We Tried 10 Kinds of British Candy (and There Was One We Absolutely Adored)
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
We tried 10 kinds of British candy—everything from aerated chocolate to something called Squashies.
Lately, we’ve been obsessed with all things royal. The queen just celebrated her birthday, Prince William and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, just welcomed their third child and soon Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be tying the knot. That’s a lot of royal milestones! With Great Britain on the brain, we’ve been whipping up our favorite English puddings and seeking out all the fun British products we can—which, as foodies and sweets-lovers, means diving into the world of British candy.
Sure, the Brits have some of the same candy classics like us Americans—think Twix, Kit-Kat and gummy bears (psst… did you know Prince Harry is a big fan?)—but there’s still a whole world of unknown English treats out there. So I hit up my local World Market—a must for candy shopping of any kind—and grabbed all the UK candy I could find. I couldn’t try these all on my own, though, so I recruited some pals to give these treats a try with me. Find out what we thought!
British candy must-haves
Tasting 10 different kinds of candy, we identified a few that we just couldn’t get enough of! These treats make a trip across the pond seem pretty appealing.
Lion Bar
We love a good foodie mashup around here—this weirdly wonderful taco-croissant comes to mind—so when we realized that the Lion bar was essentially a combination of two of our favorite American candy bars, we were sold. From the outside, the Lion looks a lot like a 100 Grand: chocolate-coated puffed rice cereal with some caramel for good measure. But cutting through all the way, we found a pleasant surprise: a wafer cookie! Turns out the Lion bar is a lot like a cross between that 100 Grand bar and a Kit-Kat. We absolutely loved the extra crunch from both the cereal and the wafer, but we loved how the caramel was layered throughout for extra chew. We definitely went back for a few bites.
Aero Bar
When it comes to candy bars, I’ll say that plain chocolate bars aren’t too thrilling. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good Hershey bar on occasion (though the Hershey’s Gold is exceptional), but it’s not the most exciting option out there. So when I saw that the Aero bar was just plain chocolate, I was a bit skeptical. But then I saw the inside. The plain Jane Aero bar has an exciting secret: it’s packed full of bubbles! This aerated chocolate just melted in our mouths. It made eating the candy so much fun. The chocolate wasn’t our favorite (these are our favorite chocolates), but the experience made it worth going in bite after bite.
Drumstick Squashies
OK, I’ll say it: The name Squashies didn’t quite have us excited to try this funny treat. Once we broke into the bag, though, we changed our minds. This British candy has a texture somewhere between a gummy bear and a marshmallow. It also has a two-tone flavor: raspberry and cream. Simply put: we could not get enough of these fruit chews. They had a great sweet taste and addicting texture that we couldn’t bring ourselves to stop eating until the bag was all gone.
Tunnock’s Snowballs
Wrapped in smiley face packaging, Tunnock’s Snowballs looked like another silly snack. Once we tasted these snowballs, though, we realized the flavor was no joke. Super sticky, sweet marshmallow wrapped in coconut—it was the perfect pairing. This was probably our messiest candy, but the great crispy coconut flavor made the mess worthwhile. One tester commented that this candy reminded her a lot of the coconut Girl Scout cookies—always a good thing! You can get your Girl Scout cookie fix with these copycats.
Maltesers
Malt is one of those love-it-or-hate-it flavors. If you’re a fan, you’re going to want to pick up a bag of these malted snacks. Looking at the package, we were expecting a Whoppers-style malted milk ball. What we got, though, was entirely different. Rather than being dense and ultra-crunchy, the Maltesers were almost rice crispy-like inside but with some great, authentic malt flavor. I think they tasted a lot like a cross between a classic malted milk ball and Crispy M&M’s. While the malt flavor was really good here, that crisp inside is what really sold us on these.
Our top pick
Mighty Fine Honeycomb Bar
Coming in at the top of every tester’s list was this salted caramel honeycomb bar. Americans might know honeycomb as sponge candy, fairy food or angel food (and it’s easy to make at home, too). But for most of us, sponge candy isn’t something we come across often. Lucky Brits, however, can grab a Mighty Fine Honeycomb Bar and enjoy this sweet whenever they please. The inside of this candy bar tasted much like a good homemade fairy food, but with just a hint of salt. That salt paired so well with the chocolate giving us that sweet-salty combo that most of us live for. If you decide to grab a single candy from this list, make it this irresistibly crunchy option.
Sweets worth a try
While we absolutely loved a few of these British sweets, we had mixed opinions on a few candies. That being said, they were really fun to try, and I’d recommend grabbing a few options if you’re hosting a royal wedding viewing party. Guests will love to debate these more polarizing treats.
Walker’s Nonsuch Assorted Toffees
A bag of assorted candies can be a gamble. Will only a few flavors be palatable? Will they all be so good that you squabble over the last one with your BFF? In the case of Walker’s Nonsuch toffees, we found this variety pack fell somewhat in between. My colleagues and I really enjoyed these sweet chewy candies in all their varietes—milk chocolate, dark chocolate, English toffee and banana split to name a few. However, we didn’t really get toffee from these candies. When we think of toffy, we think of that sweet, brittle treat, but what we got from Walker’s Nonsuch was more of an extra firm caramel. Read up on the difference between the two.
Refreshers
When it comes to fruit chews like Starbursts, it’s pretty safe to say that the strawberry flavor is universally beloved. So when we saw that Refreshers fruit chews were just one big roll of strawberry candy, we were pretty excited. However, these just didn’t have the same appeal. The Refreshers were a bit too sticky for our liking and they tasted a lot like strawberry Jell-O powder. They were OK to try, but we wouldn’t buy another roll.
Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles
We also tried another fruity treat, this time in pastille form—something totally new to us all. Unwrapping these candies, we saw they looked a lot like coin-shaped gumdrops. They ended up tasting much the same. The fruit flavors here were hit and miss, and the texture made us worry we might lose a filling. If you’re a gumdrop fan, though, you might want to stock up.
Fry’s Turkish Delight
Probably the biggest miss of this test was Fry’s Turkish Delight. Unlike the other British sweets, we had no idea what to expect with this one. Opening it up, we saw what looked like a small chocolate bar—seemed OK to us. But inside we did not find common fillings like nuts or caramel. Instead, this candy bar was a slice of rose-flavored Turkish delight. Maybe it was our American palates, but we just couldn’t get over the floral flavor combined with chocolate. That being said, this was our most talked about treat. My advice: Buy one to split and have a cup of tea ready in case you’re not a fan.
After testing all these unique sweets, we’re all on board for a trip to the UK. We’re sure there are a few more delicious British treats in store.
Apricot-Rosemary Scones
Make these easy sweet-savory scones a family project. It's a delightful way to show your love on Mother's Day. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Mini Rosemary-Roast Beef Sandwiches
Roast beef sandwiches never last long at a party, especially if you dollop them with mayo, mustard, horseradish and pickled giardiniera relish. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin 
Fish & Chips with Dipping Sauce
My husband and I really like fish and chips, but not all the grease that typically comes along with it. I decided to give the classic dinner a makeover. Turns out the pickle dip is healthier than tartar sauce, and we like it a lot better—who knew? —Michelle Lucas, Cold Spring, Kentucky
Slow-Cooked Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is to the British as meat loaf is to Americans, so when I was a young child living in the U.K., I had it almost once a week. This is my go-to recipe when I'm longing for the sights and smells of my mother's kitchen. Turns out people here love it just as much! —Mari Sitkiewicz, Downers Grove, Illinois
Cocktail Mushroom Meatballs
Tide over even the biggest appetites with beef-and-pork meatballs in a chunky mushroom sauce. Larger portions served over noodles or rice can make a great dinner, too. —Diane Kelley, Madison, Wisconsin
Pistachio Shortbread Sandwiches
We tasted these melt-in-your-mouth morsels at a Christmas party several years ago. We tweaked the recipe to include pistachios. The cookies disappear so quickly at parties, you just might have to watch the plate—and check the kids' pockets! —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate Chutney
When I want to show family and friends some culinary love, I roast a tenderloin and serve it with a sweet-tart pomegranate and apple chutney. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Best Ever Bread Pudding
The secret to incredible bread pudding with a soft middle and crisp edges starts with leftover dinner rolls. I picked up the rich brown sugar sauce recipe from my friend Kathryn Gartmann. A big drizzle of it takes this dessert over the top and really makes it the best bread pudding ever. —Maria Petrella, Taste of Home Prep Cook
Grandmother's Toad in a Hole
I have fond memories of my grandmother’s Yorkshire pudding wrapped around sausages, a puffy dish my kids called “the boat.” Slather it with butter and maple syrup. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Oven-Fried Fish & Chips
My baked fish is a shoo-in when you want fish and chips without the frying mess. Dare I say, they're a little upgrade from the English pub classic. Get more of my recipe at cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com. —Reeni Pisano, Wappingers Falls, New York
Cucumber Canapes
I always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts
Two-Potato Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie has another name, cottage pie, and mashed potatoes have another alternative - sweet potatoes. Whatever you call it, there's enough in the recipe to bake one casserole and freeze the other for up to three months. Did we mention Cumberland pie is a cousin, but with bread crumbs on top? —Marcie Brooks-Smith, Fort Collins, Colorado
Italian Crumb-Crusted Beef Roast
Italian-style panko crumbs and the seasoning give this roast beef a special touch—it's a nice, effortless weeknight meal so you can put your energy into relaxing. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
Blackout Peach Bread Pudding
I bake several times a week so my kids have homemade desserts. We lost power in a storm, so I used the grill to invent “blackout” pudding. —Augustina Zaccardi, Eastchester, New York
Mashed Peppery Turnips
I created this recipe in an attempt to use up a great turnip harvest from our garden, and to lighten up one of our favorite dishes. By using turnips in place of potatoes, I made a low-carb side. Now we rarely serve plain mashed potatoes! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Spice-Rubbed Lamb Chops
One of my absolute favorite meals to eat anytime are Lamb Chops! My girls, Hanna and Amani, love watching me make my delicious chops, but they love eating them even more. —Nareman Dietz, Beverly Hills, Michigan
Crispy Fish & Chips
A British pub classic turns crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with white fish like cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Lemon Poppy Seed Cutouts
I love to package up these tart, tender cookies to share with friends! You could spread them with buttercream or cream cheese frosting to turn them into sandwich cookies. And they'd be delicious dipped in white chocolate. —Ilana Pulda, Bellevue, Washington
Easy Cornish Pasties
These are a bit different from traditional pasties, but the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. My husband really enjoys these, so I like to double the recipe and freeze the extras to have on hand as a quick meal. —Judy Marsden, Ontario, California
Ultimate Chocolate Bread Pudding
When I really want to impress guests, I serve this decadent bread pudding. With just a few staple ingredients—bread, eggs, sugar and chocolate—I'm able to turn out this masterpiece in no time! —Erin Chilcoat, Smithtown, New York
Lamb Pastry Bundles
This recipe was such a hit that my family has now incorporated the Mediterranean flavors into several dishes! —Tess Konter, New York, New York
Speedy Shepherd's Pie
Turn mashed potatoes and a few pantry staples into cozy comfort food. This recipe is really flexible, so if you have extra veggies on hand, stir them into the beef mixture for even more goodness. —Sharon Tipton, Winter Garden, Florida
Cherry-Chip Oat Scones
My family loves scones and anything with oatmeal. I started with my basic scone recipe and added oat flour to increase the oat taste and texture, then included special ingredients you can find in every bite. Look for add-ins that harmonize with the mellow flavor of oats. —Amy Brnger, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Oven Parmesan Crisps
My husband and I avoid fried foods, but potatoes are part of our menu almost every day. These delectable sliced potatoes get nice and crispy and give our meals a likable lift. —Mary Lou Kelly, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Onion Yorkshire Puddings
This easy recipe is a cross between traditional Yorkshire pudding and popovers that makes a great complement to prime rib. We also like it with beef stew and steak. Make more than you need because everyone loves them. —Emily Chaney, Blue Hill, Maine
Crisp Finger Sandwich
I love snacking on this delicious sandwich with its crisp English cucumber. I have also made batches of these for parties and showers using a small loaf of whole wheat or sourdough bread. —Missi Selin, Bothell, Washington
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
There's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding recipe on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce makes the dessert taste special, but it's so easy to prepare—the slow cooker does most of the work! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania
Homemade Potato Crisps
Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Double-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
My mom and her friend did a lot of cookie swaps together. They were always finding new recipes to share, including this one. There's something about a dipped cookie that makes it seem so special, so we usually save these for the holidays. —Ginger King, Big Bear Lake, California
Triple Citrus Scones
I love the bright and buttery flavor of these tender scones with glaze that soaks in. Serve them with a yummy jam, or try them as a base for strawberry shortcake. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey
Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Dark Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding
Croissants make an incredible base for this rich, chocolaty bread pudding. I prefer dark chocolate, but semisweet or white chocolate work, too. Garnish with your favorite nuts. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Roast Beef Finger Sandwiches
These simple sandwiches are ideal for a bridal shower, brunch or high tea, when the menu is a bit more substantial. The mustard adds a nice kick without being overly spicy. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California 
Lamb Bake
This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine
Mini Treacle Tarts
I searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Popular Videos
