to count how many people showed up to purchase their creations. By the second week, they hired their first employee (who actually ended up working at Pizzelle’s for 8.5 years!)
And Pizzelle’s Confections hasn’t stopped growing since.
Lyon left her full-time job at the nine-month mark, and Novosel says that her then-infant son considers Lowe Mill as his second home.
The store is now double in size and includes not one full kitchen, but two.
Both Novosel and Lyon seem to light up when recalling the road they’ve traveled that has led Pizzelle’s to where it is now, and though the work has been hard, it’s apparent they’ve had a lot of fun along the way.
“We try to elevate everything we do and always be creative,” says Novosel, who shares the example of their “Mommy Dearest” bar. This bar was their mom’s request and inspired by her favorite chocolate bar, the Almond Joy. The Mommy Dearest bar is made up of caramel with almonds & coconut in dark chocolate, topped with toasted coconut & sea salt.
They have an ice cream flavor with the same profile.
About the Pizzelle’s Confections Team
When they recall what has truly sustained the cafe over the last decade, they are both quick to give credit to their incredible team.
“If it was just us, we would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. We have these like-minded people on our team who are all so creative and who share our vision.”
Novosel says that many of their employees have art degrees and are highly trained in what they do.
“We are constantly making sure that we check in with what they need and assist them in how they’d like to grow. Opportunities are limited in food service, but we find ways to make sure they’re advancing with us.”
“We have high standards for ourselves and our business, and we hope that people will see that we aren’t mediocre!”
Custom Order Options
Pizzelle’s Confections is able to fulfill orders from 1 chocolate to 1,000+ chocolates. To inquire about a custom order for your business or personal needs, please email Pizzelle’s or stop in the store. The sky is the limit with custom orders, including their ability to add your logo to their chocolates. Inquire today for the holidays or your special event.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: closed
Quick Links for Pizzelle’s Confections
2211 Seminole Dr, Railroad Room 4
Huntsville, AL 35805
(256) 513-9745
Big thanks to All Things Madison professional photographer Whitney Briscoe for her work on these beautiful images. If you are looking for a photographer, check out Whitney Briscoe Photography.
