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National Candy Corn Day is celebrated annually on October 30th, and it is dedicated to fans of this iconic treat. It’s a day to enjoy candy corn, which has maintained its classic taste, design, color, and size for over a century. National Candy Corn Day celebrates this timeless candy loved by generations.
My favorite Halloween candy is the candy corn. It comes in four colors: white, yellow, orange, brown. Those are also the stages of your teeth rotting after you eat it.” – Jay Leno
National Candy Corn Day Observance
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | October 30 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | October 30 | Thursday |
| 2026 | October 30 | Friday |
| 2027 | October 30 | Saturday |
| 2028 | October 30 | Monday |
History of National Candy Corn Day
The exact date of the first celebration of National Candy Corn Day is unknown, though candy corn has a history dating back over a century. Created by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, candy corn first appeared in the 1880s. It has a distinct tri-colored design: a broad yellow end, an orange center, and a pointed white tip, resembling a corn kernel, hence its name. Each piece of candy corn is nearly three times the size of a real corn kernel.
Originally, candy corn was handmade using a mixture of corn syrup, sugar, carnauba wax, and water cooked into a slurry. Fondant was added for texture and marshmallow for a softer bite. Today, it is primarily made with corn syrup, sugar, confectioner’s wax, artificial colors, and binders. The final mixture is heated and poured into molds in three stages, one for each color, using a production method known as corn starch modeling. While initially handmade, the process is now mechanized, though the production method has remained largely the same.
Candy corn, the first candy to feature three colors in each piece, is an iconic Halloween treat in the U.S. and has even gained popularity in other color variations for different holidays. “Indian corn,” with a chocolate brown tip, is popular around Thanksgiving, while “Reindeer corn” has a green center and red end for Christmas. “Cupid corn” features a pink center and red end for Valentine’s Day. More recent variations include caramel apple and green apple flavors, introduced in 2011, and s’mores and pumpkin spice flavors, released in 2013. A carrot-flavored “carrot corn” with green and orange colors debuted in 2014 for Easter.
Originally called “Chicken Feed” by the Goelitz Confectionery Company (now Jelly Belly), candy corn continues to be a beloved American treat, especially during Halloween.
Other Celebrations on October 30
October 30 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate National Candy Corn Day
Grab a handful of candy corn to kick off the celebration! You can try candy corn fudge, which has a flavor similar to this classic treat. Candy corn can be enjoyed during various seasons, with different variations to suit the occasion. It’s a delightful treat for you, your family, and friends, especially during Autumn and Halloween. Share your candy corn celebrations on social media using the hashtag #NationalCandyCornDay.