23 top American candy sweets – history, fun facts & advertising slogans

The most popular 23 top American candy sweets (non-chocolate flavoured) including fastinating history, fun facts & advertising slogans.

I’ve always enjoyed making my own homemade pulled sweets and always find it fastinating to know how the sweets history developed. There are so many non-chocolate American candy sweets, but I hope that my list of the top 23 candies will have at least few of your favourite ones!

Mention of the word candy and candy bar usually evokes a sweet rush for American diners or ten a penny Broadway dime and nickels stores.

In this blog post I wanted to focus on non-chocolate flavoured candies and sweets as I have already got my favourite American chocolate bars list and I hope that you enjoy this whizz through the fizz of American sweets. ‘

PIN & KEEP FOR LATER

MORE SWEETS HISTORY

• Victorian Traditional Sweets History >>
• History of Traditional Sweets in 1920s & 1930s >>
• History of Traditional Sweets in 1940s >>

The Jolly Rancher

The Jolly Rancher range is colourful and brimming with zesty flavours and exotic fruit based tastes. From hard candy and lollipops through to ‘twosome’ soft chews; sweet and tangy with a multi flavoured taste.

And if that’s not fizzing enough for you – try cinnamon fire – to charge your taste batteries back to life.

Jolly Rancher Candy was founded in 1949 by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen of Golden, Colorado. The candy was originally sold by the Jolly Rancher Company, which also sold ice cream and chocolate. The name “Jolly Rancher” was chosen to convey a friendly, western image to consumers. In 1996, Jolly Rancher joined The Hershey Company family.

Jolly Rancher candies are made from highly concentrated sugar solutions and have an extremely high viscosity. The candy’s “glassy” appearance is a result of the way it is processed. During processing, the sugar syrup is cooled so rapidly that no crystals have time to form.

Jolly Rancher’s original flavors were watermelon, apple, and fire stix (spicey flavour). They soon introduced cherry, orange tangerine, lemon, grape, peach, black licorice, and sour apple. Eventually, blue raspberry replaced lemon. Current flavors include cherry, blue raspberry, grape, green apple, and watermelon. 

The Jolly Rancher advertising slogans

• Keep on Sucking!
• The taste that lasts
• A flavor explosion in every bite
• Sweeten up your day with Jolly Ranchers
• Always satisfying, never disappointing

Mike and Ike’

Another brand, gaining in popularity is Mike and Ike’s candy. The original candy, features strawberry, lemon, cherry, lime and orange in a lovely, chewy American sweet concoction.

Mike and Ike candy was introduced in 1940 by the company Just Born, Inc. The candy was originally all fruit-flavored but now comes in several different varieties which have been introduced over the years.

Mike and Ike’s early days were marked by a public split between the two titular characters, Mike and Ike. The candy was marketed with the slogan “Break them apart if you can!” The split was eventually resolved, and the two characters were reunited in the candy’s marketing campaigns.

Each Mike and Ike chewy candy has only 6 calories and 0 grams of fat. Red is the most preferred candy color by consumers, and Mike and Ike has more than 10 colours and flavours to choose from.

Mike & Ike advertising slogans

• Get fruity
• Taste the fun
• A fruit flavor explosion
• Share the fruity fun
• It’s all good

Tootsie Roll

If you’re been to the States on holiday, you may be more familiar with Tootsie Roll candy. Cinema goers of a certain age may remember the 1980’s film starting Dustin Hofman.

Tootsie Roll candy is made using a secret recipe that involves mixing cocoa powder, sugar, and other ingredients to create a chewy, chocolate-flavored candy, which is very similar to soft caramel or toffee sweets in taste.

Tootsie Roll candy was originally invented back in 1896 by Austrian immigrant Leo Hirschfeld in New York City.

The candy’s cute name is based on a name of Leo Hirschfeld’s daughter, Clara, who was nicknamed “Tootsie”.

Tootsie Roll candy was the first penny candy to be individually wrapped in America.

During World War II, Tootsie Roll candy was included in soldiers’ rations as a source of quick energy.

Today, Tootsie Roll Industries is based in Chicago, Illinois and produces a variety of candy brands, including Tootsie Roll, Tootsie Pop, Charms Blow Pop, and Dubble Bubble. Unlike other confectionery companies, they are still owned and managed by the same family and have been for over 125 years.

Tootsie Roll advertising slogans

• Whatever you want, Tootsie Roll’s got it!
• The world looks better through the eyes of a Tootsie Roll lover
• Whatever it is I think I see, becomes a Tootsie Roll to me!
• Tootsie Roll, the chew that lasts
• Tootsie Roll, the candy you crave

Red Vines

In the UK, we may think of liquorice as being traditionally black and we also associate liquorice as being fairly good for us.

It’s for sure that you can use the non-flavoured black liquorice for all sorts of things, including eating, making tea and cooking with.

But in the States, licorice (as it is spelt states side) is usually red and bursting with fruity flavour. Red Vines and Twizzlers are two of the most popular brands.

So how do you tell the difference between the two? Red Vines are lighter in colour and softer and more rounded than Twizzlers – for a richer, chewier taste – but both are an authentic taste of modern American sweets.

Red Vines is a popular licorice candy that has been produced in the United States since 1914 and were originally created by the American Licorice Company.

The original Red Vines were cherry-flavored, but the company made slight changes to the formula to create the Original Red Twist flavor that is known today. Other popular Red Vines flavours include black licorice, grape, and strawberry.

Red Vines were a popular treat during World War II, and were included in soldiers’ rations together with other candies such as M&M and Tootsie Roll.

Red Vines have been featured in several movies and TV shows, including “Breaking Bad” and “The Big Bang Theory”.

Red Vines advertising slogans

• Always chewy, always delicious
• Share the love with Red Vines
• Red Vines: The classic candy you can’t resist
• Unwind with Red Vines
• Red Vines: The sweetest way to share a moment

Twizzlers

Twizzlers is a popular liquorice candy brand that has been produced in the United States since 1929 by the Young and Smylie candy company, which was founded in 1845 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The original Twizzlers were strawberry-flavored, but the company later introduced other flavors such as cherry and black licorice.

Twizzlers name comes from their shape, which looks like twisted rope stands.

In 1998, Twizzlers made it into the Guinness World Record Book for creating the longest piece of licorice ever made, measuring 1,200 feet and weighing 100 pounds.

Twizzlers have been featured in several movies and TV shows, including “Stranger Things” and “Spider-Man”.

Twizzlers advertising slogans

• Twist the day away with Twizzlers
• Twizzlers: The twist you can’t resist
• Get your twist on with Twizzlers
• Twizzlers: The fun, fruity candy that’s always a hit
• Unwrap the fun with Twizzlers

Sour Patch Kids

And sweets don’t have to be all sweet, they can be also sour! One of the best examples of sour candies is the Sour Patch Kids candies.

Sour Patch Kids is a popular sour candy that was first introduced in the United States in 1985 by a Canadian candy company Jaret International, which was later acquired by Cadbury Schweppes.

If you’ve never tasted Sour Patch Kids, they are basically firm gelatine sweets coated in very sour powder. They are available in several different fruit flavours, including watermelon, blue raspberry, and peach.

I think it’s quite funny that Sour Patch Kids were originally called Mars Men, and were shaped like little aliens!

Sour Patch Kids are the official candy of the National Hockey League.

Sour Patch Kids have been featured in several movies and TV shows, including “The Simpsons” and “Stranger Things”

Sour Patch Kids advertising slogans

• Sour. Sweet. Gone.
• First they’re sour, then they’re sweet
• Embrace the sour, embrace the sweet
• Sour Patch Kids: Sour. Sweet. Gone.
• Unleash the sour, then make it right

Laffy Taffy

Have you heard of traditional American Taffy? It’s sweet and chewy and sometimes known as salt water taffy. The well known Laffy Taffy candy doesn’t have much salt in, but it comes in fun flavours such as banana, grape, and strawberry.

I’ve made my own version of the traditional taffy with Lemon & Honey and it’s pretty amazing, even if I say so myself!

Laffy Taffy was originally produced by the candy company called “Beich’s” in the 1970s and the candy name was originally ‘Breich’s Caramels’. The company was founded in 1893 by Paul F. Beich and was based in Bloomington, Illinois. Beich’s Candy Company was later acquired by Nestle in 1984, which then sold the brand to Ferrara Candy Company in 2018.

Laffy Taffy wrappers feature jokes and puns, which have become a popular feature of the candy.

Laffy Taffy was used as a prop in the 2006 movie “Little Miss Sunshine,” in which the character Olive uses it to practice her talent for a beauty pageant.

Laffy Taffy advertising slogans

• Stretchy, tangy, and full of fruity flavor!
• Get a pop of fruity flavor with every bite of Laffy Taffy
• Laffy Taffy, the chewy candy with a joke on every wrapper
• Stretch your imagination with Laffy Taffy
• Laffy Taffy, the candy that’s always a good laugh

Toxic Waste

Toxic Waste is a brand of sour candy that is known for its unique packaging and extreme sour taste.

Toxic Waste candy was originally created in 2007 by the American company Candy Dynamics Inc.based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The candy is sold primarily in the United States and Canada, as well as in several international markets such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa.

Toxic Waste candy is packaged in novelty drum containers that are designed to look like they have toxic waste oozing down the side.

In 2011, the U.S. government issued a recall of some batches of Toxic Waste candy after tests revealed that they contained lead levels that exceeded the legal limit. 

Toxic Waste candy advertising slogans

• Hazardously sour candy!
• Can you handle the sour?
• Get ready for a sour explosion!
• The world’s most sour candy!
• Are you brave enough to try it?
• Sour to the core!
• Sour never tasted so good!
• Take the Toxic Challenge!
• Dare to be sour!”
• Get your sour fix with Toxic Waste candy!

Nerds

Nerds were invented in 1983 by the Willy Wonka Candy Company, which was owned by Nestle at the time.

Nerds were originally available in two flavours: strawberry and grape, but over the years, they have become available in many other different fruit flavours, such as watermelon, cherry and sour apple.

The name “Nerds” was chosen because it was meant to evoke the idea of small, quirky, and unconventional things.

In 2013, Nerds celebrated their 30th anniversary with a special commemorative box that contained a mix of classic flavours. 

Nerds advertising slogans

• Nerds: Tiny, tangy, crunchy candy
• Nerds: A rainbow of flavors in every box
• Get nerdy with Nerds candy
• Two flavors, one box, zero gravity
• Unleash your inner nerd with Nerds candy

Sweet Tarts

Sweet Tarts candy was introduced in 1963 by the Sunline Inc. candy company. The candy was created using the same recipe as the already popular Pixy Stix and Lik-M-Aid (Fun Dip) products to broaden the market for the tangy taste sensation.

The original flavors of Sweet Tarts candy were cherry, grape, lemon, lime, and orange.

In 1989, Nestle acquired the Sunline Inc. candy company and the Sweet Tarts brand. Today, Sweet Tarts candy is available in a variety of flavors and forms, including chewy ropes, gummies, and chewy bites.

Sweet Tarts candy was originally marketed as “The Candy with the Tangy Flavor”

In 2019, Sweet Tarts candy partnered with the NBA to create a limited edition pack of candy featuring the logos of various NBA teams.

Sweet Tarts have been featured in popular culture, including the 2006 movie “Little Miss Sunshine,” in which the character Olive eats them throughout the film, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and the TV show “The Office.

In 2019, Sweet Tarts introduced a limited edition “Be Both” candy, which features a dual-flavored disc with two different flavors on each side.

Sweet Tarts advertising slogans

• Sweeten up your life with Sweet Tarts
• Sweet Tarts: The tangy candy that’s twice as nice
• Get your tart on with Sweet Tarts
• Sweet Tarts: The tangy candy that’s out of this world
• Sweet Tarts: The candy that’s twice as tart
• Get a load of the tangy taste in every bite!

Swedish Fish

Swedish Fish candy was invented in the late 1950s by the Swedish candy producer Malaco, specifically for the American market. The candy was developed in Sweden and then introduced to the United States by Malaco. Since then, Swedish Fish has become a popular candy in the United States and around the world, known for its distinctive fish shape and fruity flavor.

Swedish Fish fun facts

• Swedish Fish candy is unique in that it does not contain gelatin, which is a gelling agent derived from animal collagen that is found in many other gummy candies.
• Swedish Fish candy is vegan and 100 percent animal cruelty-free.
• The candy is known for its distinctive fish shape and red color, although it is also available in other colors and flavors.
• Swedish Fish candy is often used as a prop in movies and TV shows, including “The Office,” “Stranger Things,” and “The Simpsons”.
• In 2016, Swedish Fish candy was turned into a flavored vodka, which was marketed as a “nostalgic throwback”

Swedish Fish advertising slogans

• Swedish Fish: The #1 Fish Shaped Candy in the World
• The fish that’s deliciously different
• Swedish Fish: A Friend You Can Eat
• Catch the Wave of Flavor with Swedish Fish
• Swedish Fish: The Fish That’s Red, Not Dead

Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly candy was invented in 1976 by the Herman Goelitz Candy Company (now known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company).

The original flavors of Jelly Belly candy were Very Cherry, Tangerine, Lemon, Green Apple, Grape, Licorice, Root Beer, and Cream Soda.

In 1980, Jelly Belly candy gained national attention when President Ronald Reagan began keeping jars of the candy on his desk in the Oval Office.

Today, Jelly Belly candy is available in over 100 flavors and is sold in more than 80 countries.

Jelly Belly fun facts

• Jelly Belly candy is made using a process called “jelly bean artistry,” which involves layering flavors and colors to create complex and unique flavor combinations.
• Jelly Belly candy is often used by people in homemade recipes, such as Jelly Belly cupcakes and Jelly Belly cocktails.
• Jelly Belly candy was also featured on the big screen, fo example in movie “Forrest Gump” and the TV show “The Office”.
• Jelly Belly candy has been involved in various promotions and collaborations, such as the Harry Potter Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and the Disney-Pixar Inside Out Jelly Belly flavors.

Jelly Belly advertising slogans

• The original gourmet jelly bean
• The ultimate gourmet jelly bean
• Get real. Get Jelly Belly.
• The bean that’s all that
• Experience the magic of Jelly Belly

Good and Plenty

Good & Plenty candy was first produced by the Quaker City Chocolate & Confectionery Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893. The candy is believed to be the oldest branded candy in the United States.

Good & Plenty candy is made with a black licorice center and a hard candy shell in pink and white colors.

The candy was originally marketed as a “healthful” candy that could soothe sore throats and calm upset stomachs. Today, Good & Plenty candy is owned and marketed by The Hershey Company.

Good and Plenty Fun facts

• The candy’s original packaging featured a woman in a bonnet holding a basket of Good & Plenty candy
• Good and Plenty was one of the first candies to be advertised on radio, with the “Choo Choo Charlie” jingle first airing in the 1950s.
• The “Choo Choo Charlie” mascot was created in the 1950s and is still featured on Good and Plenty packaging today.
• Good and Plenty was also the inspiration for the name of the character “Good ‘n’ Fruity” in the comic strip “Peanuts”
• Good & Plenty candy has been referenced in various pop culture works, such as the movie “The Sting” and the TV show “Seinfeld”
• Good and Plenty was featured in the 2003 movie “Elf,” in which the character Buddy the Elf eats a large amount of the candy.

• In the 1960s, Good & Plenty candy was advertised with the slogan “Choo Choo Charlie was an engineer. He loved his train from front to rear. He’d load it up with Good & Plenty, the candy treat that’s always dandy”.

Good and Plenty advertising slogans

• Charlie says, “Love my Good and Plenty!
• Good and Plenty: The Licorice Candy with the BIG Taste!
• You can’t beat Good and Plenty – the candy treat that’s dandy and sweet!
• Good and Plenty: The candy you CAN’T keep your hands off!
• Good and Plenty: The candy that’s always a hit!

PEZ

PEZ Candy was invented in Vienna, Austria by Eduard Haas III in 1927 as an alternative to smoking. The name PEZ comes from the German word for peppermint, “PfeffErminZ,” taking the P from the first letter, E from the middle, and Z from the last letter to form the word PEZ. Initially, PEZ was sold in small tins and marketed as a compressed peppermint candy.

In 1948, the first PEZ dispenser was introduced, which held 12 candy pieces and featured a character head on top. The first character head dispenser was a Santa Claus, which was released for the Christmas season. PEZ dispensers became popular collectibles and were produced in a wide variety of character heads, including superheroes, cartoon characters, and celebrities.

In 1952, PEZ came to the United States and quickly became popular. Today, PEZ is sold and marketed worldwide, with locations in Orange, Connecticut and Traun, Austria. Between them, the two locations distribute approximately 70 million dispensers and 5 billion candies per year.

PEZ fun facts

The first PEZ dispenser, introduced in 1948, held 12 candy pieces and featured a character head on top. The first character head dispenser was a Santa Claus, which was released for the Christmas season

PEZ dispensers have been produced in a wide variety of character heads, including superheroes, cartoon characters, and celebrities. Some of the most popular PEZ dispenser characters include Mickey Mouse, Batman, and Elvis Presley

PEZ dispensers have become popular collectibles, with some rare and vintage dispensers selling for thousands of dollars

PEZ dispensers have been used as props in movies and TV shows, including “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Seinfeld,” and “The Simpsons”

In 2007, PEZ released a limited edition set of “Star Wars” dispensers, which quickly became popular among collectors

The PEZ Candy factory in Orange, Connecticut offers tours and a museum featuring a collection of vintage PEZ dispensers

PEZ advertising slogans

• PEZ: The Candy with Character
• PEZ: Pop in a Smile!
• Collect them all with PEZ!
• PEZ: The Candy that Pops! PEZ: Get Hooked on Fun!

Starburst

Starburst candy, originally known as Opal Fruits, was created by the Mars Company in the United Kingdom in 1960. The candy was introduced in the United States in 1967 and was marketed as an “unexplainably juicy” candy with a variety of fruit flavors. The original flavors of Starburst were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime, but the candy has since expanded to include a wide variety of flavors, including tropical, sour, and berry.

In 1986, Opal Fruits was rebranded as Starburst to better align with the candy’s global branding. Starburst candy is now produced and sold worldwide by Mars, Incorporated, and remains a popular candy choice, particularly among young people.

Starburst has also been the subject of various marketing campaigns over the years, including the “Share a Square” campaign in the 1990s and the “Juicy Burst” campaign in the 2000s.

In 2017, Starburst released a limited edition “All Pink” pack, featuring only the strawberry flavor, which quickly became popular among fans.

Starburst candy has been featured in a number of films, including the movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and the TV show “Stranger Things.

Starburst advertising slogans

• Unexplainably Juicy
• Share Something Sweet
• Taste the Rainbow
• A Burst of Flavor in Every Bite
• Get Your Juicy Burst

Lemonheads

Lemonheads are a popular American candy brand that was first introduced in 1962 by the Ferrara Candy Company. Lemonheads are round, lemon-flavored candies that consist of a sweet coating, soft sour shell, and a hard candy core. They are vaguely shaped like a lemon and are yellow in color. In addition to the original lemon flavor, Lemonheads are also available in other fruit flavors such as cherry, grape, orange, and apple.

Lemonheads are made using a cold panned process where sugar and flavors are added layer after layer until the candy is the perfect size. Lemonheads have become a popular candy choice, particularly among those who enjoy sour candies. They are also a popular choice for use in baking and cooking, particularly in recipes that call for a lemon flavor.

The candy has been the subject of various marketing campaigns over the years, including the “Got a Lemonhead?” campaign in the 1990s and the “Taste the Lemon” campaign in the 2000s. Lemonheads are now sold worldwide and remain a popular candy choice, particularly among children.

Lemonheads advertising slogans

• Got a Lemonhead?
• Taste the Lemon
• Sour, Sweet, Gone
• Pucker Up
• Lemonheads: The Original Lemon Candy

Hot Tamales

Hot Tamales were created in 1950 by the Just Born candy company, which also created other popular candies such as Peeps and Mike and Ike.

Hot Tamales are the number one cinnamon-flavored candy brand in the United States

Each Hot Tamales candy has only 7 calories and 0 grams of fat

Hot Tamales have been featured on TV and in film, including the movie “The Sandlot”.

Hot Tamales advertising slogans

• Fierce Cinnamon
• Get Fired Up
• Spice Up Your Life
• Taste the Heat
• Hot Tamales: America’s Favorite Cinnamon Candy

Jujyfruits

Jujyfruits are a chewy, gumdrop-like candy that are made from starch and come in different shapes that reflect different fruits and vegetables, including bananas, grapes, pea pods, asparagus, pineapples, raspberries, and tomatoes. They were first introduced in 1920 by the Heide Candy Company, a subsidiary of Ferrara Candy Company.

In addition to the original fruit flavors, Jujyfruits are also available in other flavors such as licorice and spice. They have a soft and chewy texture and are known for sticking to your teeth.

The name “Jujyfruits” is a combination of the words “jujube” (a type of fruit) and “fruits”.

Jujyfruits advertising slogans

• Chewy! Fruity!
• Jujyfruits and Jujubes
• Stick to Your Teeth
• Fun to Eat
• Jujyfruits: The Original Fruit Chews

Airheads

Airheads candy was created in 1985 by Steve Bruner, who was working for the candy company Perfetti Van Melle at the time. The candy was originally called “Airhead Taffy” and was marketed as a less sticky alternative to traditional taffy. Airheads quickly became popular for their chewy texture and fruity flavors, and the candy was an instant hit.

In 1986, the candy was rebranded from ‘Airhead Taffy’ to ‘Airheads’ and became available in a wider variety of flavors.

Today, Airheads are produced and sold worldwide by Perfetti Van Melle and are available in flavors such as cherry, grape, orange, and blue raspberry. Airheads have also been the subject of various marketing campaigns over the years, including the “Play Delicious” campaign in the 2000s and the “Airheads Bites” campaign in the 2010s. Airheads have been featured in various movies, including the movie “Home Alone” and the TV show “The Office”

Airheads advertising slogans

• Play Delicious
• Out of Control Flavor
• Feel the Rainbow. Taste the Rainbow.
• Sweetly Sour Belts
• Play More. Play Delicious.

Tootsie pops

Tootsie Pops were invented in 1931 by an employee of The Sweets Company of America. The inventor of Tootsie Pops is not known for certain, but it is believed to be either Luke Weisgram or John B. Curtis. Tootsie Pops were originally available in just three flavors: chocolate, cherry, and grape.

In the 1960s, Tootsie Pops began to expand their variety of flavors and today, there are over 20 different flavors of Tootsie Pops available

Tootsie Pops have a distinctive design, with a hard candy shell and a chewy Tootsie Roll center

Tootsie Pops alsways run a fun marketing campaigns such as the “How Many Licks?” campaign in the 1970s and the “Whatever You Do, Don’t Bite It” campaign in the 1980s.

Tootsie Pops have also been featured in TV show “Family Guy” and the movie “The Sandlot”.

Tootsie Pops advertising slogans

• How Many Licks Does It Take?
• Whatever You Do, Don’t Bite It.
• Tootsie Roll Center of a Tootsie Pop
• It’s Two Lickin’ Good
• A Sweet Escape

Warheads Cubes

Warheads Cubes are quite new addition to the American candy market. They are made by the Warheads brand, which is owned by Impact Confections and first introduced in 2015.

They are cube-shaped, chewy candies that come in a variety of sour fruit flavors, including watermelon, blue raspberry, black cherry, green apple, and strawberry. Warheads Cubes are known for their intense sour flavor, which is designed to be very tart and acidic. They are also coated with a sugary layer that helps to balance out the sourness. The cubes are packaged in small bags or boxes, making them a convenient and portable snack.

In addition to Warheads Cubes, the Warheads brand also produces other sour candy products, including Warheads Sour Twists, Warheads Sour Dippers, and Warheads Sour Worms.

Cry Baby

Cry Baby Candy is a brand of sour candy that is known for its intense sour flavor. The was first introduced in the 1960s and it’s made by the Ferrara Candy Company, which also produces other popular candy brands such as Lemonheads and Red Hots.

Cry Baby Candy is available in several different forms, including Cry Baby Extra Sour Candy, Cry Baby Extra Sour Gum, and Cry Baby Tears. The candy is also available in a variety of fruit flavors, such as lemon, cherry, apple, berry, orange, and watermelon.

The candy is known for its distinctive packaging, which features a cartoon of a crying baby. The packaging also includes various slogans and phrases, such as “Sour Enough to Make You Cry!” and “The Sour Then Sweet Candy.”

Over the years, Cry Baby Candy has been the subject of various marketing campaigns and pop culture references. For example, the candy was featured in the movie “The Sandlot,” in which the character Squints challenges his friends to see who can keep a Cry Baby Candy in their mouth the longest without making a face.

Cry Baby advertising slogans

• Sour Enough to Make You Cry!
• The Sour Then Sweet Candy
• Can You Handle the Sour? – This slogan was used in a Cry Baby Challenge campaign in which participants were challenged to keep the candy in their mouth for as long as possible without making a cringing face.
• Get Ready to Pucker Up!
• Taste the Tears!

Red Hots

Red Hots is a brand of cinnamon-flavored candy that was first introduced in 1930 by the Ferrara Candy Company. The candy is known for its bright red color and spicy flavor, which is derived from cinnamon oil.

Red Hots are made using a traditional candy-making technique called cold panning. This involves slowly spinning layers of sugar and flavorings onto a candy center inside a rotating drum. The process can take several days to complete and results in a hard candy shell that is both shiny and durable.

Red Hots advertising slogans

• A Fiery Cinnamon Blast!
• Turn Up the Heat!
• Red Hots – Sizzling Candy!
• Hotter Than…” – This slogan was used in a marketing campaign that compared the candy’s spiciness to various things such as a jalapeño pepper and a volcano
• Spice Up Your Life!

MORE CHOCOLATE & SWEETS HISTORY

• Wartime Sweets & Chocolates History >>
• Traditional Sweets in 1970s >>
• Toffee sweets history >>

American chocolate candy sweets & chocolate bars

I’ve already listed my favourite American chocolate bars in my other blog post, so here I wanted to give you a brief overview of the American chocolates available in some large UK supermarkets. There are of course many more, but these are the one I’ve seen regularly being sold in my local shops.

Hersheys Chocolate

Let’s start with some of the best known iconic brands. The sort that feature in countless US films, comedies and box sets (candy or celluloid).

Hershey’s is probably the best-known brand. Simply known as the Hershey bar, Hershey’s milk chocolate was the first mass produced chocolate bar for the American market when introduced in 1900. A few years later, the founder, Milton Hershey was selling almond chocolate from coast to coast and parents and children alike had a new taste of chocolate to talk about especially when the company introduced a chocolate bar called Hershey’s Kiss in 1907.

Reese’s Peanut Butter

Now a question. Have you heard of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups? Now part of the Hershey’s corporation, it was first launched by it’s founder HB Reese in 1956. Reese was originally a dairy farmer who worked in one of Hershey’s dairy farms.

Now available in most supermarkets in the UK, it’s actually in the top five biggest candy brands in the world as well as being the market leader in the USA.

We feature it in our fun chocolate quiz, where students have to guess the brand of chocolate from a bar sliced in half. It takes a real chocolate lover to guess this one.

Why? Because, only around 3% of it’s world wide sales are from outside the USA. But that could soon change in the next few years, so keep an eye out for Reese’s distinctive orange labels and yellow lettering.

York Peppermint Pattie

Hershey’s York Peppermint Pattie – is like a Kendal mint cake surrounded with dark chocolate. First introduced in the 1920’s their Mr Goodbar is still popular – and is another bar that mixes peanuts with milk chocolate.

Butterfingers

Did someone shout Butterfingers?! Nestle’s peanut chocolate candy bar is another popular crunchy confectionary buy. I quite like this one, although I find it quite sweet.

Baby Ruth

Another long-standing Nestle favourite is Baby Ruth which combines caramel with chocolate nougat. It’s deliciously chewy and and very filling.

MORE TRADITIONAL SWEETS & CHOCOLATE HISTORY

• History of chocolates in 1980s >
• The story behind traditional Spanish churros >>
• Traditional Boiled Sweets History >>

Where to buy American candy sweets in the UK

If you’ve recently visited USA and miss all the amazing sweets you’ve tasted there, you might be searching for where to buy them here in the UK. Or perhaps you’ve moved to UK from USA and missing your childhood treats. Either way, here is where to buy traditional American Sweets in UK

I’m sure there are many more shops and websites – do let me know if you have a favourite place to go for your American sweets.

Where to buy American Sweets

Supermarkets

All major supermarkets seems to have worked out that the general public rather enjoys traditional american sweets and most large supermarkets have designated aisles with American foods.

On-line shops

American Sweets

www.americansweets.co.uk

American Fizz

www.americanfizz.co.uk

Candy Hero

www.candyhero.com

Kingdom of Sweets

www.kingdomofsweets.com

This blog post was originally written on 15 February 2018 and last updated on 2 May 2023