The Halloween Candy We Loved as Kids. Does Anyone Still Eat This Stuff?
Halloween has changed over the decades. Costumes are safer. Most kids under 10 are accompanied by an adult when they trick-or-treat. And it’s only in rare, close-knit neighborhoods that anyone hands out homemade treats.
The candy we love has also evolved. But can you still find the favorites of your childhood? Let’s explore what’s still around and if the candy of our youth has gotten any better with age.
Read: What Your Halloween Candy Says About You (And Why Kids Are Judging)
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Candy Cigarettes
If you’re of a certain age, you remember dangling a candy cigarette out of your mouth and blowing puffs of “smoke,” that is, powdered sugar, to look just like a grown-up. Later iterations replaced the chalky candy sticks with bubble gum inside a paper wrapper.
Are They Still Around?
You can still find both versions at stores like IT’SUGAR. But they’re typically marketed under the name “Candy Sticks” and lack the red tip. The originals actually stayed on store shelves longer than you might imagine. The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 forced manufacturers to take the word “cigarette” out of the name and remove the red tip, according to an article published at Yahoo.com.
Necco Wafers
If you’re craving that chalky texture in a different shape, with added fruit flavor, you’ll find it in Necco Wafers. The flavors – wintergreen, lime, lemon, clove, cinnamon, orange, licorice, and chocolate – sound more like cough drops than candy. And there’s a reason for that.
Necco wafers were invented by a pharmacist named Oliver R. Chase in 1847. He invented a machine designed to press lozenges into wafers. He decided to use the same machine to make candy, according to Eater.com. Hence, the shape and the flavors of these sweet discs.
Are They Still Around?
Indeed, Necco Wafers remain the New England Candy Company’s biggest seller, with four billion wafers produced every year, according to Eater.com. They didn’t hit the DoorDash and Instacart bestseller lists for Halloween, but the candy could just be waiting for its moment to shine.
“The Necco Wafers get super popular around Christmas because they make the best shingle for gingerbread houses,” Economy Candy manager Delilah Firpi told Eater.com.
Wax Lips
It wasn’t that we didn’t have good candy back in the ‘80s, but for some reason, especially around Halloween, we were obsessed with Wax Lips. They tasted just as appealing as they sounded, made from edible, flavored paraffin wax. First, you’d wear them on your face and then you could eat them or just chew on the wax until the flavor wore out.
Are They Still Around?
Introduced in the early 1900s, this candy continues a long run. It’s still around, although the popularity has waned. Since 2004, wax lips have been sold by Tootsie Roll Company under the Wack-O-Wax brand name, according to FoodHistory.com.
Peanut Butter Kisses
Peanut butter-flavored candy remains a favorite with trick-or-treaters. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups made the top of two “best candy” lists this Halloween. But not all peanut butter candy is created equal.
Back in the day, kids would come close to breaking their teeth on Peanut Butter Kisses, molasses taffy wrapped around a dot of peanut butter. They were a close cousin to Mary Janes, another taffy candy similarly wrapped in wax paper. But Peanut Butter Kisses had black and orange wrappers, making them perfect for Halloween. At least in the eyes of parents looking for a super-cheap treat to give away.
Are They Still Around?
You can still buy Mary Janes and Peanut Butter Kisses on Amazon or at many local or national candy stores. Although we’re not sure why anyone would want to.
Circus Peanuts
Despite their name, Circus Peanuts taste less like peanuts and more like artificial banana. That can really mess with your mind, since the shape says “peanut” and the color implies an orange flavor. The texture is similar to spongy marshmallows. Back in 2018, they were ranked the worst Halloween candy, coming in just ahead of candy corn.
Are They Still Around?
Unlike Peanut Butter Kisses, Circus Peanuts are having a comeback. DoorDash sales were up 350% last year, making it the top seller amongst so-called “Grandma” candies, according to DoorDash’s report.
Bit-O-Honey
People loved their taffy back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Or perhaps parents just liked handing it out because it was cheap. Bit-O-Honey was introduced in 1924 and had a long run in candy stores and trick-or-treat bags. True to its name (unlike Circus Peanuts) Bit-O-Honey has a honey and roasted almond flavor derived from natural ingredients.
Is It Still Around?
Bit-O-Honey followed Circus Peanuts in the DoorDash study, with an 180% increase in sales between Halloween 2024 and Halloween 2025. We’ll have to wait and see if it takes the lead this year.
