National Candy Corn Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Candy Sweet Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every October 30
Holiday emoji:: 🍬

National Candy Corn Day sweetens the calendar every October 30. This iconic tri-colored treat, a staple of autumn and Halloween, sparks joy and debate in equal measure. Grab a handful, share your favorite way to eat it, and join the sugary celebration!

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate
Related

History of National Candy Corn Day

George Renniger, who worked at Wunderlee Candy Company, created candy corn in the 1800s. Working out of Philadelphia he invented it to celebrate what he believed to be the beauty of corn juxtaposed with autumnal colors. Winter was cold, dark, and long and the bright colors of candy would last for a long time, bringing optimism and joy as well as a burst of sugar.

Specialized candy for Halloween turned out to be a winning idea with different Halloween candies becoming increasingly popular over time. Wunderlee was credited for being the first to sell candy corn commercially even though Goelitz, also known as Jelly Belly, is the most linked to commercial candy corn sales.

Candy corn began its life as food for chickens and used to be available between March and November only. It was originally a type of mellow cream known as ‘‘Butter Cream Candies.” The name was changed in the 1950s due to false advertising as it had no butter inside it.

The original method of making candy corn was to pour each color into molds separately but this was a very time-consuming process. The recipe was sugar, corn syrup, and water. Later on, marshmallow and fondant started being added, and then so was carnauba wax. Today, the recipe is pretty similar and gives us plenty of energy for trick or treating.

National Candy Corn Day timeline

1898

Sweet Business

The second generation of Goelitz candy makers starts a candy corn business.

1940s

Bag It

Companies begin using clear cellophane bags to keep their Candy Corn fresh.

1997

Candy Corn River in the TV Room

A Halloween episode of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch airs called ‘‘A River of Candy corn Runs Through it.’’

2016

Sweet Producer

Annual production in the US is 35 million pounds.

National Candy Corn Day FAQs

When is National Candy Corn Day?

National Candy Corn Day 2026 is observed on Friday, October 30. It’s the perfect sweet lead-up to Halloween weekend.

How much candy corn is produced each year?

Approximately 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced annually, which equates to roughly 9 billion individual kernels. Most of this production occurs in the months leading up to Halloween.

Is candy corn popular?

Despite its polarizing reputation, candy corn consistently ranks among the top-selling Halloween candies. Its nostalgic appeal and unique flavor profile ensure its enduring popularity, especially during the autumn season.

What is candy corn made of?

Candy corn is primarily made from sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s wax, artificial colors, and marshmallow creme. Its distinct texture comes from a process that involves layering the ingredients.

National Candy Corn Day Activities

Make Candy Corn Cookies
Try the many great recipes online for homemade candy corn cookies. Make the usual cookie dough batter and sprinkle in candy corn instead of chocolate chips. These may turn out to be your favorite Halloween snack.
Add it to other snacks
Add candy corn to your popcorn or make a Halloween trail mix with peanuts, M&M’s or even cereal. You can also make candy corn cupcakes and try buttercream frosting on top.
Buy Candy Corn
Buy a bunch of candy corn for trick or treaters or for your friends and family. Indulge and enjoy the day by using #NationalCandyCornDay and share the photos and posts on social media.

5 Facts About National Candy Corn Day

Major name change
The snack used to be called ‘‘Chicken Feed.’’
Goelitz corn
‘‘The Goelitz Candy Company’’ was the first to mass manufacture candy corn.
Oh, so, much, candy
Annually 35 million pounds or 9 billion pieces of Candy Corn are consumed worldwide.
Calorie count
One serving of candy corn has 140 calories.
Top ten
Candy corn is one of the top ten most popular Halloween candies.

Why We Love National Candy Corn Day

It’s a tradition
Candy corn is a staple for Halloween. The holiday is just not the same without a helping of this unique treat. They’ve been around for more than a century and deserve recognition for their longevity.
They’re original
The colouful and amazing tasting corn we all know and love has no competition in our eyes. It’s a beast in its own lane with three flavors in one bite.
Sweet love
The versatility of Candy Corn is unreal with top chefs like Amie Liming even commenting on how many fun things you can do with it.