Thread: Good candy that is not chocolate. Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
I have a child who does not like chocolate, but does like sweets. I like to put a bit of candy in his Christmas Stocking. Anyone know of a good candy bar other then Pay Day which I usually get that contains no chocolate?
 
Posted by Zach82 (# 3208) on :
 
Only candy bars? I suppose Turkish delight is bar-shaped.

Personally, I would load up on black licorice. [Yipee]
 
Posted by Hedgehog (# 14125) on :
 
Yes, the restriction of "candy bar" does make it tough. Also "good" is a matter of taste. Bit-o-Honey, for example, has no chocolate. But they are not quite my cup of tea.

Now here is one I never heard of before, despite it being in the "Nostalgic" category:

Abba Zaba Candy Bar.

Actually, from the description, it sounds rather good from my taste preferences.
 
Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :
 
Cross pond, left coast: Sees lollipops in vanilla, butterscoth, or caramel are all sublime.
 
Posted by Photo Geek (# 9757) on :
 
Saltwater taffy?? Jelly Belly Jelly beans??? Swedish Fish??? Peanut Brittle??? Try here for more ideas
 
Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
What about this?

Very sweetly satisfying, and not the merest whiff of chocolate.

BTW, is your wee friend otherwise normal? [Devil]
 
Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
You can get Caramac on Amazon. And what about white chocolate? which doesn't actually taste much like chocolate, IMHO.
 
Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :
 
I'm sorry, the only candy I like is chocolate.
 
Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
I wonder whether you could find nougat without chocolate. However the real stuff will not be cheap.

Jengie
 
Posted by Ariston (# 10894) on :
 
The closest thing to a bar I can think of would be Goetze's carmel creams and cow tales—both of which are deliciously chewy on the outside with a contrasting center, and, unless you seek out the chocolate flavored ones, good for your purpose.

I'd also second the licorice suggestion, or anise candies if you can find them. Mind you, the usual stuff that gets passed off as black licorice won't do—you'll have to go to a real honest-to-God candy store to find the stuff that drives licorice fiends like me nuts. I never could understand why anyone even claimed to like licorice until I had the Real Thing® in a bag of hard fruit candies; suddenly, I went from being like most people, who avoid the black jellybeans and candies, to picking out all the licorice before hitting the lemon drops. Be sure to try before you buy if you can, though; real licorice should be spicy and herbal, never artificial or bitter.
 
Posted by Sparrow (# 2458) on :
 
How about fudge? Lots of different flavours, mostly without chocolate covering.

[Smile]
 
Posted by ken (# 2460) on :
 
[Disappointed]

Chocolate is no more "candy" than the paintings of Turner are "wallpaper". Its a higher form of art altogether. If the kids won't eat it, just say thank-you and eat it yourself. (Well, unless its horrid stuff like Hershey's of course - but what father, asked for an egg, gives a stone?)

[Disappointed]
 
Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I've always preferred most other sweet flavors to chocolate, although I like it, too. When I was a little girl my favorite thing was a bag of Kraft caramels. They're individually wrapped so you could put a dozen or so in her stocking. My husband,(who loves Hershey's Ken,) likes Red Vine licorice. There's really no accounting...
 
Posted by John D. Ward (# 1378) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sparrow:
How about fudge? Lots of different flavours, mostly without chocolate covering.

[Smile]
An excellent suggestion. If you want to add the personal touch, and have a sugar thermometer available, you can make your own fudge
 
Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I just remembered something else. Do people outside the American northeast ever eat pure maple sugar molded into a lump?
I loved it. [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
Nobody seems to have mentioned Werther's Originals yet - do they exist in the US? I think all the others I can think of are UK-only. Surely Jolly Rancher must make some special Christmas editions you can get?
 
Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :
 
quote:
Jade Constable: Nobody seems to have mentioned Werther's Originals yet
Ah yes, for those I make an exception.
 
Posted by HCH (# 14313) on :
 
I suggest "Bit O' Honey" and various Nature Valley granola bars. Have you tried rock candy? (Don't try to chew it!) You might like Golightly Fruit Chews.
 
Posted by Leorning Cniht (# 17564) on :
 
Surely Christmas stockings were invented for holding sugar mice?
 
Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by HCH:
various Nature Valley granola bars.
Even I would not torture a child because they do not like chocolate.
 
Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Yellowman. Or tablet. Should get rid of any teeth he's acquired up to now.
 
Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Candy canes?
 
Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
Thanks all, I had forgotten about ABA ZABA. The reason I wanted a bar is because everyone else has a bar in their stocking.
 
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Maybe small pieces of blond fudge--maple walnut, pecan praline, penuche?

Drugstores here sometimes have them up by the registers. Or you can go to a candy store. Or make some.

Or you could get some from the Brigittine fudge monks! [Smile] They have great pecan praline fudge. (Along with choc fudge and truffles.) Cool story: the men's Brigittine order had been extinct for hundreds of years--and they brought it back.

Health/natural food stores also have alternative candy bars. They might be a little more expensive, depending on the store and item, but I've had good ones.

YMMV.
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
I just remembered something else. Do people outside the American northeast ever eat pure maple sugar molded into a lump?
I loved it. [Hot and Hormonal]
[Tear] When I met jlg in Colorado, I mentioned how I'd always wanted to try pure maple candy sometime. After we had all scattered to the winds, I was surprised and delighted to receive a small package of maple candies and a bottle of maple syrup from jlg in New England. Bless her kind soul. [Votive]
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Crystallised Ginger is pure heaven if he is old enough to appreciate it.
 
Posted by Timothy the Obscure (# 292) on :
 
Maple sugar candy is one of the few non-chocolate candies worth eating. But brittles (I prefer cashew or pecan, but peanut can be acceptable) are one other, if done well.
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
My chocolate (and a whole lot more) allergic offspring likes:

I have to see if there are marzipan snowmen on sale today for her stocking.

[ 07. December 2013, 07:32: Message edited by: Curiosity killed ... ]
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I'm not really into sweets, but would second fudge as you can get bars of that. Liquorice is something you either love or hate (not sure I've ever seen that in bars, though), but there's always toffee or mint cake.

I always assumed Werther's Originals were medicinal, from the name.

For a change from the ordinary a box of baklava can be lovely, the pastries are delicious and very sticky, though you really get an intense blast of sugar syrup (or, in the better ones, honey). I find the smaller ones are easier to manage.
 
Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
I keep reading the thread title over and over but I just can't make it make sense to me ...
 
Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
Licorice Bars
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
I know its not a bar, but a large bag of jelly babies. For more adult tastes salted rather than sweet liquorice.
 
Posted by Pearl B4 Swine (# 11451) on :
 
Jelly fruit slices are delicious, and usually available anywhere bulk candy is sold. I love the mint ones, and watermelon, and lemon..... and the crunchy sugar edges.
 
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :
 
Graven Image

Not sure what the situation is in the USA/Canada with so-called "kids" chocolate these days. In the UK they're expected to eat our so-called milk chocolate which contains very little cocoa solid and is very sweet.

So, before writing off all chocolate, have you tried the offspring on dark, bitter chocolate with 70% cocoa solids or higher? My own children detested the usual fare here (purple wrappers and all) but would fall on my own rare treats of luxurious dark chocolate.

It may be worth a go.

Failing that, try them with Turkish Delight.
 
Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
I should not, I really should not but Safari Fruit Dainties are a real treat. They are not as dry as fruit rolls and not so over the top as glace or what passes as jellied fruit here. If you want a bar then there are fruit stix which seem to be the same thing but in a stick form.

Jengie
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Ariel:
I'm not really into sweets, but would second fudge as you can get bars of that. Liquorice is something you either love or hate (not sure I've ever seen that in bars, though), but there's always toffee or mint cake.

I always assumed Werther's Originals were medicinal, from the name.

For a change from the ordinary a box of baklava can be lovely, the pastries are delicious and very sticky, though you really get an intense blast of sugar syrup (or, in the better ones, honey). I find the smaller ones are easier to manage.
Werther's Originals are little hard butterscotch candies, not medicinal at all.

Baklava is a lovely treat, and sweet sticky pastry with nuts is surely kid-friendly assuming there are no allergies. A nice candied fruit selection (including sugar plums perhaps) is also good.
 
Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
A nice candied fruit selection (including sugar plums perhaps) is also good.
[Eek!]

No, no, no-- we LIKE this kid!
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
Chick-o-sticks?? Boy, do I love toasted coconut and peanut butter! Kind of hard on one's teeth, though. Probably a snap for a kid... [Hot and Hormonal]
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cliffdweller:
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
A nice candied fruit selection (including sugar plums perhaps) is also good.
[Eek!]

No, no, no-- we LIKE this kid!
I do mean the good stuff - like this .
 
Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
quote:
Originally posted by cliffdweller:
quote:
Originally posted by Jade Constable:
A nice candied fruit selection (including sugar plums perhaps) is also good.
[Eek!]

No, no, no-- we LIKE this kid!
I do mean the good stuff - like this .
Agh! My eyes! My eyes!
[brick wall] trying to beat out of my brain childhood memories of eating this stuff. Even as a sweet-obsessed child I couldn't stand the stuff. Actually have never met anyone who could.
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by cliffdweller:
Cross pond, left coast: Sees lollipops in vanilla, butterscoth, or caramel are all sublime.
Oh. My. God. You are sooooo right! I remember shopping at a Sees candy store in Seattle and getting those butterscotch and vanilla lollipops... mmmmmmmmmm! The East Coast doesn't get to enjoy the deliciousness of Sees, except for some malls during Christmastime! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
cliffdweller: Have you ever had the abomination known as ribbon candy? Bleahhhh! Usually really, really, old and feeble people like these because they had them during the Depression or something... I think the exact same candies were dusted off and presented as new... that and those hard candies that are filled with ancient, powdery peanut butter--same thing... appeals to fossils and children who don't know any better! [Killing me]
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
How about a Gobstopper?
 
Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Trudy Scrumptious:
I keep reading the thread title over and over but I just can't make it make sense to me ...
I know, I know. Poor, misguided dears.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I like chocolate, me. I cannot eat Abba Zabbas. They ruin my teeth as do caramels.
 
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on :
 
Coconut ice? Though I don't think it's produced commercially, so you'd need to make it- you can google a recipe.
 
Posted by Jane R (# 331) on :
 
Why buy marzipan shapes when you can make them yourself?!

I was going to suggest tablet but I see Firenze has beaten me to it. Though if you are in the USA you will probably have to make it yourself. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find, even in Scotland; even on the ROYAL MILE all the tourist shops sell fudge, for goodness' sake.

This will come as a shock to everyone, but I have a girl who does not like sweets (though she is moderately fond of chocolate). Yesterday at the ceilidh club's Christmas party she ate one chocolate Santa, then gave the other one away to Daddy and stuffed herself with tangerines instead (she loves fruit).

Unnatural child...
 
Posted by Fineline (# 12143) on :
 
I find most kids love Haribo candy - Star Mix, Tangfastics, etc.
 
Posted by Jane R (# 331) on :
 
Mine doesn't. Nor does anyone else in the family.
 
Posted by Fineline (# 12143) on :
 
That's why I said 'most', not 'all'. Of course not all kids love it, just like not all kids love chocolate.
 
Posted by Fineline (# 12143) on :
 
(My post was to answer the OP, not to suggest your child might like Haribo, Jane.)
 
Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Coconut ice? Though I don't think it's produced commercially, so you'd need to make it- you can google a recipe.
Oh but it is! here

I see it all the time in sweet shops albeit in the UK - Americans might have to make it themselves.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Really easy to make but be careful to get a pink layer, not deep purple. [Eek!]

I used to make it regularly for the grandmother of ex Mr L. She had a very sweet tooth indeed.
 
Posted by Sparrow (# 2458) on :
 
How about peppermint creams - again very easy to make at home. Or coffee/orange/lemon too of course.
 
Posted by cliffdweller (# 13338) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by The5thMary:
cliffdweller: Have you ever had the abomination known as ribbon candy? Bleahhhh! Usually really, really, old and feeble people like these because they had them during the Depression or something... I think the exact same candies were dusted off and presented as new... that and those hard candies that are filled with ancient, powdery peanut butter--same thing... appeals to fossils and children who don't know any better! [Killing me]
oh, yes, you are soooo right. Mom used to buy ribbon "candy" (it hardly justifies the name) every Christmas (shudders). It's so pretty looking-- makes a lovely Christmas centerpiece in a nice glass bowl. But to eat? Egh, no. A cruel joke played on unsuspecting children.
 
Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :
 
I just went by the holiday candy section at the supermarket. In the US there seem to be a number of people making gourmet marshmallows. Stacked they approximate a candy bar without the chocolate covering. T
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
I don't suppose you can get sherbet fountains in America, but they were one of the pleasures of British childhood.

(That and "flying saucers".)
 
Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :
 
Good British hard candy is a treat, although expensive in the United States.
I always used to wonder about what the flavoring was in the Christmas gumdrops of my childhood. Then I tried a neem oil based organic insecticide and recognized the fragrance.
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
WELL! Thanks to this thread and all the links that people posted, I went on a search for sweets in other parts of the world which led to other searches and... led me to a web site that had a recipe for rum balls. Now, obviously, rum balls aren't suitable for children but they are suitable for folks who like a little liquor in their sweets and these rum balls are so very easy to make! I'm shocked that I never looked into making these delectable delights because I figured the process was complicated. I think I'm going to buy the ingredients tomorrow and whip up a batch. Cheers!
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
You only need one ingredient. Drink that one.
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
You only need one ingredient. Drink that one.
Nope. I don't care for rum, all by itself. Sorry. But rum AND chocolate!!! Oh, yeahhhhhh! [Biased]
 
Posted by Amos (# 44) on :
 
In the US, I'd probably give pralines, nougat, or salt water taffy to a kid who liked sweets but not chocolate. Or Hot Tamales, or Skittles, or Spice Drops, or liquorice shoe-laces, or any combination of the million and one varieties of what used to be called penny candy. Sugar Babies were good.

Over on this side of the Pond, no question but I'd give Tablet (terrible, wonderful, addictive stuff) or very good home-made fudge (there's some made up in Cumbria which is sold in a white box which is particularly good).

Generally, liquorice, Turkish Delight, and Kendal Mint Cake are specialised tastes.
 
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Amos:
In the US, I'd probably give pralines, nougat, or salt water taffy to a kid who liked sweets but not chocolate. Or Hot Tamales, or Skittles, or Spice Drops, or liquorice shoe-laces, or any combination of the million and one varieties of what used to be called penny candy. Sugar Babies were good.

Over on this side of the Pond, no question but I'd give Tablet (terrible, wonderful, addictive stuff) or very good home-made fudge (there's some made up in Cumbria which is sold in a white box which is particularly good).

Generally, liquorice, Turkish Delight, and Kendal Mint Cake are specialised tastes.
You're making me crave a rather large box of "Mike and Ike's"!!! Oh, hell, ANY sweet would do right now... I'm just wanting sweets... but I still draw the line at ribbon candy. [Biased]
 
Posted by Hedgehog (# 14125) on :
 
Okay, it is only December 21 (-ish), but I do want to state right now that, having started this thread, you, Graven Image, have to tell us what choice you eventually went with. Not knowing is driving me crazy!

(Well, okay, "crazier." Seriously, you are worrying about grammatical accuracy at this point?)
 
Posted by Graven Image (# 8755) on :
 
Just this morning I stopped by the store for a small box of high grade salty light caramels and while there I saw some white hot chocolate packets which I purchased as well as candy cane flavored marshmallow ginger bread looking candy men to float on top. I have my doubts about the quality of the white chocolate drink and marshmallow treats but it should look festive and be fun for a sip or two.

I am saving all of your great ideas for other occasions. I must fess up to inadvertently leading you astray. Child in question is now an adult, but never did like chocolate. I still give him, his adult brother, and their father fun kid stuff in their stockings. It is a family thing we all do for each other.
 
Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Graven Image:
Child in question is now an adult
Well out of warranty then. Should have had him in the shop for repair when the error first appeared.

(Edited to fix code)

[ 23. December 2013, 06:57: Message edited by: Firenze ]
 


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