Happy National Candy Corn Day!   Chiff.com

What's autumn without candy corn? As Peeps are to Easter, (or candy canes are to Christmas) candy corn is to Halloween.

National Candy Corn day is celebrated annually on October 30th.

Invented in the USA, candy corn has been around for more than a century, so there's no better way to celebrate Halloween than with the traditional treat so associated with the fall holiday.

Candy corn - it ain't chicken feed

Candy corn has been an all-American favorite since the Wunderle Candy Company began making the world's first tricolor candy in the 1880's.

Candy corn was first marketed as "Chicken Feed" and the confection proved so popular that the conglomerate, the Goelitz Candy Company (sort of like a modern Brach's), competed to take over mass-production of the seasonal sweet treat. Having won the rights to produce the candy the company soon put the original name of "Chicken Feed" out to pasture ... and Candy Corn was born!

Today, the recipe for candy corn is pretty much unchanged from the early days. It's still made from honey, sugar and corn starch to provide lots of energy for trick-or-treaters revving up for fright night.

Candy corn fun facts & trivia

• One serving of candy corn contains only about 140 calories. And, hey -- it's fat free!

• Candy corn is not just for Halloween anymore. Brown, orange and white candy corn or "Indian corn" is available for Thanksgiving. Red, green and white candy corn is marketed to Christmas revelers. There's even Valentine's Day and Easter themed candy corn.

• Along with Hershey's chocolate and Snickers bars, making the Top Ten list of most popular Halloween candies year after year is (you guessed it) candy corn.

• More than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. That equal nearly 9 billion pieces.

Ways to celebrate National Candy Corn Day

That's easy. Eat lots of candy corn!

Also be sure to have plenty on hand to give to little trick-or-treaters on the big night, or have bowls filled with candy corn in strategic locations around your Halloween party room.

Of course, they're are more ways to eat candy corn than by the mouthful. Add them as toppings to your favorite sugar cookie recipe or use them as a colorful decoration for chocolate Halloween cupcakes. For serious adult party-goers you might also want to check out this recipe for a candy corn cocktail made with vodka and candy corn garnish!

Or, why not try this recipe for Chocolate Candy Corn Star Bursts, by far the easiest homemade candy corn treat for partying anytime:

How to Make Chocolate Candy Corn Star Bursts

The following recipe calls for chocolate candy coating that you can easily find at the supermarket (right next to the bakers chocolate and chocolate chips.) The kids' will also love helping out in creating this yummy and colorful treat for a Halloween party :

Ingredients:
• 10 ounces chocolate candy coating
• 3/4 cup candy corn

Instructions:
1. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Use a large tablespoon to form chocolate disks about 2 inches in diameter.
3. Place five pieces of candy corn on top of each disc to form the star burst (see photo).
4. Let set at room temperature for about 45 minutes.

Yield: about 24 Candy Corn Star Bursts

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