Plenty of Louisiana stockings could end up holding a box of chocolates made in Ponchatoula this year, and the company behind it has been at the candy business for more than 170 years.

Started in New Orleans

Elmer Chocolate traces its roots to Christopher Henry Miller, who came to the United States from Germany at 16 in 1845. Ten years later he used his pastry chef experience to open the Miller Candy Company at Jackson Avenue and Levee Street in New Orleans. Augustus Elmer married Miller's daughter Olivia in 1900 and joined the business, and by 1914 it was called Elmer Candy Company.

Roy Nelson bought the candy side of the business in 1963. He and his son Allan moved manufacturing to a new plant in Ponchatoula in 1970 and shifted the focus from everyday candy to seasonal chocolates. Brothers Rob and Michael Nelson, the third generation, run the company today. A 2016 expansion added 70,000 square feet to a factory that already covered 330,000, and Elmer is now the country's second-largest maker of heart boxes.

The Christmas window

The Christmas line runs Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, with boxes sized for stocking stuffers, office gifts and school gift exchanges. The assorted chocolates are made with real milk and dark chocolate, have used natural colors and flavors since 2017, are gluten free and contain no nuts.

Local favorites by season

Gold Brick Topping: the original hard-shell ice cream topping, sold all year and a good pick for holiday sundaes.

Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick Eggs: Easter classics dating to 1923 and 1936, sold locally and online from Valentine's Day to Easter.

CheeWees: the cheesy snack was first made at Elmer Candy in the 1930s and is still produced by Elmer Fine Foods.

Questions about where to find this year's Christmas boxes can go to (985) 386-6166 or [email protected].

Photo courtesy of Elmer Chocolate.