The Wild Story Behind Baby Ruth

Posted on August 6, 2026August 5, 2026 by Dusty Roads | No Comments

“A Nestlé Baby Ruth candy bar in a silver and blue wrapper, with a cut piece in front showing layers of caramel, peanuts, and nougat covered in milk chocolate.”

The Candy Bar Babe Ruth Couldn’t Claim

When a Sports Legend Says “That’s MY Name!”

Hey! No you don’t you guys! That’s MY name. It seems ridiculous in today’s world of big name endorsements and contracts that Babe Ruth couldn’t keep control of his own name but that’s what happened back in 1921 but that’s exactly what happened to one of the Biggest Names in Sports. Let me tell you about Babe Ruth and a candy bar called Baby Ruth.

A Candy Bar With a Suspiciously Familiar Name

In 1921, the Curtiss Candy Company launched a new candy bar called Baby Ruth. America immediately assumed it was named after Babe Ruth — the baseball superstar who dominated headlines and packed stadiums. The timing was perfect, the association was obvious, and the public made the connection instantly.

But Curtiss Candy insisted — with a perfectly straight face — that the bar was named after Ruth Cleveland, President Grover Cleveland’s daughter… who had died nearly twenty years earlier and had absolutely nothing to do with baseball, candy, or marketing.

Babe Ruth Fights Back

Babe Ruth wasn’t just annoyed. He had a plan. He wanted to patent his own candy bar, something that would give him financial control and a brand outside of baseball. This was decades before athletes made fortunes from endorsements, so Ruth was trying to be ahead of his time — doing what modern stars do today without blinking.

To protect that future, he needed control of his name. So he took Curtiss Candy to court, arguing that Baby Ruth was clearly trading on his fame.

The Court’s Decision: A Big Swing and a Miss

Despite the timing, the marketing, and the obvious connection, the judge sided with Curtiss Candy.

The company claimed the bar wasn’t referencing Babe Ruth at all — and the court accepted it. It didn’t matter that the explanation was flimsyor that the candy bar’s popularity rose right alongside Babe Ruth’s fame. It didn’t matter that Curtiss Candy was making piles of money off the association.

The judge essentially said:

“They used the name first, and they say it’s about the president’s daughter. Case closed.”

Babe Ruth walked away with no rights to the name, and Curtiss Candy kept selling Baby Ruth without paying him a cent.

Why the Verdict Feels So Unfair Today

In today’s world of celebrity branding, the ruling feels absurd.

Modern stars make fortunes from their names and likenesses:

Michael Jordan didn’t own Nike, but Nike sure couldn’t use “Air Jordan” without him.
Beyoncé trademarks everything from her name to her tour titles.
Taylor Swift protects her lyrics like a fortress.
LeBron, Serena, Shaq — their names are multimillion‑dollar assets.

If Babe Ruth lived today, he’d have entire teams managing his brand, licensing deals, and endorsements. But in 1921? He couldn’t even stop a candy company from using a name everyone associated with him.

The Legacy of a Candy Bar and a Missed Opportunity

Baby Ruth went on to become an iconic American candy bar. Babe Ruth went on to become an even bigger legend. But the story of the candy bar he couldn’t claim remains one of the most surprising — and unfair — chapters in snack‑food history.

Necco: The Candy That Refuses to Die

Posted on July 19, 2026July 19, 2026 by Dusty Roads | No Comments

If you grew up in New England, Necco wasn’t just a candy brand — it was part of the scenery. The pastel wafers, the Valentine hearts, the Cambridge factory with its neon sign glowing over Mass Ave… it all felt woven into everyday life. Necco was one of those regional icons you didn’t think much about until suddenly, it was gone.

Necco Wafers: America’s First “Melt in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand” Candy… Before M&M’s

Necco Wafers weren’t just old — they were historic. Dating back to the 1840s, they were one of America’s earliest mass‑produced candies. Soldiers carried them in the Civil War. Explorers packed them for long expeditions. They lasted forever, held up in heat, and didn’t crumble in a pocket.

And here’s the fun part: Long before M&M’s turned “melts in your mouth, not in your hand” into a marketing empire, Necco Wafers were already doing it. They didn’t have a sugar shell — they were simple, chalky discs — but they were famously durable. They survived heat, humidity, backpacks, pockets, and battlefields without turning into a sticky mess. The original tough‑as‑nails candy.

Sweethearts: The Chalky Little Hearts That Defined Valentine’s Day

Then there were the conversation hearts — Sweethearts. Every February, those pastel hearts took over classrooms, office desks, and candy bowls. “Be Mine.” “Cutie Pie.” “Call Me.” Corny, chalky, and absolutely iconic.

Necco made billions of them every year. When the company collapsed, Valentine’s Day actually felt wrong without them. Stores had empty shelves. People hoarded old bags. It was a tiny cultural crisis.

The Collapse: When a New England Institution Went Dark

In 2018, after nearly two centuries, Necco abruptly shut down. Workers were locked out. The Cambridge factory closed. The neon sign went dark. Candy lovers panicked, and New England collectively realized how much this quirky little company meant to its identity.

Necco Wafers disappeared. Sweethearts vanished. Sky Bar went extinct. It felt like losing a piece of home.

The Rescue: Necco Lives On

But New England doesn’t let its traditions die quietly.

Spangler Candy Company stepped in and revived Necco Wafers in 2020, keeping the classic flavors intact. Sweethearts returned too — a little imperfect at first, but unmistakably back. The original company is gone, but the candies themselves survived. The spirit of Necco lives on.

Sky Bar: The Rebel That Went Its Own Way

Sky Bar didn’t follow the others.

Instead of being scooped up by a big candy company, it was rescued by a tiny gourmet shop in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Duck Soup bought the rights at auction, rebuilt the production process from scratch, and brought Sky Bar back as a small‑batch regional candy.

Eventually, Sky Bar spun off into its own brand — Sky Bar Candy — with its own website, its own store, and even its own merch. T‑shirts, hoodies, hats… all in that bright yellow retro logo. It’s the most New England thing imaginable: a beloved candy bar saved by sheer local determination.

In the End, It’s All New England

Necco’s story — collapse, rescue, reinvention — feels like a perfect metaphor for New England itself. Old traditions, stubborn loyalty, small businesses stepping up when the giants fall. Whether it’s wafers, Sweethearts, or the resurrected Sky Bar, these candies are stitched into the fabric of the region.

The factory may be gone, but the candy lives on. Still loved. Still nostalgic and unmistakably New England.

Massachusetts: Where the Sweet Stuff Happen

Posted on July 7, 2026July 6, 2026 by Dusty Roads

Five glossy chocolate Junior Mints candies arranged on a white surface, with one cut open to reveal the smooth white mint filling.

With the Fourth of July just passed and everyone enjoying waterfront strolls, cookouts and all the summer traditions, I fell down a fun little rabbit hole this morning — the “Massachusetts Food Hall of Fame.” We all know our big hitters: Toll House cookies born in Whitman, Fig Newtons created in Cambridge, and the cranberry empire that practically defines the state. But here’s one I didn’t expect to add to the list:

Junior Mints are made right here in Massachusetts.

A Minty Massachusetts Surprise

Not invented here — but still produced here, and have been for 75 years. That’s a long time for a candy to stay put.

Back in 1949, the James O. Welch Company released Junior Mints and named them after a popular Broadway show called Junior Miss. Welch was based in Cambridge, and at the time the area was known as Confectioner’s Row.

In the mid‑1940s, more than 65 candy companies operated in Cambridge. Sixty‑five! Today, only one remains — the Junior Mints plant, still tucked into an unassuming building near Central Square.

You’ve probably driven past it without realizing you were passing the birthplace of movie‑theater minty goodness.

The Last Candy Maker Standing

The factory is now owned by Tootsie Roll Industries, who took over the brand in 1993. And despite its quiet little presence, the place is busy: it turns out over 15 million Junior Mints every single day.

They also make Charleston Chews and Sugar Babies, so if you grew up with those in your Halloween bag, there’s a good chance they came from Cambridge too.

Mint Cousins… But Not Related

And yes — even though Junior Mints and York Peppermint Patties look like cousins, they’re not related. York started in Pennsylvania and eventually landed under Hershey. Massachusetts gets the minty chocolate pillow; Pennsylvania gets the minty chocolate puck.

A Sweet Addition to the Massachusetts Legacy

So now, when you’re grabbing snacks for the parade or the fireworks, you can toss a box of Junior Mints into your cart and say you’re supporting local history. Toll House cookies, Fig Newtons, and Junior Mints — three very different treats, all tied to our little corner of New England.

Not bad for a state that’s only 190 miles long. I guess I know where my sweet tooth comes from!

Chocolate‑Dipped Caramel Coconut Bites

Posted on May 9, 2026May 9, 2026 by Dusty Roads

🌸 Homemade Chocolate‑Dipped Caramel Coconut Bites (Perfect for Mother’s Day!)

Affiliate Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet.

Does your mom have a sweet tooth? There’s nothing quite like a homemade gift for Mother’s Day. Anyone can run out and buy something, but when you make something by hand, it carries a different kind of love. It says you spent your time, your effort, and a little bit of your heart creating something just for her.

And unlike those candies that “melt in your mouth, not in your hand,” these little treats absolutely do melt in your hand — and honestly, that’s part of their charm. They’re soft, gooey, chocolatey, and the kind of bite you pop into your mouth before the chocolate has a chance to escape down your fingers.

If your mom is a fan of Mounds or Almond Joy, I have just the thing for you.

These Chocolate‑Dipped Caramel Coconut Bites are layered, chewy, sticky, sweet, and dangerously addictive. They look fancy, but they’re surprisingly simple to make.

🍫 Minimal Baking, Maximum Melt‑and‑Spread

Although you do need to turn on the oven, the baking here is minimal — just long enough to set the coconut base so it holds together. After that, it’s all melt‑and‑spread magic:

Melt and spread the caramel.
Melt and spread the chocolate.
Chill.
Slice into pop‑in‑your‑mouth squares.

That’s it. No candy thermometer. No complicated steps. Just layers of deliciousness that come together with very little fuss.

They’re the kind of treat that looks like you spent all afternoon making them… even though you didn’t.

🥥 The Recipe Chocolate Dipped Caramel Coconut Bites

These Chewy coconut bites are layered with soft caramel and finished with a smooth
chocolate coating on top. They have a toasted coconut texture, gooey caramel center , and
a rich chocolate finish.

Main Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg white

For the Caramel Layer

• 1 cup soft caramels or caramel bits
• 3 Tablespoons heavy cream

For the Chocolate Topping

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil or butter

The coconut, caramel and chocolate base ready for cutting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325° F and line an 8 X 8-inch pan with parchment paper
2. In a bowl, mix shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and
egg white until evenly combined
3. Press the coconut mixture firmly into pan and bake 18-22 minutes until slightly
golden around the edges and slightly toasted. Let cool.
4. Melt Caramels with heavy cream until smooth and thick. Then spread the caramel
over the cooled coconut base.
5. Chill for 20-30 minutes so the caramel firms up slightly
6. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil or butter until smooth and glossy. Spread
chocolate over the caramel layer
7. Drizzle a little extra chocolate over the top for a bakery style finish.
8. Chill until fully set, then cut into small squares or bites.

Calories per square- 150

Variation

Add Almond halves or sliced almonds and drizzel with chocolate for a more Almond Joy Vibe. Just as yummy but with a crunch

🎁 A Sweet Little Mother’s Day Gift

If you want to turn these into a Mother’s Day gift, a cute little box makes all the difference. I found this floral “Mom Ever” box at Gift Lab — it’s the only decorative box they have right now, but it’s adorable and just the right size for a handful of these chocolate‑caramel coconut bites.

Gift Lab also has lots of other Mother’s Day‑friendly items: personalized gifts, photo keepsakes, and sweet little things that pair beautifully with a homemade treat. I’ll link the box and a few favorites below.

Shop GiftLab

Even one small box filled with these pop‑in‑your‑mouth bites is enough to make Mom smile.

If chocolate, caramel, and coconut don’t say “I love you,” I don’t know what does.

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Note:
I discovered that if you don’t cut the squares right away (I didn’t), the chocolate gets pretty firm and makes next‑day slicing a bit of a challenge. That got me thinking: why not skip the pan altogether next time?

Try this variation:
Use a small scoop to portion the coconut mixture into little mounds, Place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Press a small indentation in the center, and bake as usual. Once cooled, spoon caramel into the indentation, press an almond on top, and dip the whole thing in melted chocolate. Same flavors, same layers — just in cute individual “Mounds” style bites. Basically a homemade Almond Joy.

I’m going to try this version next time. If any of you beat me to it, let me know how they turn out.

What’s Your Favorite Easter Candy?

Posted on April 17, 2014April 17, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Easter is almost here. I remember Easter Sunday services. They were a big deal when I was growing up. We always had on our EASTER Sunday best.

You see there was our Sunday best but on Easter we really went all out.

We had hats (Easter bonnets) and white gloves and the first time I was allowed to wear stockings and pointy high heels was on an Easter Sunday. I remember one year Jackie Kennedy had made pill box hats the fashion so that year I had to wear one on Easter.

I went to church every Sunday. I was active in the choir but my Dad only went to church on High Holidays…Christmas and Easter. I remember one Easter I had the Easter Sunday Solo. I was scared to death but so proud that both my Mom and Dad were in the congregation that day.

After the church service we’d all stay for the traditional Easter Egg hunt.

Up in the Adirondacks it was not unusual for snow to still be on the ground where there was shade. Snow banks and snow patches were perfect places for those colored eggs. I wonder if my old church still has Easter Egg hunts.

Back home we got our Easter Baskets. They always had a chocolate bunny as the center peice but the really special Easter candy was a sugar egg. I never see them anymore. They were so pretty and delicate. They were almost magical. Eventually the egg got eaten just like the chocolate bunny and the jelly beans but part of me always hated to eat something so pretty.

As an adult I could almost believe that I dreamed it up but I remember the way the sugar melted on my tongue. It was like eating a sugar cube. But I could never find them anywhere. Then about 6 years ago I found them in a little candy shop in Old Saybrook , CT. I said I’d go back to get one at Easter but I never did.

Recently I did a search on the internet and I found them. There weren’t too many places to get them and they are really expensive but they are just as beautiful as I remember.

So what’s your favorite Easter Candy?

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