U.S. National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day 2023: Date, history and the way to celebrate this

 U.S. National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day 2023: Date, history and the way to celebrate this

We couldn’t be more excited to begin today’s celebration of National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day! Every year on March 24 this delicious little morsel hits center stage. As one of America’s favorite candies it is no stranger to the spotlight. Both chocolate and raisins (dried grapes) have existed for centuries but it is the combination of the two that sparks festivity. Chocolate covered raisins are a “vintage” candy. Let’s learn about their sweet history today.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISIN DAY

Raisinets, the most widely known name for chocolate covered raisins, were born in 1927 at the Blumenthal Brothers Chocolate Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They and other candies produced by the Blumenthal Brothers grew in popularity as a snack of choice in movie theaters across America during this time.

Nestle Corporation acquired the Raisinets, Goobers and SnoCaps brands in 1984 but have since sold those and other brands to Ferraro Group where Raisinets are still made in the USA under the Ferrara Candy Group. Of course, Raisinets is not the only brand of chocolate covered raisins in the world. Many other labels sell chocolate covered raisins with their own twists and flavors.

 Social media encourages creativity around any and every food known to man. Chocolate covered raisins are no exception. There are endless recipes for desserts, trail mixes, and granolas with amazing ideas for charcuterie boards. One simple but irresistible idea – raspberries stuffed with chocolate covered raisins.  Brilliant!

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED RAISIN DAY ACTIVITIES

1) Make your own

A fun activity for kids and adults alike is to make chocolate covered raisins in a crockpot. Heat 12 ounces of milk chocolate and 2 ounces of white chocolate on low in a small crock pot for 30 minutes. Stir the melted chocolates well before adding 8 ounces of raisins. Using a teaspoon, remove the chocolate covered raisins onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Allow to cool. Enjoy!!

2) Visit a candy museum near you

Did you know there are candy museums throughout America? Check out Candytopia for three locations open year-round and traveling pop up museums visiting new cities every year. If you happen to be near Orlando, Florida, you could also stop by the Chocolate Museum & Café. Sure, you can consider this educational!

3) Surprise a friend

Oatmeal raisin cookies often get a bad rap but what if you used chocolate covered raisins instead of plain ones in your next batch? O yeah!! Take a batch to your friend or bring them to a party and watch the pleasantly surprised looks on their faces.