While some nostalgic candy brands are disappearing, others are doing just fine. Chick-O-Stick candies are a classic candy that's still available in candy stores today, but do you know the history of this crispy treat? So many American candy companies got their start in New England, but Chick-O-Sticks come from the heart of Texas and have been a favorite candy for decades.
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According to the Atkinson Candy Company website, B.E. and Mabel Atkinson decided to make and sell candy in 1932 as a business because, B.E. said, "during the Depression, no one had any money, but everyone had a penny." They founded the company in Lufkin, Texas, and Mabel created some of the original recipes for coconut candy, hard candy and candy bars including Mint Twists, Rainbow Coconut Bars, Peanut Butter Bars and Peco Brittle.
Atkinson Candy also made Chick-O-Sticks, a crunchy honeycombed candy filled with peanut butter and rolled in toasted coconut. The texture is a little like a Butterfinger, with that dry snap and crunch.
Chick-O-Stick Candy
Apparently, the candy reminded some of the candy makers of fried chicken fingers, and so the crunchy candy got a name and logo that reflected the image. The candy was originally called Chicken Bones but was changed to Chick-O-Sticks in 1955 because another company owned the Chicken Bones name. The logo used to feature a chicken in a cowboy hat and badge in the shape of the Atkinson logo, though most packages today just have the Atkinson star logo.
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The candy is vegan and gluten-free and is made from peanut butter, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and toasted coconut, with coloring and preservatives added. There's also a sugar-free version, made with Splenda, and a bite-sized version to give out at Halloween.
You can find full size, fun size, and nuggets for sale on the Atkinson Candy website, and at major retailers across the United States.
