1950s candy: The most iconic sweet treats from an unforgettable decade

Categories: 1950s, Vintage advertisements, Vintage food & drink

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Unwrapping the past: How 1950s candy shaped America’s sweet tooth

If the 1940s and earlier were the formative years of American candy, the 1950s are when it truly came of age. The post-war economic boom brought with it a wave of consumerism, technological advances, and a decidedly optimistic outlook on life.

These elements combined to create a fertile ground for the candy industry, resulting in a decade full of iconic sweet treats that would both reflect and shape American culture. Below, let’s take a mouthwatering peek at iconic 1950s candy — which not only defined the era, but still make us feel nostalgic today.

Mars Bar chocolate candy (1951)

Curtiss assorted fruit drops from the 50s

Actress Jane Russell for Brach’s Fine Candies (1953)

1950s candy: Hopalong Cassidy candy bar (1950)

Vintage 1950s candy at A and P grocery stores (1950)

CANDY WONDERLAND? That’s about the only way to describe the wide variety of luscious candies at your friendly A&P. We have all sizes, all shapes, all kinds you can imagine.

Come select your favorites from this wide, wonderful variety of popular candies … and save money at A&P’s traditionally low prices! You’ll particularly enjoy A&P’s fatuous Warwick and Worthmore Candies.

ALSO SEE

See vintage 1950s grocery stores & old-fashioned supermarkets

Vintage gum brands from the 50s – Clorets, Dentyne, Chiclets and more

Vintage metal candy tins (1950)

Small Glass Apothecary Candy Jar - Footed Globe Bowl with Lid

$15.95

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07/02/2025 10:51 pm GMT

1950s candy: Zero almond candy bar (1950)

Schrafft’s candy boxes from 1950

Superman for Tootsie Pops (1950)

Chick O Stick Mini Bite Size - 2 Lbs

$15.00

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07/02/2025 07:36 am GMT

Vintage Richardson’s Party Patties candy in assorted flavors (1950)

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Necco Wafers history: How the round, colorful candy became so popular

Richardson’s After Dinner Candies – mints (1950)

1950s candy: Tootsie Roll, Tootsie Fudge and Tootsie Milky Caramels (1955)

ALSO SEE

The history of Tootsie Rolls, once America's favorite candy (and Tootsie Pops, too)

Classic Whitman’s chocolates from the 1950s

Chocolate-covered Whitman’s Sampler candies shown: Maple nut nougat, peanut butter puff, chocolate pistachio, apricot marshmallow, Caramello, mellow mint, pecan, honey nougat, vanilla fudge, mint marshmallow, vanilla caramel, nut honey caramel, maple pecan coconut

Gift boxes: Whitman’s Sampler, Golden Flair, Miniatures, Devon, and Fruit and Nut

Bob Hope for Page and Shaw chocolates (1955)

Necco OK milk chocolate peanut crunch candy bar (1950s candy)

Necco Wafers, Chocolate Wafers Display Pack, 2-Ounce Rolls (Pack of 24)

$37.95

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07/02/2025 04:00 am GMT

Vintage BB Raisinets and Malties (late 1950s)

Gee, I love candy! Grandma says it gives me pep, too! (1950s)

Want to be popular with kids of any age? Always keep a little candy handy. It’s great, quick-energy food. Just remember to buy candy in cellophane. That way you see to choose just the kind you (and the kids) like best. And cellophane keeps candy fresh and clean.

Baby Ruth nuggets and Butterfinger Chips (1950s)

MORE: Baby Ruth candy bars & chocolates, the way they used to be years ago

Chocolate and caramel Marsettes candy – Like Rolo (1958)

Kraft caramels and Fudgies candy (1959)

Hershey-Ets chocolate candies (1954)

Almond Roca candy (1959)

Box of Schrafft’s chocolates – Jubilee assortment (1955)

Gay Bouquet chocolate candies from Schrafft’s (1955)

Peppermint patties & Junior Mints candies from Welch’s (1956)

Mars 3-flavor candy bars (1958)

ALSO SEE: This memorable vintage Halloween candy from the ’50s & ’60s will take you back to trick-or-treats past

Vintage 50s Fanny Farmer candy boxes (1959)

Captain Tootsie – Tootsie Rolls (1950)

ALSO SEE: The history of Tootsie Rolls, once America’s favorite candy (and Tootsie Pops, too)

Sophie Mae Peanut Brittle & Coconut Brittle (1953)

Coconut Grove 1950s candy bars (1952)

Twin bars — creamy coconut with luscious bittersweet coating (Curtiss Candy)

Mars Bars chocolate almond bar candy (1955)

Mars candy bars and Halloween candy from 1955

Curtiss: Makers of Butterfinger, Coconut Grove, Dip candy bars, Saf-T-Pops, Fruit Drops, Mints and Gum

Curtiss nuggets chocolate candies from the 1950s

Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, Coconut Niblets, Dip-Bits, Milk Caramels, Mint Patties, Caramel Nougats

Vintage Almond Joy and Mounds candy bars – 1951

Hershey’s candy coasted mint chocolate candy 1958

Saf-T-Pop fruit-flavored lollipops with loop handles

Your children play safe with Curtiss Saf-T-Pops (c1951)

Vintage 50s Curtiss spearmint gum

Also peppermint, pepsin and Hawaiian fruit gum

ALSO SEE: See the best vintage gum brands from the 20th century

Baby Ruth chocolate candy for a shopping lift! (1950s)

Cute path of a boy with a roll of classic Life Savers candy (1951)

ALSO SEE: Check out the colorful history of Life Savers candy in this fascinating timeline (plus see a list of 30+ classic flavors)

Beech Nut gum for Martians (1958)

NOW SEE THIS: 1970s candy: Get your sweet retro memories here

The fun never ends:

Vintage shoe stores - See what shoe shopping used to be like at Click Americana

Comments on this story

One Response

willaim humphrey says:

September 16, 2019 at 3:53 pm

My father was a route salesman and delivery driver in the late 1950’s don’t know what brought this to mind I guess just harking back in the memories.

Reply