"hard candy" news and stories

Happy National Hard Candy Day!

According to blogger -- and maker of the cinnamon hard candy pictured above -- A Stove With A House Around It, "The taste of the sweet and flavorful hard candy is one of those tastes that instantly transports me back in time." During the early 19th century, lemon or peppermint flavored hard candies were prominent and popular, but these days, they exist in nearly any flavor imaginable: maple syrup, butterscotch, even jalapeno. But if you are boosted by some serious holiday spirit, there's one clear choice: Make your own candy canes for this season's ultimate hard candy.

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Hard candies don't get enough credit. While they are small enough - and heat resistant enough - to fit into your pocket, they are also large enough to satisfy a craving for sweets with only a piece or two. Hard candy aficionados and grandparents will almost always tout Werther's Originals as the cream of the candy crop, but Creme Savers are certainly front runners. Made by Wrigley's, they candies have been on the market for several years now and set themselves apart by having an unusually smooth and buttery taste to go along with their bright, realistic flavors.

While the flavor of a creamsicle is an easy one, Creme Saver's newest offering, a Desserts line, accomplishes a more difficult task by reproducing the tastes of desserts like Apple Pie, Cinnamon Buns and Strawberry Cheesecake. Fans won't be let down by these candies as they are excellent. The Cinnamon Bun has a strong and very buttery cinnamon flavor, the Apple Pie a la Mode has a strong vanilla flavor with a hint of cinnamon that backs up a very bright Granny-Smith apple, and Strawberry Cheesecake tastes just like the real thing. With only 45 calories and 1 g fat per 3-piece serving, these are a good choice not just for hard candy fans, but for those who are looking to keep cravings for real cheesecake at bay.