Nostalgic Candies That Take Pennsylvanians Straight Back To Simpler Times
Growing up in Pennsylvania meant more than just beautiful landscapes and friendly neighbors. It meant running to the corner store with quarters jingling in your pocket, eager to grab your favorite sweet treat.
I remember how those candies tasted like pure happiness wrapped in colorful paper, and each bite brought a smile that lasted all day long.
1. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar
When you think about Pennsylvania candy, this classic bar probably pops into your mind first. Made right in Hershey, Pennsylvania since 1900, this chocolate has been bringing joy to generations of kids and adults alike.
I can still recall the sound of that wrapper crinkling as I broke off those perfect little rectangles. The creamy, sweet taste melted on my tongue and made even the toughest days feel better.
Every family road trip seemed to include a stop at a gas station where I’d beg for one of these bars. The chocolate was simple, reliable, and always hit the spot when you needed a pick-me-up after school or during summer adventures.
2. Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets
Did you know that Tastykake has been baking treats in Philadelphia since 1914? These butterscotch beauties became a lunchbox staple for countless Pennsylvania kids who looked forward to that sweet surprise every single day.
The soft, spongy cake paired with that smooth butterscotch frosting created a flavor combination I still crave today. Opening that plastic wrapper felt like unwrapping a tiny gift meant just for me.
My grandma always kept a box in her pantry for when I visited. We’d sit at her kitchen table, dunking Krimpets in cold milk and talking about everything under the sun while enjoying these golden treasures together.
3. Clark Bar
If you loved the crunch of a candy bar mixed with creamy peanut butter, this one was your dream come true. Clark Bars originated in Pittsburgh back in 1917, making them a true Pennsylvania treasure that kids traded like gold on the playground.
The layers of crispy, flaky peanut butter covered in chocolate created a texture that was totally unique. Each bite delivered that satisfying crunch followed by a burst of nutty sweetness that kept you coming back for more.
I remember saving my allowance just to buy one from the corner store on Friday afternoons. Eating it slowly while walking home made the weekend feel like it was starting on the perfect note.
4. Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews
Are you a fan of chewy candies that stick to your teeth in the best way possible? These peanut-packed treats have been made in Philadelphia since 1917 and became famous during World War I when they were included in soldiers’ rations.
The combination of roasted peanuts, molasses, and dark chocolate created a flavor that was both sweet and slightly salty. It took forever to chew through one piece, which meant the enjoyment lasted way longer than most candies.
My dad used to buy these at the movie theater, and we’d share a box while watching the latest adventure film. The chewy texture kept us busy during the slow parts of the movie.
5. Bonomo Turkish Taffy
How cool was it to smack your candy on the table and watch it shatter into bite-sized pieces? Turkish Taffy wasn’t actually from Turkey, but it sure was popular at Pennsylvania candy counters throughout the mid-1900s.
The flat, chewy bar came in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Kids loved the interactive experience of breaking it apart before eating, which made it feel more like a game than just a snack.
I used to freeze mine in the summer, making it even more satisfying to crack apart. The cold, hard taffy would slowly soften in my mouth, releasing waves of sweet flavor that lasted for ages and kept me entertained for hours.
6. Teaberry Gum
It’s hard to describe the unique flavor of teaberry unless you’ve actually tasted it yourself. Made by the Clark Company in Pittsburgh, this pink gum had a wintergreen-like taste that was refreshing and totally different from ordinary mint gum.
The flavor was strong at first, then mellowed into something smooth and pleasant. I loved how the pink color stained my tongue temporarily, making me feel like I’d just eaten something truly special and exotic.
My older cousin introduced me to Teaberry during a family reunion, telling me it was a Pennsylvania secret. We’d chew it while exploring the woods behind my uncle’s house, pretending we were adventurers on a important mission.
7. Mallo Cups
When you wanted chocolate and marshmallow together, these cups from Altoona, Pennsylvania delivered perfectly every single time. Boyer Brothers started making them in 1936, and they quickly became a favorite for anyone with a serious sweet tooth.
The chocolate cup held a creamy, fluffy marshmallow center that was sweeter than regular marshmallows. Plus, each package came with cardboard coins you could collect and redeem for free candy, which made buying them feel extra rewarding.
I kept a shoebox full of those coins under my bed, dreaming about the day I’d have enough for a whole bag. Eating Mallo Cups while doing homework somehow made math problems seem less terrible and more manageable.
8. Slo Poke Caramel Pops
Though not originally from Pennsylvania, these caramel pops were everywhere in corner stores across the state during the 70s and 80s. The name said it all because these lasted forever, giving you serious bang for your buck when money was tight.
The dense, chewy caramel stuck to your teeth and required serious jaw work to get through. It wasn’t fancy or complicated, just pure caramel sweetness on a stick that kept you occupied during long car rides.
My mom would give me one before we visited relatives, knowing it would keep me quiet for at least half the trip. I’d work on that Slo Poke for what felt like hours, savoring every sticky, sweet moment of it.
9. Necco Wafers
Are these candies loved or hated? Opinions are definitely divided, but Necco Wafers were a constant presence in Pennsylvania candy jars and corner stores for decades. The chalky, pastel-colored discs came in eight different flavors that ranged from delicious to downright weird.
Some kids adored the clove and licorice flavors, while others stuck strictly to chocolate and orange. The texture was unique, almost like eating flavored chalk, which sounds strange but somehow worked for those who appreciated vintage candies.
My great-aunt always had a roll in her purse, and she’d slip me one during church services. I’d let each wafer dissolve slowly on my tongue, trying to guess the flavor before it completely disappeared.
10. Bit-O-Honey
If honey and almonds sound like a weird candy combination, you clearly never tried this chewy treat from your childhood. Bit-O-Honey appeared in Pennsylvania stores in the 1920s and quickly won over anyone who enjoyed long-lasting, flavorful candies.
The honey-flavored taffy was studded with tiny almond bits that added crunch and nuttiness. It was seriously chewy, requiring patience and strong teeth, but the sweet honey taste made all that chewing totally worthwhile.
I’d buy these with my allowance and make them last all week by rationing out one piece per day. The ritual of slowly working through each chewy bite became almost meditative, helping me unwind after stressful school days filled with tests.
11. Chick-O-Stick
Did you ever wonder what peanut butter and coconut would taste like together in candy form? Chick-O-Stick answered that question with a crunchy, flaky texture that was totally addictive once you got used to it.
The bright orange color came from the peanut butter center, which was coated in toasted coconut flakes. It was messy to eat, leaving coconut bits all over your hands and clothes, but that was part of the fun and charm.
My friends and I would compete to see who could eat one without getting coconut everywhere. Nobody ever won that challenge, but we laughed ourselves silly trying while sitting on the front porch steps during hot summer afternoons together.
12. Zagnut Bar
When you wanted something different from the usual chocolate bars, Zagnut delivered a crunchy, peanut-buttery experience without any chocolate at all. This candy bar has been around since 1930 and became a go-to choice for kids seeking variety at Pennsylvania candy counters.
The crispy peanut butter center was covered in toasted coconut, creating layers of texture and flavor. Each bite was light and crunchy, almost like eating a peanut butter cloud wrapped in tropical goodness.
I discovered Zagnuts during a family vacation to the Poconos when the hotel vending machine was sold out of everything else. That lucky accident introduced me to what became my secret favorite candy for years afterward.
13. Sky Bar
How awesome was it to get four different flavors in one candy bar? Sky Bar divided its chocolate shell into four sections, each filled with a different center: caramel, vanilla, peanut, and fudge.
This variety meant you could choose which flavor to eat first or save your favorite for last. The anticipation of biting into each section made eating this bar feel like a mini adventure that kept you guessing.
My brother and I would split Sky Bars down the middle, negotiating which two flavors each of us got. Those debates were intense but always ended with both of us happy, munching our sections while walking home from the corner store on lazy Saturday mornings.
