Like most childhood foods, candy bars hold a special place in our hearts and bring back memories of simpler times. Over the years, countless candy bars have come and gone though some have left behind a devoted fanbase, while others quietly faded into obscurity. Let’s explore a few vintage candy bars that, sadly, no one really talks about anymore.
Hershey’s S’mores
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Back in 2003, Hershey’s decided to bottle up the magic of a campfire favorite. This bar combined a crunchy graham cracker base with a fluffy marshmallow layer, all wrapped in Hershey’s classic milk chocolate. Unlike typical candy bars, its multilayered approach mimicked the actual s’mores experience, with the chocolate melting slightly over the marshmallow
Nestle Wonka Bars
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Inspired by Willy Wonka's fantastical world, these chocolate bars arrived in stores during the 2005 release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The graham cracker-infused milk chocolate gave them a unique crunch. Their packaging often teased golden ticket prizes, which made them all the more appealing.
Caravelle Bar
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If you loved caramel and rice crispies, this was the candy bar for you. It was wrapped in smooth milk chocolate and struck the perfect balance of chewy and crunchy. The delicious combination made it a contender against popular bars like Nestle Crunch and 100 Grand.
Summit Cookie Bar
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This 1970s creation was all about layers. Wafers added a crisp bite, peanuts brought crunch, and a thick chocolate coating tied it all together. It was marketed as a candy bar with more substance and primarily appealed to those who wanted a satisfying snack rather than a quick sugar rush.
Kudos Bars
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If you grew up in the 1980s or 1990s, you might recall these granola bars being marketed as health food. Kudos bars were essentially candy bars in disguise, available in flavors like chocolate chip, M&M’s, and peanut butter. Their slim, portable design made them a favorite for busy parents and kids alike.
Seven-Up Candy Bar
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Despite the name, this candy doesn’t have anything to do with the popular soft drink known as 7-Up. Its segmented design offered seven different fillings, including caramel, coconut, and fruit-flavored creams. This meant that no two bites were the same.
Marathon Candy Bar
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Mars Inc. introduced the Marathon Bar in the 1970s, and it made an impression—literally. Its 8-inch-long, braided caramel coated in chocolate was both fun to eat and a test of patience thanks to its chewiness. Most people loved how it could last through an entire movie or road trip.
Nestle Quik Bars
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Capitalizing on the success of their Nesquik drink mix, Nestle introduced Quik Bars in the 1970s. Their creamy, milk chocolate profile mimicked the drink’s taste almost perfectly. Having said that, the transformation from drink to candy bar wasn’t as seamless as they thought and the candy was eventually pushed out of the market.
PB Max
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Peanut butter lovers still mourn the loss of PB Max. Launched in 1989, this bar featured a generous layer of rich, creamy peanut butter atop a whole-grain cookie base, enveloped in milk chocolate. The cookie also had a subtle crunch, which made it more texturally interesting than a simple peanut butter cup.
Reggie! Bar
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Baseball legend Reggie Jackson was the inspiration behind this candy bar that debuted in 1978. Its peanut and caramel core, coated in chocolate, was shaped into a circular disk rather than the traditional bar as a tribute to baseballs. The bar gained quite a following but–like all seasonal items–was eventually discontinued.
Milkshake Candy Bar
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This one was all about recreating the experience of a creamy, chocolate milkshake—minus the glass. The Milkshake Candy Bar offered a malted nougat center with a unique profile that differentiated it from standard nougat bars. Its creamy texture and rich taste made it a favorite for those who loved the flavor of old-fashioned malt shops.
54321 Chocolate Bar
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Launched in the UK, the 54321 Chocolate Bar was like a greatest-hits compilation of candy components. Its five layers—wafer, fondant, crisped rice, caramel, and milk chocolate—offered a complex mix of textures and flavors. Plus, the catchy commercials kept it popular through the ’80s.
Nestle Triple Decker Bar
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Three layers of indulgence—milk chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry-flavored chocolate—stacked together created a candy that was as striking to look at as it was to eat. This vibrant candy bar was a hit with kids in the ’60s and ’70s, especially those who loved strawberries.
Choco’Lite Bar
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The Choco’Lite Bar’s main selling point was its unique aerated texture. Unlike dense chocolate bars, its airy structure made it feel light and almost mousse-like in texture. This unique quality had a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that was both indulgent and refreshing. Plus, the bubbly interior was pretty revolutionary for its time.
Bar None
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Hershey’s introduced Bar None in 1987, promising layers of chocolate wafers, peanuts, and a rich chocolate coating. It had all the makings of a classic but never quite found its footing in a competitive market. By the early 1990s, it was reworked and then discontinued altogether, much to the dismay of its fans.
