Dec. 10—BOSTON — When it comes to holiday shopping, it can be difficult to think outside the box.

This year doesn't have to be a struggle, Dillon's Gourmet Candies offers a sweet alternative.

Located on Highway 84 East, Dillon Candy Company has been making pecan rolls for more than 100 years.

Founded by George Dillon, the company is renowned for its handmade brittles and other nut and chocolate candies.

Dillon moved his family to Boston in 1956 to produce candies that would then be delivered by car to area merchants. Upon his passing in the late 1980s, his widow and daughter took over the company and steadily expanded the sales and market. Now under the direction of Dillon's great-grandson, Tom Cook, the company is thriving, with the recent addition of dark chocolate blueberries and special holiday peppermint divinities.

Even with the recent additions, Cook still uses the same procedures started by his great-grandfather.

In a recent interview, Cook said the company even has some stoves that are still in operation from the 1930s, like the one his grandfather used.

Small batches of candy are cooked in copper kettles, while brittles are hand stretched.

Each nut roll is hand worked, using only the finest pecans, cashews and peanuts.

The quality of Dillon's candies is virtually impossible to achieve in highly automated, mass-production processes, he said, which is why each piece of peanut brittle is incredibly thin, crisp and golden.

The company offers pecan rolls, penuche pecan rolls, cashew rolls and peanut rolls for mass consumption, along with personal and gift purchases in their storefront.

A customer favorite is the gourmet pecan rolls, which consist of a light fluffy nougat center, dipped in rich caramel and then rolled in pecan pieces.

Cook said he is proud to create a product that the community loves, just as much as he does.

"Produce the best quality candy possible by using the highest quality ingredients and sell at a price which delivers a good value to our customers is our philosophy," he said.

While their quality candy can be found in some mass markets, Cook invites customers to visit this holiday season in the storefront and try the peppermint divinity.

"Our peppermint divinity is a holiday favorite that's bursting with flavor and it's one of our latest gourmet creations," he said. "The Dillon team has developed a recipe that is sure to please peppermint candy lovers."

The factory storefront is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.