Now that we’re in college, we might be a little old to be trick-or-treating for ourselves on Halloween. But we were kids once, and reminiscing is fun. People can be super particular about their candy preferences; some opt for chocolatey things while others favor the wonderfully artificial stuff from their childhood Halloween haul.
I am personally neutral on this matter, but for this list of the definitive Halloween candies, I tried to honestly reflect on my childhood experiences.
15. Tootsie Rolls
These logs of chewy artificial chocolate have tried to bridge the gap between candy and chocolate lovers since our parents were kids. I’m not entirely sure how they’re still in business, because these were always the last thing I ate from my candy bucket, and I know many of my fellow candy aficionados felt the same way. I’m being kind in saying that the flavored tootsie rolls are better, but honestly not by much.Â
14. Snickers
Okay, okay—I know some people are ride or die Snickers fans, but I always gave them to my little brother. I was never enthused to see them in my bucket at the end of the night. Their advertising game is great, but in my mind, Snickers will always be the cousin of 3 Musketeers that was always doing too much.Â
13. Skittles
Sour skittles would’ve been a few jumps toward the top of the list, but their red packaged counterparts are weighing the rating down. They’re an expected asset to the halloween bucket—happily eaten, but still predictable.Â
12. M&M’s
The chocolate version of Skittles. Expected, but still good.Â
11. Blow Pops
I’m not talking about any lame lollipop—blowpops are a great mashup of gum and lollipop. These sticks may be the bane of your dentist’s existence, but you’re seriously getting the best of both worlds here.Â
10. Nerds
What mad scientist created this bizarre candy? Whoever they were, they were a genius. I don’t actually think these boxes made it into my house by the end of my trick-or-treating excursions considering their portability and sugar content was what carried me through until the end.Â
9. Butterfinger
Flaky, chocolate perfection. Give me peanut butter or chocolate and I’m a content girl, but when candies involve the combination of the two I’m ecstatic.Â
8. Kit Kat bars
Another controversial treat that we constantly question. Is a Kit Kat a candy, or isn’t it? But let’s be real here, do labels matter when the taste is so perfect? Despite the catchy jingle from their commercials as a kid, I would be very hesitant to break anyone off a piece of my Kit Kat bar because they’re so dang good.Â
7. Sour Patch Kids
Another great commercial portfolio from this creative candy. Remember the commerical where the Sour Patch Kid cut off a girl’s pigtail? While I wouldn’t give half of my hair up for a pack of sour patch kids, I would definitely trade a few Snickers during lunch period. Sour and Sweet is always a good choice to offset the chocolate coma.Â
6. Twix
Maybe Twix are just glorified cookies, but they’re covered in both chocolate and caramel, so label them however you want—they’re still delicious.Â
5. Starburst
I’m a sucker for Starburst. The surprise of flavors inside was always the best part of candy unwrapping post trick-or-treating. I personally loved getting a double red package, because cherry-flavored anything is my jam, but I must say getting two yellows together was often a night-ruiner.Â
4. 3 Musketeers
I’m not entirely sure why this bar is named 3 Musketeers, but you can call foil-wrapped chocolate clouds covered in more chocolate anything you want—as long as I get to eat them.Â
3. Reese’s Pieces
The lesser yet still attractive sibling to the almighty Reese’s.
2. Reese’s
D-freaking-UH.Â
1. Anything king-sized
This isn’t a single candy, so Reese’s technically takes the cake. You’re a liar if you tell me that 8-year-old you wouldn’t trade a few bags of mini M&M’s for a full 3 Musketeers, though. The esteem of having a king-sized bar in a sea of minis is untouchable.Â
