Friday, October 23, 2020

Penny Candy

I don't know what happened - I binged on Penny Candy this week. Do I feel guilty about it? No, not at all.

tootsie roll, peppermint, butterscotch, mint candies quilt blocks by QuiltFabrication

That's because these Penny Candies are totally sugar-free, fat-free, and even calorie-free! And totally addictive, as I had fun mimicking classic Penny Candies, most of which are still sold today.

What's a penny candy? It's a wrapped piece of candy, which years ago, was sold by the piece for a penny. Nowadays, the same wrapped candies are usually sold in a mixed variety bag, though it may be possible to find them sold individually, possibly at big amusement parks.

The first penny candy was the Tootsie Roll, which was introduced at Woolworth stores. It was so popular, that Woolworth expanded their candy aisle to include many more varieties of wrapped candies. Here's my take on that favorite chocolate roll, plus another favorite, a peppermint.

peppermint and tootsie roll quilt blocks by QuiltFabrication

I'm pretty much a fan of anything with chocolate, but if there's a butterscotch in the bowl, it's mine! Here's a delicious butterscotch, paired with a blue mint cube.

butterscotch and blue mint cube candies quilt blocks by QuiltFabrication

I really got carried away having fun creating different Penny Candies! The green striped confection has a green apple flavor, and the piece next to it is bubble gum.

green apple and bubblegum candy quilt blocks by QuiltFabrication

I like my bubble gum block better in pink rather than the blue/yellow of Double Bubble. If you decide to make it in Double Bubble's traditional colors, be sure to applique a red oval on the yellow for more authenticity.

That pink block could also be a Jolly Rancher watermelon candy piece. Personally, I'm not a fan of that brand, so I decided to go with bubble gum in hot pink.

If you feel the need to binge on some guilt-free candy, the Penny Candy block pattern is available in my Etsy shop, on sale at special Halloween candy pricing. The pattern includes 3 different blocks, including a variation on one. Different colorings are shown, as are layout ideas, plus it's completely suitable for the confident beginner.

As with any candy, they're quite addictive - it's so hard to stop with just one!

Happy Quilting!