Guide to Halloween Candy

http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/halloween-candy06/

-ramon

Interesting site.
Made me think about the classics and what I'd end up with trick or treating (mmmphgrhl) years ago.

My kids actually get it better than I ever did -- every couple of years there's somebody in the neighborhood who gives out full-size candy bars. And of course there's the year I gave out Windows games (OK, they were in Japanese, but still, free software!).

I've always been a dark chocolate fan, even as a youngster, so even the miniature sized "Special Dark" from Hershey (bad as it is) was a premium for me, I'd trade 2:1 for those. The only other things with dark chocolate typically were Mounds (a rarity), Peppermint Patty, and the few years that Milky Way Dark/Midnight have been distributed.

The other end of the spectrum is the cheapskates: the people who hand out a couple hard candies, or worst of all: the dreaded peanut-butter taffy. In black and orange waxed paper, these brick-hard candies would founder in the candy jar long after the chocolate is gone.

Knowing how much I disliked getting weird little hard candies, Black Cows, etc., and prized the actual chocolate bars, I always make a point of giving out actual chocolate bars. Of course, now kids probably hate me because I give out the ones I like, which are totally old-fashioned, like Mounds or Butterfingers, but tough.

JoelF wrote:The other end of the spectrum is the cheapskates: the people who hand out a couple hard candies, or worst of all: the dreaded peanut-butter taffy.

At least the cheapskates gave you candy - as opposed to the health nuts/sadists who try to ruin your Halloween by cheerily slipping you raisins and then watching you squirm as you hide your disappointment.

Well, I wouldn't call my mom "cheap". Probably, low on funds, with 4 kids in Catholic school and Dad bringing home a CPS teacher salary, but.....we always passed out those peanut butter taffy's! Do they still make them? I would love to eat some to remember the good old days!

As bad as those taffy's were, I have one better!
My friend used to have to go out trick or treating right after school and then.....HER MOM WOULD PASS OUT THE CANDY SHE JUST BROUGHT HOME TO OTHER TRICK OR TREATERS!!!!! That wins cheapskate/ meanie of the year!

I always liked those peanut butter taffy's. In fact,I tried to find some at Walgreen's a few days ago, and was both surprised and disappointed when I couldn't turn any up. I settled for a bag of Brach's indian corn mix and a container of spanish peanuts....then mixed them together for an alternate old school Haloween treat.

kuhdo wrote:I always liked those peanut butter taffy's.

Me three. I remember really liking how they were salty and sweet at the same time (a quality I did not encounter very often in my food youth in Michigan).

Kristen

kl5 wrote:

kuhdo wrote:I always liked those peanut butter taffy's.

Me three. I remember really liking how they were salty and sweet at the same time (a quality I did not encounter very often in my food youth in Michigan).

Kristen

Exactly! This is the same reason the candy corn/spanish peanut mix works so well.

By peanut butter taffy are you referring to MaryJanes? They had an actual layer of peanut butter in the center. Come to think of it, I haven't seen those around in years, but I'm pretty sure they still make them.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are pretty awesome too -- both sweet & slightly salty all at the same time. Good stuff.

Artemesia wrote:By peanut butter taffy are you referring to MaryJanes? They had an actual layer of peanut butter in the center. Come to think of it, I haven't seen those around in years, but I'm pretty sure they still make them.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are pretty awesome too -- both sweet & slightly salty all at the same time. Good stuff.

The taffy I'm referring to is different. These were round(ish) , softer than Mary Janes (and less likely to pull out an unsuspecting filling),and wrapped in either orange or black waxed paper,,,tho both colors tasted the same. Similar idea tho,with taffy-like candy outside and peanut-buttery stuff inside.

OK - now I remember. Each wrapped in a small piece of either orange or black wax paper & twisted on the sides. They somehow seemed to me to lack the intense, essential "peanutty-ness" that MaryJanes had -- although you're right about the filling-pulling power. I wouldn't try that today. I'd probably lose a crown.

Does anyone remember Chicken Stix? The jingle went, "Chicken Stix are different, a different kind of candy." They were like a distant cousin to today's Butterfingers (another awesome candy) -- also with that peanutty flavor & crunch.

Remember getting your candies home and dividing them all up into categories? I would try to make mine last for months, but that took almost super-human willpower.

Today, I give out MilkyWays, Butterfingers & Peanut Butter Cups -- the good stuff. I remember how I felt stiffed when I got cheap candy as a kid.

Artemesia wrote:Does anyone remember Chicken Stix? The jingle went, "Chicken Stix are different, a different kind of candy." They were like a distant cousin to today's Butterfingers (another awesome candy) -- also with that peanutty flavor & crunch.

Besides chicken theamed candy at the Mexican dulciterias, you can probably find Chicken Stix at hi Sweetie.

Artemesia wrote:Does anyone remember Chicken Stix?

Do you mean Chick-O-Stick™?

E.M.

Oh yes! Chick-O-Stick! I forgot about the coconut! Yum!! Thanks.

For some odd reason, the Walgreens at Clark and Halstead used to stock Chick-o-Stix.