Circus peanut

This article is about the candy. For the legumes sold at circuses, see peanut.

Circus peanut

Type	Confectionery
Main ingredients	Sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, pectin, soy protein, food coloring, artificial flavor
Food energy (per 15 pieces serving)	150 kcal (630 kJ)
Media: Circus peanut

Circus peanuts are American peanut-shaped marshmallow candy.^[1][2][3] They date to the 19th century, when they were one of a large variety of unwrapped "penny candy" sold in such retail outlets as five-and-dime stores.^[4][5]

As of the 2010s, the most familiar variety of mass-produced circus peanuts is orange-colored and flavored with an artificial banana flavor. These are typically made from sugar, corn syrup, gelatin,^[6] pectin, soy protein, food coloring and artificial flavor. Confectioners originally distributed an orange-flavored variety that was only available seasonally due to a lack of packaging capable of preserving the candy. In the spring, five-and-dimes sold circus peanuts as penny candy. In the 1940s, circus peanuts became one of the many candies to become available year-round owing to the industrial proliferation of cellophane packaging.^[7]

Over the years, confectioners have also offered circus peanuts colored yellow, pink, and white, including a variety of flavors, though orange is still the most predominant color and banana the most common flavor. The leading producers of circus peanuts are Melster Candies, Spangler Candy Company and Brach's, although the products are essentially identical.^[1]

Circus Peanuts were later used in an early version of what would later become the Lucky Charms breakfast cereal. In 1964 General Mills managment challenged a team of product developers to create a new unique cereal. After a visit to a grocery store, product developer John Holahan decided to mix Cheerios with bits of circus peanuts.^[8][9][3]

See also

• Lucky Charms, a breakfast cereal that Circus Peanuts were used in an early version for.
• Peeps, marshmallow candy shaped like a chick.
• Jet-Puffed Marshallows, American brand of marshmallows.
• Flumps, a UK brand of rope shaped marshmallow candy.

References

1. Seewer, John (June 27, 2006). "In candy world, circus peanut is a riddle wrapped in marshmallow inside orange shell". USA Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
2. Milligan, Ceara (2021-12-08). "What Are Circus Peanuts And How Are They Actually Made?". Mashed. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
3. Ihnat, Gwen (2018-10-30). "What Exactly Is A Circus Peanut?". The Takeout. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
4. "Circus Peanuts". Spangler Candy. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
5. "Americans split over 'grandma candies' as caramels and circus peanuts spark debate". WCCS AM1160 & 101.1FM. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
6. "FAQs". Spangler Candy. Archived from the original on July 4, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
7. "Circus Peanuts". Candy Nation. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
8. "The history of Lucky Charms - General Mills".
9. Grimes, A. C. (2021-01-09). "The Unexpected Link Between Lucky Charms And Circus Peanuts". Mashed. Retrieved 2026-01-24.

External links

• Archive of "Brach's Circus Peanuts". Farley's & Sathers Candy Company. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. (Brach's brand subsequently under Ferrara Candy Company)