What Are Goo Goo Clusters?

Head on over to Tennessee, and you’ll find shops selling a silly-sounding candy: Goo Goo Clusters.

Touted as Nashville’s official candy, Goo Goo Clusters are a favorite throughout the Volunteer State. But if you don’t call Tennessee home, you’ll find yourself asking, what is a Goo Goo Cluster anyway? 

Fair warning: Once you discover what makes up these chewy candies, you’ll instantly be searching for where you can find them near you.

Also, check this homemade moon pie recipe, your perfect sweet treats.

What Are Goo Goo Clusters?

via @googooclusters/instagram

So what on earth are Goo Goo Clusters? The classic version of this Tennessee treat consists of peanuts, caramel and marshmallow nougat all cloaked in a layer of milk chocolate.

The end result is cluster about the size of a chocolate chip cookie or Oreo. It tastes like a Salted Nut Roll—but better. Or a Snickers—but better. Really, though, Goo Goos (as the candies are affectionately called) are unlike any candy bar you’ll find in the checkout lane of Target or at the movie-theater concession counter.

With peanuts and caramel, Goo Goo Clusters combine that sweet and salty combination many of us love. Pair that with sweet, marshmallowy nougat and chocolate and you have a chewy, rich treat that no one on either side of the Mississippi can resist.

Types of Goo Goo Clusters

via merchant

While the milk chocolate Goo Goo is the original recipe—one that dates all the way back to 1912—there are all types of Goo Goo Clusters available these days.

• Classics: You can find Goo Goos made with peanuts (that’s the original), pecans and peanut butter.
• Lil’ Goos: These are bite-sized versions of the classic.
• Premium Goo Goos: These Clusters are more than twice the size of the typical version. Premium Goo Goos are packed with more fillings in a rotating array of flavors. One option is the PB&P: a candy cluster filled with peanut butter, pretzels and caramel and coated in dark chocolate.

Where to Buy Goo Goo Clusters

via merchant

If you’re in Tennessee, particularly Nashville, you’ll have no problem finding Goo Goo Clusters. They’re for sale at supermarkets, drug stores and gift shops—even the Country Music Hall of Fame stocks them!

For those that aren’t in Tennessee, you’ll have to search a little harder for these treats, though they are worth the effort! If you can’t find them at a nearby candy shop, you can grab Goo Goos on Amazon. Try the original recipe or a variety pack.