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Candy History, Candy News, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

This Sweet California Piece of Gold is Back – Introducing Cup-o-Gold Candy Bars!

August 7, 2023 by

Almost 100 years after the real California Gold Rush, The Hoffman Candy Company created another kind of gold rush but this time, an extra sweet one.

The Cup-O-Gold candy bar came out in the 1950s from the Hoffman Candy Company, which invented all kinds of chocolate delicacies in the 1930s.

While the Hoffman Candy Company doesn’t produce Cup-O-Golds anymore, there are still efforts today to preserve their old building as a historical and cultural monument.

The Hoffman Candy Company was one of the earliest family-operated candy companies in Los Angeles, making history both within the city and the candy world. The Cup-O-Gold candy bar was part of why the Hoffman Candy Company thrived.

An Original Hoffman’s Cup-o-Gold Candy Bar Wrapper Circa.1950s

The Cup-O-Gold candy bar is a chocolate cup with a creamy marshmallow center. The chocolate, however, isn’t plain. Instead, it contains almonds and coconut. Like a Mallo Cup, the marshmallow center is sweet and cuts into its rich chocolate flavor. But, unlike a Mallo Cup, a Cup-O-Gold has a nutty twist that adds great flavor.

From Los Angeles, the biggest city on the West Coast, this candy became one of the top three candy bars sold in California from the 1950s to the 1970s. This candy was primarily sold in California and on the West Coast because it was beloved in the region.

Cup-O-Golds were sold until 1989 when the Hoffman Candy Company shut down and sold off the candies they owned.

The packaging might be different, but the taste remains the same!

However, Adams & Brooks, a company that traces its roots back to 1932, purchased the rights to this delicious candy bar and are selling Cup-O-Golds and other retro-inspired candies they own, such as Big Cherries, Whirly Pops, P-Nuttles, and more.

Cup-O-Gold is back on the market and we are proud to once again offer it on CandyFavorites. While it may be a West Coast delight, it will surely satisfy taste buds from every region.

Candy History, Candy News, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

Candy is All About Sweet Memories, Share Yours!

July 13, 2023 by

Chances are, if you are reading this, you most likely inquired about a product that was discontinued and is no longer available for purchase despite our greatest wishes.

The disappointment someone feels when they find out their favorite candy is discontinued – sadlysomething all too common these days – can be unmatched.

After all, when companies discontinue their products, we can lose parts of our childhood, our favorite foods, and our memories

While it can seem nonsensical that your favorite candy is discontinued, there are many reasons a company either decides to or has to discontinue an item that, in some cases, has been around for many decades! 

A product not being popular is one of the main reasons for it being discontinued.

This has happened for many candies such as Almond M&M’s and, ironically, Brach’s Ice Blue Mints, which were one of our most sought-after candies! 

Popularity is measured in many ways and just because your favorite candy no longer exists, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t popular, it just may have not been a big enough seller for the manufacturer to justify continuing its production! A good example was Brach’s Villa Cherries which were our best-selling holiday item but didn’t sell enough in national chains. So much for the little guy…..

However, there are many more reasons than a product just not being popular to cause companies to discontinue them. Another reason could be that the candy company went out of business. 

This happened to Clark Bars when New England Candy Company (NECCO) went out of business because the value of the real estate where their plant was located exceeded the value of the iconic brands they manufactured.  So much for nostalgia…

While candies get discontinued frequently, they also get reintroduced and reinvented – for example, Clark Bars. The formula may have changed – the center is now slightly harder than the original – but the brand’s legacy lives on, and so does our childhood memories.

The same happened for Snickers Peanut Butter which is sold as Snickers Peanut Butter Squared: same great taste but different packaging for a new generation of candy lovers. 

Since we started up business in 1927, we have seen many candies come and go, and the past few post-Covid years have seen the most significant decline of brands in our 97-year history. 

Our website features a Discontinued Candy section where you can search for answers about some of your favorite ones. Sometimes we are just as confused as you about why we can’t find your favorite candies anymore, but when we can, we love to give you answers. 

Even though we may never be able to enjoy some of our favorite childhood candies, we still have sweet memories to have forever.

Share YOUR memories below about your favorite discontinued candies and connect with other candy lovers and maybe even candy manufacturers who read our blog!

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

Visit our NEW Illustrated History of Candy!

May 2, 2023 by

For over 96 years, been dedicated to delivering high-quality candy to our customers, and throwback candies are no exception. We believe that “the future of candy is rooted in the past,”

With this, we strive to provide the best retro candies on the market and pay tribute to their history.

To help in this venture to find some sweet nostalgia or learn more, we recently added our Illustrated History of Candy to our Candy University

With these graphics, you can learn some speedy history while getting to know your favorite sweet treats better. Of course, the more you know about your favorite candies, the sweeter they taste!

We also have a section on our website where you can shop for candies based on the decade when they were invented. Candyfavorites.com was the first to offer this, and it has become a valuable resource to retro candy lovers. 

Here is a timeline of Hannah’s favorite candies by the decade

Shop for your favorite candy by decade on CandyFavorites.com

Some companies like to get caught up looking for new candies. While we always look for fabulous unique sweets and the latest trends, our main focus is offering candies that candy lovers have enjoyed for decades. 

After all, there is nothing like biting into a piece of candy you loved as a child and having good memories flood back to you, or when you, on Christmas each year, get the same candy you have been getting since you were a child which your parents enjoyed and maybe their parents did too.

 Candy is about connections. Check out our Illustrated History Section and Shop Candy by Decades to gain a connection both to candy and to history. 

Buying Candy Online, Candy History, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

Nips Hard Candy is Back!

March 6, 2023 by
We were thrilled that Brachs revitalized Nips Hard Candy – a classic since 1961

 Within 96 years in our rearview mirror, at CandyFavorites.com, we believe that “the future of candy is rooted in the past,” 

With this belief, we like to make old-school candy accessible to our customers. Nowadays, it can be hard to find your old favorite candies; that is a problem we are trying to solve!

Nips, a classic old-school candy, are back in stock, and we couldn’t be happier to bring them back to our customers. We suspect dentists are thrilled too.

We offer Brach’s Nips Hard Candy in three original flavors!

We are currently offering Butter Rum, Caramel, and Coffee flavors. This classic candy has been around since the 60s, 1961 to be exact, and was invented by Barney Pearson. 

Pearson started a company with candies that he made all by hand; as with many family businesses, Barney’s sons, Ed, and Daniel Pearson, also worked at the Pearson Candy Company and decided to add new candies to the company’s lineup, one of those new candies being Nips Hard Candy

With the help of food chemist Claude Barnett, Daniel Pearson worked on the creation of Nips. They were invented based on the idea of the break that treats can provide you in the middle of the work day, similar to Kit Kat’s slogan “Have a Break. Have a Kit Kat.” 

Brach’s Coffee Nips was the first flavor, with coffee breaks being the inspiration for a candy that can be enjoyed during work.

During the middle of the day, people often take a coffee break, but some people only sometimes have time to sit down and drink a cup of Coffee. 

Nips, specifically the coffee-flavored ones, provide a little break to people’s days even when they can’t find time, and it is no irony that Coffee was the first flavor and remains our most requested!

The Pearson Candy Company initially didn’t do any tests on the candies, so they were all made in small batches. Finally, however, they were popular enough to justify their production costs. 

Nips have gone over many transfers in ownership. For example, in 1968, the Pearson Candy Company was sold to the W.R. Grace Company, then to Nabisco in 1982. Nestle then bought Nips in 1989.    Don’t worry, we know this is a lot to absorb, and there won’t be a quiz.

If you have a sweet memory of this fabled hard candy with a chewy center, please share it below.

The brand is now owned by the Ferrara Candy Company, which owns Brach’s, the company that now produces Nips. 

Being the oldest Brach’s candy distributor in the nation, we have always had a soft spot for this brand, and we’re thrilled to Brachs adding –as opposed to subtracting – something to their lineup!

Just like us, The Ferrara Candy Company values classic candies, so they are well known for producing candies that no longer exist, and we are committed to making these accessible to candy lovers, young and old. 

Nips Hard Candy is a classic that has been providing customers with a sweet little break in their days since the 60s. 

So if you need a delicious break or want to try a classic candy, Nips are for you.

Buying Candy Online, Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

Help Us Celebrate the 94th Birthday of the Beloved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!

November 15, 2022 by
Celebrate the 94th Birthday of one of the most popular candy flavor combinations of all time!

With the most profound pleasure, I announce that today, November 15, 2022, is the 94th birthday of the beloved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup!

Ninety-four years ago, on this very day, Harry Burnett Reese invented this peanut butter and chocolate delight in his basement.

Reese was a former employee of The Hershey Company and left to start his own business, which eventually bought his candy in 1963 and sells it today. Although Mr.Reesesold the company back to Hershey, it’s safe to say that his candy was a success because today, it makes up 2 BILLION DOLLARS in sales yearly.

At first, the peanut butter cups were called “Penny Cups” because the peanut butter cups were sold for only a penny. Now a pack of peanut butter cups sells for about $2.50, thanks to nine decades and inflation.

These cups aren’t sold today in their original shape. Instead, during the holidays, they come in holiday shapes, like an egg for spring or a Christmas tree for Christmas. It usually comes in anything from a mini cup to an oversized one – think of the new Big Cups and Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers -and all are delicious.

As one of Reese’s biggest fans, I am excited to celebrate their birthday!

Reese’s is how I got my start with Candy Favorites. I wrote my first blog post, titled “The Golden Secret of Reese’s that Keeps You Coming Back,” on its perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate.

Then, I wrote an article this past summer called “The Face-Off of the Century: Which Reese’s Product Will Come Out on Top?” about trying different Reese’s products to find my favorite. I even wrote an article about Reese’s University that discusses everything from admissions to athletics for the (imaginary) university.

I love Reese’s and almost everything about them. I love unwrapping the chocolate and plopping it in my mouth. Each time I have one, it feels like I am trying them for the first time. They are just as delicious, creamy, and rich as the first time I had one. They remind me of my family, tasty treats, and fun times.

But Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are about so much more than chocolate and peanut butter.

This celebration honors a beloved candy combination that has brought joy to friends and families for over nine decades and has become one of Planet Earth’s most popular candy bars!

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Reese’s, and THANK YOU, Harry, for leaving an extra sweet imprint on our lives!

If you want to enjoy a Reese’s treat in honor of their 94th birthday, place an order on CandyFavorites.com and enter the coupon code “CFREESESBDAY” for 10% off Reese’s products through November 16, 2022.

Enjoy a 10% discount on all Reese’s products on CandyFavorites.com until November 16th in honor of their 94th birthday!
Buying Candy Online, Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

October 13th is National M&M’s Day!

October 12, 2022 by
Celebrate with us through October 14th with a special discount on all M&M’s products on CandyFavorites.com

Happy National M&M’s Day! 

Yes, you read the title correctly! October 13th is National M&M’s Day, a sure day to celebrate! 

Being an M&M’s lover, I knew I had to celebrate as soon as I discovered that there was a specific day set aside to celebrate one of the most famous candies ever created! 

In anticipation, I took a trip to the M&M’s store in New York City. I won’t lie, I was already going to New York City, and this seemed like a perfect excuse to go to my favorite store in Times Square.

As soon as my friends and I turned the corner into Times Square, I saw a giant M&M’s lighting up the sky, tempting all NYC visitors to stop inside for a bite of pure joy. 

M&M’s come in all colors, shapes, and sizes!

Outside of the store, they have a giant electronic billboard with animations of their M&M’s characters, 5 giant M&M’s with all their different colors on the corner of the building, and a billboard featuring an M&M’s climbing up the side of the Empire State Building, mimicking to the image of King Kong climbing up the side of it. 

You can also see through the multiple floors, making it seem less of a brand’s store and more of a dream candy land.

Everything from the candy wall, the characters’ stories, and all the excellent merchandise. M&M’s first started featuring characters in their advertisements in 1954, just 13 years after their creation. 

Until recently, there were 6 characters in the lineup: Yellow, Red, Orange, Brown, Blue, and Green, each color having its own personality. 

In 2022, M&M’s added a new color – PURPLE!

A few days ago, drum roll, please; they added a new character, Purple

It will be interesting to see how they will integrate this new addition to the M&M’s candy family into their iconic Superbowl commercials and brand personality. After all, family dynamics can be tricky even in the sweet candy world!

When you walk into the store, each character has their own small devoted section to their own merch; there is even a mug wall in the store where each character has their own mug. So it’s safe to say these characters are a massive part of M&M’s success over the years. 

There are 3 sections to the massive M&M’s wall. The difference in the M&M’s range in the flavors themself, the texture, and the colors. 

National M&M’s Day is surely a reason to celebrate!

M&M’s come in just about every color in the rainbow and then some! . They have every taste, from Almond to Brownie Batter (my personal favorite) to Cookies and Scream (a seasonal flavor).

 I grabbed a bag off the wall and started filling it till my heart was content. I got Brownie Batter, Lavender-colored M&M’s, Crunchy Cookies, and many other flavors. 

After getting a pound of M&M’s and being delighted by one of the most highly colorful stores in the world, I decided (sadly) that it was time to leave.

Throughout my day in New York City, I munched on various M&M’s with my friends, a snack that we all enjoyed and kept us going when we felt tired from walking the whole day.

You may not be able to easily visit the M&M’s Store in New York, but worry not; we offer a massive selection of these beloved chocolate-covered candies at CandyFavorites.com!

To celebrate this holiday of this delicious candy, we are offering 10% off all M&M’s products from October 12th-14th! 

Who said that October 13th can’t be one of the sweetest days of the year?