Sugar Savvy

If I remember correctly, Steve Almond wrote about tracking down the Idaho Spud in Candy Freak and watches them as they are made. He then eats one and hates it. You’d think that would have been enough to stop me from paying way too much for one at an overpriced candy boutique that charges a […]

This little cherry ménage a trois all began when my friend Tripp came across a Twin Bing in Seaside, Oregon, at a candy store specializing in retro and off-beat products. We had both read and about the Twin Bing in Steve Almond’s book, Candy Freak, a few years ago, and try to keep our ears […]

Ah the elusive Skybar; a nostalgic bit of American candy history that is often talked about, but difficult to track down today.
According to the Necco website, the Skybar was introduced in 1938 through a dramatic skywriting campaign. Apparently it was the first, and only, molded chocolate bar of its kind to have four distinctly different […]

Honestly, before I put one of these little candies in my mouth, I’d forgotten how much I liked Tootsie Pops. There is something about a Tootsie Pop that makes it different from any other lollipop, and these wonderful little candy drops let you enjoy that special quality without the awkward stick and the painfully distended cheek.
Packaged […]

When I was 3 years old, I “ran away” from home with my older brother, Ricky, and next-door neighbor, Jimmy (both 4). Well, we didn’t really run away so much as take a self-guided field trip to Tiffany’s Drug Store (no relation to the jewelry store, fyi) to load up on provisions, i.e., sweet, sweet […]

Clark bar, where have you been all my life? I’d read about them, but had never seen one until my visit to Economy Candy. I thought they were no longer being made, but fortunately, they’re still in existence. Nostalgia candy usually disappoints, but the Clark is surprisingly tasty.

As the wrapper says, a Clark bar is […]

The other night, I was at a friend’s coffee shop near my house. She was having a party to celebrate the store’s third birthday, and in addition to delicious homemade pie, pastries, spinach tarts and sangria, she had set out a big bowl of mostly Mexican candy. Included in the mix were these […]

The bucolic description on the back of the Black Ace Licorice package reads “Black Ace Licorice reminds us of forgotten summer days spent hanging out on the back porch with your best friend, a game of hide and seek or skipping a rock across the pond.” There is a creative writer somewhere in their marketing […]

I’ve been waiting for a chance to try this recipe from Kate Zuckerman’s book The Sweet Life: Desserts from Chanterelle, and a “Food Day” at work tomorrow is the perfect excuse. I like this book a lot; it’s well written and contains a ton of information and tips. She shares the pastry chef perspective, which […]

I’m not really a fan of Emeril Lagassse - I don’t love him or hate him.  I’m pretty much indifferent, but I do love the Food Network.  And, in my search for some new and unique holiday recipes I found one of Emeril’s in the FoodNetwork.com archives.  Miss Hilda’s Popcorn Cake caught my eye immediately.  […]