When a candy season comes around, I take special interest in what’s new, what’s returning and trends on the store shelves with holiday candy. Here’s the 2013 Halloween shopping roundup.
Last week I was invited to participate in the Nosh Show podcast, we’re talking about candy and a bit about Halloween candy. You can listen to the Nosh Show:
TRICK OR TREAT
I haven’t decided what I’m giving out for Halloween yet this year. I’m planning to make use of the leftover Jolly Rancher Caramel Apple and Charms Candy Corn Lollipops from my reviews and probably some Airheads, since the kids in the neighborhood seem to like those. As for the chocolate items, I don’t know yet. Last year I gave out Unreal Candy, which is ethically sourced and uses natural ingredients. I’d like to find another chocolate candy that is certified (not using child slaves), but it’s hard to find candy items for kids that are well priced (we have about 40 kids visit) and also of actual interest to kids.
HERSHEY’S
I didn’t see any new items from Hershey’s this year for Halloween, but most of the old favorites have returned.
Pumpkin Spice Kisses (review)
KIT KAT Orange Wafer Bars
Reese’s Pumpkins (review)
Cadbury Screme Egg Candy is a green yolk version of the fondant egg for Easter
MARS
Mars also seems to be playing it safe, with only a few new items and returning items, but mostly Halloween themed regular items.
NEW: Pumpkin Spice M&Ms - a Target exclusive this year (review)
Milky Way Caramel Apple Minis (review)
Snickers Pumpkin (review) also comes in Snickers Squared Peanut Butter version
Candy Corn White Chocolate M&Ms (review)
NECCO
Necco always seems to list some interesting things, but I never see them in stores.
NECCO Batwing Wafers - like conversation hearts except shaped like bats and cinnamon flavored
NECCO Mummy Hearts - like conversation hearts except they’re marshmallow, hot chocolate, grape and candy corn flavored with ghoulish phrases
Skybar Zombie Food - milk chocolate brains, hearts and feet filled with red caramel
Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses (review)
Clark Wicked Mix (review)
FERRARA CANDY (Includes FARLEY’S & SATHERS and BRACH’S)
There have been some big changes in these companies over the years. In the past 10 years alone Brach’s has been sold, sold again and now acquired through the Ferrara Pan acquisition of Farley’s and Sathers last year. Brach’s candy corn, one of their iconic candy products, moved production to Mexico about 2 or 3 years ago and I don’t think it tastes the same any longer. But I have high hopes for the new company making the most of each of the candy brands in its division and perhaps even improving the quality.
That aside, Brach’s seems to be their only brand with seasonal candies, though Lemonheads and Trolli Gummis are available in treating packaging.
NEW: Brach’s S’mores Candy Corn (review)
Brach’s Milk Maid Caramel Candy Corn (review)
Brach’s Autumn Mix (review)
Brach’s Halloween Mix (flavored mellocreams in holiday shapes) (review)
Brach’s Indian Corn
Brach’s Mellocreme Pumpkins
TOOTSIE
Tootsie has been making some great Halloween candies for years. I’ve always enjoyed Tootsie Pops but their newer introductions feel fresh but still like modern classics.
Blood Orange Dots (Bats) (review)
Ghost Dots (Clear) (review)
Candy Corn Dots (Vanilla) (review)
Orchard Mix Caramel Apple Pops (review)
Vanilla Tootsie Rolls
Caramel Apple Sugar Babies (review) Available in snack packs for Trick or Treat
JUST BORN
Just Born makes a few varieties of Peeps for Halloween and some Hot Tamales and Mike and Ike for treating.
Peeps Chocolate Pumpkins (review)
Peeps Ghosts & Pumpkins (I like the ghosts because they’re the only Peeps that aren’t artificially colored.)
Peeps Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Cats
Chocolate Dipped Peeps Orange Chicks in Milk & Dark Chocolate
Peeps Snack Size - individually wrapped small Peeps for Halloween trick-or-treating
Mike and Ike Mummy Mix and Vampire Variety
NESTLE & WONKA
Wonka had a hug flurry of innovative products for a few years, but has settled back into treat packaging without much in the way of seasonal specific flavors/iterations.
Butterfinger PumpkinsSpooky Nerds
Spooky Nerds Rope
RUSSELL STOVER
I’m always fond of Russell Stover’s pumpkins, since their holiday candies are really the only time I buy the brand. There are a few new ones this year that are in line with Russel Stover’s strengths.
NEW: Russell Stover Big Bite Caramel Apple (review)
NEW: Russell Stover Big Bite Caramel Apple with Peanuts (review)
NEW: Russell Stover Pumpkin Pie (review)
NEW: Russell Stover Red Velvet Pumpkin (review of Santa version)
Russell Stover Strawberry Cream Pumpkin
Russell Stover Coconut Dream Pumpkin
Russell Stover Chocolate Marshmallow Pumpkin
Russell Stover Dark Chocolate covered Marshmallow Pumpkin (review)
Russell Stover Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter Pumpkin
Russell Stover Marshmallow Pumpkin (milk chocolate) (review)
WRIGLEY’S
I didn’t see much new from Wrigley’s. I think they’re hiding from trick-or-treaters because they’re afraid they’ll get egged over the Lime to Green Apple Skittle switch. Their brands include Life Savers, Starburst and Skittles plus some gum brands that I rarely see in trick-or-treat packaging.
Starburst Candy Corn (review)
JELLY BELLY
Jelly Belly is a bit too upscale for trick-or-treat candy. But it’s fun for gifting or setting out for parties.
NEW: Vile Villains Jelly Belly Mixes - single serve packages featuring Disney villains with their own flavors. Seen in the store: Captain Hook (treasure chest mix) and Snow White’s Evil Queen (a mix of apple flavors)
Jelly Belly Deluxe Halloween Mix (review)
Jelly Belly Candy Corn Jelly Beans (review)
Jelly Belly Giant Candy Corn
Jelly Belly Sour Gummi Pumpkins
Jelly Belly Fall Festival Mix
OTHER COMPANIES:
Pop Rocks Pumpkin Patch Orange
TicTac Bewitching Blend - I couldn’t figure out what flavors they are, but they’re orange and green, so let’s say Orange and Green Apple.
Halloween Candy Mega Buttons - you know those strips of paper with dried candy on them, there’s a giant version and now a Halloween version on black paper with grape, candy corn, green apple and mystery flavors.
Trader Joe’s Ghoulie Gummy Tummies Pumpkins & Spiders
Sixlets come in trick or treat packaging with orange and black colors. One of the few that’s gluten free.
NOT RETURNING:
Russell Stover “Day of the Dead” Skeletons (review)
Russell Stover Peanut Butter Candy Pumpkins
Hershey’s Candy Corn Kisses (review) and Caramel Apple Kisses (review)
Mary Jane Wicked Mix (review)
Brach’s Gummy Candy Corn (review)
Halloween Lifesavers Gummies Spooky Shapes
Have you seen anything new & exciting in stores this year? What are you planning to give out to kids, if they come to your house?
Related Candies
- M&Ms Pumpkin Spice
- Starburst Original Fruit Flavored Candy Corn
- Halloween Candy Spotting 2012
- Limited Edition Milky Way Caramel Apple Minis
- M&Ms White Chocolate Candy Corn
- Halloween 2010 Product Run Down
- Halloween Dots: Bat, Candy Corn & Ghost
Too bad about the Caramel Apple Kisses… I really liked those.
It seems like Halloween candy has been scaled back in general… the displays at Wal*Mart and Target are both pretty pathetic compared to a couple years ago.
As unfortunate as it is tootsie actually did not make any Bat Dots for the 2013 Halloween season. All the ones in stores are limited supply from the 2012 line.
I ran across Pumpkin Spice candy corn from Brachs today in Walgeens. I was on an unsuccessful search for those candy corn lollipops! Anyway, they are. ..different. I think I like them, but can’t decide until I give them more time. They remind me of gingerbread and burnt marshmallow (in the best possible way).
I cannot find the Brachs Halloween Mix. I can find their other candy corn-type stuff, but not this one. I may have to actually venture into Wal-Mart.
Also still available from Russell Stover is my personal favorite, the chocolate-covered orange marshmallow pumpkin. I wait all year for these.
I generally give out standard, fun-sized candy for Halloween. Nothing exciting, but a wide enough selection that the kids will find something they like.
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