Classic candy bars we wish they’d bring back
Kate Hopkins/Flickr [CC BY 2.0]
Favorites we can’t forget
It's always disappointing finding out your favorite candy has been discontinued. We still have chocolate-shaped holes in our lives left by Pearson’s Seven Up and Hershey's Rally bar. From quirky retro classics to much-loved limited editions, these are the discontinued bars from the USA and Canada that we want to make a comeback.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the discontinued candy bars that deserve a revival, counting down to the one we miss the most – did your favorite make the list?
Our ranking is based on the popularity of each candy bar, taking into account sales, longevity, and the reaction of the products at their time of release. The list is unavoidably subjective.
Like_the_Grand_Canyon/Flickr [CC BY-NC 2.0]
26. Butterfinger Buzz
You may recall the iconic American candy bar Butterfinger receiving an unexpected update in 2009. Nestlé's limited-edition Butterfinger Buzz had a bright orange core and contained as much caffeine as an energy drink. It wasn’t the most delicious candy, but it certainly gave you an energy boost.
25. Krackel
The Krackel bar is a classic Hershey’s creation that was first introduced in 1938. It was known for its signature combination of smooth milk chocolate and crispy puffed rice – many fans have noted its similarities to Nestlé's Crunch. It was sold as a full-sized bar until 1997, but these days it’s only available only as one of the four varieties of Hershey's Miniatures. Hershey briefly reintroduced full-size Krackel bars in 2014, much to the delight of fans, but it was discontinued soon after.
Like_the_Grand_Canyon/Flickr [CC BY-NC 2.0]
24. Sweet Marie
This romantic-sounding bar was named after a love poem and certainly won the hearts of Canadian candy lovers when it launched back in 1931. Featuring crispy rice, peanuts, caramel, and chewy nougat, all covered in creamy chocolate, it resembled a larger, lumpier Snickers bar. It was produced by Cadbury exclusively for the Canadian market, until it was discontinued in 2013.
National Museum of American History/Public Domain
23. Hershey’s Tropical Bar
You might expect Hershey’s Tropical Bar to contain exotic flavors like coconut or pineapple, but the name actually refers to its unique texture. It was developed by Hershey’s specifically for use by the US military during World War II and was formulated to withstand temperatures up to 120°F (49°C) without melting, making it suitable for soldiers in hot climates. Admittedly, troops criticized the Tropical Bar for its poor taste and waxy texture, but it provided them with quick energy and was an essential ration.
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22. Malted Milk
This malted milk nougat, caramel, and chocolate bar was produced by Canadian manufacturer Neilson during the wartime rationing years of the 1940s. When Neilson was bought by Cadbury in the 1990s it was discontinued – but not before Cadbury put out its own version, which didn't stick around for long.
Willis Lam/Wikimedia [CC BY-SA 2.0]
21. Good News
This somewhat mysterious candy bar was first made by Los Angeles candy company Adams & Brooks around the 1950s. It featured gooey layers of chocolate, caramel, nougat, and peanuts. Parents traditionally handed the bars out to friends to celebrate the birth of a baby – hence the name – and they would come with a sticker that said either 'It’s a girl' or 'It’s a boy.' Although not technically discontinued, the niche bar is only available in Hawaii these days.
20. KitKat Churro
One of the most popular limited-edition candy bars to have been launched in the last few years, the KitKat Churro is an unusual but delicious combination of two sweet treats. Launched in 2023, the bar saw a buttery, creamy, cinnamon-speckled sugar mix encasing those famous crunchy wafers. It was only around for a short period, but fans would love to see it make a comeback.
Nestle/dwayneleigh9/YouTube
19. Alpine White with Almonds
This long-forgotten Nestlé bar from the 1980s was best known for its luxurious and dreamlike TV commercials, which featured snowy Alpine landscapes, chiseled models ice skating, and a serene theme song. Alpine White was positioned as a premium candy bar and featured smooth white chocolate infused with crunchy almond pieces – nothing particularly groundbreaking, but that didn’t spot its makers introducing it as ‘the latest craze from Europe.’ Despite its iconic commercials, Alpine White just never caught on.
Peter Paul Candy Company/RetroManVideos/YouTube
18. PowerHouse
Launched in the 1950s by the Connecticut-based Peter Paul Candy Company, the PowerHouse was well before its time. Essentially a candy bar precursor to today’s protein bar, it contained a hefty 2oz (56g) of creamy chocolate, chewy caramel, peanuts, and fudge. It was marketed as a substantial, energy-packed treat, with branding that played on themes of strength and sustenance. Despite its popularity it couldn't compete with other similar bars, and was quietly phased out in the mid-1980s.
Joad Henry/Flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0]
17. WigWag
Sold by Mackintosh's in Canada in the 1970s, WigWag featured chocolate-covered caramel intertwined like a long, thin pretzel. Comparable to the Marathon bar in the US, WigWag was both a nostalgic treat and a Canadian icon for a generation of candy lovers. The retro treat is no longer available but the British Curly Wurly, sold by Cadbury, is a close replacement today.
Peter Paul Candy Company/spuzzlightyeartoo/YouTube
16. Caravelle
Gone but not forgotten, the Caravelle bar was introduced in 1965 by the Peter Paul Candy Company to compete with Nestlé’s popular 100 Grand bar. The Caravelle featured a smooth layer of caramel and crispy puffed rice enrobed in milk chocolate – and many who remember it say it was far superior to the 100 Grand, which has almost identical ingredients. Unfortunately, the Caravelle bar was discontinued after Peter Paul merged with Cadbury Schweppes in 1978.
15. Denver Sandwich
Neither from Denver nor a sandwich, this chocolate and peanut wafer bar was first produced by Wisconsin-based Sperry Company in the 1920s. Described as a chocolate-covered salted nut roll, it only cost 10c (7p) back in the day. However, soon after Pearson Candy Company bought Sperry Company in 1962, the misnamed bar was dropped from production.
Mars/pizzaguy2002/YouTube
14. Summit
Released by Mars in 1977, the Summit bar was a unique treat with a short but memorable run. A fan favorite for its crunchy texture, it featured two wafer bars coated in a creamy peanut butter layer, topped with crunchy peanuts, and covered in a layer of milk chocolate. Despite its popularity the Summit bar was discontinued in the early 1980s. Its downfall was partly due to its meltiness, with those who remember it suggesting it needed to be stored in the freezer to be enjoyed properly.
joad_henry/Flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0]
13. Bar Six
Another iconic candy bar that Cadbury produced for the Canadian market, Bar Six had its heyday in the 1960s and was famous for its distinctive, eye-catching orange wrapper. The milk chocolate wafer bar was named Bar Six because it was designed to be snapped into six fingers, similar to the KitKat – but with an added layer of hazelnut cream. Sadly it hasn’t been around since the early 2000s.
Evan-Amos/Wikimedia [CC BY-SA 3.0]
12. Thingamajig
One of the most recent bars on our list, the Thingamajig was launched by Hershey’s in 2009 as a kind of companion candy bar to its iconic Whatchamacallit, which has been going strong since the 1970s. The Thingamajig contained peanut butter crème and cocoa-flavoured crisps and developed its own unique fanbase, largely due to its slightly darker chocolate and richer cocoa flavor compared to the Whatchamacallit. Despite this it disappeared from shelves in 2012 and hasn’t been seen since.
11. PB Max
A short-lived but iconic treat, PB Max may not have been around for very long (it was available from the late 1980s to mid-1990s) but the peanut butter–packed bar continues to live on in many people's memories. The unique candy featured a thick square of creamy peanut butter atop a cookie base, covered in rich milk chocolate and sprinkled with oat flakes for texture.
10. Chicken Dinner
Launched in the US in 1923, Sperry Company’s Chicken Dinner was a bar that grabbed people's attention. It featured fudge, caramel, and peanuts and was likened to a hearty, nutritious dinner. Though it was discontinued in the 1960s, it remains one of the most influential candy bars of all time for its health-giving claims.
Nestle/FuzzyMemoriesTV/YouTube
9. Choco'Lite Bar
Introduced by Nestlé in the 1970s, Choco’Lite Bars stood out from the competition thanks to their unique texture. The bar was crafted with aerated milk chocolate, which created a bubbly, delicate consistency, with a satisfying crunch provided by puffed rice pieces. Despite its devoted fan base, the Choco’Lite bar was discontinued in the 1980s. For a taste of something similar, the Aero bar (also produced by Nestlé) has a very similar texture and is available in the UK and various other countries.
Oliver Hammond/Flickr [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]
8. Old Nick
From the same producers as beloved candy bar Bit-O-Honey, Old Nick was made by the Schutter-Johnson Company of Chicago. It was a compact bar featuring fudge, caramel, and peanuts coated in milk chocolate, but sadly it was discontinued in the 1960s. Miraculously, Bit-O-Honey, which launched in the 1920s is still available but now sold by Pearson’s Candy.
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7. Space Food Sticks
These small sticks have a big story. They were developed by Pillsbury and NASA as energy bars and sent to the moon with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969. A commercial version was also made available in the US which came in flavors such as chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter.
Kate Hopkins/Flickr [CC BY 2.0]
6. Rally
A 1970s American classic, the Rally bar was made by The Hershey Company and originally sold for 15c (11p). The delicious milk-chocolate-covered caramel, fudge, and peanut bar was promoted as 'The Crowded Candy Bar' as it was so packed with ingredients. After disappearing from shelves, it made a brief comeback in 2013 but we want it back permanently, preferably with the original price tag.
Make It Old/Flickr [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]
5. Reggie!
Although this American candy bar was only sold for a short amount of time, between 1978 and 1981, Reggie! made a big name for itself. It was named after the New York Yankee player Reggie Jackson and featured rich caramel, roasted peanuts, and chocolate. Sometimes old bars of it still resurface on eBay.
asonliebigstuff/Flickr [CC BY-NC 2.0]
4. Marathon
A unique and beloved retro treat, the Marathon candy bar was introduced by Mars in 1973. Chewy and delicious, it featured a braided caramel base with a smooth milk chocolate coating and stretched an impressive 20cm (8in). Its playful packaging included a ruler, emphasizing its extraordinary length. Despite its popularity, the Marathon bar was discontinued in 1981, but remains a nostalgic favorite among candy enthusiasts, with similar bars like the UK’s Curly Wurly keeping its memory alive.
Classic Film/Flickr [CC BY-NC 2.0]
3. Coconut Grove
Coconut lovers certainly miss this creamy tropical confectionery bar that was covered in bittersweet dark chocolate. Manufactured by Curtiss Candy Company (who also made Baby Ruth bars and Saf-T-Pops), it was a popular treat in America in the 1950s. Until it makes a comeback, Mars' Bounty bar is your best replacement.
Mike Mozart/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
2. Oh Henry!
One of the USA’s oldest candy bars, the Oh Henry! was first created by the Chicago-based Williamson Candy Company in 1920. Its name origin is debated. Some stories suggest it was named after a young man who frequently visited the company's offices, while others claim it’s just a marketing creation. Similar to a Snickers, it featured layers of roasted peanuts, a chewy caramel center, and a fudge layer, all enrobed in milk chocolate. Sadly this beloved bar was discontinued in the US in 2019, but it lives on in Canada, albeit with a different recipe.
1. Seven Up
Why have a single candy bar when you can have seven in one? In 1951 Pearson’s Candy inherited Seven Up from Trudeau Candy. Sold in the US, it was a chocolate bar with seven squares containing seven fillings – at one point it was mint, nougat, butterscotch, fudge, coconut, butter cream, and caramel. Understandably, it was a difficult bar to produce and eventually discontinued.
Now check out the greatest American candy bars of all time
Last updated by Natasha Lovell-Smith.