CandyFavorites

It can be difficult for me to appreciate simple candy pleasures but when possible, I like to savor the types of candy that used to really make my day as a kid. I would eat Swedish Fish, the individually wrapped ones, and really savor them; spend 10 minutes alone in a dark room with a sour apple Blow Pop (man, those were good!) or eat Tootsie Rolls, the short ones out of teachers’ candy dishes or the longer ones when I splurged at the candy store (hey, I could get two Fish for that dime!) Well, today’s post is a little homage to the humble Tootsie Roll.

The Tootsie Roll was introduced in 1896 in New York City – I knew I liked this candy – and named after the daughter of the candymaker: Her nickname was Tootsie. The candymaker, Leo Hirshfield, brought the recipe for the chocolate chew from his native Austria. In 1938, the operation was moved to Hoboken, NJ just in time: when World War II breaks out, Tootsie Rolls are included in war rations and become highly prized for their ability to withstand severe weather conditions and for their (relative) caloric density.

In the 1950’s, the company gains popularity in part due to their eager sponsorship of children’s television shows such as Howdy Doody, Rin Tin Tin and Rocky & Bullwinkle. One of the things people apparently remember best about Tootsie Roll promotions is the jingle, which goes a little something like this:

“The world looks mighty good to me

‘cause Tootsie Rolls are all I see

Whatever it is I think I see

Becomes a Tootsie Roll to me.

Tootsie Roll how I love your chocolatey chew

Tootsie Roll I think I’m in love with you

Whatever it is I think I see

Becomes a Tootsie Roll to me.”

And on that note (pun intended) I am going to leave you to your thoughts of chewy chocolatey goodness.

There is nothing like a complete sugar rush. I’ll admit, it’s been a while. Getting a sugar rush usually relates with being a kid, but I think adults could so with a sugar rush every so often too! So what is the best candy for a sugar rush you ask? It’s something that you probably ate as a kid. They aren’t as popular now what with all the new fangled sugar candy around. But as they say, oldies are goodies!

It’s all about the Pixy Stix!

There’s nothing better than ripping off the top and pouring all that flavored sugar in your mouth. It turns your tongue fun colors and it gives you pure energy for about half an hour….well maybe more depending on how many you eat at one time! I also always loved the really long and wide ones that you sometimes got at Halloween. That thing could last the whole day! Some days I really miss being a kid. Those carefree afternoons spent in the sun in my self-induced sugar high. Perhaps I’ll take a day this summer to sit by the pool and eat Pixy Stix all day long. Should be fun, until I get sick of course, but it’ll be worth it! So go out and get your long overdue sugar rush!

Until next time, this is Kandy K……stay sweet!!

Need some Pixy Stix?

Merry Christmas and happy holidays candy lovers! Hopefully you all received some sweet treats this holiday season. I know I did. I spent the past few days baking dozens and dozens of cookies. And of course eating them as well! After making so many different kinds of cookies, I have decided which one is the ultimate holiday cookie.

Before I tell you, I of course have to list all the competition. I made yummy chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies with a hershey kiss in the middle, and butter cookies in holiday shapes with sprinkles. Now ALL of these cookies are wonderful tasting and are great holiday cookies. But only one can take home the prize of “ultimate cookie”.

After careful taste testing, I have decided that the winner is…….the peanut butter cookies with hershey kisses! These cookies are so incredibly good! Of course I’m a little bias because I LOVE hershey kisses, but still! Everyone should have these cookies around the holidays. So stop whatever you are doing right now, and make a batch of these AMAZING cookies. And of course, have a happy holiday!

Until next time, this is Kandy K……stay sweet!!

Need Hershey Kisses? Click Here

Candy is a staple of holidays. Of course Halloween being the biggest. But then there is also tons of candy around for Christmas, Easter and the 4th of July. So why is it that there isn’t Thanksgiving candy? Everyone always talks about the turkey, the potatoes, the cranberry sauce, the stuffing, and the pumpkin pies. But what about candy?

Thanksgiving is unfortunately stuck between Halloween and Christmas. I guess people thought the Halloween candy could hold them over until Christmas. But personally, I don’t think its fair. Thanksgiving is a great holiday, and it should get attention from the candy community! Maybe a chocolate set of the original Thanksgiving complete with chocolate pilgrims, indians, and a giant turkey! Or for non chocolate lovers, a gummy set!

There could be lollipops shaped like turkeys. Maybe even lollipops that taste like turkey! Wait, nevermind, that would be disgusting. So candy lovers, I put the question to you. What candy would you like to see as Thanksgiving candy? Or should Thanksgiving forever remain the lost holiday??

Christmas Hershey Kisses are what makes this world a good place to be living. Hershey kisses are in general amazing. The little chocolate drops of heaven never leave my mouth unsatisfied (unlike some other kisses I’ve had, but we won’t go there).

But there is something extra special about the Christmas Hershey kisses. The red and green foil makes all the difference in the world! They are the perfect Christmas gift. Who doesn’t love Hershey kisses? You can give them to a boyfriend or girlfriend, a friend, parents or co-workers. Just grab a few of the delicious kisses, wrap them in some cling wrap paper, then cut a piece of red or green ribbon and tie it up! And make sure you curl the ribbon ends with some scissors. You have to put some effort into it!

So for all those out there without a lot of cash this Christmas, instead of trying to make something our of a hanger and tissue paper, spend a few bucks on a bag or two of Christmas Hershey Kisses. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your friends and family. And the best part is while you’re wrapping them up, there’s nothing wrong with eating a few!

You could also try to be REALLY creative if you’re not as lazy as I am!

Christmas Hershey Kisses

Do you remember when candy used to cost 5 cents or less? I do, which actually makes me feel old. But nevertheless, its another good family memory. I think being home for a wedding this past weekend is what spawned my overabundance of childhood memories. But it’s always good to remember happy times from the past.

My grandma had a little shore house in Sea Isle. Once a year, my family would stay down there for a few days. I have a lot of memories from that shore house. But my favorite memory is the little convenience store that was about 5 blocks down the road. There was nothing special about it, unless you were a kid. The had this bin full of candy for 5 cents. All year long, my sister and I would save our nickels and pennies. Then we’d walk the 6 blocks together, with our styrofoam cups filled to the brim with coins. My favorite piece of candy to buy was those atomic fireballs. They were all shiny and bright red in color. They lasted long, and left that fire taste in your mouth. This tradition probably started when I was about five. Once I was 10 we stopped going to the shore every year.

I went back for a day or two when I was 16. Things sure had changed. None of the candy cost 5 cents anymore. Everything was 25 cents or more. The candy was different too. Of course life had changed a lot since the last time I had been there, but a part of me expected the little convenience store to remain the same. Of course, that store is just one more memory to look back on and smile.

Until next time, this is Kandy K……stay sweet!

Red and Shiny!

In honor of this mornings snow flurries, I felt the need to post about my favorite Christmas holiday candy. Much like candy corn reminds me of Halloween, this candy always brings me into the Christmas spirit! What is white, red, and sticky all over?

CANDY CANES!!! Christmas is without a doubt my favorite holiday. I love the spirit of it all. So much love all around (ok not counting the family get togethers!). But candy canes are what really capture the spirit of Christmas. When I think about Christmas, I think about little kids running around with candy canes in their mouths. I think about Christmas trees decorating with hanging candy canes. I see my stocking on Christmas morning filled with all different kinds of candy canes.

Candy canes are the perfect gift too! Who doesn’t love candy canes? I remember back in high school when I wanted to get something for EVERYONE. I used to buy a bunch of those tiny red stockings, and then buy a few packs of mini candy canes, and maybe some of those holiday Hershey kisses. I’d fill each stocking to the brim and write names on the outside of the stocking. It was a great present, and it wasn’t expensive either! Which is always good for students (lets face it, most of us are poor!).

Around the Christmas holiday, the halls of my high school were always filled with people eating candy canes. The sweet peppermint taste was always lingering in the hallway. Whenever I eat a candy cane, I’m reminded of Christmas memories from the past. This year will be no different. Nor will the year after. Candy canes will always represent the holiday spirit to me. And there is nothing in this world better than the holiday spirit!

Until next time, this is Kandy K … stay sweet!

Don’t be a grinch! Get some holiday spirit! Click here!

Today I went to the craziest first birthday party that I’ve ever seen. There were tons of people and food. And there were two birthday cakes. Yes, two! The first was a big cake that had a picture of beautiful baby Jordan on it. The second one was a smash cake, and it was all for Jordan. He sat in his high chair in front of this cake and dug in with his little fingers. Naturally, not all of the icing and cake made it into little Jordan’s mouth. In fact, a lot of it was on his face, in his hair, and on the wall behind him! But hey, it’s his party; he can fling cake if he wants to!

A good time was had by all who attended. On the way out the door, everyone got to grab a chocolate Hershey bar! But these Hershey bar’s had a special wrapping on them. The front says “Happy 1st Birthday Jordan!” next to a picture of a rubber duck (the party theme). The back has all kinds of cute little facts, such as the ingredients: Fun, laughter, games, and good times! I saved my wrapper, and immediately ate the chocolate bar. (No worries, I have three more in the fridge!). Chocolate is delectable my friends. But I’m sure you all know that.

As a parting shot, I wish Jordan a very happy first birthday!

Until next time, this is Kandy K…stay sweet!

You know you want one! Click here

You’ve all been there. That person that you just want to kill sometimes, but you still love them. Ok well I’m applying this concept to candy. Not just any candy. I’m talking about THE candy. You see this candy and the first thought in your head is Halloween. With Halloween fast approaching, I thought this would be a good topic to discuss. So without further ado (drum roll please)…

Candy Corn!!! Yes I’m talking about the tiny yellow, orange, and white candies. I love them, I really do. Not only are they yummy, but they really put you in the Halloween spirit! I used to love getting little packages of candy corn when I would go trick or treating as a child (ok and as a teenager).

But as much as I love candy corn, there are times, like in those love/hate relationships that I can’t stand them. If you’ve ever had slightly stale candy corn, you know what I’m talking about. The sweetness is gone, and bitterness fills you up (much like those relationships!). However, unlike relationships, with candy corn, this can be avoided. Simply, don’t let your candy corn go stale! And if you are the one handing them out to the kids on Halloween, make sure they are not from last years stash. Save the kids from the bitter candy corn. The world will be a better place.

Until next time, this is Kandy K … stay sweet!!

Want some good candy corn? click here

Snickers

Nutty and gooey – you always satisfy.

Hmm, so I’m a Snickers. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I mean sure, I’m a bit nutty, and I would hope that I always satisfy (minds out of the gutter people!) but gooey? Does ANYONE want to be gooey?? It’s a fun little quiz though. So take it, then comment and share what kind of candy YOU are!

If your candy revelation makes you want to eat yourself please click here