Last updated 4 months ago | Originally Published: May 3, 2024
Discover the Best Candies in America Still Available Today
If there’s one thing that brings Americans together, it’s our love for candy! No other country in the world consumes or purchases as much candy as we do! In fact, Americans spent nearly $50 Billion on candy in 2023, which smashed the 2022 record of $42.6 Billion!
Considering those numbers, which are greater than the GDP of over 90 countries, one thing is certain: Nobody better lay a finger on our Butterfingers!’ Speaking of Butterfinger, that candy bar brand generates over $1 Billion a year on its own! So, as you can see, we love candy like no other!
Here at Candy Retailer, we’ve been in the business for several decades! Not only do we sell candy online, but we’re also a real candy store open to the public! However, you’d have to visit us in Cincinnati to shop in person.
So, when reporting candy facts, stats, and favorites, we have the data and experience to back us up! Not to mention, our readers always sound off in comments as we’re a community of candy lovers stretching from sea to shining sea! Here is our list. Do you agree? Did your favorite candy make the cut? Let us know!
1. Snickers
Snickers, a product of Mars, Incorporated, is a candy bar that combines nougat, caramel, roasted peanuts, and a rich milk chocolate coating. Introduced in 1930, Snickers was named after the Mars family’s beloved horse. This iconic candy bar has become a global sensation, with annual sales surpassing $2 billion, making it one of the most popular and best-selling candy bars worldwide.
2. Hershey’s Chocolate
Hershey’s Chocolate is a flagship product of The Hershey Company, founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894. The chocolate is made from cocoa beans from around the world and is known for its distinct flavors, which come from a special blend of milk and sugar. Hershey’s produces various chocolate products, including bars, kisses, and syrups.
3. Airheads
Airheads is a brand of taffy candy manufactured by Perfetti Van Melle. Introduced in 1985, they come in a variety of fruit flavors and are known for their chewy texture and vibrant colors. The candy is gluten-free and kosher and is available in bars, bites, and mini-sized pieces.
4. Creme Savers
Creme Savers is a brand of hard candy produced by Mars, Incorporated. Introduced in 1997, Creme Savers are known for their creamy, smooth texture and unique flavors, such as strawberry and cream, orange and cream, and raspberry and cream. The candy is available in rolls and bags, and it is a popular choice for those who enjoy a sweet, creamy treat.
5. Cadbury
Cadbury is a British multinational confectionery company owned by Mondelez International. Founded in 1824 by John Cadbury, the company is famous for its Dairy Milk chocolate bar, which was introduced in 1905. The company produces a wide range of chocolate products, including bars, eggs, and gift boxes, and it is one of the largest chocolate brands in the world.
6. Brach’s Candy
Brach’s Candy is an American-made confections brand owned by Ferrara Candy Company. Established in 1904 by Emil J. Brach, the company produces a variety of candy, including caramels, hard candies, and chocolate-covered treats. Brach’s Candy is known for its seasonal offerings, like Halloween candy corn and Valentine’s Day Conversation Hearts.
7. Cow Tales
Cow Tales is a chewy caramel and cream candy produced by Goetze’s Candy Company. Introduced in 1984, they’re a spin-off of Goetze’s original Caramel Creams. The candy is available in various flavors, including original vanilla and chocolate, and it is known for its unique shape and chewy texture.
8. Dove Chocolate
Dove Chocolate, also known as Galaxy in some countries, is a brand of chocolate products produced by Mars, Incorporated. Introduced in 1956, Dove Chocolate is known for its smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor. The brand offers a variety of chocolate products, including bars, bites, and ice cream. Dove Chocolate is also committed to sustainability, sourcing 100% of its cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.
9. Ferrero Rocher
Ferrero Rocher is a popular chocolate and hazelnut confection made by Italian chocolatier Ferrero SpA. Introduced in 1982, the candy consists of a whole roasted hazelnut surrounded by a creamy hazelnut filling, encased in a crispy wafer shell, and coated in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnuts. Ferrero Rocher is often associated with luxury and is a popular choice for special occasions and gift-giving.
10. Werther’s Original
Werther’s Original is a brand of caramel candy produced by August Storck KG, a German confectionery company. Introduced in 1903, the candy is named after the town of Werther in Westphalia, Germany. Known for its smooth, creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor, Werther’s Original is available in hard and soft varieties and in a range of flavors, including classic caramel, creamy filling, and sugar-free options.
11. Twizzlers
Twizzlers is a licorice candy brand produced by The Hershey Company. Introduced in 1929, Twizzlers are known for their twisted shape and chewy texture. The candy is available in various flavors, including strawberry, cherry, and black licorice, and it is a popular choice for movie theater snacks and road trips.
12. Twix
Twix is a popular chocolate bar produced by Mars, Incorporated. Introduced in 1967, Twix consists of a cookie base topped with caramel and enrobed in milk chocolate. The candy is available in various sizes and packaging options, and it is known for its slogan, “Twix, it’s all in two pieces.”
13. Tootsie Roll
Tootsie Roll is a brand of chewy, chocolate-flavored candy produced by Tootsie Roll Industries. Introduced in 1896, Tootsie Roll is one of the oldest and most popular candies in the United States. The candy is known for its unique, chewy texture and ability to hold shape in various temperatures.
14. Taffy Town
Taffy Town is a brand of saltwater taffy produced by Taffy Town, Inc., a family-owned business in Salt Lake City, Utah. Established in 1916, Taffy Town is known for its variety of flavors and soft, chewy texture. The company produces over 70 flavors of taffy, including traditional favorites like vanilla and chocolate and more unique options like maple bacon and cotton candy.
15. Starburst
Starburst is a fruit-flavored taffy candy produced by The Wrigley Company, a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. Introduced in the United Kingdom in 1959 and the United States in 1967, Starburst is known for its juicy fruit flavors and chewy texture. The candy is available in various flavors, including strawberry, lemon, orange, and cherry, and it is a popular choice for movie theater snacks and Halloween treats.
16. Sour Patch Kids
Sour Patch Kids are soft candy coated with sour sugar. Originally created in the 1970s, Mondelez International now produces them. These candies are known for their unique textures and flavors, which start off sour and then become sweet as the sugar coating dissolves in your mouth!
17. Skittles
Skittles are small, round candies with a crisp sugar shell, introduced by Mars, Incorporated in 1974. They are known for their wide array of fruit flavors, including the Original Fruit, Tropical, Wild Berry, and Sour assortments. Each variant is represented by vibrant colors and the famous marketing slogan, “Taste the Rainbow.”
18. Reese’s
H.B. created Reese’s, a popular brand of peanut butter candies made by The Hershey Company, first Reese in 1928. The brand’s flagship product, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, combines a chocolate cup with a creamy peanut butter filling, and has become one of the best-selling candy brands in the United States.
19. Haribo
Haribo, founded in 1920 by Hans Riegel in Germany, is renowned for its extensive range of gummy candies. The brand’s most famous product is the Gold Bears, small gummy bears in various fruit flavors. Haribo’s diverse product line includes licorice, marshmallows, and themed gummy candies.
20. Jelly Belly
Jelly Belly is a gourmet jelly bean manufacturer established in 1976. The company is acclaimed for its many jelly bean flavors that mimic the tastes of various foods and beverages, such as Buttered Popcorn and Jalapeño. Jelly Belly also offers sugar-free, organic, and vegan candy options to cater to a diverse consumer base.
21. PayDay
PayDay is a candy bar with a caramel core surrounded by salted peanuts. The Hollywood Candy Company introduced it in 1932, but The Hershey Company now produces it. The bar’s name reflects the American payday tradition, symbolizing a rewarding treat.
22. Now and Later
Introduced by the Ferrara Candy Company in 1962, Now and Later is known for its chewy, fruit-flavored taffy. This candy is designed to be enjoyed now and later, reflecting its long-lasting chew. Available in multiple flavors like cherry, grape, and apple, it’s a favorite for its enduring texture and bold taste.
23. Necco Wafers
Necco Wafers, first produced by the New England Confectionery Company in 1847, are sugar and corn syrup-based candies shaped into thin discs. These wafers are available in various flavors, including lemon, lime, orange, and chocolate, and are distinguished by their unique, chalky texture.
24. Jolly Rancher
Founded in 1949 by Bill Harmsen, Jolly Rancher is a brand owned by The Hershey Company. It specializes in bold, fruit-flavored hard candies, such as cherry, watermelon, and green apple. The brand has expanded to include gummies, lollipops, and gelatin desserts.
25. Kit Kat
Kit Kat is a chocolate-covered wafer bar created in the United Kingdom by Rowntree’s in 1935 and is now manufactured by The Hershey Company in the United States. It comprises layers of crispy wafers covered in smooth chocolate and is available in both standard and snack sizes.
26. Milky Way
Introduced in 1923 by Mars, Incorporated, the Milky Way bar is a chocolate candy that features chocolate-malt nougat topped with caramel and encased in milk chocolate. The bar’s name was inspired by a popular malted milk drink of the time, linking it to the notion of a treat as grand as the galaxy.
27. Milk Duds
Milk Duds, created by F. Hoffman & Co. in 1928 and now produced by The Hershey Company, are candies made of chewy caramel covered in a thin layer of milk chocolate. They are known for their slightly irregular shape and rich, long-lasting caramel flavor, making them a staple in movie theaters.
28. Almond Joy
Introduced in 1946 by the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company and now made by The Hershey Company, Almond Joy is a sweet, coconut-based center topped with two almonds, all encased in milk chocolate. This candy bar is celebrated for its distinctive texture and combination of flavors.
29. M&Ms
M&Ms are colorful, button-shaped chocolates with a candy shell, introduced in 1941 by Mars, Incorporated. Each piece is marked with a distinctive “M” and comes in various colors and flavors, including peanut, almond, and pretzel. The brand is known for its memorable marketing and wide global appeal.
30. Junior Mints
The James O. Welch Company introduced junior Mints, chocolate-covered creamy mint candies in 1949 and are now produced by Tootsie Roll Industries. They’re also trendy in cinemas and are known for their refreshing minty flavor and rich dark chocolate coating.
31. 3 Musketeers
3 Musketeers is a chocolate bar made by Mars, Incorporated, introduced in 1932. It features a fluffy, whipped chocolate center enrobed in milk chocolate. The bar originally included three pieces flavored with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, reflecting its name.
32. Butterfinger
Introduced in 1923 by the Curtiss Candy Company and now produced by The Ferrero Group, Butterfinger is a candy bar known for its crunchy peanut butter core and chocolate coating. The bar is recognized for its flaky, crisp texture and distinctive taste that separates it from other candy bars.
33. Laffy Taffy
Laffy Taffy, a product of Ferrara Candy Company since the 1970s, offers a line of fruit-flavored, taffy-like candies known for their smooth, stretchy texture and a wide range of flavors. Each wrapper features a kid-friendly joke, adding a unique twist to the candy experience.
34. Charms
Charms, particularly noted for its Blow Pops introduced in 1969, offers a lollipop with a bubble gum center. Available in various fruit flavors, including Cherry, Grape, and Watermelon, these candies are famous for their dual candy experience, combining the hard candy shell with a chewy gum center.
Other Top Candies Worth Mentioning
While our list above only features 34 candies, it’s worth noting that there are several other candy brands and products worth mentioning! Some other top names that we sell here at Candy Retailer include:
We could add more, but we want to see what you CAN bring to the list. Our focus is on the best candies you can still buy today in the US. Our list is pretty extensive, so we’re excited to see what you’ll come up with!
What is your favorite candy of all time?
Now that you know all the best candies still available in the US, what is your favorite of all time? Let us know in the comments below; we want to know!
Also, if you see anything you want to buy or try, simply click any product link in this post and check out what we have in store! Our prices are always under retail value; you’ll never find better prices than ours, especially if you shop for candy on Amazon!
Plus, we ship fast, with most orders arriving in 2-3 days! Unfortunately, we only ship within the US at this time, but if we ever change this exception, we’ll be sure to update this content.
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us any time! Thanks for reading, we hope enjoyed.
Recent Comments