Sponge Candy Store vs. Store Your Sponge Candy

Many of our online customers tell us how much time they have spent looking for that “perfect” Sponge Candy recipe before they came to our web store.  The Google Adwords tool indicates that 1,500 to 2,000 online searches are done each month for the phrase “sponge candy recipe”.

Fire Burn, and Caldron Bubble…

Are that many people trying to make Sponge Candy at home?  If you live in Buffalo,NY– a Google search is totally unnecessary.  Sources of sponge candy are almost everywhere…well, not really everywhere – but if you have spent any time traveling in Western New York, our “signature candy” can be purchased from numerous locations.

I really feel sorry for those folks who struggle with a sauce pan of sugar, corn syrup, vinegar and baking soda plus the ever popular (and dangerous…) candy thermometer.   What?  It’s only reading 190 degrees? Can you say Third Degree Burn?  Yikes!   And don’t get me going on the mess in the kitchen that somebody has to clean up! after the party is over!

If it was me, I would go get me “some” milk and dark chocolate sponge candy – a one pound box will do.  That should be enough to get me through a Buffalo Bills game.   However, if all of your Buds show up at once to see your new Flat Screen Bad Boy that may now be hanging on the wall in your Man Cave– then you might need two (or more…) pounds.  Hey – you don’t want the crowd to become too unruly!

Labor Day is almost here – and hopefully you only have a few more items on your “Honey Do” List before the Fall season arrives.  Those yellow school buses will be getting gassed up and those Crossing Guards are now shopping for those funky florescent safety vests, folding lawn chairs or looking for that perfect shady spot on the corner.

Slow Down For The Kids…Or Else!

We are getting much closer to re-opening our Sponge Candy store for the Fall customers.  Yeah – It’s been a great Summer – but I now actually look forward to reading the Sports page each morning to see who has been traded or who might be The New Guy in town.  I wonder if Aaron Maybin will be able to buy any milk chocolate sponge candy in New York City…

O.K. – if you REALLY want to try your hand at making sponge candy at home, the following recipe is about as simple as it gets.  At my house, it would be impossible to “store” any sponge candy for more than a few days.  But, hey – as our Maryalice Demler likes to say:  “…your results may differ…”

Ingredients:

1 c. sugar

1 c. dark corn syrup

1 tbsp. white vinegar

1 tbsp. baking soda

Step 1.  Combine sugar, corn syrup, and vinegar in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.  Cover pan for 1 minute to allow the steam to wash down the sugar crystals that cling to side of pan, or whip down the crystals with a damp cloth.

Step 2.  Uncover pan; insert candy thermometer.  Cook without stirring until candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees (hard crack stage).

Step 3.  Remove from heat; stir in baking soda.  Pour into a buttered 9 inch square pan.  It’s not necessary to spread, as the mixture will bubble and spread itself.  Cool in pan on wire rack.

Step 4.  Break cooled sponge in pieces.  Store 2-3 weeks in a tightly covered container with foil or plastic wrap between layers.

Sponge Candy – Taste Testing

During a cold late winter evening, we ended up with 4 boxes of delightful Sponge Candy and plenty of personal opinions about what “good taste” really means.  Is it price?  Flavor?  The outside of the package or how that cute blond sales clerk treated you at the cash register…Hard to say – so, we convened a distinguished panel of local self-proclaimed Sponge Candy “experts” to weigh in on this issue.

Judge Fudge – Sponge Candy Judge & Jury

Our panel was very experienced – plenty of gray thinning hair and dental fillings plus the usual assortment of dental crowns, caps and root canals – the result of years of personally taste testing chocolates from Western New York.  So let’s not make any derogatory comments regarding expanding waist lines or how many panelists prefer to wear pants with those funky elasticized waist bands.  Nobody is going to easily fool these folks.  No-sir-ee!  So let’s take a look at the results of our First Annual Bite Into Buffalo event.  Four entries and four judges on the panel – sounds pretty “even-steven” to me…

Sponge Candy from Buffalo can take on a local character or flavor.  Most stores like to distance themselves from the competition by customizing the outer packaging, using unique chocolate brands or quality levels – everybody is trying to grab YOUR attention or your taste buds!  It starts from the first time you open the box and ends when you put the last piece into your mouth.  Call it “cradle to grave” marketing.

But our Judges were not distracted by what’s on the outside, only by what was on the INSIDE.  So, forget the labels, the fancy graphics on the box or those cute colorful stickers that tell you about the store’s name, address or marketing tag line.  After all, what we want is a satisfying taste of Western New York sponge candy.  We don’t enjoy eating the white cardboard box – just what is inside!  Four traditional categories were created:  Milk / Dark / Orange / White Chocolate sponge candy.  Our results were unique, and as they say…your mileage may vary…The opinions of our Judges varied from insightful to outlandish – math majors might even say the results are “statistically insignificant”.  But we stand by our Bottom Line.  Our conclusion?  Some are way better than others – it all depends on your taste buds or the evaluation criteria used…And now, let’s take a Bite Out of Buffalo!

We purchased four products from four locations and we used four Judges.  See where we are going with this?  Our retail purchases were made at:  Mike’s Homemade Candies (MC-Buffalo), Watson’s Chocolates (WC-Ellicottville), Oliver’s Candies (OC-Batavia) and Valvo’s Candy Store (VC-Silver Creek).  A pretty good geographic dispersion if you ask me…

Please note our system for our retail locations and geographic location from above.  Pay attention – it’s going to get much harder, trust me on this one.  Four flavors = four categories.  MC = milk chocolate (and) DC = dark chocolate (and) OC = orange chocolate (and) WC = white chocolate.  Any questions?  Good – then let’s move on…

In the Milk Chocolate Class: Milk chocolate is THE classic version of Buffalo Sponge Candy.  However, despite decades of production from all of the Big Boys in town, there is still quite a bit of variation in this category.

Comments on MC-Buffalo:

Creamy chocolate with crispy texture – I would buy this…

Where is the rest of my test portion – My sample piece just melted in my mouth

Comments on OC-Batavia:

Did not dissolve easily – but the chocolate layer was thick

Uniform coverage and coating on the outside – classic “ice cube” shape and size

Outside coating too hard – not crispy enough, gooey when chewing

Comments on VC-Silver Creek:

Not enough flavor – pieces crumbled when you bite into them

Noticed too many small random sized pieces in the box

Texture too firm – weird aftertaste – Hey, what’s up with that?

Comments on WC-Ellicottville:

Very thick top coating – inside actually stuck to my teeth – not as quick to melt in my mouth as the others

In the Dark Chocolate Class: Now some people like their sponge candy like they take their coffee – dark.  There is no formal definition of what can be called “dark” chocolate.  Some stores might actually call their dark chocolate sponge candy “semi-sweet” – but that’s almost like being “semi-pregnant”, you either are or you are not…

Comments on MC-Buffalo:

A direct quote from Judge Fudge:  “…and the Baby Bear said…just right…”

Deep chocolate flavor – very satisfying

Semi-sweet flavor really stands out

Comments on OC-Batavia:

Very flavorful outside – nice honeycomb texture

Weak chocolate finish on the tongue – too crunchy to bite easily

Comments on VC-Silver Creek:

Weak flavor – but light inside filling

Incomplete coverage – some pieces had bare spots on the bottom – outside layer too thin

Again, Judge Fudge remarked “…I thought I hear a loud noise in my ear when I started to bite into a piece, but it could have been my hearing aid acting up…”

Comments on WC-Ellicottville:

Very thick coating – but good finish at the end

In the Orange Chocolate Class:

Comments on MC-Buffalo:

Great orange flavor!  Definitely would stand in line to buy this product

Another quote from Judge Fudge:  “…a great source of Vitamin C…”

Subtle orange – not over whelming or artificial – Anita Bryant would approve!

Comments on OC-Batavia:

Note:  We did not have any in this category to test from this location…so let’s move on…

Comments on VC-Silver Creek:

Orange flavor did not stand out from the milk chocolate in a “mixed” box – this turned into a treasure hunt to find  just the orange flavored pieces – not a stand out by any means

Comments on WC-Ellicottville:

Note:  We did not have any in this category to test from this location…so let’s move on…again…

In the White Chocolate Class: Why anyone would want a piece of white chocolate is beyond me – but here are some comments to chew on…

Simon Says…No!

Comments on MC-Buffalo:

Based on a sample size of one prevented any direct comparison – 3 judges quickly concluded that “white” chocolate was way too sweet.  Inside sponge layer was “saturated” or soft – possibly by moisture from the heavy thick white chocolate layer.  Who knows for sure…

And the envelope please…and there will be no appeals to a higher court…

Best in Class: Dark Chocolate Sponge Candy from Mike’s Homemade Candies.  Judged to have the best flavor and the most consistent size of pieces when you open their one pound box.  Semi-sweet dark chocolate was smooth, creamy, uniformly thick with plenty of “staying power” – rated best buy at $16.50 per pound.

Best In Show: Once again, the drum roll please…it’s Mike’s Homemade Candies…again…Nice presentation in a white one pound box – very attractive round store sticker added colorful graphics.  The quality level of their dark and milk chocolate edged out their orange flavored chocolates – despite a unique and subtle orange flavor that remained on the tongue.  The only down side was their white chocolate sponge candy, but we consider this to a very minor drawback.

Bottom Line?  Mike’s Homemade Candies makes a classic example of Buffalo Sponge Candy you would be proud to send to Aunt Mary who probably now lives in a mobile home somewhere near Orlando, FL.   Now you know what Aunt Mary really gave up when she moved out of town!

Sponge Candy – Clinton Street, Buffalo NY

Mike’s Candies Storefront | Buffalo, NY

Well, I have to say that Mike’s Candies is the best example around of how to survive as a small business while the local neighborhood slips over the edge…O.K. – maybe that’s a little too tough on the area – how about just calling Mike’s Candies a “diamond in the rough”.  Their storefront is a well preserved building that was probably somebody’s house about 50 years ago.  This place is a colorful gem that has strong curb appeal.  Two neon “Open” signs in the front window.  What better way to announce your intentions that by hanging a sign out front that announces:  “Mike’s Homemade Candies” – short, sweet and to the point.  And I do mean sweet!

Park out front, walk up the steps, open the door then walk into Sponge Candy heaven.  No, you won’t find any religious statuary on their glass display counter ala Valvo’s Candy Store down in Silver Creek, NY.  No need to worship at the altar of the Chocolate God.   Just walk around the small store and you quickly surrender to the sweet aroma of Sponge Candy chocolate goodness.  Whooee…  No need for any Old Spice cologne before your next big date.  Just linger inside Mike’s Candies for a few minutes and let that delicious chocolate aroma soak deeply into your favorite polyester Leisure Suit.

Sponge Candy and Friends

A brief conversation with the young lady behind the glass counter told me that Mike’s Candies makes a raspberry sponge candy using a clear aromatic oil INSIDE the crisp honeycomb interior.  I didn’t know that.  On the other hand, orange flavored chocolate has the flavor IN the chocolate.  File that away under Interesting Sponge Factoid #93…

Another curve ball here is their “white chocolate sponge candy” – now call me Old School – but when it comes down to biting into a sweet piece of Buffalo – I will be the first to stand in a line to buy milk chocolate or dark chocolate sponge candy.  White reminds me too much of the long (and definitely) cold Buffalo winter.  Traditional milk chocolate sponge candy always reminds me that Spring can’t be too far away.  O.K. – try this word analogy:  Milk Chocolate Sponge candy is to Daffodils as White Chocolate Sponge Candy is to ????

You’re right – I could not figure that one out either…hence my concern about buying the white chocolate version…And don’t get me going about “peanut butter” sponge candy.  Hey – remember when Edsel Ford had a better idea – and look what happened to him! Yikes!

Ford’s Better Idea | Seen any lately?

Do you need to know my secret Sponge Candy equation?  Hint:  variables include the “price-to-value” ratio multiplied by smoothness of the chocolate multiplied by 10 raised to the 2nd power.  Too much math?  Then let me just say that the price was reasonable, the dark chocolate Sponge Candy was my favorite and the ultimate secret ingredient might just be the special chocolate manufactured by Nestle.  The chocolate used in Mike’s Candies is about as smooth as Buffalo Sponge Candy can be.  Price was $16.50 per pound plus Erie County sales tax.  A good deal for a great product!  Enough said…

Sponge Candy – Silver Creek, NY

Valvo’s Candy Store – Silver Creek, NY

If there was one thing that I didn’t see at Valvo’s, it was a silver creek…But it was an interesting one hour ride anyway.  If you have the time, take a ride down the NYS Thruway to Exit #58, turn west on Route 5 and drive a short distance and Valvo’s Candy Store will be on the left.  You can’t miss it – just look for the very large (and tall…) concrete-ian – no, not a Martian, a concrete-ian.  Dolly is the tall, strong and silent type – you can’t miss her!

Dolly Dimples Loves Me!

Too bad there was a Lake Erie “breeze” blowing that day – otherwise I might have found this place by following the sweet aroma of milk chocolate Sponge Candy.No, it isn’t just Dolly Dimples – or those concrete lawn gnomes, animals and other creature shapes standing around the parking lot that attracts customers.This place has been here almost forever – actually since 1919 if you believe what is on their label.  Hey – call me Old School, but when you walk into their store you are confronted with an eclectic collection of religious statuary standing tall on the glass display cases.  Now that might cause you to hesitate a little bit, especially if you have not been to church for a confession.The chocolate products are way over the top and they offer a large selection of chocolate candies.  Some items on display may be “bulk packed” – you could definitely hang around the store for a while and not get bored.As they say:“…something for everybody…”

Sponge Candy In A Bag Anyone?

Valvo’s Sponge Candy is available in a two pound poly bag priced to save you a few bucks – but if you are in the gift giving mood, then you have to go with a standard one pound box of milk chocolate sponge candy.   A box of candy is much easier to wrap when you need to slip a treat under your Significant Other’s bedroom pillow during your pre-Easter nocturnal adventures!

They have a selection of milk chocolate, dark chocolate and orange flavored milk chocolate sponge candy.In my opinion, they charge a price “slightly” above the competition – a one pound box cost me $17 plus the Erie County sales tax – total cost of $18.50 out of pocket.I whipped out my credit card – I just can’t say no to Sponge Candy.Easter weekend is almost here.As someone who needed a lot of dental work once told me:“…you really can’t put a price on sponge candy from Western New York..”

My conclusion?  Valvo’s Candy Store is a little out of the way compared to the

It’s Sponge Candy Time !

majority of retail stores in (or around) the City of Buffalo, NY – but it’s a fun ride to Silver Creek – especially when it’s not snowing or if the NYS Thruway is NOT closed.But if (not when…) they decide to c lose the Thruway again – you might want to toss a few sponge candy pieces into your glove box just in case.Other drivers might prefer a space blanket in the trunk or a flashlight under their seat – but for me, the best way to spend a night stranded inside your vehicle in a Buffalo winter while you wait for the “boys with the plows” is to turn on the radio, turn off that damn cell phone, reach into the glove box and enjoy your emergency stash of Buffalo Sponge Candy.When it’s all gone, THEN you can turn on your cell phone and call for help!

Sponge Candy – Batavia, NY

Well – I have to admit that Oliver’s Candy Store exterior paint color scheme definitely reminds me of milk chocolate sponge candy.

Oliver’s Candy Store – Please Sign In

In fact, when you pull into their parking lot at 211 West Main Street, Batavia, NY – that big sign just scream out:  We’re Here!    A very nice retro design style but the message seems to be just a little bit garbled…maybe it’s just me but…what’s up with the words:  “own” and “made”.  Is the “H”missing?  Is there a “T” Alex?  Can I buy a vowel?  Is the real message Home Made?  I hope so!

Painted With Sponge Candy Brown Paint?

Stroll into their store and you quickly get over whelmed..and I do mean OVER whelmed by the stacks and racks of chocolate products.  Wow! Just follow your nose!  And if you make it all the way to the back of the store, or just enter from the other side of the building – you will walk past the ice cream counter.  Did I stop?  Not me – the weather is still too cold, plus I was still wearing my ski duds from a morning of fun in the sun at Bristol Mountain.  After a tough morning of skiing,  there is nothing like the aroma of milk chocolate or dark chocolate sponge candy to lift your spirits.  Oliver’s even had a limited number of orange flavored chocolate sponge candy on the shelf.

Orange Flavored Sponge Candy Just For You

Now, don’t get me wrong…but when I put my glasses on, the actual size of the sponge candy pieces were somewhat random in size and shape.  Now that put me off a bit.  Call me “Old School” – but when I open up a box of sponge candy, I don’t want to be the one who gets the smallest piece in the box…let somebody else take that “little guy” away.  My consumer preference is to have a consistently sized selection of each flavor.  This way I know that I don’t have to waste any time looking for the Biggest Bad Boy in the one pound box.  I call it Equal Opportunity.

O.K. – I did purchase a box of Oliver’s “mixed” milk and dark chocolate sponge candy – In fact, the helpful young lady with a number of body piercings visible above the neckline (and don’t get me started on that topic…) strolled into the mysterious back room, but returned several minutes later with my half-pound box, then rings up the order.  All the while, I am watching mothers walk in with their kids who immediately start requesting their favorite flavors and shapes.

Sponge Candy Awaits You in Batavia, NY

Personal favorites can be a bit tricky – could be that the “best” milk chocolate Buffalo Sponge Candy comes from one store but your “other best” dark chocolate Buffalo Sponge Candy comes from another.  Dedicated chocolate sponge candy fan[atics] may want to spend their free time “cherry picking” a number of stores in Erie County or Western New York – but my strategy is to stick with ONE store that can consistently produce a nice sized product, with a reliable (and hopefully thick) chocolate coating plus offer it to me (and the general public) in an attractive one pound box.  And a good price doesn’t hurt either!  I really don’t have a preference for color or shape or even the graphics or store logo design that might be on the box itself.  Hey – you can’t eat the business logo design, can you?  Thought so!

My half pound “mixed” selection purchased at Oliver’s is now the second contestant in the 2011 Sponge Candy Taste Off – it is now sitting on my kitchen counter next to its Kissing Cousin (also a half pound box) that I purchased in Ellicottville last week.

I expect to pick up several more “family members” next week.  I have almost completed the score sheet and sponge chocolate evaluation criteria which will bring all of this chocolate goodness together.  Remember, the decision of the Judge(s) is final.  Life can be short – eat Buffalo Sponge Candy!

Sponge Candy – Ellicottville, NY

A quick trip to Ellicottville (aka E-Ville…) in Cattaraugus County for a sunny day of skiing at HoliMont Ski Club.  Ski Club?  Who came up with that moniker…There were a ton of expensive condos, plus a parking lot FULL BMWs & Mercedes Benz parked next to the Main Lodge building – this is definitely not a “club” – Those folks are High Income folks who know how to play in the snow! Unfortunately, that is NOT me…But I digress.

One of the biggest benefits of driving home is that you must pass by the storefront of Watson’s Chocolates – one of my personal favorite sources of Buffalo Sponge Candy.  There was only one other person inside (err…that would be the woman behind the counter…) – so not a major distraction as I perused the merchandise.  Plenty of flotsam and jetsam from the pre-Valentine’s Day marketing effort dominated the décor.  Red, pink hearts and chocolates in those big glass cases.  You would have to be blind NOT to see the “cream of the crop”.  Boxes (and boxes) of sponge candy all piled up and ready to go…nowhere…The only analogy I could think of was:  “…What if you gave away free wings and pizza in downtown Buffalo and nobody showed up…”

Storefront in Ellicottvile, NY

I wonder how many of the Canadians who drive down to E-Ville and stay at those ritzy condos and chalets actually wander into Watson’s for a peek around.  Does anyone know any Canadians who are Sponge Candy fan(atics)?  I don’t – which means all the more for you…and me!

The counter girl (sorry – no name tag visible…) was all abuzz about the upcoming Food Channel episode that will feature their business.  Well – not this particular store in E-Ville, but the “chocolate factory” in Tonawanda.  Hey – I wonder if they give tours AND samples of their wares.

To make a short story even shorter – I walked out with a one pound box of Sponge Candy festively wrapped in V-Day paper.  A true survivor that escaped the retail mania that typically occurs around that particular chocolate holiday in Western New York.  Well, this story has a happy ending after all.  I peeled off the little tag with a “D” code – a simple system of keeping the D-ark sponge candy from fraternizing with the M-ilk chocolate.  I just can’t resist those boxes marked with a “D”…

Sponge Candy on the adoption rack waiting for you!

No – I have not informed my wife of this “sweet” retail purchase – I make the analogy of picking up a stray from the SPCA, but keeping it in a cardboard box the basement with a blanket until the time is right to make the announcement.  I can make that one pound box of dark chocolate sponge candy last for 2 weeks – and I will have to keep a tally of the piece count as I lift them out of the box and ‘adopt’ them.  No need for a cardboard box and blanket for me!’

Sponge Candy Nutrition Profile – How Sweet It Is!

And now for the “not-so-good news…Culinary Factoid #1:  whenever chocolate, sugar and corn syrup show up in a candy recipe, you know that calories can’t be too far behind.  You have to decide if what you LIKE…No, make that what you WANT…No, make that what you LOVE is worth the price.  Hey – I think we all adults here?  Thought so!  Check out the stats & facts in nutrition table below.  Who said “…A little knowledge can be a dangerous (but sweet) thing…”

Sponge Candy is so good that I will often perform my own “quality control” on selected pieces before dinner!  Especially if nobody is looking…I guess at my age – and feel free to guess my age – that I now know WHAT I like and WHEN I want it.   Broccoli be damned!

Despite selective sampling of a few pre-dinner pieces, I can still find room to finish my dinner (which makes my wife happy…) but since there are no more kids in the house now – almost anything goes around here.  I may not walk around the first floor of my house wearing just my birthday suit or “thong-like” underwear unlike my crazy neighbor next door who refuses to close his blinds – I just can’t say no to Sponge Candy!

You can’t eat just ONE piece of Buffalo Sponge Candy

My preference?  Sponge Candy covered in dark chocolate and lots of it.  The orange chocolate may be O.K. for a short refreshing break – but I still prefer the milk chocolate sponge candy which is smooth as silk – I NEVER want to run out of dark chocolate sponge candy.

O.K. – Take a gander below.  The science behind those numbers may be somewhat suspect due to variations in actual sizes and weights – but these numbers are probably pretty close to the real deal.  And what’s up with that “3 pieces” standard?  In Buffalo, NY three pieces is just a warm up for the main event!  That’s it for now – I gotta’ get those New Balance running shoes out of my closet and get into shape for Valentine’s Day and the Easter weekend!

Sponge Candy Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 3 pcs
Servings Per Container: varies
Calories	180
Calories from Fat	80
Amount Per Serving and/or % Daily Value*
Total Fat	9 g (14%)
Saturated Fat	4 g (2%)
Trans Fat	0 g
Cholesterol	5 mg (2%)
Sodium	65 mg (3%)
Total Carbohydrate	24 g (8%)
Dietary Fiber	1 g (2%)
Sugars	20 g
Protein	1 g
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	8%
Calcium	3%
Iron	2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Calories: 2,000 2,500 Total Fat Less than 65g 80g Sat Fat Less than 20g 25g Cholesterol Less than 300mg 300mg Sodium Less than 2400mg 2400mg Total Carbohydrate 300g 375g Dietary Fiber 25g 30g

Sponge Candy Made In Buffalo, NY

Sponge Candy from Buffalo NY

I often get frustrated when I surf the Net looking at other web stores trying to pass off as a rather weak version of what most people in around here take for granted! When you mention the words “sponge candy” in this City (that would be Buffalo, NY by the way…) – everyone knows what you mean.  High quality and great taste in every one pound box.

You might be a “Milk Chocolate Girl” or a “Dark Chocolate Dude” – or possibly the other way around – but it looks like a lot of people out in HyperSpace may be ordering “sponge-candy-like-objects”.

Kinda’ makes you wonder what the expectations out in the world really are when other stores pass of versions of “Buffalo Sponge Candy” labeled as “sponge toffee” / “sea foam” / fairy food and the like.  But when it comes to Sponge Candy – you get what you pay for…

Sometimes you just can’t catch a break.  We have competitive prices – we have our own product specifications that call for high quality chocolate (actually we prefer Merckens…) plus our inventory is always fresh since we sell a “ton” of this product!   It really is a struggle to get the message about our high quality to customers living outside of Western New York – it’s a simple equation of  High Quality + Great Taste = Memories of living in Buffalo, NY.  Hey – Life can be short – eat Sponge Candy!