Browsing Tag

retro candy

Candy News, Christmas Candy

2021 Christmas & Holiday Candy Selection from CandyFavorites.com

October 15, 2021 by

Hard to believe but the holidays are just around the corner and our holiday candy selection is amongst our best in decades. That’s the good news!

The not-so-good news is that supplies are VERY limited this year and we are not able to reorder seasonal merchandise once we sell out.

With that said, we encourage you to order as early as possible, and if in doubt about how much you need, we would encourage you to order a bit more if only to make sure that have enough candy to fit your needs.

Of course, we are always here to help so should questions arise or if you are in need of large quantities, please give us a call at 412-678-8851 or send us an email at support@candyfavorites.com

Please order early as supplies are limited and sold on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. For more details, please contact us at support@candyfavorites.com or (412) 678-8851

Candy News

A SNAPPY Contest: What Do “Original Formula” Licorice SNAPS Really Taste Like?

October 21, 2019 by

Throughout history, there have been many unanswered questions running the gamut from silly to serious?  Some are curious if there is life on other planets, others wonder if Big Foot exists but we have a far more pressing issue

Licorice Snaps have long been considered the Holy Grail – talk about another unanswered question in history!  And we are proud to offer a limited supply of the Original Formula.  That’s good news!

The bad news is that despite our best efforts, we can’t figure out exactly what they taste like, and few candy lovers can agree.  Everyone knows they love the taste of these multicolored morsels, but few can describe their fantastic taste.   It might be the biggest mystery of the candy world…until now!

licorice snaps
Few candies are as beloved as American Licorice “Original Formula” Licorice Snaps!

Licorice Snaps have a taste of their own, and if you share with us your description of what your beloved Snaps taste like on this post, you might win a 3 lb bag!

The best two descriptions win!

Entries must be submitted by October 28th, 2019. Two winners will be notified via email by November 1st, 2019.

Candy News

CandyFavorites.com Partners with Arnold’s Candies for Wholesale

December 20, 2018 by

arnold's candies gift boxHere at CandyFavorites.com, we believe that candy is better when eaten together. We also strive to support small businesses at every opportunity. We’ve kept things largely in the family here, and we know what it takes to be successful in this industry! As a result, we enjoy partnering with companies who align with our values. One such company is Arnold’s Candies.

arnold's candies peppermint puffs

For the past 65 years, Arnold’s Candies has manufactured all of their candies, by hand, in Akron, Ohio–just a stone’s throw away from our home base in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. You could say we’re practically neighbors. Before we became CandyFavorites.com, McKeesport Candy Co. was one of the first wholesalers to sell these delicious, sweet-tooth satisfying treats. Suffice it to say, we know a good candy when we see it!

arnold's candies peanut brittle

What sets Arnold’s apart is their dedication to high quality ingredients, no added preservatives, and clear love of spreading sweetness. That is why we are proud to announce that we are partnering with Arnold’s Candies to handle all of their wholesale orders. Now, you can purchase wholesale orders of your favorite Arnold’s Candies through CandyFavorites.com, and we’ll make sure you have only the freshest, most delicious treats you can find.

We hope this will make it even easier for you to enjoy Arnold’s Candies whenever you need them. So, before your next corporate event or large-scale gathering, make sure you have your guests’ sweet tooth cravings covered.

Candy History, Candy Memories, Candy News, Retro Candy

Talking Candy History On the Airways

March 20, 2018 by

These days, the candy industry is a noisy place to be. With new products competing against perennial favorites, cult classics making a comeback and old favorites getting the final cut, it can be a challenge to separate fact from fiction and trust that you are getting your candy insights from a trusted source. At CandyFavorites, we’re proud to stand out from the noise, providing our customers with high quality candy from yesterday and today, while also offering an experienced perspective on the pulse of the industry. Since 1927, we have led the way with our customer service, attention to detail and deliciously sweet treats. It is always an honor to share our knowledge of and passion for candy with the wider world, and we hope you’ll always feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We’re here to serve you.

Please enjoy this recent interview with our President, Jon Prince on Let’s Dine Out with Allen Borgen on NPR’s Food Talk Radio Show.

Candy Memories, Candy News, Retro Candy

Love ’em or Hate ’em: America’s Controversial Candies

January 22, 2018 by

What comes to mind when you think of the most controversial candies? Do you think of Circus Peanuts, Mary Janes, or Candy Corn? After much research, I have learned that the top three most controversial candies in America are those three. People think of circus peanuts as confections, not even candy, candy corn is one of those candies that you either love or hate, and as for Mary Janes, people say that peanut butter shouldn’t be chewy. But I think there are some really great aspects of these candies that consumers should stop overlooking, so let’s take a deeper look.

Candy cornCandy Corn is a small triangular candy split into 3 different colors: yellow, orange, and white. These bite size pieces really pack a flavor punch though. With their slightly bitter butter flavor, one is normally very intrigued by the sharpness or completely disgusted. It is claimed that a Pennsylvania candy company worker in the 1880s named George Renninger was the creator of the most debated candy in America. He must’ve been very proud of himself. These little nuggets of sweetness are the perfect Halloween treat, but can be eaten year round, and can be used to make some mean art projects.

  • Share-ability: 10
  • Denture Danger: 6
  • Convenience: 5
  • Novelty: 3
  • Overall: 7

Circus peanuts can be described a lot of ways. I’ve heard people say that it is like a hardened banana cotton candy, a puffed air taffy, and a taffy made of foam. These odd little marshmallows are banana flavored and very easily chewed. Circus peanuts started off in the 1800s as penny candies and the inventor is unknown. Although you’d think that because the candies are orange in color, they would be orange in flavor too- the candies are actually that sweet artificial banana flavor that I have always loved. These marshmallow treats are quick dissolving and fast to eat. They are also fat free and don’t leave you with a nasty aftertaste. With all that in mind, just remember that these strange little candies will always give you a lot to talk about.

  • Share-ability: 8
  • Denture Danger: 2
  • Convenience: 7
  • Novelty: 8
  • Overall: 6

Mary JaneMary Jane’s are small tan rectangles that are meant to be chewy, but are actually very difficult to eat. They have a peanut butter and molasses taste which is very evident once they eventually become soft. These little candies were created in 1914 by the Charles Miller company and they were named after the creator’s aunt. After trying these candies, I have really learned to appreciate them. At first I had a hard time getting used to the amount of work that it took to eat them, but after that, I found the flavor to be quite enjoyable. I have always been a peanut butter fan and on the inside there is a bit of the gooey food for consumers to love as well. These are now one of my favorite candies because they are very tasty and have a texture that doesn’t really exist within any other candies.

  • Share-ability: 7
  • Denture Danger: 10
  • Convenience: 8
  • Novelty: 9
  • Overall: 9

So now that you know a little more about these unique, controversial kinds of candies, I hope that you have found a new appreciation for them. Next time you look at Candy Corn, Mary Janes, or Circus Peanuts sitting on a shelf at a store, maybe you’ll pick up a bag and delve into some flavorful adventures. Or you can buy them right here at CandyFavorites.com

Candy News

Candy Canes Are Coming to Town

December 15, 2017 by
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!”   ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

candy cane figurinesLast week I ran to our local supermarket to pick up milk, orange juice, lettuce, and whatever I can whip up for dinner on very short notice. On my way to the check out I noticed the stock boy opening a mountain of boxes in the front of the checkout lanes. Isn’t this the spot where all the Halloween candy just was? But somewhere along the way Halloween (and Thanksgiving) came and went and so did those bags of Milky Ways, Snickers, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kats (as well as all those turkey day leftovers).

Now what did my wandering eyes did appear but box after box of colorful candy canes in every possible color and flavor imaginable!  Boxes of Peppermint, cherry, raspberry, blueberry, Lifesavers, and chocolate mint candy canes lined the aisle.  And oh, by gosh, by golly is it really only 4 weeks till Christmas?

candy canes

So while I was waiting in the “10 items or less” checkout line (and silently counting the number of items the lady in front of me kept taking out of her shopping cart) I was thinking that you can associate a certain candy with just about every holiday. A heart shaped box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day. A big chocolate bunny at Easter. And of course those classic red and white striped candy canes always say, Christmas.

I remember they were the last thing we hung on our Christmas tree when I was little. Somehow the amount of candy canes that adorned our real tree on December 1st had somewhat diminished by the time Christmas Eve arrived.

Did you know that Bob McCormack started his own candy company in the 1920s in Albany, Georgia and made candy canes by hand? This was a tedious job and the breakage rate was high. Bob’s brother-in-law, Gregory Harding Keller, a Catholic priest invented the Keller Machine which twisted the candy and bent it into canes. Needless to say, this remarkable machine revolutionized the candy manufacturing business. Today, more than 1.7 billion candy canes are sold each year!

merry christmas candy canes

So how about adding candy canes to that “all I want for Christmas” list (along with those two front teeth)? Candy Favorites has wrapped Peppermint Candy Canes, Miniature Candy Canes, Candy Cane Peppermint Tootsie Pops, Candy Cane Pails and Hershey’s Candy Cane Candy Bars.

So it doesn’t matter if you’re naughty (Santa, it’s a long story) or nice, remember candy canes make great stocking stuffers and don’t forget to leave some peppermint sticks for that jolly old elf who will be coming down your chimney soon with a bound.

May your days be merry and bright. Merry Christmas!

Candy Memories, Candy News

But There Is a Sweet Candy Cure for the Summertime Blues

June 27, 2017 by

“Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is about.”   –John Mayer

“I’m melting, melting, melting . . .” No it’s not the bad witch from the Wizard of Oz. It’s we chocolate bars! Come summer everyone is ready to ditch us because we melt in the heat. Hey, we get it! We do get gooey, lose our shape, stick to your fingers and aren’t too much fun when you find us flattened in your pocket or squished at the bottom of your purse.

We’re not happily packed in your beach bag, included on your summer picnic table, or thrown in your kid’s bat bag for a sweet tasty treat. No, we’re long forgotten. Or maybe if we’re really lucky, just chilled in your refrigerator. But it’s all good because we’re here to offer you some other alternative sweet treats for the Summertime Blues.

So let’s roll out “Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer” and enjoy candies like SweeTarts, which were created by Joseph Fish Smith, owner of Sunline Inc. in 1963 in response to parents wanting a less messy version of the well-liked Pixy Stix and Lik-M-Aid treats for their kids. The sweet and sour flavors were cherry, grape, lemon, lime and orange.

charms blow popsIf you’re hooked on some “Hot Fun in the Summertime” without the chocolate mess, try packing Smarties Lollies, or Charms Blow Pops as a treat for your kids. My dad always had a huge plastic container of Smarties Lollies on top of the meat counter at our neighborhood store. Kids came in after school and bought them for a nickel a piece.     (I’d bet a lot of lunch money went toward those purchases!) The Charms Blow Pops were made popular by The Charms Company and were the company’s best-selling product of all time. This first bubble gum filled lollipop was developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Ross Cameron, Walter Reid, and Vince Ciccone.

LemonHeadsWe’re into summer now so if you’re “Walkin on Sunshine” and looking for another melt-less confection, try sunny yellow, sweet and sour Lemonhead candy. Mmmmmm . . . I’d always buy a box of them at the matinee show at the Manos Theater when I was growing up. They were first introduced in 1962 by the Ferrara Candy Company.  Salvatore Ferrara’s grandson was a forceps baby and he thought his grandson’s head looked lemon-shaped. Hence his inspiration for their candy name. Whenever I see a yellow and blue box I remember how they made my mouth pucker with their delicious bursts of flavor.

atomic fireballsIf you want to put a hot blast in those “Summer Nights,” have the courage to try some Atomic FireBalls, another candy produced by the Ferrara Candy Company back in 1954. In 1963 the following quote from a grocer appeared in a newspaper article:  “They’re somewhat like jawbreakers . . . only hotter than &-$%!!”  The heat comes from the capsaicin (a chili pepper extract) added to the candy, not the cinnamon.

So what are you waiting for? “Summer’s here and the time is right for Dancin’ in the Street.”

All we need is candy  . . . sweet candy . . .


(Did you know the artists of the summertime songs throughout my article?)

Here they are:

“Summertime Blues,” 1958 by Eddie Cochran, then in 1967 by The Who.

“Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy, Days of Summer,” 1963 by Nat King Cole.

“Hot Fun in the Summertime,” 1969 by Sly and the Family Stone.

“Walkin on Sunshine,” 1985 by Katrina and the Waves.

“Summer Nights,” from Grease 1978 by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

“Dancin’ in the Street,” 1964 by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, then David Bowie and Mick Jagger in 1985.

ROCK (Candy Swizzle Sticks) ON!

Candy News, Licorice, Wedding Candy

Why Not Propose a Candy Buffet for Your Special Day

June 9, 2017 by

“Life is the best party I’ve ever been invited to.”     — Arlene Francis

candy buffets are the life of the party!Dearly beloved . . . we are gathered here at the most popular month for weddings! Finally it’s your day. A day you’ve been dreaming about for so long. All the planning and preparation is over. Now it’s time to celebrate with family and friends. White dresses and black tuxedos. Beautiful flowers and great music. Delicious food, delectable cookies and you even remembered to include an eye-catching, colorful, candy buffet.

But hold the rice! Don’t toss your bouquet just yet!  Because candy buffets aren’t just for weddings you know!

On your wedding day, I’m sure you’ll hear the saying “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” But for all those candy lovers not walking down the aisle this month, let’s “marry” that well-known quote to some unique candy buffets for any occasion.

Candy buffets

Candy Buffets are not just for weddings anymore…

How about Something old to create a Happy 60th or 70th birthday candy buffet using candy favorites from years ago like Kits Taffy, Butterfinger, Chuckles (we can all laugh about our age now, can’t we), Mr. Goodbar, Oh Henry and a product from my era, the 1950’s, M&Ms. Celebrating a high school class reunion is a great occasion to set up a candy buffet featuring your high school colors. Celebrating your hair style back in those days . . . hmmm . . . not so much!

necco wintergreen mints

A candy buffet adds a sweet touch to almost any event!

Something new has endless possibilities for your candy buffet. Did your new neighbors buy that house next to yours? Why not throw them a “welcome to your new home” party? If it’s spring time how about a candy buffet done in all pastel colors? Candy Favorites has pastel M&Ms, gumballs, Hershey Kisses and even licorice. Add some 5th Avenues and Milky Ways. What a great way to welcome them to your great neighborhood!

Did someone have a new baby? Pink and blue candy buffets will welcome in that bundle of joy. Fill candy jars with Baby Ruths and Pacifier Pops for some added laughs.

Learn how to add creative touches to any event!

Any special day should have a candy buffet!

Something borrowed brings to mind sleepovers! You get it . . . you’re actually borrowing your children’s friends for a fun filled night, where they stay up late, watch movies, play games and eat candy!  Tootsie Pops, Fun Dip, Gummie Bears and Dubble Bubble Bubblegum will keep the laughs going.

Once I walked down to our basement at one of my daughter’s sleepovers and saw every kid glued to their phone. “Ok, all phones off, everyone make two teams,” I laughed. Then I gave each of them a wooden stick and the first one in line got a Life Saver. “The first team to successfully pass the Life Saver from one person to the other by holding your wooden stick in your mouth wins a prize.”

See who can blow the biggest bubble with bubble gum. Ask them to guess how many Jelly Belly Jelly Beans are in a jar. Play Minute to Win It to see how many M&Ms each kid can suck up with a straw and transfer them in a bowl. It’s amazing how candy can be such fun!

nestle crunchAnd lastly, Something blue. Why not set up a blue candy buffet at your next Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State, North Carolina, Michigan, or Notre Dame football game? There’s blue Air Heads and Nestles Crunch. Whether it’s your high school team or your favorite pro sports team, the possibilities and color combinations are endless.

So celebrate life with candy. Whether it’s a birthday, new home, sleepover, tailgating with friends, or saying “I do” with the one you love, a candy buffet fits into any special occasion or reason for a party! So go on! Throw the rice! Blow out the candles! Giggle with your friends! Yell for your favorite team!

Life is about moments. Create them. Don’t wait for them. Life is sweet. Celebrate it!

Candy Memories, Nostalgic Candy Favorites

Claeys Old Fashioned Hard Candies, Nostalgic at it’s Finest

June 2, 2017 by

claeys cinnamon There are some times when you come across a candy that has been pleasing sweet tooth cravings for generations, and you have to pause for a moment to realize just how amazing it is that you are enjoying the same candy that people have enjoyed for decades and decades before you were born. At CandyFavorites.com, we love this feeling. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons we are so passionate about retro candies!

Having access to the same treats that our grandparents had is a small way of staying connected to the past and honoring the traditions that came before us. It’s nice to know that by eating a certain brand of candy, you are keeping the tradition alive for the next generation.

Claeys. Generations of Delicious.

This is the way we feel when we think about Claeys Candy. Founded in 1919 by Jerome C. Claeys, the company’s original name was J.C. Claeys Candy. It was in South Bend, Indiana that Claeys had its start, operating out of a garage until a larger building was acquired.

claeys horehound Interestingly enough, the company’s first candy was the Etabar. This was a caramel nut bar covered in icing. The cost? A whopping 5 cents. Boy, times have changed, huh? Since then, the company added a line of hard candies, which we’re proud to have on our shelves today!

Whether you’re craving Horehound, Lemon, Cinnamon, Cherry, or Root Beer, we have the Claeys hard candy that is sure to please. There’s a little bit of something for everyone, especially since these are fat free, gluten free, and made in the USA.

As a family-owned company, we are also glad to see that the current president of Claeys is the grandson of the original owner. Just another reason to enjoy these great treats, right? So what are you waiting for?

Around here, we love learning these little bits of history about the candies we stock. It makes the eating process so much more interesting when you can throw in a few fun facts, too. So, if you’re in the mood for a variety of sweet tooth satisfying hard candies, look no further than Claeys. After all, if they’ve been around from 1919, we’re willing to bet that there’s a pretty good reason! But don’t just take our word for it, go ahead and find out for yourself.

Candy Memories, Nostalgic Candy Favorites, Retro Candy

Lik-m-aid, Candy Necklaces and Tootsie Pops – Oh My!

April 28, 2017 by

“Candy is childhood, the best and bright moments you wish could have lasted forever.”

–Dylan Lauren

retro candy adThe sun teases me as I sit in my fourth grade classroom. I’d squirm at my desk and anxiously wait for that 3:30 dismissal bell to ring.  3:25, 3:26, 3:27. Come on bell. Gees! Can’t that minute hand move any faster? Oh man, I hope Mrs. Daugherty doesn’t give us math homework today. Doesn’t she know it’s a beautiful spring day? Doesn’t she know children need to get outside and play after school? You know, jump rope. Play dodge ball. Roller skate up and down my street, and best of all – hop on our bikes and ride to the neighborhood candy store. Ring bell . . . RRRIIIIIIING!!!

One of my most favorite after school childhood memories is walking into that little store. I’d  run home from school, fly through the house to change into my play clothes, then grab a dollar out of my piggy bank and jump on my old pink bike. I’d head to Cindy’s house (my best friend), who lived just across the street. She knows the plan, as I drop my bike near her back porch and fly up her back steps. In a matter of minutes we’re zooming off to the neighborhood candy store for all kinds of sweet candy treats.

Cindy and I pedal down the back alley and onto the street that leads back to our school. We take the short cut through the old baseball field, our bikes rattling through the dirt path as we get closer to our destination. Down Penn Street and we’ll be there! Some days we’d try to beat our brothers there so we’d have first dibs. Older sisters rule sometimes you know. No matter what those silly boys say.

Finally our bikes jump the cement curb in front of the store, and come to a halt. Eagerly we grasp the handle of the store’s weathered, crayon green, screen door. BANG!

The door slams behind us and suddenly we’re in front of the huge glass case that contains countless candy confectioneries. Mmmmmmm. We press our noses against the glass as the store owner greets us with her sweet smile. She reaches for a little brown paper bag and asks what we’d like today.

tootsie pops

I go first since Cindy is still undecided. “I’d like four packs of Lik-m-aid, one bag of Indian pumpkin seeds, five satellite wafers, two candy necklaces, five Ice Cubes, five Smarties and two cherry Toostie Pops.” My fingers leave prints on the front of the glass case as I point out each treasure. Then Cindy chooses her brown paper bag of goodies and we say good bye as more kids rush through the door.

Sometime we sat on the cement steps outside the candy store and enjoyed our treats and sometime we rode to the playground and ate them on the swings. And sometime we rode back home, sat on my front porch and listened to my mom say, “You’re going to spoil your dinner!” Haha. We didn’t care.

What could be better than a mouthful of purple Lik-m-aid sugar, or chocolate Ice Cubes that I swear felt cold as I bit into them, or wearing a pink, blue, yellow and white candy necklace?

Maybe it’s a lazy summer afternoon of roller skating, or laughing with my best friend on my front porch, or not waiting for that school bell to ring, or having no math homework after school.

Or maybe it’s finding just one more cherry Tootsie Pop in the bottom of a little brown paper bag.