National Candy Day is November 4th, just four days from Halloween, which means a lot of households will have plenty of leftover candy to enjoy on the 4th. But why National Candy Day?
If you try to research National Candy Day with an eye on learning how it started, who was behind it, and why, you are likely to be disappointed. At press time, there isn’t even a National Candy Day page on Wikipedia which should give you an idea as to how murky the origins of this informal holiday are.
National Candy Day will be celebrated on Saturday, November 4, 2023.
What’s Behind National Candy Day?
In the early 1900s, some in the American candy industry decided to try a new marketing concept. In 1916, Candy Day was created, intended to be observed on the second Saturday in October.
This marketing gimmick is one that has been used again and again, especially where food marketing boards are concerned. In 1921, Candy Day was rebranded as Sweetest Day, where it gained far more popularity as a faux Valentines’ Day type occasion.
It’s entirely likely that National Candy Day is a further attempt by a marketing board or PR agency to get more traction on sugary goodness as a retail staple above and beyond typical holiday season interest. Not to be confused with National Candy Month, which happens in June.
Celebrating National Candy Day
Lots of food-oriented blogs give us the obvious ways to celebrate National Candy Day–eat more candy! Whether your go-to is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, M&Ms, or Butterfinger, eating more candy is bad when you have too much at once, but that’s what fun-size candy bars are for–you can increase the variety without adding a massive amount of sugar into your day’s intake.
But what about the not-so-obvious ways you can celebrate National Candy Day? No, it’s not a bank holiday or a day where schools and post offices are closed. But you could plan a special field trip or take personal time off to visit one of the many candy factories in America that offer, or have offered, tours of their facility.
Consider the Hershey factory tour at locations including Hershey, Pennsylvania, Times Square in New York City, and Las Vegas. There are plenty of other companies that may also offer candy factory tours including:
- Jelly Belly
- Hammond’s Candy Company
- Sweet’s Candy Company
- Cerreta Candy Company
- The Candy Factory
- Rebecca Ruth Chocolates
Not necessarily candy, but chocolate covered nuts kind of count, don’t they? The Mauna Loa facility in Hawaii is pretty awesome to visit
Making Your Own Candy For National Candy Day
Some food blogs urge people to experiment with making their own candy. It’s not quite the same as baking a cake, but the process can be a wee bit exacting depending on the type of candy you want to make.
For example, if you want to make gummy bears, you’ll rely on gelatin, flavorings, and sugar. But if you plan to store your gummies at room temperature, you’ll need to add some ascorbic acid or another preservative that can help prevent mold from spoiling your gummy bears.
But other recipes are simpler.
Making caramel at home is as simple as heating sugar, but you can also add milk and cream to make it smoother. But is this candy? Or a topping? Some feel the end result is candy no matter what the application.
Making candy with a similar recipe–butter and brown sugar–can result in making butterscotch, which can be soft or hard depending on the other ingredients. Cook butterscotch long enough and you get toffee.
If you plan to try a simple recipe like caramel or butterscotch, here are a few tips to keep in mind as a first-time candy maker:
- Sugar burns easily, it’s not recommended to step away from the stovetop once you begin cooking.
- Don’t try to taste the sugar as it converts to caramel, the heat is greater than you think it is.
- Making caramel or any of the other candies mentioned above should always be done in a stainless steel pot or pan. Avoid non-stick pots and pans when making these recipes as the non-stick coatings may be compromised by the caramel making process.
- Making these recipes can get messy–sugar may bubble a lot more than you expect, which is why many cooking blogs advise making caramel, butterscotch, and toffee in a larger pan than you need.
- Resist the temptation to add other ingredients when the sugar is caramelizing. You should add the other ingredients after, not before or during according to multiple sources.
- There is one exception to the “wait to add” advice above–if you want to prevent your caramel from crystallizing you may wish to try adding a tiny bit of lemon juice to the sugar while cooking.
Not up for trying to make candy yourself? You can always try a fun new recipe that uses your favorite candy as an ingredient. Check out the recipes below for inspiration!
See our big list of National Food Holidays!
National Candy Day Recipes
Celebrate National Candy Day on November 4th by making your own candy, or creating fun new recipes with your favorite commercial candy. From gummy bears to Snickers, these recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth on one of the most enjoyable unofficial holidays of the year.
No-Bake Snickers Pie
Snickers is one of my favorites, and this no-bake pie takes my love to a whole new level.
Butterfinger Pie Parfaits
These Butterfinger Pie Parfaits are easy to make and taste amazing. Butterfinger Pie is creamy, smooth and has a great flavor and texture.
Candy Apple Snickers Salad
Candy Apple Snickers Salad has just FIVE ingredients! It’s an easy, quick dessert to throw together and can be tailored to your tastes.
the candy cake
The ultimate indulgence -- candy cake. Yes, there is a cake under all those M&M's. This is fun for kid's birthday parties.
Leftover Halloween Candy Cookie Dough
Since National Candy Day falls just a few days after Halloween, you should have plenty of leftovers lying around to make these cookies!
Cool Whip Candy
Make your own candy with this easy 3-ingredient recipe. Milk chocolate outside and a fluffy center inside, this bite sized candy tastes like a three musketeers bar.
Halloween Cracker Candy
Another recipe using your leftover Halloween candy, this addicting snack only takes four ingredients and you can add whatever candy you like.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blondies
I love blondies, and these Reese's Peanut Butter Cup blondies add one more thing to love about them. And they're pretty enough to serve at your next party or family dinner.
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Oreos
Mind. Blown. That is all.
Frog Pond Cookie Cups
These are just about the cutest things -- I almost don't want to eat them. These are perfect bite sized treats for a birthday, baby shower, or other Springtime event.
Quick Gummy Popsicles
These gummy popsicles are a fun summertime treat, but who doesn't love a good popsicle all year 'round? Especially if they're full of gummies.
Halloween Dirt Cups
I think every kid loves a good dirt cup. If you haven't made these for yours, give it a go. They'll love the gummy worms and crumbled cookie topping mixed with pudding.
Microwave Divinity
If you haven't tried divinity candy, I suggest you do, and this easy, microwavable recipe is an excellent introduction.
How to Make Candied Pecans
They're pecans, but taste like candy, and they're perfect for snacking anytime or having on hand at get togethers.
Chocolate Truffles
Truffles are one of the most beloved candies of all time. Now you can make them at home!
Pecan Turtles
Turtles were one of my grandfather's favorite candies, and when he introduced them to me, I quickly hopped on board. They are still one of my all time favorites. This recipe is super easy and only takes five ingredients.
Candy Bar Brownie Trifle
Candy bar brownie trifle? Why not?! This looks lovely so you can serve it at your next holiday party - just be sure to save those extra Halloween candy bars for this.
Easy Chocolate Fudge
Fudge is the classic chocolate candy, and this rich and creamy recipe makes some of the best around!
Top Candy Sold by State
Here is Instacart’s list of top candy sold in each state:
M&M’s: Hawaii, New Hampshire
Peanut M&M’S: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming
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