Candy. It makes the world go round. Well, not scientifically speaking, but it’s a beloved treat the world over. Without it, the world would be very different. Just consider the economic effect candy has.
In the U.S. alone, over seven billion dollars is spent on candy every year. And, when you realize how many types of chocolate bars there are out there, this is no surprise.
Although there are many candy bars in the world, some are more popular than others. The good news is that there is a chocolate bar for every single person’s specific taste on Earth. But, which are the most popular chocolate bars? We decided to find out.
In today’s blog, we will be guiding you through the world’s most popular chocolate bars. We looked at the sales of candy bars worldwide and which ones were the best-selling.
And, it’ll come as no surprise that most of the following chocolate bars are available in the majority of local grocery stores and markets. However, some are only available in particular countries.
So, let’s take a look at the world’s most popular chocolate bars and see if you are a fan of any. Spoiler alert – you probably are!
World’s Favorite Chocolate Bars
Hershey Bar
The Hershey Bar is one of the world’s top-selling candy bars. And, believe it or not, this beloved treat has been around for over 100 years! Milton Hershey, the founder of the candy, named it “The Great American Chocolate Bar” when it was first created in 1900.
Milton’s invention changed chocolate in the United States because his approach to mass-producing the candy bars at a low cost, while maintaining high-quality chocolate, made the delicious treat attainable to everyone.
It was the first time that everyone could enjoy chocolate, rather than just the wealthy.
Fun fact: Did you know that Smores, a favorite campfire dessert in the US, is also made with Hershey’s chocolate bars? Now you do!
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Unlike many candy bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are more bell-shaped than rectangular. But, this hasn’t stopped them from becoming one of the world’s most popular candy bars, especially around the Halloween season.
First developed by Harry Burnett “H. B.” Reese in 1928, this famous chocolate bar is loved by those who adore both peanut butter and chocolate. And, to be honest, there aren’t many better combinations!
The cups themselves are made with creamy milk chocolate and a Reese’s unique peanut butter fills their insides. Haven’t tried one? Today is the day!
3 Musketeers Bar
The 3 Musketeers Bar is a renowned chocolate bar, manufactured in the United States and Canada. As you can probably guess, it takes its name from the famous novel The Three Musketeers.
Frank C. Mars invented this candy bar way back in 1932. At first, it was made with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry – a winning combination, for sure. Known as being one of the largest chocolate candy bars, it was designed to be enjoyed with friends.
The 3 Musketeers Bars is quite different to its early incarnation. Today, it only contains chocolate and is practically identical to the global Milky Way Bars.
Nestle Crunch Bar
As the name suggests, the Nestle Crunch Bar takes crunchiness to a whole new level. Containing a combination of milk chocolate and crispy rice, the taste and texture of these candy bars are to die for!
First made in 1938, the Nestle Crunch Bar continues to sell in the millions every year, all over the world.
In the average Nestle Crunch Bar, there are approximately 420 pieces of rice, but 100% milk chocolate. And, a lot of care goes into making these irresistible treats. All in all, each bar takes about 50 minutes to make.
Interestingly, these bars are made under license by Ferrara Candy Company in the U.S. but made by Nestle elsewhere. The result is always the same though – a popular, mouth-watering milk chocolate bar to brighten up any day!
Mr Goodbar
A Kosher milk candy bar, Mr Goodbar is a popular choice with peanut loving chocolate enthusiasts. First made in 1925 by Milton S. Hershey (famous for the Hershey candy bar), Mr Goodbar is named after something Mr Hersht misheard.
When someone proclaimed that the chocolate was a “good bar”, he misheard them as saying “Mister Goodbar,” and the rest, as they say, is history.
Lindt Swiss Chocolate Bar
If it’s quality you’re looking for in a candy bar, look no further than Lindt Swiss chocolate bars. These are among the best available in the world.
Based in Switzerland, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG has been producing premium quality candy since 1845. Today, the chocolate bars are sold around the world and have proven to be very popular.
Lindt chocolate is a favorite in baking, due to its rich cocoa content. And, you don’t have to settle for small bars of Lindt anymore. You can now enjoy a large Lindt Gold bar, which unsurprisingly has proved to be very popular.
These are made from original Swiss recipes and are available in a range of tastes, including milk chocolate and bittersweet.
Twix
The Twix bar is one of the best-selling sweets in the United States and throughout the world. With an intriguing blend of chocolate, cookie, and caramel, this cookie-like candy bar is a favorite treat for millions every day.
We are truly spoiled these days when it comes to Twix, though. It’s also available in dark chocolate and peanut butter flavors, so you can go a bit wild and try something different.
Another fun fact: Twix was the first type of chocolate bar to be placed on top of the famous donuts at 7-Eleven locations throughout the U.S.
Toblerone
If you ever had one of these in your Christmas stocking as a kid, you knew exactly what it was before opening!
This Swiss chocolate bar is well-known throughout Europe for its triangular-shaped design. Theodor Tobler invented it in 1908, with the unusual name being a play on an Italian phrase for honey and almond nougat, and, of course, Tobler’s name.
As for that unique yet peculiar design, this was inspired by the peaks of the Swiss Alpine mountains. If you inspect the iconic yellow package closely, you’ll notice a bear on the mountain design, too.
The delicious almond and honey nougat insides of a Toblerone Bar are encased in creamy milk chocolate. And, if this combination wasn’t enough, you can now personalize Toblerone bars, to make them a unique present.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Whole Nut
Cadbury Dairy Milk Bars are loved around the planet. They combine creamy milk chocolate with whole hazelnuts and, in the United Kingdom, they are one of the most well-known chocolate bars.
In 1905, George Cadbury Junior introduced Cadbury Dairy Milk to the United Kingdom. The legendary chocolate bar included more milk than just about any other chocolate bar at that time, hence the “Dairy Milk” name.
It wasn’t until 1933 that the Dairy Milk Whole Nut name was introduced, and it has remained that way ever since.
Mars Bar
The Mars Bar was introduced in the United Kingdom back in 1932. Today, it has become immensely popular throughout the world under several names.
The Mars Bar in the United Kingdom is made of caramel and nougat before being wrapped in milk chocolate. In the U.S., though, it is devoid of caramel. Its unique flavor certainly distinguishes it from other candy bars on the market.
Fun fact: In Scotland, you can buy deep-fried Mars Bars, but this may be an acquired taste!
Milky Way
Made in 1923 by Frank C. Mars, the Milky Way candy bar has been a hit ever since. With its fluffy, light texture, nougat filling, and scrumptious milk chocolate taste, children and adults worldwide have loved this chocolate for nearly 100 years.
When sold in the U.S., Milky Ways always have a caramel tipping, which is a little different to those found elsewhere in the world. But, whatever the topping, this candy bar is still one of the world’s most popular.
Kit Kat
Another candy bar from Nestle, Kit Kats are arguably the most recognizable candy bars in the world. Characterized by their two or four finger chocolate bars, Kit Kats are made with deletable crispy wafer cookies, before being covered in chocolate (milk, white, or dark).
First developed in the UK in 1935, the humble Kit Kat has become a worldwide phenomenon ever since. So, if you’re having a busy day, you know what to do – “Have a break… have a Kit Kat”.
Snickers
Combining peanuts, nougat, chocolate, and caramel, Snickers are a classic candy bar, famous the world over. Introduced by Mars, Inc in 1930, the name “Snickers” comes from the favorite horse of Frank and Ethel Mars.
Today, with over 15 million being made daily, Snickers is a staple in many candy landscapes around the world.
Hello, my name is Rebecca Holmes and I am a self-proclaimed chocolate lover. I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate? Dark, milk, white, caramel, mint - any flavor, I’m a fan!
Over the years, as a professional chef, I have enjoyed experimenting with adding different chocolates into all sorts of meals.
Not to mention hot chocolate. Have you ever tried a pumpkin spice hot chocolate? That has to be one of my favorite chocolatey drinks in the world. But there’s so much more to choose from! Please enjoy my website and learn all about chocolate and how amazing it can be.
