Articles

Image courtesy of efrutti.com

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to sink your teeth into e.frutti’s gummi fried eggs, you already know that while these candies might take on a strange shape, their taste and texture are fantastic. These are one of my favorite gummies to share with friends and family as not everyone has encountered them before, and they’re usually a hit. Most people smile when they first see them – after all, a candy shaped like a fried egg is pretty rare! But the real joy comes when they pop one in their mouth and realize how delicious they are.

See, there’s more to gummi fried eggs than an adorable shape, which is no surprise given that they’re made by e.frutti. A company famous for combining fun with flavor, they definitely do not drop the ball on these. Made with real fruit juice, these fat free, peanut free gummies serve up a sweet peach flavor I just know you’re gonna love. Unless, of course, you already do love them and you’re just looking for some good stores online to order ‘em up. In either scenario, here they are!

2.2 lb. Bags of e.frutti Gummi Fried Eggs

BlairCandy.com – $7.00
Amazon.com – $16.99
CandyBanditt.com – $9.99
CaseofCandy.com – $10.00
KandKKAndies.com – $8.95

Know of somewhere else you can get gummi fried eggs for a great price? Please share in the comments!

Image courtesy of YellowBlissRoad.com

I hate seeing good candy go to waste. I hate it even more when it’s a candy I can only get certain times of year. Alas, it has happened, almost always for one of two reasons: I forgot that I bought it, or I bought too much to eat before it became stale.

Forgetting that I bought it is surely the worse of the 2 scenarios. Imagine my heartbreak when I stumbled upon a melted bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs I didn’t know were tucked into the cupboard. Not only did I have to slowly, sadly throw them away, but I couldn’t help but think of all the times I would have loved to eat them had I known they were there!

But what is happening in my life right now with Easter Peeps falls under the second scenario. While I do enjoy a slightly stale Peep now and then, I fear that even with that in mind I have purchased too many. The sale was just too, too good! And into my shopping cart the little Peeps flew with wild, unbridled abandon. And you know what? I am going to use them. I am not going to let candy history repeat itself. I will enjoy every last Peep like it deserves to be enjoyed. I am going to put Peeps on popcorn!

I came across this great recipe for Peeps Popcorn at YellowBlissRoad.com. All you’ll need is…

• 2-3 Cups Popcorn (more if you’d like a larger batch)

• 2 tsp. of butter

• 5 Peeps (per 2-3 cups of popcorn and 2 tsp. of butter)

• Saucepan

• Spatula

• Mixing Bowl

• Wax Paper

• Cupcake Wrappers (Optional)

Just follow the easy directions for Peeps Popcorn at YellowBlissRoad.com, and get ready to enjoy this classic Easter treat in a whole new way!

I’m about to make a bit of a confession here. Contrary to what you might think, I actually have quite a few vegetables in my refrigerator. I love a baby spinach salad with sliced red peppers; I crave baby carrots generously dipped in hummus. Yes, in addition to consuming more than my fair share of candy, I also make plenty of room in my diet for the good stuff. The way I see it, if eating right helps you live longer, that will give me more years to eat candy, too! That said, for as much as I really, truly enjoy fruits and veggies, I do get more excited about candy. But hey – I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, and if someone does, I’m not listening!

So where am I going with all this veggie talk on a candy blog? I’m going to The Netherlands. Not literally, as I have work to do and an impromptu trip like that would be pricy, but I did come across an article earlier today about The Netherlands, so let’s just pretend we’re actually there, shall we? The article from FreshPlaza.com is titled, “Netherlands: Growth of snack vegetables many times higher than candy.” I was surprised by this because in The Netherlands that exists in my mind, everyone is wearing clogs and eating candy bars, sipping good coffee, and just generally being happy and awesome. Never did my mind’s eye picture the Dutch noshing on miniature vegetables! Well, friends, I’ve been wrong before and I’m sure I’ll be wrong again. The Dutch are most definitely eating their veggies!

The article highlights that while Dutch people do “spend a lot of money on candy and snacks,” that “the purchase of snack vegetables increased by 337% from 2009 to 2012, while the growth of candy increased by only 16% in the past five years.” That’s a lot of snack vegetables! And, truth be told, a 16% climb for candy sales really isn’t so small. It just looks tiny comparatively. It turns out that not all vegetables are receiving equal love. Snack “tomatoes represent 92% of total sales of snack vegetables.” Honestly, I’d be more inclined to lean toward the aforementioned baby carrots and pepper slices, but to each their own!

I have seen grab-and-go containers here and there, but they’re typically overpriced, and overall, at least somewhat hard to come by. Do you think you would eat more vegetables if they were more affordable and readily available in convenience stores and the like?

Image courtesy of FavoriteRetroCandy.com

When AirHeads were first released way back in the 1980s, yours truly was a fast fan! I don’t quite remember if the ‘White Mystery’ flavor was available right out of the gate, but I do know that when I see it in the candy stand at the supermarket, I quietly lose my mind for at least a few seconds before grabbing 2 or 7. It should be noted that I’m a fan of most ‘mystery flavor’ gums and candies – the element of surprise only adds to the awesomeness of eating candy! But sometimes I want to know exactly what flavor I’m stocking up on, and when it comes to AirHeads taffy, Watermelon is a top selection. If they have White Mystery and Watermelon, the candy gods are smiling on me!

I never forgot about AirHeads, but I do tend to go through periods of eating them often and them falling out of rotation for a bit. The new AirHeads commercial has them fresh in my mind, and I’ve been enjoying them regularly for a few weeks now. The commercial itself is inventive and fun, and I already know I love the candy, so it all falls together. If the person in charge of AirHeads marketing is reading this – it’s working!

Want to score some AirHeads of your own? Here are a few places online you can grab boxes of 36 in an array of great flavors…

AirHeads at TheOnlineCandyShop.com – $5.68
AirHeads at CandyWarehouse.com – $9.00
AirHeads at OldTimeCandy.com – $7.99
AirHeads at OhNuts.com – $7.99
AirHeads at BlairCandy.com – $6.95
AirHeads at FavoriteRetroCandy.com – $5.49
AirHeads at BestPriceCandy.com – $7.72

Oh Pinterest, isn’t it a beautiful thing? Filled with more recipes and crafts than I could ever possibly create, the only downside is deciding which of the things I’m certain I’ll love I’m actually going to commit to. But – decide I have! And what I’ll be whipping up next in this candy kitchen is Sriracha Lollipops and Red Wine Lollipops. Yes, my friends. Lollipops gone grown-up!

As Spring finally begins to feel like Spring, I’ve got ‘warm weather’ candy on my mind. That isn’t to say my chocolate and caramel cravings have gone away, but I do find myself more inclined to grab a few Swedish Fish on my way out the door than a handful of Fun Size Snickers. And it is likely that inclination that led me to Pinterest, typing ‘lollipops’ in the search, and subsequently being overwhelmed by the countless captivating lollipop options before me! Or could it be ‘lollipoptions’? Yes, let’s make that a word right here and now. Because the lollipoptions are endless and wonderful!

I could probably highlight 100 unique lollipop recipes here and still not touch on 2% of the awesomeness I found, so I’m going to keep my enthusiasm in check and share 2 that piqued my interest most of all – Sriracha Lollipops and Red Wine Lollipops from SprinkleBakes.com. Here’s what you’ll need to make them as well, taken from the Sprinkle Bakes site (click the links for full directions!)…

Sriracha Lollipops

Sugar
Corn Syrup
Water
Sriracha Sauce
Orange Gel Food Coloring
Lollipop Sticks
Lollipop Molds
Candy Thermometer

Port Wine Lollipops

Port Wine
Corn Syrup
Sugar
Kosher Salt
Lollipop Sticks
Gold Luster Dust (optional)

If any of you take the lollipop plunge and try these or any other unique lollipop recipes, please share your results in the comments!

Image courtesy of MarshmallowPeeps.com

While Peeps are typically busy making people happy throughout the Easter season, this year they’re also busy making news! Run a quick Google search of ‘Peeps 60’ and you’ll see article after article highlighting this candy favorite, hailing from Bethlehem, PA. Why are you searching ‘Peeps 60’, exactly? Because Peeps are turning 60 this year, and golly gosh, they’ve never looked better!

The first article I happened upon was at ToledoBlade.com – Peeps candy still popular 60 years after hatching. Popular, I thought? That’s an understatement! Walking through the candy section of my local big box store last week, I didn’t see too many people pass by the Peeps without tossing at least a pack or two into their carts. People shopping alone bought them, people shopping with children bought them, children themselves reached and grabbed the seasonal, sugary snack from the shelf with their hungry little hands. And when something so tasty is also so affordable, it’s no wonder they continue to be one of the top Easter candies year after year!

I’m wishing Peeps another sweet 60 years, and 60 after that, and 60 after that, and… You get the picture! I can’t imagine the time will come when their soft, ooey-gooey goodness doesn’t make people reach for a pack, unless there’s a marshmallow shortage on the horizon (Please don’t let there be, candy gods. Please.)

Also, be sure to check out the new Peeps commercial! I’ve only caught it on TV a few times, but it makes me smile from start to finish.

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope the big bunny treats you right.

I don’t remember the exact year that giant Reese’s Eggs hatched on candy shelves across America, I just imagine that the day someone, somewhere, at some time came up with idea for them, magical things likely happened the world ‘round. Unicorns took flight over candy-colored rainbows; cats and dogs became best friends for a few short, amazing minutes. And, even if those magical things didn’t happen, something amazing did happen nonetheless. An idea became a candy reality, and that candy reality is just one more reason to love Reese’s.

Image courtesy of ORyans.com

Weighing in at a sizable 6 ounces, Giant PB Eggs have a slightly thicker chocolate shell than the normal Reese’s Cup. This does throw off the chocolate to peanut butter ratio bite-for-bite, so they are ‘different’ than Peanut Butter Cups in more ways than shape and size alone. For routine enjoyment, I prefer the chocolate to peanut butter ratio of normal PB Cups. However, I also greatly enjoy the slightly different flavor and eating experience that the giant eggs offer. There’s something a bit more decadent about them that makes eating one feel special.

If you’d like to get your hands on a Reese’s Giant Peanut Butter Egg or 2, the options online actually appear to be fairly limited! I was surprised by how few of my usual candy haunts don’t appear to be carrying them. However – I did find 3 great resources! Additionally, I haven’t had much trouble finding these in stores, so it is worth checking next time you’re out and about. I’d keep my candy eyes peeled at Target, Walmart, Dollar General, Kmart, grocery stores, or any place near you that typically stocks a nice amount of holiday candies. As for those 3 places online – here they are…

BlairCandy.com – Reese’s Giant Easter Egg – $5.75
ORyans.com – Reese’s Giant Easter Egg – $7.29
CandyWarehouse.com – Reese’s Giant Easter Egg – $7.50

Did you find them anywhere else online I might have missed? Please share in the comments!

While I do love decadent desserts that have a mountain of ingredients as long as the time it takes to make them, I prefer treating myself to them at bakeries and restaurants, saving myself from the time, hassle, headaches, and costly ingredients involved. Even if a single serving is on the pricey side, it’s usually much cheaper than trying my hand at making it myself, and I can rest assured that it will be just about perfect. When I make complicated desserts myself, on the other hand? Sometimes they end up being expensive, exhausting mistakes.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not about to throw in the baking towel just yet! If a recipe really captures my eye and sounds like something I’ll love, I will try my hand at it. That said, I tend to have the best results with simple desserts that contain just a few tried-and-true ingredients. Bear in mind that you’re dealing with a woman who considers a plain Hershey bar one of the finest candy creations of our time!

With Easter on the near horizon I’ve been doing more than just stuffing myself full of jelly beans and Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs. I’ve also been looking for an attractive and tasty treat to share with my coworkers! I wanted something with a near universal appeal – something that wouldn’t cost a ton of cash, but would bring about a ton of smiles. And I think I found it in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Nests at DivineDinnerParty.com. (Note: They’re just below the Oreo Ball Eggs, which also look amazing!)

Here’s the lowdown on what you’ll need:

• Mini Muffin Tins

• Colorful Cupcake Wrappers (think pastels and Easter patterns)

• Chocolate Chips

• Crunchy Chow Mein Noodles

• Peanut Butter

• Jelly Beans

• Cooking Spray or Butter

As you can see, all of the ingredients and necessary supplies are super affordable, and you really might already have them all on hand. If you click the link above you’ll find the easy-to-follow steps, and you’ll also find that this recipe is quite kid-friendly. Not only are there no complicated ingredients, which kiddos often make a face at, but once the mix is cool enough to handle they can even help you in making them.

What are your thoughts? Do Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Nests sound like something you’d enjoy? What are your favorite Easter treats to whip up?

Image courtesy of PearsonsCandy.com

While someone not getting what they reasonably expected from a company is typically not smile-inducing, in this case it resulted in a charming story with a sweet and happy ending. After reading 2 articles about the story – here at the Huffington Post, and here at MyFoxTwinCities – I had to share with you all just in case you weren’t luck enough to come across it!

The tale is one of a boy that loves candy, who grew up to be an adult that loves candy. It’s easy enough to see why I could relate immediately! Well, this once-boy-now-a-man’s name is Dave Bell. His favorite candy as a kid was Pearson’s Salted Nut Rolls, and at the current age of 74, that hasn’t changed! When he was 14-years old – 60 years ago! – he bit into his Salted Nut Roll expecting things to go as they always had. However, this candy in particular had a bit of a problem – there was something inside that didn’t belong.

The industrious young man wrote a letter to the company, sending that ‘something inside’ along as well for their inspection. While he expected he would receive a replacement bar, what he got instead was a letter mentioning that the unexpected ingredient was likely a twig from their peanut vine. A response letter was definitely better than nothing, but Dave wanted the tasty Nut Roll he deserved!

Fast-forward to 2012. While moving to a new house, Bell comes across his letter from Pearson’s. 60 years may have passed since he received it, but what didn’t pass is his desire for some of the sweet stuff! Embracing a more modern approach, Bell gives it another shot via email. And guess what? Perseverance paid off. He may have had to wait 6 decades, but Pearson’s sent 5 Mint Patties, a Vanilla Bun, a Caramel Bun, a Nut Goodie and a Salted Nut Roll his way! Another box of Nut Rolls was subsequently sent so Bell would have enough to share, and in that box was included a 5-pound version just for him. Pretty sweet!

Image courtesy of EspeezCandy.com

The simple fact is, I like a lot of things. I like a lot of things, I like a lot of people, I like a lot of animals. So on any given day, the things that make me smile can include an old beagle trotting down the street on a walk, a checkered green bow in someone’s hair, and a friendly barista at Starbuck’s. Among many, many other things. But for all the separate things I like, what I love is when those things come together! And that’s exactly what’s happening with Gold Mine Nugget Bubble Gum. Let’s look…

• It’s gum. I <3 gum.

• It’s a yellowish-gold. I love that color.

• It comes in a cinchable burlap pouch. Who doesn’t love a good burlap pouch?!

• It’s fun to pull out of your purse. I also love purses.

• It makes a great, festive treat for St. Patrick’s Day… a holiday I LOVE!

• It comes 24 to a box, which means you can share it with your friends. Or not. Hehe.

• They’re cool. ‘Nuff said.

It’s also worth noting that they have a pretty great flavor, and they work well not only with St. Patty’s Day themes, but for almost any other occasion as well. My first thought is how darling they’d be as wedding favors with a tag that read, “We struck gold when we found one another!”

Are you a fan of Gold Mine Nugget Bubble Gum as well, or want to try it for the first time? Here’s some sites I ‘mined’ the internet for you to check out!

ACandyStore.com – 24 pouches for $27.99
PartyCity.com – 24 pouches for $24.99
EspeezCandy.com – 12 boxes of 24 pouches for $195.84
BlairCandy.com – 24 pouches for $23.75
KoyalWholesale.com – 24 pouches for $40.18
Candy.TW7Store.com – 24 pouches for $27.99
BestBulkCandy.com – 24 pouches for $23.45