LEXINGTON BAKES & Raaka Chocolate

Meet Raaka: Our Chocolate Partner

Our ingredient standards are simple. Real, Organic, & Fair.

When sourcing ingredients for our luxury cookies and brownies, we thoroughly evaluate ingredient partners’ standards, ethics, and commitment to people and the planet to ensure they align with our mission and values.

At LEXINGTON BAKES, we’re passionate about uncovering ingredients that not only elevate flavor but also reflect a commitment to fairness, sustainability, and openness. That’s why we’re proud to call Raaka Chocolate our chocolate partner. Renowned for their innovative “virgin” chocolate-making process and unwavering transparency, Raaka turns unroasted cacao beans into captivating, complex bars that celebrate the authentic character of each cocoa origin. By partnering with Raaka, we’re bringing you treats that are not just indulgent, but also thoughtfully sourced and purposefully crafted.

A Different Kind of Chocolate

While many chocolate makers rely on roasting to develop flavor, Raaka takes a different path. They work with unroasted, or “virgin,” cacao beans, preserving the bean’s natural flavor nuances and delicate aromas. This approach results in a brighter, more dynamic chocolate—one that reveals tangy, fruity notes and nuanced layers that might be tempered or masked by traditional roasting methods.

For LEXINGTON BAKES, this means that every chocolate-infused cookie or brownie offers a flavor journey. Raaka’s chocolate brightens the palate with unique, terroir-driven profiles that make each dessert more than just a sweet treat: it’s an opportunity to taste the true essence of the cacao itself.

Transparent Trade and Ethical Sourcing

Raaka’s commitment to fairness runs deep. They don’t just buy cacao on the commodity market; instead, they practice what they call “Transparent Trade.” This model involves building direct relationships with farmers, ensuring they are paid above market rates and have the resources to reinvest in their communities. Raaka openly shares the prices they pay for cacao, the regions they source from, and the partners who help bring their chocolate to life.

For us at LEXINGTON BAKES, Raaka’s integrity aligns perfectly with our own values. We want the ingredients in your cookies and brownies to reflect a chain of respect—from the farmer who tends the cacao trees to the chocolate maker who refines the beans, and finally to you, savoring the results. With Raaka, we know every batch of chocolate brings real benefits to the people who grew it.

Celebrating Cacao’s Complexity

By choosing unroasted cacao, Raaka showcases the natural diversity of flavor hidden within each bean’s DNA and origin’s terroir. You might notice a tropical brightness, a hint of red fruit, or subtle floral undertones that give our desserts a signature depth. It’s an invitation to taste chocolate as an evolving, vibrant ingredient, rather than just a familiar baseline of sweetness.

This complexity encourages us at LEXINGTON BAKES to get creative, pairing Raaka’s chocolate with various nuts, spices, or fruits to highlight its distinctive character. Whether it’s a chocolate chunk brownie or a cookie laced with delicate slivers of Raaka’s single-origin chocolate, the result is a thoughtfully layered experience you won’t soon forget.

Empowering Communities and Protecting the Planet

Raaka’s commitment to farmers goes beyond fair wages. By fostering long-term partnerships, they help support sustainable farming practices, which in turn promote healthier soils, biodiversity, and long-term crop resilience. This stewardship ensures that future generations can continue enjoying and cultivating cacao, while safeguarding the planet’s precious resources.

At LEXINGTON BAKES, we believe food should have a positive impact that extends far beyond our kitchens. By working with Raaka, we support a model of production where environmental integrity and social welfare are woven into every chocolate bar—and every dessert we create.

A Sweet Invitation to Discover

Our collaboration with Raaka reflects everything we stand for: Real, Organic, & Fair. Their chocolate embodies honest sourcing, ingenious craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for the complexities of cacao. Each cookie or brownie made with Raaka’s chocolate is an invitation to discover new flavors, support ethical trade, and savor the magic that happens when curiosity and conscience combine.