The history of candy dates back to ancient peoples who must have snacked on sweet honey straight from bee hives. The first candy confections were fruits and nuts rolled in honey. The manufacturing of sugar began during the middle ages and at that time sugar was so expensive that only the rich could afford candy made from sugar. Cacao, from which chocolate is made, was re-discovered in 1519 by Spanish explorers in Mexico.
The price of manufacturing sugar was much lower by the seventeenth century when hard candy became popular. By the mid-1800s, there were over four hundred factories in the United States producing candy.
History of Individual Types of Candy and Desserts
- Cake mix (commercial) was invented in 1949.
- Candy Canes
- Caramel Apples kits were designed by Kraft Foods sales representative, Dan Walker during the 1950s. The origin of Candy Apples is unknown.
- Cheesecake
- Chocolate
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cotton Candy Machine
- Cracker Jack
- Donut/Doughnut
- Fig Newton Cookies
- Fortune Cookies were invented in America in 1918, by Charles Jung.
- Good and Plenty - On June 12, 1928, the "Good and Plenty" trademark was registered. "Good and Plenty" are the brightly colored, candy-coated, licorice candy.
- Graham Crackers
- Granola bars were invented by Stanley Mason.
- Gum - Bubble Gum, Chewing Gum
- HOT ROCKS - On October 17, 1961, "HOT ROCKS" Candy was trademark registered.
- Gummie Candy
- Ice Cream
- Jello
- Life Savers Candy
- Lollipops
- Marshmallows & Marshmallow Peeps
- Moonpies
- M&M's
- The Milky Way bar was invented in 1923 by Frank C. Mars.
- Sweethearts Conversation Candies
- Pez Candy
- Popsicle
