Happy Candy Corn Day

Happy National Candy Corn Day!

Celebrate! Gorge!

Sweet, sweet candy corn!

Did you find a kernel under your pillow this morning?

How many kernels have you had this month? I think I'm close to 1000.

Where Candy Corn Comes From

Tomorrow is National Candy Corn Day

October 30 is National Candy Corn Day.

So today is National Candy Corn Eve.

I've heard that if you've been good this month, in the morning there will be a kernel of sweet candy corn under your pillow.

Candy Corn Float

I've run across a lot of interesting candy corn recipes, but never a Candy Corn Float.

It's pretty much an ice cream float with orange juice! Interesting. Check out the full recipe from the League of Reluctant Adults.

Best Candy Corn Poem Ever

From A Duck in Her Pond: Ode to Candy Corn and How I Love Thee

A kernel from her poem:

Candy corn, my sweet, you've gotten a bad rap.
People say you're too sugary,
Too sickening,
Liable to make everyone fat.

But they don't know what I know,
oh candy o' mine.
They don't know how tasty you are,
how delicious,
how you make me shine.

You've gotta read it all. Great poem!

Candy Corn Soap?

Okay, I don't know about this one. It's candy corn soap.

For a bit of sweet Halloween holiday fun, try this layered candy corn glycerin and white soap inspired by real candy corn.

Candy Corn is scented with candy corn fragrance a warm vanilla candy with top notes of butter with a hint of almond.

Now that I think about it, this could be a parent's dream! Think about it - you've got a kid with a potty mouth and he needs his mouth washed out with soap. He'll probably volunteer to do it for you!

Okay, maybe not.

Ag Minute: Candy Corn

YouTube - Louisiana Farm Bureau: Lauren Thom's Ag Minute: Candy Corn

Want to know more about the history of candy corn? Go for it!

Candy Corn Photos on Flickr

There are a lot of cool candy corn inspired photos on Flickr worth browsing through. For instance, this is from msgrfx called Candy Corn:



Check out other photos on Flickr tagged "Candy Corn" and be inspired photographically and sweetly.

Giant Candy Corn

These candy corns were apparently up for sale on Craigslist in Minnesota. The ad is down but Erin provides the lowdown on them.

Orange candy haters

I've seen a lot of hatred for the sweet goodness we like to call candy corn. I don't get it. It's the best candy around!

But look, if you're gonna go hatin' on an orange candy, hate on the circus peanut.

It's a marshmallow poser looking like a nut and tasting kinda like a banana. It's an ick stick that'll make you sick.

If you've ever needed to hate on an orange candy before, lay off the kernel hate and focus on the circus peanut.

Now back to munching some orange/yellow/white goodness...

photo source: Pete Seroogy

Stumble This Site Please

By the way, if you like this site and you use StumbleUpon, would you consider stumbling the site?

Or just share the site with someone.

Thanks!

If you do, I can't promise it, but I bet there will be a kernel of candy corn waiting for you under your pillow on National Candy Corn Day October 30th!

Candy Corn in the Wild

Have you found candy corn set out in local businesses? Carl found some candy corn at his DMV! I can't think of a better way to pass the time at the DMV than munching on some candy corn.

I know some would complain that it could be a germ factory with grubby hands in the bowl all the time grabbing the sweet candy corn goodness. Hopefully people provide tongs or toothpicks.

But it's no different than those nasty butter mints at a restaurant.

Here's a tip: take your Swiss Army Knife with you and put the toothpick to work with your candy corn portions!

Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

I'm not sure I'd be a big fan of candy corn looking cookies. Mostly it's because I don't think my senses could handle it.

I see candy corn but taste cookie.

I anticipate wax but get crumble.

But I have to admit this is kinda cool. I mean, what's not to like about a sugar cookie?

It looks easy enough. Just divide a batch of sugar cookie dough into thirds, color them, layer them, cool them, cut them, bake them.

The Recipe Girl has more details. Have you tried it?

The Simpson's Candy Corn Volcano

Did any of you happen to see The Simpsons last Sunday called Double, Double, Boy In Trouble (Season 20, episode 3)? It's the one where Bart meets Simon Woosterfield who is another version of him, only rich. They swap roles.

When Bart gets to his 'new' home, he is loving all the stuff his rich counterpart has. But the one that caught my eye was that he was excited he had a candy corn volcano! It looked awesome as it spewed candy corn out of the top of the volcano and candy corn flowed down the slopes like lava.

As Home might say, "Mmmmmmmm, candy corn"

Did you catch that episode?

Unopened Candy Corn

I have a bag of unopened candy corn sitting on my desk right now but I can still smell the sweet goodness that awaits me.

I know it's unbelievable...

...that I have an unopened bag of candy corn!

Vegan Candy Corn Recipe

I've never had this, but I'm seeing it all over the internets. So I thought I'd reproduce the recipe here from The Urban Housewife.

Vegan Candy Corn

• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup corn syrup (preferably organic, avoid high fructose corn syrup!)
• 5 tablespoons Earth Balance (or other vegan margarine)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup powdered soy milk
• a pinch of sea salt
• Red & yellow food coloring

In a large saucepan, bring the sugar, corn syrup, Earth Balance, & vanilla to a boil over high heat.

Reduce the heat to medium & boil the mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, remove from heat.

Sift the powdered sugar, powdered soy milk, & salt into medium bowl.

Add the powdered sugar mixture to pan & stir to combine.

Let the mixture stand until slightly warm to touch, about 20 minutes.

Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces.

Consider putting on rubber gloves, so you don't stain your hands. Add several drops of yellow food coloring to one piece of dough & knead food coloring into the dough until smooth and color is even. Repeat using red & yellow food coloring (for orange) with the second piece & leave the last piece white, but knead it until smooth. This isn't an easy task & could take up to 15 minutes!

Roll each piece into ropes of equal length (don't roll too thin or the dough will break) and push the three ropes together to form a long rectangle.

Using sharp knife, cut the ropes into triangles. Some will be white tipped & some will be yellow tipped.

Shape the candy corn as desired!

Thanks again to The Urban Housewife for the recipe. I recommend going to her page for more details.

Candy Corn Unwrapped Video from FoodTV

Too bad I can't embed the video, but here's a 3 minute video from the Food Network's show Unwrapped all about Candy Corn.

UPDATE: I found the video on YouTube

Second Life Candy Corn Earings

You really can buy just about anything in Second Life.

Katie shows these off on her blog.

Candy Corn is Yummy T-shirts

Gotta get me one of these shirts.

I normally don't care for black t-shirts but this one looks really good (though there's plenty to chose from).

I keep eating candy corn so I should get the XXL...

From Get Fresh Designs.

Make a Candy Corn treat bag

Ready to learn how to make this candy corn treat bag? Angie from Stampin' Academy shows us how in this two-part video:

Candy Corn Treat Bag Part One

Watch Candy Corn Treat Bag Part One in How to Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Candy Corn Treat Bag Part Two

Watch Candy Corn Treat Bag Part Two in How to Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Candy Corn: Poems

I learned of a book today called Candy Corn: Poems by James Stevenson.

I noticed on the book cover that they left a couple pieces of candy corn in the bowl and spilled 10 others. What a shame.

Here's two poems I read today online:

Pumpkin Poop
Use candy corn, and put them into a little plastic or real pumpkin and tie the poem to it.

I started to carve a pumpkin
With my carving knife and scoop.
But the pumpkin got so scared
He took a little poop.
It looked so cute and funny
Just like a candy treat.
So I'm sharing it with you now
Because you're so sweet.

Candy Corn Poem
Put candy corn in a mug or Halloween bag or box and attach this poem:

Halloween is almost here
goblins and ghosts, oh the fear!
Pumpkins, black cats and witches too,
Bobbing for apples and witches brew.
So jump for joy and sound the horn,
relax and have some candy corn!

Candy Corn Drawings

I really like this drawing from Peggy of prdesigns.

Have you made creative candy corn drawings? Leave a comment and link to your creation!

Candy Corn Count = 580

Finished off a container of Brach's candy corn today. My wife had a couple handfulls so I'm putting my candy corn count for the month so far at 580.

I've also had a couple of belly aches but I don't think they are related.

Right?

Also, it's good to see I'm making an impact at least on Twitter!

Howling Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Now this is an interesting recipe I've found. I love 'bark candy' and this sounds great. Except I'd probably leave the raisins out (don't like the soft mixed with the hard)

• 16 Halloween OREO Cookies (coarsely chopped)
• 1-1/2 cups Mini Pretzel Twists (coarsely broken)
• 1/3 cup Raisins
• 2 (6-ounce) pkgs White Baking Chocolate
• 1/2 cup Candy Corn
• 1/4 cup Brown and Orange Candy Sprinkles

Spread cookies, pretzels and raisins onto 13x9 inch lightly greased baking sheet or pan.

Place chocolate in small heavy saucepan. Cook on low heat until completely melted, stirring constantly. Drizzle over cookie mixture.

Spread with spatula to evenly coat all ingredients. Top with candy corn and sprinkles. Lightly press into chocolate mixture to secure.

Cool until firm, then break into pieces. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Makes 20 servings, about 1/3 cup each.

Candy Corn Mixes

I'm a candy corn purist. I like to eat it just by itself. But I know a lot of people like to mix candy corn with peanuts and other items.

If you're a candy corn mixer, what items do you like to mix with it?

NPR's Ode to Candy Corn

On October 28, 2007, Bonny Wolf of NPR did a 3-minute segment on candy corn.

Have a listen: NPR's Ode to Candy Corn

Hershey's Candy Corn Kisses

Has anyone tried these yet? What do they taste like?



Photo source from House Of Secrets Incorporated

Who Invented Candy Corn?

Candy corn was invented and produced in the 1880's (perhaps 1884?) by the Wunderlee Candy Company in Philadelphia, PA. For some perspective, this was about 3 decades after Stephen Whitman first sold boxed chocolates and about 2 decades after Richard Cadbury boxed chocolates. Within a decade of Wunderlee's candy corn, Wrigley's Juciy Fruit, Wrigley's Spearmint Gum, Cracker Jacks, and the Tootsie Roll would be created and sold. It wouldn't be until 1900 that Hershey would begin selling his milk chocolate bar!

It's generally reported (including the National Confectioners Association) that it was Wunderlee employee George Renninger who invented candy corn. However, I've read other entries that cite others or that it is unknown. Even if we don't know exactly who the first person was, we certainly know it came from Philadelphia's Wunderlee Candy Company.

Wunderlee was a small company and there isn't much about what happened to them, but we do know that it wasn't Wunderlee who took candy corn to the mass markets. It took a German immigrant, Gustav Goelitz of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1898 to start the Goelitz Candy Company and mass produce candy corn.

It's my belief that there were three major factors why candy corn took off in popularity:

1. Candy corn was sweet
2. Candy corn was scarce - mass-produced candy was in short supply at the time and was only produced 8 months in a year
3. Candy corn looked appealing - farmers liked that the candy looked like a kernel of corn (the yellow end is the 'top') and the general public considered it revolutionary because of it's tri-colored design

The Goelitz Candy Company had a big success on their hands with candy corn but came into major success when they introduced the Jelly Belly jelly bean in 1976. Soon they became the Jelly Belly Candy Company.

Although there are several brands that make today's candy corn, the leader is Brach's.

In 1904, German immigrant Emil J. Brach opened Brach's Palace of Sweets in Chicago. In 1948 Brach's decided to begin selling candy corn during Halloween. Soon Brach's became the top candy seller in America. Since then the company has been bought and sold several times including being acquired by Farley's & Sathers Candy Company in 2007.

Today it is estimated that more than 35 million pounds of candy corn is produced annually (that's about 9 billion pieces of candy corn!)

Of the 9 billion pieces, I do my fair share annually to be sure!

Attack of the 90 foot Candy Corn!

Illustration created and posted by Ray Ferguson Illustrations.

Candy Corn Dancing to Thriller

Ever seen candy corn dance to Michael Jackson's Thriller?


YouTube: The REAL Guild Wars Thriller

Now you have.

Candy Corn Count = 300

I just finished my first bag of candy corn for the season. It was a 22 oz bag of Brach's Autumn Mix.

That's an estimate of 300 pieces.

Very good stuff. I think I still like the normal candy corn, though the pumpkins are nice to put a couple in my mouth at a time.

Addicted to Candy Corn Facebook Group

If you are on Facebook and addicted to candy corn like I am, come over and join the Addicted to Candy Corn Facebook group!

It's pushing almost 400 members.

I didn't start it but I'm a proud member.

Psychedelic Candy Corn Video

Trippy! Sometimes this is how I feel during a candy corn binge...


YouTube: Candy Corn

Candy Corn Mixed Drinks?

Wow! I already know what wine goes best with candy corn, but there are also several mixed drink libations if one were so inclined.

Candy Corn Cocktail

• 1 part cream
• 1 part Licor 43 liqueur
• 1 part Triple Sec or 1 part Orange Curacao liqueur

Note: I've been told to layer the liquids with the Licor 43 on bottom, then the Orange Curacao or Triple Sec, then the cream on top (of course).

Or if you're looking for something a little more complex, try the Candy Corn Drink with Vodka or the Candy Corn Martini!

Have you ever tried a candy corn drink?

Make a Candy Corn Hat

I've never seen so many crafty things to make that are candy corn related until I started this blog.

This is a pretty cool project -- but not for me for two reasons: I don't sew and I live in Florida. If it were cold enough, I'd probably wear one. But I think some of you might like to give this a try.

This comes from Rennie at Material Whirled. On her blog she shares her free Candy Corn Hat pattern.

Very creative! Maybe one could make a matching scarf? Leave a comment if you make one of these and let us know how it worked out!

Flickr Candy Corn Contest

Did you know you can do more with candy corn than just eat it? You can create candy corned themed crafts and such. And if you're into that, you've gotta check out the Flickr Candy Corn Contest:

This contest, hosted by Lera and AmandaJean, is a place to share your candy corn related projects or photographs. Any medium is accepted. By placing your photos in this pool, you will be entering in the contest, simple as that. You may enter as many projects/photos as you like.

The contest will run from Oct. 1-Oct. 30, 2008. Winners will be announced on Oct. 31. The prizes will be candy corn related, of course.

So go check out the projects, come up with your own, and submit them to the Candy Corn Contest!

Thanks to Pink Trees for pointing me to the contest.
Photo source from myzoebug.

Amigurumi Candy Corn Pattern

Since opening this blog, I've learned a lot about the different kinds of projects people create based on candy corn.

Today was no exception. I even learned a new word - 'Amigurumi' is a Japanese knitting or crocheting art. They are usually in the likeness of a small animal, but can be something inanimate also - like candy corn!

Sheila Reinke runs The Heart of Sewing blog and shared a free pattern to make crocheted candy corns. She says it's pretty easy and they end up being about 3 inches tall.

Pretty cool but that skill is not in my set. But I like it.

What other candy corn projects do you know about?

Candy Corn Recipe

Have you ever made home-made candy corn? I never have, but might just try it. I've looked around the internets and the same formula keeps coming up for how to make candy corn:

Home-made Candy Corn

• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup white corn syrup
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup powdered milk
• food coloring

Combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup in pan and bring to a boil stirring constantly. Turn heat low and boil 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

In a separate dish, combine powdered sugar, salt, and powdered milk. Add all at once to the mixture in the pan. Add food coloring if desired. Stir until cool enough to handle. Shape as desired.

Photo source from sugar-skull.com

noggin doesn't like candy corn?

Those poor kids! What are we teaching them?!?!


YouTube: Candy Corn

Who else doesn't like candy corn?

Not me.

What wine goes with Candy Corn?

You may have never asked yourself that question before, have you? Well the StarChefs have not only asked the question but answered it. They say you should:

Try the Veuve Clicquot–Ponsardin Vintage Rich 2000; it's medium–bodied, and the "rich" character comes through as body and softness — yes, it's sweet, but not too much so, making it easy to sip over the course of an evening. It even shows some marshmallow aromas, as well as touches of quince and white chocolate.

I couldn't find any other suggestions on corkd.com or from Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library TV. But I'd think this candy corn wine glass would probably be perfect for your wine!

Have you ever mixed candy corn and wine? What works well?

Thanks to the Candy Dish Blog for the suggestion.

Love the Sweet Candy Corn

I can't help myself, but I love the sweet candy corn. I love it when the fall months come around and the candy corn hits the shelves in plenty!

If I were president, the Presidential candy would be candy corn. No doubt.

But not just any candy corn, Farley's Candy Corn is without a doubt the best of all the brands.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite brand?

Photo source from Crutch2001