ECRM hosted its annual Candy Planning: Christmas & Halloween program Feb. 16-19 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
For those unfamiliar, ECRM brings together manufacturers and candy buyers for meetings that resemble speed dating, since they have just 10 or 20 minutes at each appointment.
However, no Christmas & Halloween program would be complete without the Kid’s Choice Awards, sponsored by Candy Industry and ECRM. Participating candy companies submitted products for young people from the Boys & Girls Club from Southern Nevada to sample and judge. The kids cast ballots for their favorite in each of three categories: Chocolate, Non-Chocolate and Novelty.
Candy Industry extends its congratulations to the winners. Below are more products we loved, organized alphabetically by company name.
Best Chocolate
Meiji America
York, Pa. / meijiamerica.com / (717) 654-8173
Hello Panda Chocolate
Packaged in single-serve pouches perfect for Halloween buckets or holiday stockings, these treats include a chocolate creme center with a crunchy shell. Each piece features a panda design, with festive ones available for Halloween and wintertime.
S.R.P. (20-ct. 0.5-oz. pouches): $3.99
Best Non-Chocolate
American Licorice Co.
LaPort, Ind. / americanlicorice.com / (510) 487-5500
Sour Punch Christmas Trees
These chewy tree-shaped candies come in small pouches, perfect for stocking stuffers. Available in Cherry and Lime flavors, they come as half trees for fun pairing options. The winter-themed packaging features a to/from tag.
S.R.P. (2.5 oz.): $1
Best Novelty
Bazooka Candy Brands
New York, N.Y. / topps.com / (212) 376-0300
Push Pop Gummy Roll
The Push Pop Gummy Roll features a patent-pending dispenser that lets consumers push out and tear off their ideal piece of sanded gummy candy and then save the rest for later. Push Pop Gummy Roll is available in four flavors: Strawberry, Watermelon, Blue Raspberry and Berry Blast.
S.R.P.: $1.79-$1.99
Check out these other products we loved!
Bee International
San Diego, Calif. / beeinc.com / (619) 710-1800
Dino Skinz
A rubber dino-shaped skin reveals a plastic egg at its center containing Smarties candy. When the candy is consumed, the egg can be returned to the Dino Skinz for continued play.
S.R.P.: $1-$1.29
Blue Moose Sweet Shoppe
Bountiful, Utah / bluemoosesweets.com / (801) 292-1339
Great American Fudge Co. Fudge Bites
Available with seasonal packaging, these rich fudge bites come in flavors such as Chocolate, Sea Salt Caramel, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Peppermint.
S.R.P. (5 oz.): $4.99
Boston America Corp.
Woburn, Mass. / bostonameria.com / (781) 933-3535
Merry Bob Ross Sweater Tins
These tins are shaped like an ugly Christmas sweater and feature the face of the one and only Bob Ross. Inside are Happy Tree-shaped Green Apple Sours.
S.R.P.: $2.99-$3.99
CandyCo
Heber City, Utah / mrscalls.com / (435) 657-2006
Surge caffeine-infused chocolate
These chocolate pieces contain 27mg of caffeine and B vitamins. Available varieties include Dark Chocolate, Dark Mint Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Caramel.
S.R.P. (0.31 oz.): 2 for $1
CandyRific
Louisville, Ky. / candyrific.com / (502) 893-3626
Sweet Squad Candy Fans
Who wouldn’t want this magical squad on their side? Featuring Mermaids, Unicorns and Llamas with real hair, these fans contain fruit-flavored pressed dextrose candies in the handle.
S.R.P.: $4.99
The Mandalorian gummies
Inspired by the Disney+ smash hit, “The Mandalorian,” these fruit-flavored gummies are shaped like the helmet of the title character.
S.R.P. (6 oz.): $2.99
Cookies United
Islip, N.Y. / cookiesunited.com / (513) 203-1177
Trolls, Minions Cakebites
These treats feature colorful layers of cake sandwiched with cream and covered with chocolate coatings and sprinkles. They’re available in several varieties, including two each in the Minions and Trolls licenses. Flavors include:
- Trolls Party Pop Cake Bites: Fun party cake, raspberry jelly, pink chocolate coating and rainbow sprinkles
- Trolls Party Rock Cake Bites: Vanilla cake, chocolate cream, chocolate coating and rockin’ sprinkles
- Minions Vanilla Cake Bites: Yellow vanilla cake, blue vanilla cake, vanilla cream, yellow vanilla coating and sprinkles.
- Minions Chocolate Cake Bites: Yellow vanilla cake, blue vanilla cake, chocolate cream, chocolate coating and sprinkles.
S.R.P. (8 oz.): $4.99-$5.99
Minions Gingerbread House Kit
In addition to premade gingerbread, premade icing, candy jewels and a simple start tray, this kit also includes candy bananas, scene setters and mini cookies shaped like Minions.
S.R.P.: $12.99-$14.99
Trolls World Tour Gingerbread Kit
In addition to premade rainbow confetti gingerbread, premade icing, candy jewels and a simple start tray, this kit includes candy stars, fruity gummies, scene setters and mini cookies shaped like Trolls characters.
S.R.P.: $12.99-$14.99
Create A Treat
Toronto, Ontario, Canada / createatreat.com / (905) 458-9666
Halloween Cookie Kits
Consumers can get creative this Halloween with these cookie kits. Available in a vanilla Pumpkin and a chocolate Skeleton, each kit comes with candy and icing for decorating at home.
S.R.P. (3.4 oz.): $2.99-$3.99
Melted Candy Pumpkin Cookie Kit
These jack-o-lantern cookies come with precut faces so hard candy can be melted inside, creating a stained glass look. The 8-cookie kit comes with easy-to-use icing for decoration.
S.R.P.: $7.99-$8.99
Crayola Colorful Skulls Cookie Kit
Including 8 skull-shaped cookies, this kit also comes with assorted candy and easy-to-use icing for decorating at home.
S.R.P.: $8.99-$9.99
Crayola E-Z Build Christmas House
In addition to pre-cut gingerbread house pieces, this kit comes with assorted candy and easy-to-use icing for decorating at home.
S.R.P.: $12.99
Doscher’s Candies
Cincinnati, Ohio / doscherscandies.com / (513) 381-8656
Holiday Candy Buttons
These classic candies come in Cherry and Green Apple flavors. The holiday packaging features a window in the shape of a Christmas tree.
S.R.P. (0.5 oz.): $1
Handmade Peppermint Pieces
Perfect for baking or topping a bowl of ice cream, these hard candy peppermint pieces can add a festive flair to any dessert.
S.R.P. (7 oz.): $4.99
Elmer Chocolate
Ponchatoula, La. / elmerchocolate.com / (985) 386-6166
Pecan Clusters
Made using Elmer’s New Orleans Pecan Fiddler recipe, these Pecan Clusters feature creamy caramel and pecans covered in milk chocolate.
S.R.P. (2 oz.): $2.49
Holiday chocolate boxes
Available in two festive designs, these 3.2-oz. boxes feature an assortment of creamy caramels, smooth cremes and cocoa truffles covered in milk and dark chocolate.
S.R.P.: $2.49
Ferrero USA
Parsippany, N.J. / ferrerousa.com / (732) 764-9300
Kinder Snowmen
These sixe festively-wrapped milk chocolate snowmen have a creamy milk layer inside.
S.R.P. (3.1 oz.): $3.49
Kinder Chocolate Happy Plush
This snuggly polar bear comes with 12 milk chocolate pieces featuring a creamy milk filling. The pieces are wrapped with holiday characters.
S.R.P. (3.5 oz.): $9.99
Holiday Raisinets and Buncha Crunch
These classic candies are available in holiday packaging featuring “To” and “From” spaces, making them the perfect stocking stuffer.
S.R.P. (3.2-3.5 oz.): $1
Holiday Tic Tacs
Celebrate the holidays with these Candy Cane-flavored Tic Tacs. They come with festive packaging, featuring either Santa or a snowman.
S.R.P. (3.4 oz.): $3.59
Frankford Candy
Philadelphia, Pa. / franfordcandy.com / (215) 735-5200
Hot Chocolate Bombs
These hollow milk chocolate spheres contain mini marshmallows. When dropped into hot milk, they create an instant mug of hot cocoa.
S.R.P. (1.6 oz.): $2.99
Krabby Patty Sliders
Inspired by the iconic sandwich from “Spongebob Squarepants,” these gummy Krabby Patties are 10 times larger than Frankford’s original Krabby Patty gummies. There are three sliders in each package.
S.R.P. (9.52 oz): $5.99
Gerrit J. Verburg Co.
Fenton, Mich. / gerritjverburg.com / (810) 750-9779
Fort Knox Easter Coins
Wrapped in pastel foil, these chocolate comes with peelable, collectible stickers featuring Easter characters.
S.R.P.: N/A
Godiva Chocolatier
New York, N.Y. / godiva.com / (203) 912-0766
Masterpieces ornament
Packed in a festive, triangular box are 10 pieces of Masterpieces dark chocolate ganache hearts. The box features a loop for hanging on any Christmas tree.
S.R.P.: $4.99
12 Days of Godiva
Featuring a dozen pieces of Godiva Masterpieces, this assortment offers 12 days of joy that can be begun throughout the holiday season.
S.R.P.: $7.99
House of Dorchester
Dorchester, Dorset, England / hodchoc.com / +44-1305-755-771
Traditional Santa Chocolate Bar
This 85-gram milk chocolate bar features a classic Santa graphic and gold accents.
S.R.P.: N/A
Hu Kitchen
New York, N.Y. / hukitchen.com / (212) 510-8919
Hu chocolate bars
These organic, vegan and paleo-friendly dark chocolate bars are free of palm oil, refined sugar, cane sugar, sugar alcohols, dairy, gluten, emulsifiers and soy lecithin. They’re available in flavors such as Almond Butter + Puffed Quinoa, Cashew Butter + Pure Vanilla Bean, Hazelnut Butter, Crunchy Mint, Cashew Butter + Orange Vanilla, Cashew Butter + Raspberry, Salty Dark Chocolate, Simple Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Crunch.
S.R.P. (2.1 oz.): $4.99-$6.99
J. Morgan’s Confections
Ogden, Utah / jmorganconfections.com / (801) 399-3007
Heavenly Caramels
These classic soft caramels are available in a variety of flavors including Vanilla Sea Salt, Pecan Caramel, Old English Licorice, Butter Caramel, Cinnamon Caramel, Coconut Caramel and Apple Caramel.
S.R.P. (4.7 oz.): $3.99
Cassi’s Caramels
These soft and delicious caramels are available in three varieties: Butter Caramel, Pecan Caramel and Vanilla Sea Salt Caramel.
S.R.P. (4 oz.): $2.99
Kathy Kaye Foods
Logan, Utah / kathykayefoods.com / (435) 563-0204
Popcorn Squares
These squares eat like rice cereal treats, but they’re made with soft caramel and popcorn. They’re available in Classic Caramel, Caramel Apple and Cayenne Caramel.
S.R.P. (1.25 oz.): $1-$1.29
Candy Cane Mini Popcorn Balls
These two-bite popcorn balls are easy to eat and have a candy cane flavor. They’re packed in a resealable pouch to maintain freshness and for easy sharing.
S.R.P. (5 oz.): $3.99
Katjes USA
Warren, N.J. / katjes.com / (479) 685-1109
Sperlari Cremonelli
Sperlari’s Cremonelli line offers a taste of Italy in every bite. Available varieties include Dark Chocolate with Hazelnuts, Milk Gianduja Chocolate with Hazelnuts, Soft Almond Nougat Coated in Dark Chocolate and Soft Nougat with Dark Chocolate and Hazelnuts.
S.R.P. (4.6 oz.): $4.99-$5.99
Sperlari Torroncini
This classic Christmas treat features tender nougat with hazelnut or almond pieces.
S.R.P. (150g): $4.99-$5.99
Sperlari Zanzibar
The Classico variety features whole hazelnuts in rich gianduja.
S.R.P. (150g): $4.50-$4.99
Marketplace Brands
Elk Grove Village, Ill. / marketplacebrands.com / (847) 258-3557
Snacks from the Sun Sunflower Chips
These vegan, non-GMO plant-based snacks are made with sunflower kernels. They’re also kosher, gluten-free and grain-free and come in three flavors: Original with Sea Salt, Cracked Pepper with Sea Salt and Sweet Onion with Sea Salt.
S.R.P. (3.25 oz.): $3.99
Maud Borup
Plymouth, Minn. / maudborup.com / (866) 678-6283
Hot Cocoa Bombs
These hollow milk chocolate spheres contain mini marshmallows. When dropped into 6 oz. of hot milk, it turns into an instant cup of hot cocoa.
S.R.P. (3.5 oz.): $5
Fizzy Drink Bombs
Available in Very Cherry and Blue Raspberry flavors, these bombs fizz and sparkle with edible glitter when dropped into 24 oz. of water or a carbonated beverage.
S.R.P.: $3
1-lb. Gummies
These gummy creations are larger than life! They’re available in a video game controller (Blue Raspberry), Gummy Bear (Cherry), Dinosaur (Green Apple) and a Unicorn (Strawberry).
S.R.P.: $10-$12
McJak Candy Co.
Medina, Ohio / mcjakcandy.com / (330) 722-3531
Seasonal cotton candy
McJak Candy offers cotton candy in a variety of festive seasonal flavors. For Halloween, flavors include Scary Berry, Marshmallow Mummy and Witch’s Brew (Green Apple). For Christmas, varieties include Candy Cane, Snowflake (Birthday Cake) and Yellow Snow (Lemonade).
S.R.P. (1.75 oz.): $2.49
Meiji America
York, Pa. / meijiamerica.com / (717) 654-8173
Hello Panda Caramel
These treats include a caramel center with a crunchy shell. Each piece features a panda in an athletic pose and outfit.
S.R.P. (7 oz.): $3.49
Midwest Food Group
Melrose Park, Ill. / 1800flowers.com / (708) 940-0485
Booze Hound Fudge
This rich fudge is inspired by classic cocktails and adult beverages. Varieties include Irish Cream Fudge, White Russian Fudge and Bourbon Fudge.
S.R.P.: $7.99-$9.99
Cheryl’s Cookies
Though known for their soft cookies, Cheryl’s Cookies has introduced a line of crunchy, shelf-stable cookies for wholesalers. In addition to everyday varieties including Chocolate Chip, Chocolate and Snickerdoodle, seasonal shortbreads are available in heart, flower, pumpkin and Christmas tree shapes.
S.R.P. (4 oz.): $3.99
Popcorn Factory Very Merry Plaid Collection
Featuring a variety of popcorn, including Butter, Cheese, Caramel and White Cheddar, these festive tins are sure to inspire cozy holiday feelings.
S.R.P. (2-6.5 gallon): $36.99-$63.99
Popcorn Factory Letters to Santa Box
This box features a classic silhouette of Santa and his reindeer and reads “Letters to Santa: North Pole Official Mail.” It comes with a variety of treats, such as popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, cookies and candy.
S.R.P.: $39.99
Original Gourmet Food Co.
Salem, N.H./ ogfc.net / (603) 894-1200
Snoopy Single-Serve Tins
Sweeten someone’s Halloween with these adorable Snoopy single-serve tins filled with a 38-gram individually-wrapped jack-o-lantern sugar cookie.
S.R.P.: $1
Ghost Bling Ring
Original Gourmet’s OGO Bling Rings are an exciting wearable treat that also lights up. Each little ghost and goblin will be easy to spot while trick-or-treating with these ghost-shaped blinking treats.
S.R.P.: $1.49
Hello Winter Musical Canister Tin
Share some holiday joy with this wind up-musical tin that plays “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” as it spins and displays an adorable winter scene. Filled with 5 oz. of mini chocolate chip cookies, it makes the perfect treat for someone’s stocking. But the fun doesn’t have to stop with just one Christmas, bring this seasonal tin out and enjoy the tune every year.
S.R.P.: $7.99
Holiday Crazy Pop Straws
Original Gourmet has taken its festive 50-gram swirl pops and combined it with whimsical and reusable straws to make these great holiday treats. These yummy peppermint candy Pop Straws make the perfect stocking stuffers for kids of all ages. A Halloween version with a candy eyeball gummy is also available.
S.R.P.: $1
Thomas Kinkade Musical Tins with Dancing Lights
Create a memorable experience with these Thomas Kinkade exclusively-licensed LED musical tins with lights that dance to classic Christmas music. Available in square or rectangle tins, the assortment offers both Christmas and Winter designs and are filled with 12 oz. of holiday sugar cookies.
S.R.P.: $14.99-$29.99
PEZ Candy
Orange, Conn. / pez.com / (203) 795-0531
Mickey and Minnie Gift Set
This festive gift set features Minnie and Mickey dispensers wearing Santa hats. It comes with Grape, Lemon and Strawberry PEZ candy.
S.R.P.: $4.99
Halloween Party Bag
Featuring 12 individually-wrapped mini dispensers with candy, this Halloween mix is perfect for trick-or-treaters and school parties. There are six available designs: Bats, Cat, Spider, Ghost, Jack-o-Lantern and Owl.
S.R.P.: $10.99-$14.99
Harry Potter Gift Tin
This four-piece gift set features cartoon versions of the world’s favorite wizards: Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. These dispensers come with Mystery flavor PEZ.
S.R.P.: $11.99-14.99
LOL Surprise Gift Set
This gift set features one character dispenser and three mystery dispensers. They come with Grape, Lemon and Strawberry PEZ candy.
S.R.P.: $8.99-10.99
Popcornopolis, Inc.
Vernon, Calif. / popcornopolis.com / (310) 414-6700
Organic popcorn
Popcornopolis has introduced a line of organic popcorn that’s also certified Non-GMO and gluten-free. Available flavors include Chili Lime, Kettle Corn, Caramel Kiss, Golden Turmeric and Nearly Naked.
S.R.P. (3.5 oz.-6.5 oz.): $3.99-$4.99
Candy Corn Popcorn
Packed in a cone reminiscent of candy corn, this popcorn is flavored like the classic fall treat.
S.R.P. (6.3 oz.): $4.99
Primrose Candy Co.
Chicago, Ill. / primrosecandy.com / (773) 276-9522
Holiday dish candy
Primrose’s complete line of traditional holiday candy dish products have bold new packaging this holiday season. Available offerings include six holiday classics: Old Fashion Mix, Deluxe Filled Mix, Cut Rock, Baby Ribbon, Filled Raspberries and Assorted Toffees.
S.R.P.: $3.99-$4.99
Scripture Candy
Birmingham, Ala. / scripturecandy.com / (205) 798-0701
Creamers Hard Candy
These naturally-flavored hard candy pieces have scripture on each wrapper or stick package. Made with real cream, they’re available in three flavors: Butter & Cream, Orange & Cream and Strawberry & Cream.
S.R.P.: 5.5-oz. bag, $2.99-$3.99; 10-piece stick pack, $1.49
Splendid Chocolates
Montreal, Quebec, Canada / splendidchocolates.com / (514) 737-1105
Hollow Chocolate Flamingo and Sloth
These hand-decorated creatures will make any chocolate lover go wild. The hollow sloth is milk chocolate with white chocolate accents, and the hollow Flamingo is white chocolate with pink accents.
S.R.P.(3.52 oz.): $4.99
Hashtag Pops
Featuring the phrase #love or #selfie, these milk chocolate lollipops will please any social media lover.
S.R.P. (1.41 oz.): $2.49-$2.99
Stark Foods International
Greenvale, N.Y. / starkfoods.com / (516) 626-3704
Caffarel Hazelnut Creations
This collection features whole Italian hazelnuts, rich chocolate gianduja and hazelnut cream. Varieties include Piemonte (milk gianduja chocolate with crunchy hazelnuts), Cremino (soft hazelnut cream with gianduja milk chocolate) and Nocciolatta (milk chocolate with a crunchy whole hazelnut.
S.R.P. (5.64-5.8 oz.): $7.99-$11.99
Storck USA
Chicago, Ill. / storck.us / (312) 467-5700
Merci Mousse
Featuring mousse centers, this Merci assortment includes four varieties: Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse, White Chocolate Mousse, Milk Chocolate Mousse and Dark Chocolate Mousse. These bars are packed in a festive box with holiday graphics.
S.R.P. (7.4 oz.): $6
Merci Petits
These individually-wrapped bite-sized Merci pieces are packed in a tree-shaped box, a first for Storck.
S.R.P. (7 oz.): $8
Toffifay gift box
This festive gift box features 30 pieces of Toffifay, made with chocolate, caramel, a whole hazelnut and hazelnut cream.
S.R.P. (8.8 oz.): N/A
Sweet Jubilee Gourmet
Mechanicsburg, Pa. / sweetjubileegourmet.com / (717) 691-9782
Sweet Knots
These bite-sized treats feature pretzels and either chewy caramel or creamy peanut butter covered in milk chocolate.
S.R.P. (6.5 oz.): $5.99
Brittle Bliss
Featuring crispy brittle, pretzels, popcorn and milk chocolate, Brittle Bliss has something for everyone.
S.R.P. (4 oz.): N/A
Taste of Nature
Santa Monica, Calif. / candyasap.com / (310) 396-4433
Doughlish Cookie Dough
Doughlish is raw, shelf-stable and made without eggs and butter. Packaged in containers with a spoon in the lid, Doughlish cookie dough has a nine-month shelf life and doesn’t require refrigeration. Available flavors include Chocolate Chip, Triple Chocolate Brownie, Birthday Cake, Snickerdoodle and Pumpkin Spice.
S.R.P. (2.5oz.-14 oz.): $1.99-$4.99
Tortuga Rum Cake Co.
Miami, Fla. / tortugarumcakes.com / (786) 817-6880
Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake
Created with aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon, your taste buds will experience smooth notes of faintly sweet oak in the rich cake Tortuga is known for.
S.R.P.: 4 oz., $4.99; 16 oz., $14.99
Trawigo
Provo, Utah / trawigo.com / (385) 268-8057
Wiebold Traditional German Chocolate Advent Calendar
Featuring a nostalgic Christmas scene and an accompanying gift bag, this traditional advent calendar comes with 24 German chocolate truffles.
S.R.P. (11.11 oz.): $12.99
Wiebold Magical Christmas Advent Calendar
This calendar adds a little whimsy to Christmas with a colorful design featuring a unicorn, Santa and silver foil stars.. It comes with 24 sugar-coated truffles in flavors such as Raspberry Cheesecake, Baked Apple, Salted Caramel, Snickerdoodle, Mousse au Chocolat and Lemon Mousse.
S.R.P. (10.58 oz.): $9.99
Windel GmbH & co. KG
Osnabrück, Germany / windel-candy.com / +49-5-41-91-81-0
Vegan advent calendar
Featuring a festive winter skiing scene, this calendar contains 24 pieces or vegan, organic dark chocolate. Windel products are imported by Gourmet International.
S.R.P. (8.8 oz.): $9.99
Musical advent calendar
Featuring classic holiday graphics, this advent calendar contains 24 pieces of milk chocolate. When the button is pressed, “Jingle Bells” plays. Windel products are imported by Gourmet International.
S.R.P.: $6-$7
Musical tins
Available in a Christmas tree and a carousel, these tins play music and contain three varieties of individually-wrapped chocolates. Windel products are imported by Gourmet International.
S.R.P.: $20
Zolli Candy
Walled Lake, Mich. / zollipops.com / (248) 214-7771
Zolli Caramelz
Coated with dark chocolate, these caramels are free of sugar, nuts and gluten. They’re also non-GMO and made with natural colors and flavors. Share-size packs featuring Halloween graphics and individually-wrapped pieces are available.
S.R.P. (6 oz.): $6.99
Zolli Gummeez
These vegan gummies are free of sugar, nuts and gluten. They’re also non-GMO and made with natural colors and flavors. Share-size packs featuring Halloween graphics and individually-wrapped pieces are available.
S.R.P. (6 oz.): $6.99
Zaffi Taffy
These taffy pieces are free of sugar, nuts and dairy. They’re also non-GMO and made with natural colors and flavors. Share-size packs featuring Halloween graphics and individually-wrapped pieces are available.
S.R.P. (3 oz.): $3.99
Zollipops
These lollipops are free of sugar, nuts and gluten. They’re also non-GMO and made with natural colors and flavors. Available flavors include Strawberry, Grape, Orange, Pineapple, Raspberry, Cherry and Peppermint for the holidays. Packs featuring Halloween and holiday graphics are available.
S.R.P. (3 oz.): $4.99