BB Bats Candy – The OG Taffy Suckers

Last Updated on October 28, 2022 by Jim Edwards

One candy that we have all known and loved since our childhood is BB bats candy.

These taffy suckers are like sweet nostalgia on a stick and have been around for almost a century. This rectangular-shaped hard candy resembles a baseball bat, hence the name BB Bats. Also, it is much larger in size than your traditional lollies so more candy to enjoy!

BB Bats are a chewy retro treat bursting with sweet milky caramel flavor, the texture, taste, and quality of which has remained consistent over the many years. If we could define BB Bats candy in one sentence, we’d say it is the perfect classic taffy on a stick.

History of BB Bats Candy

A company called Fair Play Caramels started manufacturing BB Bats and a similar candy called Kits Taffy back in 1924 at their Headquarters in Johnson City, New York.

Soon after, the patent for both the sweets was filed, and they were officially trademarked in 1926. The company had also introduced a new technique of packaging candy with a stick inside so that each piece was packed in an upright position in the container.

Fair Play Caramels later went on to file a patent for their new packaging method in 1929.

If you can’t already tell, the BB in the candy’s name stands for Baseball, as each piece looks like a miniature version of a real-life baseball bat.

Some forums have indicated that the candy was initially sold as a treat to the audience on baseball fields, where it eventually got its name. The depictions of baseball players on the candy packaging also seem to back this claim, but the company itself has never confirmed it.

In 1990, the BB Bats were passed from Fair Play Caramels to Gilliam Candy Company, who bought the brand and licensed its production to Sophie May.

Eventually, Sophie May was sold to another company called Georgia Nut which made BB Bats under their family brands and confectionary label in Skokie, IL.

In 2009 the production of BB Bats was further licensed to Warrell when Georgia Nut stopped manufacturing the product.

Warrell Company made BB Bats at their Classic Plant in York, PA, but their connection with BB Bats was short-lived, for they too stopped manufacturing the candy in the fall of 2010.

Later in the summer of 2011, the candy-making equipment was purchased by Runk Candy, and in the spring of 2012, they again commenced the sales of BB Bats. To date, BB Candy remains licensed to Runk Candy.

What does BB Bats Candy Taste Like?

Both BB Bats and its counterpart Kits Taffy have a very similar look and taste; however, BB Bats are much larger in size and have been molded on a stick to create a taffy or lollipop.

Each piece of BB candy is about 2.5 by 7/8 of an inch, pierced by a long stick for customers to hold onto as they eat. This aspect makes the candy more desirable than the chewy Kits Taffy squares.

BB Bats Candy comes in four flavors: Chocolate, Banana, Vanilla, and Strawberry.

The color of the taffy itself and the packaging of each BB Bat vary with its flavor.

• Chocolate BB Bat: is dark brown and has a unique taste compared to other cocoa-based confections. It has a malty undertone with a subtle hint of salt that tastes a bit like brownie batter.
• Strawberry BB Bat:is bright pink with a strong floral artificial fragrance. It lacks the berry tartness you’d expect from an authentic strawberry flavor and is sickeningly sweet.
• Banana BB Bat: is one that people will either really like or hate. It is bright yellow in color and has the same artificial chemical-like flavor as most banana candies.
• Vanilla BB Bat: My favorite of the four was the vanilla flavor with the authentic BB Bats taste. Creamy white in color, the vanilla candy has the same milky sweet caramel taste that we have all grown up loving.

What are the Ingredients in BB Bats Candy?

A few elements vary depending on the flavor of the candy, but some ingredients common to all BB Bats include:

• Corn Syrup
• Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
• Salt
• Sugar
• Soy Lecithin
• Artificial flavoring
• Artificial colors

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Nutritional Information for BB Bats Candy

The nutritional information for one serving of BB Bats candy which is equivalent to 50g, is listed below

Serving Size	1 Serving
	Amount Per Serving
Calories	230
Total fat	3g
– Saturated Fat	1g
Sodium	150 mg
Dietary Fiber	1g
Total Carbohydrate	47g
– Sugars	23g
Protein	3g

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If you want to check out a fun review of the BB Bats candy, you can simply click the link below

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BB Bats Candy – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When was BB Bats Candy Invented?

The candy was first sold in 1924.

Is BB Bats Candy Still Available?

Yes, BB Bats Candy is still available in-store and online, but it can be hard to find. You can find it at your local Walmart, Wayside County Store, and Vermont County Store.

Who makes BB Bats Candy?

Initially, the candy was made by Fair Olay Caramels, but as of 2012, its production is controlled by Runk Candy.

Are BB Bats vegan?

Yes, the candy is vegan.

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