These days, most candy canes are made by machines, but it's still possible to find handmade ones in candy shops across the U.S. Handmade candy canes tend to be thicker, mintier, and more satisfying, which is why so many shops are keeping the old traditions alive with their candy-making methods. Some of them will even let you watch! This holiday season, make sure to stop by and support one of these family-owned shops for your candy canes.
Logan's Candies in Ontario, California
Thirty-seven miles east of Los Angeles, this sweets shop has been making its gourmet candy canes since 1933. During December, you can attend free candy-making demos to see how the canes are twisted, cut and fashioned into their famous hook shape. If you plan to attend in a group, call ahead to make an appointment.
Hammond's Candies in Denver, Colorado
Hammond's Candies
In business since 1920, Hammond's Candies is a local institution. Take a tour through this iconic candy factory to see how the handcrafted candy canes, ribbon candy, and lollipops are pulled, twisted, and shaped by hand.
Spangler Candy in Bryan, Ohio
Spangler Candy
This family-owned candy shop was founded in 1906 and is known for its handmade lollipops, marshmallow candies, and candy canes. It's perhaps best known for being the manufacturer of Dum Dums lollipops. Factory tours of are available on the Dum Dums Trolley on a first-come, first-served basis.
Callie's Candy Kitchen in Mountainhome, Pennsylvania
For generations, this tiny candy shop in the Pocono Mountains has been a beloved holiday stopover for many families. Visit any weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and you can watch candy canes being made by hand.
Martinsville Candy Kitchen in Martinsville, Indiana
During the holiday season, this midwestern candy shop is all about hand-pulled peppermint and cinnamon candy canes. The best part is watching them being made through the kitchen's viewing windows, as the smell of peppermint permeates the store. If you've got a question, just shout it out to the candy makers and they will answer.
Candy Palace and Trolley Treats at Disneyland Resort, California
Disneyland Resort's famous candy stores offer old-fashioned signature items year-round. On select days during the holiday season you can watch hand-crafted candy canes being made on the spot by Disney candy makers at Candy Palace in Disneyland Park and Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure.
Lofty Pursuits in Tallahassee, Florida
All year round, you can watch traditional hard candies being made by hand at this Victorian candy shop in Tallahassee on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. During the holiday season, demonstrations include tasty candy canes. Using nothing but a hundred year old cooling table, a pair of scissors, and a spatula, Lofty Pursuits delivers authenticity with their candy canes.
Nelson's Candy Kitchen in Columbia, California
Since 1926, candy canes have been made by hand at Nelson’s Candy Kitchen in Columbia Historic State Park, about two hours southeast of Sacramento. You can watch through the window every Saturday and Sunday in the early afternoon from the end of November through the weekend before Christmas. If you want to learn how to make the candy yourself, appointment requests can be made by mailing in a postcard. Participants will be selected randomly by lottery.
G.A. Schimpff's Confectionery in Jeffersonville, Indiana
G.A. Schimpff’s Confectionery has been open since 1891 and is one of the oldest, continuously operated, family-owned candy businesses in the United States. Its Candy Museum and Candy Demonstration Area offers candy-making demonstrations during the holidays.