Erie’s Famous Sponge Candy - Handmade Since 1929
Light, toasted toffee centers with a melt-away crunch, drenched in our copper-kettle chocolate. The local legend you can ship anywhere!
Shop the Sponge Candy Collection
What Is Sponge Candy?
Imagine toffee that's been turned into something light and airy, with a center full of tiny crisp bubbles that dissolve the moment they hit your tongue. Then wrap it in velvety chocolate, and you’ve got sponge candy!
We've been making this tasty treat in Erie since 1929, using our signature method: cooked in small batches over aged copper kettles, then hand-dipped and hand-packed for you to enjoy.
One Candy, Many Names
Order "sponge candy" outside the Great Lakes and you may get a blank stare. But order it by any of its regional alter-egos, and you'll be handed something remarkably similar. The same airy toffee shows up all over the world under different names, but if you're craving the version you grew up with, there's only one way to get it: shipped straight from Erie.
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Name |
Location |
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Sponge Candy |
Erie, Buffalo, Western NY |
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Honeycomb/Honeycomb Toffee, Crunchie |
United Kingdom |
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Cinder Toffee |
Northern England |
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Seafoam |
Pacific Northwest |
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Fairy Food |
Wisconsin area |
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Yellowman |
Northern Ireland |
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Hokey Pokey |
New Zealand |
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Violet Crumble |
Australia |
How It's Made
Sponge candy looks like magic, but it is really just well-controlled chemistry. Here's what's happening inside the kettle:
Caramelization: Sugar, corn syrup, and a touch of honey are cooked hot until the sugars brown and develop that deep, toasted, almost-burnt (but in a good way!) flavor.
Baking Soda: At the right temperature, baking soda is whisked in. It instantly releases carbon dioxide, and the whole batch foams up and expands, trapping thousands of tiny bubbles as it sets.
Timing and Temperature: Pull it too early or too late, and the bubbles blow out into big hollow caverns. Our process - which employs aged copper kettles that hold heat evenly - keeps the structure fine and even.
Find Your Sponge Candy Match
Whether it's your hundredth box or your very first, we invite you to indulge in Erie’s signature confectionery delight!
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Milk Chocolate Sponge Candy A Stefanelli’s fan-favorite: an airy toasted center with smooth milk chocolate. |
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Dark Chocolate Sponge Candy Same melt-away crunch, but with a deeper, sophisticated chocolate taste. |
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Sponge Candy Gift Box The perfect surprise for a friend, all wrapped in a wow-worthy gift box. |
12 Ways to Eat Sponge Candy
Sponge candy is perfect on its own, but its toasted-toffee crunch makes it a secret weapon in the kitchen. A few favorites:
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🍦 Crushed over ice cream |
🎂 Crumbled on cheesecake |
🍪 Folded into cookie dough |
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☕ Stirred into your espresso or latte |
🧁 On cupcakes as a topper |
🥜 Tossed in a trail mix snack |
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🍫 On a dessert charcuterie board |
🟫 Over brownies |
🍌 In a banana split |
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🥞 Crushed into pancake batter |
👥 Share with a friend |
🛍️ Straight out of the bag |
What to Pair With Sponge Candy
Sponge candy's toasted-caramel notes play beautifully against anything roasted, creamy, or rich. Whether you're winding down for the night or building a dessert spread, here's what to reach for.
Coffee & Espresso: The classic. Caramel meets roast, and the coffee's edge keeps the sweetness in check so the last bite tastes as good as the first. A dark chocolate piece next to an espresso is hard to beat!
Hot Chocolate: Double down on the cozy. Drop a piece into a hot cocoa and let it slowly melt - part stir stick, part dessert, all comfort on a cold Erie night.
Sharp Cheese: We know, but just trust us on this one! A bite of aged cheddar against the toasted-toffee crunch is the sweet-and-savory combo your dessert charcuterie board has been missing.
Bourbon: For an ideal nightcap. The vanilla and charred-oak notes in the whiskey echo the toffee, while its warmth softens the crunch. Pair with milk chocolate sponge candy.
Vanilla Ice Cream: The simplest, most reliable match there is. Crush a piece over a scoop and let the crunch do the rest - no occasion required.
Sponge Candy FAQ
How do you ship sponge candy in summer?
We ship nationwide year-round. But for anywhere regularly above 65°F, we strongly recommend adding a cold pack to your cart and selecting Express shipping, which is guaranteed - standard mail isn't, and delays are what melt chocolate.
It also help to ship to an address where someone can bring the box in right away rather than leaving it outside. Follow these steps and your candy arrives just as it left us! Full details in our Warm Weather Shipping Policy.
Does sponge candy melt or go bad in summer?
The candy inside is always fine; humidity is the real enemy. Chocolate coatings can more easily soften in a hot delivery truck or a mailbox in the sun. That's why in warmer weather, we highly recommend adding a cold pack to your order (two for larger boxes) and choosing Express shipping.
How should I store sponge candy?
Cool, dry, and sealed. Keep your treats away from humidity and out of direct sunlight. An airtight container in a cupboard is ideal. That being said, you'll want to avoid the fridge, where moisture and condensation may dull the crunch.
Can you freeze sponge candy?
How long does sponge candy last?
Miss the Taste of Home?
If you grew up around Erie or Buffalo, sponge candy isn't just candy - it's holiday tins, Friday nights, and grandma's kitchen. Wherever life has taken you, we'll ship a little bit of Erie right to your door!