The Ultimate Cazookie Experience: Inside THE CHOCOLATE's Late-Night Dessert Haven in Orem

There's a moment that happens around 9pm on a Friday night in Orem when most dessert spots are closing down—chairs stacked on tables, ovens cooling, that universal restaurant wind-down. But walk into THE CHOCOLATE on South State Street and you'll find the opposite: warm cookie dough hitting hot cast iron skillets, the hum of conversation spilling from seven different dining rooms, and the kind of chocolate-scented air that makes you stop scrolling on your phone and actually look up. "The Cazookie was PERFECTION! The cookie was warm and gooey, the ice cream was a huge scoop and still frozen," one customer wrote after a late-night visit. It's this kind of moment—the made-to-order sizzle, the vanilla ice cream melting into the edges of a fresh-baked skillet cookie—that Kajsia and Brett Belingheri have been perfecting since they took over this Orem institution in 2019.

From Basement Baker to Historic Mansion: The Evolution of THE CHOCOLATE

The story begins in 2009, when THE CHOCOLATE first opened its doors in a founder's basement kitchen with a simple mission: scratch-baked desserts in a comfortable atmosphere. But by 2018, something bigger was brewing. Kajsia Belingheri had worked her way up from baker to head baker to manager, spending years working directly under the founder, learning every recipe, every technique, every detail of what made THE CHOCOLATE special. When the founders decided to sell, they came to Kajsia and Brett first.

"I had been working directly under her for years," Kajsia explained in a recent interview. "I knew a lot of the business side and of course the baking side, it made sense to pursue this option." In early 2019, they became the official owners of THE CHOCOLATE, taking stewardship of both the Orem location—housed in that stunning 1909 mansion on South State Street—and the West Jordan spot.

Their timing wasn't exactly lucky. Their first full year as owners was 2020, which brought challenges nobody could have predicted. But Kajsia and Brett doubled down on what THE CHOCOLATE did best: scratch-made desserts, warm hospitality, and that cazookie that keeps people coming back. Now raising their three children in what Kajsia calls their "second home," the Belingheris have made THE CHOCOLATE a true family affair while maintaining the quality and charm that built its reputation over 15 years.

Let's talk about what brings most people through the door of this dessert cafe Orem: the cazookie. If you've been to BJ's and had their pizookie, you understand the concept. But THE CHOCOLATE's cazookie has become such a Utah County signature that people drive from American Fork and Lehi specifically for it. "I wish they had a location in American Fork or Lehi but it's always worth the drive," one devoted customer admits.

Here's what makes it work: fresh cookie dough—choose from chocolate chip, peanut butter, white chocolate macadamia nut, or seasonal specials—pressed into a hot skillet and baked to order. Not pre-made. Not microwaved. Actually baked while you wait in one of those seven cozy dining rooms. The result comes out with crispy, caramelized edges and a warm, gooey center that's still slightly underbaked in the middle. Then comes a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top.

"They give you the perfect amount of ice cream for every bite," raves one Yelp reviewer who ordered two cazookies to share—half chocolate chip/half peanut butter, and half white chocolate/half Cadbury. "So freaking delicious." Another customer, married 15 years ago at an event catered by THE CHOCOLATE, returned recently and found the experience unchanged: "Still just as charming as ever. Warm, inviting vibe, friendly staff, and desserts that absolutely hit the spot."

The cazookie runs $13 for the regular version, with a gluten-free option at $16 for those who need it. And yes, it's shareable—though plenty of date-night couples have been known to order one per person. "The cazookies are always hot and a perfect dessert for a date night," explains a regular customer who loves mixing up the seasonal flavors.

Inside the 1909 Mansion: Seven Rooms, Seven Vibes

What makes THE CHOCOLATE's Orem location genuinely special isn't just what's on the plates—it's where you eat it. This historic mansion built in 1909 has been transformed into seven distinct dining rooms, each with its own personality, furniture, and artwork. "Feels more like a comfy old home than a café, and that's exactly why it works," wrote one reviewer after returning to the spot where they'd ordered their wedding cake 15 years prior.

One room might have mismatched vintage couches perfect for girls' night. Another features traditional tables for family celebrations. There's even intimate corners that work for first dates—and yes, Kajsia's heard from couples who came for their first date and later contacted her about doing a proposal in the same spot.

The converted house layout creates something most modern dessert spots can't replicate: actual privacy and atmosphere. "The bakery is in a house so there are rooms with lots of small tables that can be combined for larger groups or separated to accommodate smaller groups," notes a TripAdvisor reviewer. It's the kind of place where you can host a bridal shower in one room while a couple celebrates their anniversary in another, and nobody's experience feels diminished.

And that late-night advantage? While most Utah County dessert options close by 9pm, THE CHOCOLATE keeps serving until 10pm Monday through Thursday and 11pm Friday and Saturday. For a state where many restaurants shut down early, this makes THE CHOCOLATE Utah's late-night dessert spot almost by default.

Beyond the Cazookie: Signature Cakes That Earn Their Names

While the skillet cookie Utah residents rave about gets the most attention, THE CHOCOLATE's cake slices deserve equal billing. These aren't your standard bakery offerings—each signature flavor has a name, a story, and a devoted following.

The Husband tops the popularity charts: milk chocolate cake layered with milk fudge frosting. "Their chocolate cake is still a knockout. Rich but not overdone—just how it should be," explains that 15-year customer. At $6.95 per slice, it's the #3 most-liked item on DoorDash with an 84% approval rating. Though some customers note occasional inconsistency—"Most of the time, it's pretty moist. However, there are times where it's dry and crumbly," admits one honest regular.

The Cherub brings a different profile: milk chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. With 91% of DoorDash customers giving it positive reviews, it's become the #2 most-liked item after the cazookie itself.

The Kitty Katrina offers vanilla lovers their moment: Madagascan vanilla cake layered and frosted with vanilla buttercream. It's proof that not everything here revolves around chocolate—though let's be real, most things do.

Then there's the rotating "Cake of the Week" program, which keeps the menu fresh and gives Kajsia's baking team room to experiment. Recent specials have included Lemon Curd (lemon cake with lemon buttercream and curd filling), Strawberry Nutella (chocolate cake with Nutella buttercream and strawberry filling), and seasonal flavors that change with Utah's holidays and celebrations. "We love trying the different flavors. You can tell it is always fresh. They will even write cute thank you notes on the box," gushes one DoorDash customer.

The Scratch-Baked Philosophy in Action

In an era when many dessert cafes rely on pre-made bases and mixes, THE CHOCOLATE doubles down on the scratch-baked approach. Everything is made fresh daily, from the cookie dough that goes into those cazookies to the buttercream frostings on the cakes. "Everything is made fresh," confirms a FindMeGlutenFree reviewer who's also celiac. "They have the best cazookies and they also offer seasonal flavors of cazookies which are always fun to mix it up."

This commitment extends to their gluten-free offerings, which aren't afterthoughts but actual menu items people seek out. "Their gluten free treats are so good," writes one celiac customer. "I've never had a problem with cross contact, they state that they make the gluten free treats away from everything else. They also change gloves and prepare in a clean area."

For custom cakes—whether birthday cakes Orem families order for celebrations or wedding cakes for big events—the same philosophy applies. Kajsia's years working under THE CHOCOLATE's founder gave her deep knowledge of recipe development and cake construction. The business handles everything from tastings to setup for wedding cakes, maintaining the quality standards that made couples order from them 15 years ago and come back today.

Utah County's Dessert Destination for Every Occasion

THE CHOCOLATE has found its place in Utah's celebration culture. This is a state where family gatherings matter, where missionaries return home to parties, where every graduation and birthday calls for something special. "We love being able to be the place to have everyone come enjoy scratch made desserts and be able to celebrate what is going on in their lives," Kajsia explains.

The two locations—Orem at 212 South State Street and West Jordan at 9120 South Redwood Road—serve slightly different communities but share the same mission. The Orem location benefits from proximity to UVU, making it a late-night study break destination for students, while the West Jordan spot serves the southern Salt Lake County crowd.

Parking isn't the nightmare you'd expect from a downtown location—there's a spacious lot in the back of the Orem mansion. And while walk-ins work fine most nights, larger groups might want to call ahead during peak Friday and Saturday evening hours.

The price point runs reasonable for the quality: cazookies at $13, cake slices at $6.95, and custom orders priced based on size and complexity. As one TripAdvisor reviewer notes about the premium pricing: "The best dessert establishment in Utah County. Their cakes are on the expensive side but are excellent quality and worth the premium price."

Planning Your Visit to THE CHOCOLATE

Orem Location: 212 S State Street, Orem, UT 84058
West Jordan Location: 9120 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT
Phone: (801) 224-7334
Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 11am-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 11am-11pm
Sunday: Closed

What to Order:
First-timers should absolutely get the cazookie—go classic chocolate chip or try a seasonal flavor if you're feeling adventurous. If you're cake people, The Husband delivers that rich chocolate experience, while The Kitty Katrina satisfies vanilla cravings. Check their social media or call ahead to see what the Cake of the Week is—those rotating flavors often become customer favorites.

Best Times:
Late-night visits (9-11pm Friday-Saturday) offer the full experience without crowds. Date night couples love this window. For family gatherings or groups, earlier weeknight hours provide more room flexibility across those seven dining rooms.

Parking:
Use the large lot behind the historic mansion—don't try to parallel park on State Street.

Instagram: Follow @thechocolate.cafe for cake reveals, cazookie beauty shots, and seasonal flavor announcements.

The Cazookie Legacy Continues

Fifteen years after opening in a basement kitchen, THE CHOCOLATE has become woven into Utah County's dessert landscape. The cazookie Orem residents crave at 10pm on a Saturday night. The birthday cake families order for milestone celebrations. The historic mansion where first dates happen and proposals follow years later.

Kajsia and Brett's ownership has preserved what made THE CHOCOLATE special while bringing their own touch—new recipes, seasonal innovations, and that family atmosphere that comes from literally raising their kids in the business. "Since becoming owners we have had 2 more children and this has become their second home as well," Kajsia shares. "We are excited to continue bringing the joy of desserts to everyone in the area."

In a Utah food scene increasingly known for quality craft—from Amano Artisan Chocolate to Ritual Chocolate to the state's thriving bean-to-bar movement—THE CHOCOLATE holds its own lane: scratch-baked comfort, late-night availability, and that democratic magic of a warm skillet cookie with melting ice cream that transcends trends and just makes people happy.

As one customer summed it up perfectly: "A true Orem gem."

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