Sophie Bennett
Chick-O-Sticks are a candy manufactured by the Atkinson Candy Company. Introduced in the 1930s, the treat has been a favourite for many since the 1950s. Its unique name and wrapper design, featuring a chicken, led to confusion over whether it was candy or a chicken-flavoured cracker. However, Chick-O-Sticks are made from simple, natural ingredients, including peanut butter, sugar, and toasted coconut.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Atkinson Candy Company |
| Introduced | 1930s |
| Ingredients | Peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavor, salt |
| Dietary | Kosher, gluten-free, vegan-friendly |
| Sweetener | Splenda (in sugar-free version) |
| Shape | Long orange-colored tube resembling a cigar |
| Texture | Dry and brittle when fresh, becomes hard and chewy when exposed to air |
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What You'll Learn
Peanut butter filling
The Chick-O-Stick is a peanut butter-filled candy that has been manufactured by the Atkinson Candy Company since the 1950s. The candy is made with simple, natural ingredients and is Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
The peanut butter filling in a Chick-O-Stick is combined with sugar and corn syrup to create a honeycombed centre. This centre is then coated in toasted coconut, giving the candy a unique crunchy texture and great taste. The combination of peanut butter and coconut creates a flavour and texture that has been compared to a Butterfinger or Zagnut Bar.
The peanut butter used in Chick-O-Sticks is likely smooth or creamy, as this would allow for the honeycombed structure of the candy. Chunky or crunchy peanut butter would create a different texture and may not adhere to the other ingredients in the same way.
The peanut butter filling in Chick-O-Sticks is an essential part of the candy's appeal. Peanut butter is a popular ingredient in confections due to its flavour, texture, and versatility. It can be combined with other ingredients to create a range of flavours and textures, from creamy and smooth to crunchy and crispy. Peanut butter is also a good source of protein and healthy fats, which can add nutritional value to the candy.
The Atkinson Candy Company has created a unique and beloved candy with the Chick-O-Stick. The combination of peanut butter, sugar, corn syrup, and toasted coconut has delighted consumers for decades and continues to be a popular treat.
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Cane sugar and corn syrup
Chick-O-Sticks are made with cane sugar and corn syrup, along with other ingredients like peanut butter, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavour, and salt. The candy is produced by the Atkinson Candy Company and has been a popular treat since the 1950s.
Cane sugar, one of the primary ingredients in Chick-O-Sticks, is a natural sweetener derived from sugarcane. It has a slightly higher molasses content than beet sugar, giving it a distinctive flavour and colour. The sugar is combined with corn syrup, a liquid sweetener made from corn starch, to create the distinctive texture and taste of Chick-O-Sticks.
The combination of cane sugar and corn syrup results in a unique candy that is dry and brittle when fresh but tends to absorb moisture and become hard and chewy over time. This transformation occurs due to the hygroscopic nature of the sugars, which have a tendency to attract and retain water molecules from the surrounding environment.
The sugar and syrup mixture forms the shell and honeycomb structure of the candy, creating a crunchy texture that complements the creamy peanut butter filling. This combination of textures and flavours has made Chick-O-Sticks a beloved treat for generations.
While the recipe has remained relatively consistent since its creation, Atkinson Candy Company made a conscious decision to remove artificial ingredients and switch to natural alternatives. As a result, the vibrant orange colour, originally derived from artificial red and blue colourings, is now achieved using natural sources such as turmeric and vegetable juice concentrations.
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Toasted coconut coating
The Chick-O-Stick is a candy bar with a unique toasted coconut coating. This crunchy outer shell is made from desiccated coconut that has been toasted, creating a sweet and crispy texture. The coconut is ground into a fine dusting, coating the outside of the candy bar.
The coconut coating is an integral part of the Chick-O-Stick's appeal and unique flavour profile. It provides a sweet, nutty flavour and a satisfying crunchy texture. The coconut is toasted to a golden brown colour, enhancing its natural sugars and creating a deeper, more complex flavour. This toasting process also adds a slight bitterness that balances the overall sweetness of the candy.
The process of coating the candy in toasted coconut involves a careful dusting or rolling process. The candy bar, already filled with peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup, is carefully rolled over the ground toasted coconut, ensuring an even and complete coating. This step likely occurs after the candy has been formed into its distinctive stick shape, giving it a uniform golden appearance.
The toasted coconut coating not only enhances the flavour and texture of the Chick-O-Stick but also contributes to its visual appeal. The golden coconut creates an inviting, warm colour for the candy bar. Additionally, the fine texture of the ground coconut provides a smooth and slightly textured surface to the candy, making it visually distinctive and recognisable.
The choice of toasted coconut as a coating may also be linked to the candy's name and early packaging. Originally, the candy was called "Chicken Bones" and featured a chicken on its wrapper, leading to confusion over whether it was a chicken-flavoured product. The Atkinson Candy Company, creators of the Chick-O-Stick, speculate that the toasted coconut coating may have contributed to this misconception, as it could resemble the crispy coating of fried chicken. Thus, the toasted coconut plays a pivotal role in the candy's unique identity and history.
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Natural vanilla flavouring
Chick-O-Stick is a candy manufactured by the Atkinson Candy Company, which has been produced since the 1950s. The primary ingredients include peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavour, and salt. The candy is shaped like a long orange-coloured tube resembling a cigar, with a honeycombed texture.
To extract the flavour, the vanilla beans undergo a process of curing, which involves sweating, slow-drying, and conditioning. Sweating involves placing the beans in insulated boxes, where they remain for 2-3 days to initiate the curing process. Following this, the beans are laid out in the sun or artificial light to dry slowly. This process reduces the moisture content in the beans and develops the characteristic vanilla flavour. The drying process can take several weeks, and the beans are carefully turned over regularly to ensure even drying. Once dried, the beans are conditioned by wrapping them in cloth and storing them in a cool, dry place for several months. This allows the flavour to fully develop and mature.
After curing, the beans are ready to be used for flavour extraction. This can be done through various methods, including extraction with alcohol or glycerin, or through a process of percolation, where the beans are ground and steeped in a solvent to extract the flavour. Natural vanilla flavouring is a versatile ingredient used in a wide range of applications, from baking to beverage production, and is prized for its ability to enhance and complement other flavours. Its inclusion in the Chick-O-Stick candy contributes to its unique and beloved flavour profile.
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Salt
Chick-O-Sticks are made with salt, along with other ingredients including peanut butter, cane sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, and natural vanilla flavor.
The salt is used in this product to enhance the other flavors used in the candy, such as the sweetness of the sugar and the vanilla, and the savory notes of the peanut butter and toasted coconut. Salt is a flavor enhancer and can also act as a preservative, although Chick-O-Sticks do not contain any artificial preservatives.
In the case of Chick-O-Sticks, the salt is likely to be a standard table salt, which is a refined salt that has had most of its minerals removed. This type of salt has a strong, pure salty flavor and is very soluble, making it ideal for use in confectionery.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick-O-Sticks are made primarily from peanut butter, sugar, corn syrup, toasted coconut, natural vanilla flavour, and salt.
The outside of a Chick-O-Stick is made of toasted coconut.
Yes, Chick-O-Sticks are Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
No, Chick-O-Sticks are not chicken-flavoured. The name comes from the stick's resemblance to fried chicken, with its toasted coconut coating resembling fried chicken coating.
