š« My Top 10 Candy Bars of All Time (Still NOT Candy ā We Have Standards, People!)-
By RoboAce | www.roboaces.com
Letās lay down the law right here, right now: we are in the realm of candy bars. Not those loose, suspiciously colored candies lurking in the forgotten corners of the pantry. Not those gummy pretenders with their empty promises of fruity flavor. And certainly not that ancient, rock-solid toffee your great-aunt Edna keeps offering. No, my friends. We are talking about candy bars. Those magnificent, chocolate-cloaked, nougat-nurturing, peanut-butter-packed champions that forged friendships in school cafeterias and turned Halloween night into a thrilling game of sugary strategy.
Now, this deep-seated devotion to the bar life? It wasn't a solo journey. Oh no. I inherited this glorious obsession directly from the reigning monarch of all things sweet ā my incredible mother. She possessed an almost supernatural ability to discern a truly great candy bar, a gift she bestowed upon me like a sacred, sugar-dusted heirloom. Our bond was often forged in the hushed whispers of late-night snack raids, the bittersweet negotiations over splitting the last bar in the drawer (a frequent occurrence), and, most importantly, our shared reverence for that iconic, yellow-wrapped deity: the Butterfinger. It wasn't just her favorite; it seeped into the very fabric of my being. To this day, that unmistakable flaky crunch doesn't just satisfy a craving; it punches me right in the nostalgia feels. Every time I tear open that crinkly wrapper, I can almost hear her infectious laugh, feel the warmth of her smile, and relive our eternal debate over who deserved the bigger half.
So yeah, the Butterfinger isnāt just a candy bar in my world. Itās a tangible memory. A precious moment frozen in time. A delicious legacy. And one of my absolute favorite ways to honor that legacy? Freezing a Butterfinger solid and then shattering it into glorious, golden shards over a scoop (or three) of premium vanilla bean ice cream. Trust me on this one. Itās not just dessert; itās an elevated experience. The cold, flaky crunch against the smooth, creamy vanilla? Pure bliss.
And now? Iām here to sing the praises. With a healthy dose of sarcasm, an overflowing vat of passion, and probably a stray peanut butter smear or two on my keyboard.
So buckle up, fellow flavor fanatics. Weāre plunging headfirst into chocolate-coated history, cracking open the vault of sugary nostalgia, and paying homage to the Top 10 (plus one, because, well, Butterfinger) candy bars that sprinkled magic on our childhoods and make the mundane moments of adulthood just a little bit brighter. This isnāt just a ranking; itās a deeply personal candy bar confession.
š 1. KING BUTTERFINGER: The Crunchy Overlord
šļø Debut: The majestic year of 1923 š Creator: The legendary Curtiss Candy Company (now the esteemed Ferrero!) š„ Ingredients: That undeniably crispy peanut butter core, embraced by a classic chocolate coating. š Fun Fact: Its regal name was chosen by the people, in a public contestāproof that democracy can indeed be delicious. Thereās a beautiful chaos to the Butterfinger. That signature crackle and shatter isn't just a texture; it's a symphony of sugary satisfaction. And as I mentioned, freeze it and crumble it over vanilla bean ice cream? Pure. Culinary. Therapy. Butterfinger wasn't just a treat in my childhood; it was a valuable currency. Iād haggle away half my Halloween haul for just one mini bar. And you know what? Even now, that trade still feels like a win. š Get your Butterfinger fix
š„ 2. Take 5: The Unexpected Superstar
šļø Debut: A surprising entry in 2004 š Creator: The Hersheyās innovation hub š« Ingredients: A salty pretzel foundation, cascading caramel rivers, pockets of creamy peanut butter, a satisfying peanut crunch, all embraced by luscious milk chocolate. š Fun Fact: Rebranded as Reeseās Take 5 in 2016. It went from that cool, under-the-radar band to selling out stadiums. Take 5 is the ultimate underdog story. Itās like trail mix got a serious upgrade and learned how to rock a red carpet. Sweet, salty, creamy, crunchyāitās doing the absolute most, and I am here for it. Desert island scenario? Forget the satellite phone; give me a lifetime supply of these. š Grab a Take 5
š« 3. Whatchamacallit: The Deliciously Different
šļø Debut: The wonderfully weird 1978 š Creator: The imaginative minds at Hersheyās š Ingredients: A uniquely peanut-flavored crispy base, generously slathered with chewy caramel, and kissed with a swirl of chocolate. š Fun Fact: The name? Pure marketing serendipity. Someone literally said āWhatchamacallit,ā and a legend was born. This is the quirky, cool friend of the candy bar world. You might not be able to fully describe it, but you know itās got that je ne sais quoi. Crunchy, chewy, chocolateyāand unapologetically unique. š Meet your new favorite weirdo
š« 4. Snickers Peanut Butter: The Protein-Packed Temptation
šļø Debut: A peanut-buttery game-changer in 2010 (building on the Snickers dynasty!) š Creator: The powerhouse Mars, Inc. š„ Ingredients: Creamy milk chocolate, flowing caramel, chewy nougat, crunchy peanuts, and that glorious, irresistible peanut butter infusion. š Fun Fact: It was briefly known as Snickers Peanut Butter Squared. Because adding āsquaredā makes it sound⦠more substantial? Itās a classic Snickers that hit the gym and developed a serious peanut butter six-pack. It almost feels like a protein bar⦠if youāre really, really optimistic. This is what happens when the worlds of fitness and pure indulgence collide. š Get your swole snack on
š« 5. Chocolate Payday: The Dark Chocolate Dream
šļø Debut: A triumphant 2020 (the peanut and caramel classic arrived in 1932!) š Creator: The clever folks at Hersheyās š„ Ingredients: A glorious mountain of salted peanuts, a river of chewy caramel, finally embraced by a rich chocolate coating. š Fun Fact: It only took 88 years for someone to realize that chocolate would make a good thing even better. Genius. Chocolate Payday is the ultimate glow-up. That salty, chewy goodness finally got dressed up in a sophisticated chocolate tuxedo. Itās the upgrade we didnāt even know we were waiting for. š Say hello to Chocolate Payday
š« 6. Oh Henry!: The Bold and Brash Bar
šļø Debut: A timeless treat since 1920 š Creator: The pioneering George Williamson Candy Co. š„ Ingredients: A dense and delightful combination of peanuts, chewy caramel, rich fudge, all wrapped in milk chocolate. š Fun Fact: The true identity of "Henry" remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of the candy world. A legend whispered in nougat? Oh Henry! isnāt just a snack; itās a full-on flavor experience. Itās thick, chewy, and doesnāt apologize for its robust nature. Get ready for a satisfyingly chewy showdown. š Sink your teeth into history
š« 7. 5th Avenue: The Understated Elegance
šļø Debut: A sophisticated 1936 š Creator: The refined taste-makers at Ludenās (now part of the Hersheyās family) š© Ingredients: Layers of crispy, crunchy peanut butter brittle, enrobed in a cloak of rich, dark chocolate. š Fun Fact: Named after New York Cityās famed Fifth Avenue. This bar is the epitome of quiet luxury in the candy aisle. This is the cool, collected cousin to the more boisterous Butterfinger. Itās refined, often overlooked by the masses, but deeply appreciated by those with discerning palates. A true hidden gem. š Go upscale
š« 8. Clark Bar: The Enduring Original
šļø Debut: A historic treat from 1917 š Creator: The pioneering D.L. Clark Company š¦ Ingredients: That signature crispy, flaky peanut butter crunch, embraced by smooth milk chocolate. š Fun Fact: Still older than sliced bread. Let that sink in. This bar has seen some things. The Clark Bar isn't just a candy bar; it's a piece of American history. It fueled soldiers during wartime. Itās a testament to timeless deliciousness. Eat it and feel a sense of historical appreciation. š Taste the OG
š« 9. Hersheyās Gold: The Caramel Renegade
šļø Debut: A surprising twist in 2017 š Creator: The innovative minds at Hersheyās š° Ingredients: A unique caramelized crĆØme base loaded with crunchy pretzels and peanuts. š Fun Fact: The first Hershey bar in over a century to completely ditch the cocoa. A bold move that paid off in golden flavor. Who needs traditional chocolate when youāve got this rich, sweet, and salty masterpiece? That caramelized crĆØme is a game-changer, a delightful rebellion in the candy aisle. š Strike Gold
š« 10. 100 Grand Bar: The Chewy Symphony
šļø Debut: 1960s š Creator: NestlĆ© (now Ferrero) š° Ingredients: Chewy caramel, crisped rice, all enveloped in a smooth milk chocolate coating. š Fun Fact: Originally named the "$100,000 Bar"ātalk about aspirational snacking! This one often flies under the radar, but itās a consistently satisfying classic. That chewy caramel and crispy rice combo is a textural delight. Underrated and utterly delicious. š Cash in on it
š¶ Childhood Bonus Round: Candy Was Currency
These werenāt just snacks; they were social capital. Perfectly executed chores? Candy. Acing that pop quiz? More candy. Surviving a sibling squabble without bloodshed? Candy bar jackpot.
Halloween was pure, unadulterated economics. Iād meticulously organize my loot, strategizing trades to maximize my Butterfinger holdings. My best friend was the Reeseās Peanut Butter Cup magnate. We ran candy cartels, and the memories are sweeter than any sugar rush.
š Final Thoughts from Aisle 5 (and Beyond)
While my days of demanding candy before vegetables might be (mostly) behind me, the allure of a truly exceptional candy bar remains. So, when I find myself stuck in that soul-crushing line, behind someone paying for a single pack of gum with a check, and my gaze falls upon that glorious yellow wrapper? Itās a no-brainer. Itās coming home.
Because sometimes, itās about more than just satisfying a sweet tooth. Itās about those memories, those connections, those perfect moments of frozen peanut butter bliss melting on your tongue as you smile at a private joke only your heart understands.
So go ahead. Treat yourself. To a snack. To a story. To a little bite of the past.
And remember: you donāt need a special occasion to unwrap a little happiness.
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