By Stacey Hollenbeck
McClatchy-Tribune

Move over Willy Wonka, Lava Chocolate has created a novel candy bar that's wooing chocolate lovers.

The Lava Bar, the world's first pre-melted chocolate bar, is a liquid version of gourmet chocolate. While to some the melted confection may have the appeal of a Hershey's bar left on a dashboard, others are slurping it up.

The bar, which is actually 2.5 ounces of molten chocolate, operates like fondue in a pouch. Although you may prefer to drip the sweet syrup into your mouth, it can also be added to milkshakes, poured over ice cream or served over fresh fruit.

The Lava Bar was named best new product by Convenience Store News in 2006 and received the Teen People Trendspotters Grand Prize for the Best Overall Candy Product. It appeared in VIP gift bags at the American Music Awards and all Emmy nominees went home with a sample.

According to Lava Chocolate, the Lava Bar ($1.99) will soon appear on shelves at supermarkets and convenience stores across the country. Until then, it can be purchased at www.lava-bar.com.

© 2007, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.