REVIEW: Brach’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn

Brach's Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn

It’s August and I’m eating candy corn…

I guess I just have to accept the fact that summer is dwindling down. Pretty soon it’ll be “pumpkin spice this,” and “apple cinnamon that,” and everything will say “Harvest” on it for some reason. 

So to get an early jump on fall (or “autumn” for all you fancy pants, snooty types) I decided to pick up a new twist on the Halloween staple — Brach’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn.

Candy corn must be an adult thing, because I hated them as a kid, but have grown to appreciate them.

I think my hatred had something to do with the fact that the worst houses used to give them out on Halloween. I would have gladly taken a bag of chips, pennies, or *ugh* “Smarties” over them. To me, candy corn were the nut-low Halloween handout. I vividly remember an old man giving me a handful of loose candy corn and not even complimenting my insanely detailed Army Soldier costume.

Brach's Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn

When I first opened the bag I got an awesome, authentic waft of peanut butter cup. Unfortunately as I went in for a closer, deeper sniff, that smell got considerably worse. If you bought a “peanut butter” scented seasonal candle, I imagine it would smell like these…and clear rooms.

I popped a few and was pleasantly surprised. The bag boasts they are made with “real honey,” and I could taste a hint of it. I guess that’s always a plus. These have the standard candy corn texture — waxy then gritty and chalky.

At first there is a strong peanut flavor, but it’s not necessarily peanut butter. If you had a blindfolded taste test, I don’t think you’d immediately jump to “peanut butter.” You’d know instantly what you were eating, but not which flavor. These are probably better than standard candy corn, but somehow almost taste the same. Halfway through chewing my brain just said “candy corn” and disregarded the flavor since the texture is so unique to candy corn.

Brach's Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn Closeup

That didn’t make much sense to me, so I ate each color individually. You’re dealing with a genius here, ladies and gentlemen.

White tasted like pure sugar. Not much more to say there.

Tan tasted like peanut. If you’ve ever had a piece of taffy that was “peanut” flavored, not “peanut butter,” that is the flavor. This might be a dated reference, but they reminded me of a Goldenberg’s Peanut Chew (which have always been underrated) or a Mary Jane. So these have a throwback molasses-y peanut flavor your grandparents would have loved!

Brown is an artificial chocolate flavor. Ever have a chocolate flavored Italian Ice cup from the grocery store? That was what I instantly thought of. What’s up Luigi’s? I see you.

Ya know those variety bags of candy corn that have the standard parking cones mixed with big orange, brown, and tan pieces shaped like cats, pumpkins, witches, and, I don’t know, probably costumed Minions these days? That’s what these are! They basically took all those flavors and just combined them. So imagine eating a handful of the mixed bag. That’s a peanut butter cup candy corn.

So, if you’re expecting a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the shape of a candy corn, you might be disappointed. If you enjoy candies that were introduced decades before your birth, you’re in business. Either way, if you plan on filling a dish with candy corn this Halloween, give these a shot.

(Nutrition Facts – 19 pieces* – 140 calories, 0 calories from fat, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 36 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 28 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.)

Item: Brach’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn
Purchased Price: $1.99
Size: 9 oz. bag
Purchased at: Rite Aid
Rating: 7 out of 10
Pros: Strong peanut flavor. Good aftertaste. Real honey. Your Grandparents’ favorite candies getting shoutouts. Luigi’s Italian Ice.
Cons: Not Reese’s. Smell worse up close. Bad Halloween memories. “Autumn.” Smarties. *Would 20 pieces have been too hard to calculate?

7 thoughts to “REVIEW: Brach’s Peanut Butter Cup Candy Corn”

  1. Alright, as a person who wasn’t able to grew up with candy corn and never tried one:
    What are those little bits taste like? Is there some similar candy i probably can referr to and do you think they are worth to try out if (just if) i ever have the chance to get to the us?
    (I’m just aksing ’cause the voices all over the internet are going from “i love it! it tastes like sweet popcorn” to “it taste like shit and i never liked it!” :D)

    1. They’re very sweet and taste like sugar and honey to me. I like candy corn, but the pumpkins are my favorite. If you get a chance to try some, you definitely should just to come to your own conclusion as to whether they’re good or not.
      (As for anyone who says they ‘taste like shit’, how many of those people really know what shit tastes like?) 😉

      1. Thanks for your reply!

        You’re right i should form my own opinion about candy corn candy and i think will if i get to the us.
        I was just curious, ‘ause all the things i have to and want to taste and try add up a bit too much… there’s so much i want to try and eat… an buying a whole pakage just for 2-3 pieces is going to be extremely expensive… xD

        Nevertheless thanks for your answer! 🙂

  2. I’m not exactly sure why I found this review so delightful..But I most certainly did…Probably because I stumbled upon this confection this weekend @ Target along with “Sea Salt Chocolate.” I opted for the latter but have yet to try them… I too wasn’t a fan of candy corn as a child.. I’m not really sure I care for it as an adult.. But I’m pretty sure I like Indian Corn.. I’m guessing it’s Candy’s chocolate cousin…

  3. I personally did not like them. :/
    They tasted nothing like the reeses taste I expected them to have. Very strong salty peanut taste, but no peanut butter. I just stick with the plain ole candy corn cuz its the best to me and i dont think the flavod should be tinkered with.(:

  4. Initial flavor for me reminded me of how lawn fertilizer smells, then it fades to more of a peanut flavor. Maybe I just got a bad batch? I dont know…very medicinal / chemical-tasting initial bite, almost like a whiff of bug spray. Nobody else got this sensation on their taste buds? And no, I haven’t eaten fertilizer…I really haven’t guys…

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