Halloween in AmericaNo. 9348 · The 2026 edition
The Ultimate Guide to Halloween Candy
Dive into the sugary past of Halloween treats! Discover how ancient harvest festivals and medieval traditions evolved into the modern candy craze we know today.
Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at studiodiy.com.
This article explores the fascinating history behind Halloween sweets, tracing their origins from ancient European harvest celebrations to the widespread candy traditions of today. It covers the evolution of trick-or-treating, the cultural significance of specific treats, and how the holiday's confectionery customs have changed over time.
About this
This article explores the fascinating history behind Halloween sweets, tracing their origins from ancient European harvest celebrations to the widespread candy traditions of today. It covers the evolution of trick-or-treating, the cultural significance of specific treats, and how the holiday's confectionery customs have changed over time.
Facts from the original
- Candy corn was originally called 'Chicken Feed'.
- Over 35 million POUNDS of candy corn will be produced this year.
- Tomorrow is National Candy Corn Day!
- Candy pumpkins are marshmallow flavored.
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were originally called Penny Cups.
- May 18th is the official 'I Love Reese's Day!'
- Each almond in Almond Joys is coated in chocolate BEFORE the whole bar is.
- About 40% of all almonds produced on this here Earth are made for chocolate based products.
- The 100 Grand bar was named after a game show called The Big Surprise, where contestants could win up to $100,000!
- Kit Kat was originally produced by Rowntree’s. Rowntree’s sold the US rights to the bar to Hershey’s.
- In 1988 Nestlé acquired Rowntree’s and honored the original Hershey’s agreement BUT with one catch… if Hershey’s ever sold itself to another business, Nestlé would regain the rights to the ever powerful Kit Kat.
- Milky Way was the first filled candy bar.
- Milky Way was inspired by a chocolate malt-milkshake.
- Time named Milky Way one of the most influential candy bars of all time.
- At one point, Butterfingers were dropped from planes as a publicity stunt.
- When Nabisco required the company that invented the Butterfinger, rumor has it that the Butterfinger recipe was lost and Nabisco had to develop a new recipe to keep the fans happy!
- Twix’s name comes from 'twin sticks' which is why they are sold in pairs!
- If you lined up all the Twizzlers made in one year they’d reach from the Earth to the Moon AND BACK… FIVE TIMES!
- Twizzlers are one of the most popular movie snacks, second only to popcorn.
- Dots are gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free and kosher.
- Dots are vegan, according to PETA.
- It is often speculated that the red Swedish Fish flavor is lignonberry, but this has never been confirmed.
- Sour Patch Kids started out as martians, called 'Mars Men,' to capitalize on the popularity of UFOs in the 1970s.
- The name was changed once exported to the US after determining that Americans were more preoccupied with Cabbage Patch Kids than aliens.
- Some speculate that Nerds were named after Dr. Seuss’ If I Ran the Zoo where nerds are mentioned as a creature the narrator would collect for the zoo!
- Chocolate makes up almost three quarters of trick-or-treaters candy stash.
- Over 10% of all candy sales happen during Halloween season, with the biggest selling day being October 28th.
