The Bestselling Retro Sweets of All Time: Which Ones Do You Remember?

We're treated to the best soft drinks, chocolate and candy in the UK. As one of the world's biggest confectionery producers, there are plenty of treats to choose between, and everyone has their favourite.

However, some sweets survive generations growing older and still beat their newer competitors. This post will reveal retro chocolates and candies that remain enduringly popular.

Retro Chocolates

Do you remember these retro sweets? They were some of the best-selling ever! Here is a list of the top chocolates, in no particular order.

Cadbury Puds

These were popular back in the day, but Cadbury decided to treat the British public and brought them back for Christmas in 2021. The chocolate outer shell compliments a rice crispy and hazelnut truffle centre.

Chocolate Jazzies

Chocolate jazzies are always a big hit with kids and adults alike. They're basically chocolate buttons with hundreds and thousands on them and come in milk and white chocolate forms.

White Mice

White mice are a classic retro sweet that often appears on pick and mix stands over the UK. They're distinctly unique in flavour and highly popular with children. However, some might find the flavour too intense as it's not a traditional chocolate taste.

Chocolate Limes

Do you remember these? They were so moreish! Chocolate limes featured thin slivers of lime flavoured fondant covered in dark chocolate. The premise was simple, but the flavour was incredible.

Milk Chocolate Teacakes

Now for a true British classic, milk chocolate teacakes. With a soft marshmallow centre, milk chocolate coating and biscuit crumb base, these treats are indulgent and perfect with a cup of tea.

Chocolate Lick

Do you remember chocolate lick? Older generations loved it, but it's still popular with some people now. A fine powder made of nuts, chocolate and biscuits would go straight from the jar into a sweet bag.

Choc Nibbles

Chocolate nibbles are another retro treat that never fails to disappoint. The crumbly treats come in many flavours, including mint, toffee crumbles and orange. Or you can keep it simple with milk chocolate.

Hershey Kisses

Hershey kisses never go out of style. The iconic teardrop-shaped sweets are made with milk chocolate and have a unique paper wrapper.

Milk Chocolate Raisins

Milk chocolate raisins are simple, making them perfect if you love a fruity snack. They never fail to hit the spot and are ideal as an on the go treat. Better still, they come in dark, milk and white chocolate forms.

Daim Bar

Daim bars are a crunchy, almond-flavoured toffee treat covered in milk chocolate. They've been around since the 1950s but are still as popular as ever and available in most confectionery shops.

Mars Bar

First manufactured in 1932 by Mars Incorporated, the Mars Bar combines caramel, nougat and chocolate. The bar has been subject to many branding changes but remains a popular treat.

Toffee Crisp

Another British classic, the Toffee Crisp bar is full of flavour and remains one of the UK's favourite treats. It combines chocolate with toffee, cereal krispies and biscuits for the ultimate flavour sensation.

Retro Sweets

While many sweets come and go, some are so popular that they stick around for good. These retro goodies are timelessly classic, and generations of each family have enjoyed them.

Milk Bottles

Milk bottles are classic sweets that have been around for generations. They're usually a mix of a foam and jelly consistency and have a subtle flavour. To put it simply, they're delicious!

Black Jacks & Fruit Salads

Do you remember blackjacks and fruit salads? These aniseed-flavoured chews were so popular back in the day and an after school favourite.

They're making a comeback now, and we couldn't be more thrilled!

Sherbet Lemons

A hard candy shell with a sherbet centre, sherbet lemons are the perfect sweet treat. And they're surprisingly refreshing too!

This retro sweet is a fond memory for people of older generations, and it takes them back to their childhood.

Cola Pips

Cola pips are a popular pick n mix sweets and come in hard candy form. They're made by the Joseph Dawson company and are great if you enjoy hard-boiled sweets.

Better still, the pips come in an assortment of flavours, including fruit flavours, strawberry and cream, apple, raspberry and bubblegum.

Rock Candy

Rock candy is a type of hard candy that's made by boiling sugar and water. It comes in many different colours and flavours and is commonly associated with a trip to the seaside.

Scottish Tablet

This delicious sweet is made by boiling sugar, butter and cream until it forms a thick, creamy consistency. It's then poured into a dish to set and flavoured with vanilla, fruit or chocolate.

Tablet is similar to fudge in many ways, but it has a harder consistency and is more grainy.

Rose & Violet Creams

Rose and violet creams are classic British sweets and have been around since the Victorian era. They're made with fondant and flavoured with rosewater or violets and then coated in chocolate.

Nerds & Dweebs

Nerds and Dweebs are small, hard candies that come in various flavours. They're imported from the US and made by Wonka Candy Company.

While the UK embraced the smaller and crunchier Nerds, Dweebs didn't make the same impact and are no longer available.

Parma Violets

These retro sweets are made by Swizzels Matlow and have been around since 1927. Parma violets are small, violet-flavoured candies that are incredibly sweet.

Some people might find them too sweet, but others will remember these disc-shaped candies as their favourite party bag filler.

Candy Jewellery

Candy jewellery is a popular choice for kids and has been around since the 1950s. During the 1990s, they were a party bag staple and popular after a trip to the seaside.

Today, candy jewellery is still popular, and kids can enjoy rings, necklaces and bracelets.

The Bottom Line

There are so many delicious retro chocolates and sweets available, so don't be afraid to broaden your horizons!

At Appleton Sweets, we have an assortment of confectionery at low prices.

There's so much choice, from retro boiled sweets to jellies and chocolates, so check out our stock now.

You can also get some great tips from our post on the best sweets for children.