A Guide to Classic Russian Chocolate Brands Worth Trying

Walk into any Russian-American grocery store or browse an Eastern European food shop online and you will immediately notice it: shelves stocked with boldly wrapped chocolate bars and candy boxes that look nothing like a Hershey's or a Snickers. These are the konfety (Russian: конфеты — the general word for sweets and candies) and chocolate bars that generations of Russians grew up eating. If you are new to this world, or simply want a deeper appreciation of what you are already buying, this guide breaks down the most important Russian chocolate brands, their histories, their hero products, and what to look for when you shop.

Why does Russian chocolate have such a devoted following?

Russian chocolate commands fierce loyalty because it is deeply intertwined with collective memory — these are flavors learned in childhood kitchens and shared at holiday tables, not products invented by a marketing department. Russian chocolate has a fascinating and lengthy history that goes back to the 1800s, with cocoa beans first arriving in St. Petersburg as early as 1829. Over the following century, a handful of Moscow factories refined their craft to an extraordinary degree. In 1896, one of those factories won a gold medal at the All-Russian Industrial and Artistic Exhibition and was permitted to supply confectionery to the court of the tsar; by the turn of the 20th century, it was winning chocolatiers' competitions across Europe. That tradition of quality — carried through Soviet nationalization, wartime rationing, and post-Soviet privatization — is exactly what makes these brands so special to diaspora shoppers and curious American foodies alike.

Who is Krasny Oktyabr, and why does it dominate the conversation?

OJSC Krasny Oktyabr (Russian: ОАО "Красный Октябрь," meaning "Red October") is a Russian confectionery manufacturer and a member of the United Confectioners holding company. It is, without question, the most recognizable name in Russian chocolate both domestically and abroad. The factory's origins trace back to 1851, when German immigrant Theodor Ferdinand von Einem arrived in Moscow and established a small confectionery workshop. After the October Revolution of 1917, the company was nationalised and given its current name. Rather than losing prestige, the factory flourished under Soviet central planning. During World War II, the factory even reoriented its production toward manufacturing military rations, including high-caffeine chocolate. Today, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the company continued to use the Krasny Oktyabr name for its brand recognition. Its parent group, United Confectioners, was the 13th largest confectionery company worldwide as of 2015, with sales of $2.2 billion.

What is Alenka, and why is that little girl on every bar?

Known for the smiling girl on the wrapper, Alenka (also spelled Alyonka) is one of the most iconic Russian milk chocolate bars, first introduced in the USSR in 1966 by the Red October factory. The name itself is a Russian diminutive of "Elena" (Helen) — a warm, endearing nickname. One of the artists working for the factory decided to depict his adorable little daughter in 1965, and her image still remains the well-recognized brand of the factory and the Russian chocolate industry as a whole. Wearing a traditional headscarf, Alyonka's piercing blue eyes have enthralled people for decades.

The classic Alenka milk bar is creamy and gently sweet — closer in texture to European milk chocolate than to American varieties. But Krasny Oktyabr has continually expanded the line with filled variants that push the flavor further. One standout worth seeking out is the Alenka Chocolate with Caramel and Milk Filling, which layers that signature creamy milk chocolate around a soft caramel and cookie center — a perfect introduction to the brand for anyone trying it for the first time.

What other products does Krasny Oktyabr make beyond Alenka?

Krasny Oktyabr's catalog of sweets extends well beyond its flagship bar. Among the most beloved are:

• Mishka Kosolapy (Russian: Мишка Косолапый — "Clumsy Bear"): When somebody mentions "Russian candy," the first thing that most lovers of the genre think of is Mishka Kosolapy, which translates to "clumsy bear." The candy consists of two wafers with a praline mixture of roasted shredded almonds and vanilla flavoring, all wrapped in dark chocolate. The candy was especially popular because of its colorful packaging featuring bears in trees — some Soviet families even decorated their Christmas trees with these candies.
• Belochka (Russian: Белочка — "Little Squirrel"): A chocolate-glazed candy filled with a rich chocolate-hazelnut praline and crushed hazelnuts, beloved across generations.
• Krasnaya Shapochka (Russian: Красная Шапочка — "Little Red Riding Hood"): A soft fondant-filled candy enrobed in dark chocolate, the name a nod to the classic fairy tale.
• Ptichye Moloko (Russian: Птичье Молоко — "Bird's Milk"): Ptichye Moloko translates to "bird's milk" and is a popular Russian treat consisting of a light, fluffy marshmallow-like filling covered in rich chocolate. The first-ever dessert the Soviet Union formally patented was a simple sliver of marshmallow set atop a chocolate base.

Who are Babaevsky and Rot Front, and how do they compare?

Krasny Oktyabr shares the top tier of Russian confectionery with two equally storied rivals — and all three are today united under the same corporate roof. The United Confectioners holding owns the brands Krasny Oktyabr, Rot Front, and Babayevsky.

Babaevsky is the oldest Russian confectionery manufacturer, founded in 1804 and headquartered in Moscow. Russian confectionery history dates back to that founding year, when the first sweets shop opened in Moscow; starting from simple apricot jam and fudge, the production grew to become the largest confectionery factory in the Russian Empire, earning an Imperial mark of recognition in 1899. Following Soviet nationalization in 1918, the factory received its current name, Babaevsky, and it is now among the most famous Russian confectionery brands. Its products range from chocolate bars and candies to toffee, nougat, and cookies. Babaevsky is particularly prized by dark chocolate lovers — its Bitterny ("Bitter") bars achieve a deep, roasted cocoa flavor that rivals fine European 70–75% bars.

Rot Front (named after the German communist slogan Roter Front — "Red Front") is one of the oldest Russian confectionery manufacturers and a member of the United Confectioners holding company. Founded in 1826 by the Lenov merchants as a home family confectionery workshop for the production of caramel, the workshop was located in the Zamoskvorechye area of old Moscow. Today, Rot Front produces over 200 types of confectionery and sells in all Russian regions, CIS countries, Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The brand is especially well-known for its Grilyazh (a crunchy nut-and-caramel brittle enrobed in chocolate) and its own version of the Ptichye Moloko candy.

How should a first-time buyer approach Russian chocolate?

If you are new to these brands, the best strategy is to start with a variety of formats. Pick up an Alenka milk bar to understand the baseline flavor profile — smooth, moderately sweet, milky — then branch out into the wrapped konfety (individual candies) like Mishka Kosolapy or Belochka. From there, try a Babaevsky dark bar if you prefer intense cocoa. Once you have your bearings, explore the filled lines: caramel, praline, soufflé. Think of it less like sampling candy and more like learning a culinary tradition. Pair your chocolate with a cup of strong black tea in the Russian style — the bitterness of well-brewed tea cuts the sweetness of milk chocolate beautifully — and you will have recreated the classic chaepitiye (Russian: чаепитие — a tea-drinking gathering) experience at your own kitchen table. A side of varenye (Russian: варенье — a whole-fruit preserve, thicker than jam) or a plate of pryaniki (Russian: пряники — spiced honey cookies) completes the spread beautifully.

Where can you buy authentic Russian chocolate in the US?

With companies like Red October and Babaevsky earning a name for themselves in international markets, Russian chocolate has gained growing popularity in the global arena, with these companies successfully distilling the spirit of Russian chocolate-making and introducing it to consumers worldwide. For US shoppers, the easiest and most reliable route is a specialty online grocery. At Gastronom USA, you will find a curated selection of Krasny Oktyabr, Babaevsky, and Rot Front products — including the Alenka Chocolate with Caramel and Milk Filling, which makes an excellent first purchase or a thoughtful gift for anyone curious about Eastern European sweets. Whether you are reconnecting with childhood flavors or discovering them entirely fresh, authentic Russian chocolate is only a few clicks away.

Sources:
Wikipedia — Krasny Oktyabr (confectionery brand)
Wikipedia — Babayevsky (company)
Wikipedia — Rot Front (confectionery brand)
SnackHistory — Russian Candy History: Top Sweets & Brands