These Are the Most Hated Christmas Candies in America, and the List Will Make You Furious

Don’t hate the messenger!

When it comes to the holidays, candy lovers can’t wait to get their hands on seasonal treats. And while many folks look forward to enjoying candy this time of year, many would rather pass on holiday-themed confections.

The Most Hated Christmas Candies in America

The online candy shop CandyStore.com recently released a list entitled “The Worst Christmas Candy 2023.” If you’re like us, you’ll probably not like what you see. Spoiler: a lot of old favorites are on the list.

Customers were asked to vote on the top 10, and the site received roughly 7,000 responses, providing some interesting takeaways about the Christmas candy many consumers can’t stand. Here is the complete list of the most hated Christmas candies in America for 2023, along with comments from CandyStore.com's voting customers (and a few from the editors at Allrecipes):

10. Peppermint Bark

One customer said that peppermint bark was “like eating a Christmas decoration. Looks good, but tastes... meh” while another said, “I used to like it, but now it's like seeing the same movie every Christmas. Kinda boring.”

Allrecipes Editor Courtney Kassel couldn't believe this treat made the list, saying, "Peppermint bark is my personal "reason for the season." I'll take chocolate-mint in any form, but melt-in-your mouth peppermint bark is among the best versions. It wouldn't be the holidays without a tin of this on the table."

9. Chocolate Oranges

Many customers said the chocolate oranges were trying too hard to be fancy. One customer said, "They feel like they're trying to be a big thing here in the US, but I'm not really into them."

Allrecipes Senior Editor Devon O'Brien feels differently: "Chocolate Oranges are a holiday essential! We always got them in our stockings growing up. Whacking them on a table to split them into segments is fun enough to warrant having one every year."

8. Lifesavers Storybooks

The consensus on this choice is that putting Lifesavers in a book-shaped box just isn't that exciting for the holidays. One commenter said, "Lifesavers are fine and all, but for Christmas? I'd rather have something a bit more special, you know?"

7. Old-Fashioned Hard Candies

Most candy lovers agree that the old-fashioned hard candies are old and outdated. One customer said, "That moment when your grandpa hands you the candy jar, and you just smile and nod." Another said, "I had one and it tasted like old perfume. Is that what the old days tasted like?"

6. Ribbon Candy

This gingerbread house-decorating staple may be bright and colorful, but consumers seemed to be confused by ribbon candy, with some thinking it’s best just for show and not to eat. One person said, "Trying to eat Ribbon Candy is like trying to eat fancy art. It just doesn’t make sense."

5. Peeps

Besides being unsure of the squishy texture, Candy Store customers would like Peeps to just stick to one holiday: "Don't even get me started on Peeps. They're popping up for every holiday like unwanted guests."

4. Candy Canes (Non-Peppermint)

Candy canes that are not peppermint are not a hit, as many don’t want them to taste fruity or come in colors that “don't even remind me of Christmas.” With almost every candy brand producing their version of a candy cane (even pickle-flavored ones), this whole concept just got out of hand quickly.

3. Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cordials

Cherry cordials are one of our staple Christmas candies, but in this survey, many were opposed, claiming that the texture was “too weird” with that “strange liquid inside.” One Candy Store voter said, "Poor cherries, floating in that strange goo. It doesn't make me want to eat them, that's for sure."

Allrecipes Editor Bridget Olson couldn't disagree more: "When I was little, I loved seeing these show up on shelves every holiday season (for only $1 back then). They're basically Christmas covered in chocolate!"

Editor Courtney Kassel agreed, saying, "Go ahead and break my grandma's heart. Chocolate and cherry are a match made in culinary heaven." She then offered this great advice: "While I agree the low-brow cherry cordials taste a bit medicinal, spring for the good ones and thank me later. They are not retro—they're timeless!"

2. Christmas Nougat

Consumers are also not fans of Christmas nougat candies because they “taste weird, and feel strange.” Commenters didn't hold back their opinions, saying, "Those squishy Christmas tree mint circles. Who thought squishy and minty would be a good combo?" and, "Those polka-dotted nougat candies are like something from a scary old recipe book."

1. Reindeer Corn

Lastly, there’s reindeer corn, which came in as the number one most hated Christmas candy this year because it’s a remake of the Halloween staple. "Christmas-themed candy corn? It's just not right. I'll pass on that one."

You may have noticed that traditional peppermint candy canes didn't make the list. While they didn’t make the cut, they did, however, get honorable mention. The online candy shop said they think some may dislike this classic holiday candy because they are everywhere, and when you see something so much, it can lose its luster.

Read the original article on All Recipes.