Learn more about the traditions of our favorite Halloween food and candy.
Do you love Halloween? While the holiday we know is full of delicious candy, chocolates, caramel apples, games, costumes, parades, and more, it wasn’t always that way. Halloween has been celebrated in some form or another for hundreds of years, with different Halloween food and candy traditions evolving over time. As you prepare for your next night out of trick-or-treating or showing off your creative costume, consider the Halloween traditions of the past. At Wockenfuss Candies, we carry on some of these traditions by creating tasty classics like caramel apples, candy corn, and shareable candy packs.
Halloween Hundreds of Years Ago
Halloween food and candy traditions have evolved, but as with most holidays, some food component was usually involved. Halloween is believed to be derived from the pre-Christian feast day of Samhain, celebrated by Celtic people. During that time, troupes of amateur actors would go from house to house to perform in exchange for food and drinks. Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, traditions eventually came to the US through Irish immigrants in the mid-19th century. During that time, people would bake soul cakes, small round cakes similar to shortbread biscuits, to hand out to “soulers,” mostly children and the poor.
Apples and Nuts for Halloween
Candy and caramel apples are now a popular Halloween food and candy tradition, but they first became associated with Halloween in a different way. In the mid-19th century, Halloween celebrations involved apple bobbing. Young single people would compete to be the first to bite into an apple, signifying that they would be next to marry.
Americans would also gather on Halloween for Nut Crack Night festivities, where they ate hazelnuts and chestnuts. In a 1912 book, “Games for Hallow-e’-en,” the author describes a game where a young couple would put two nuts in the fire and see if they jumped or stayed together.
Modern Halloween Candy
Candy corn is one of the oldest Halloween candies still eaten today. When the candy was introduced, it was designed to look like chicken feed – something many Americans would recognize at that time as nearly half of the country worked on farms.
Before the success of Hershey’s chocolate, chocolate was considered a luxury item rarely consumed by the average person. But Hershey figured out how to mass produce the sweet treat for significantly cheaper prices. In the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween trick-or-treating still mainly involved handing out cookies, fruit, nuts, toys, or money. The sugar rationing during WWII meant that only a few had access to candy. However, in the 1950s, sweet Halloween treats were ready to return. By the 1970s, wrapped candy was the most common item handed out on Halloween night.
Your Favorite Halloween Candy at Wockenfuss
You can find new and old favorites at your local Wockenfuss Candies. If you want to enjoy sweet apples, try one of our many delicious caramel apples! Some of these apples are covered in nuts for extra crunch and seasonal flavor. You might also pick up tasty salted nuts for a classic treat. Our gummies and chocolates are delicious and ideal for modern Halloween fans who want sweet, creative candy options.
A Wide Selection of Delicious Treats from Wockenfuss Candies
Head to WockenfussCandies.com and browse our wide selection of chocolates and candies; we promise you won’t be disappointed! Wockenfuss Candies is one of the oldest candy makers in Baltimore. We opened our doors in 1915 and have proudly served the people of Baltimore ever since. If you have any questions about our wide selection of chocolates, please contact Wockenfuss Candies by calling 1-800-296-4414 or email info@Wockenfusscandies.com. When you’re not savoring our sweets, stay satisfied by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!