The Classic Candy At Cracker Barrel That'll Bring Back Sweet Memories

Visiting a Cracker Barrel is like taking a step back in time thanks to the quaint decor and down-home menu selection. The restaurant chain also features a variety of classic sweet treats in its general store, including one staple of a bygone era. Among the many sugary selections featured at Cracker Barrel are Cow Tales, a delightful caramel and cream snack, according to the candy's official website.

Cow Tales, a product of Goetze's Candy Company, first appeared on store shelves in 1984. The candy is an offshoot of the brand's beloved Bulls-Eyes, which consist of bite-sized pieces of caramel with a sweet cream center. Conversely, Cow Tales come in a longer, stick-like shape, though they contain the same milky interior to allow for maximum caramel cream snacking. In addition to the classic recipe, Cow Tales also come in a variety of other flavors, including apple, Oreo cookie, brownie, and smoothie. And while Cow Tales first emerged in the mid-80s, Goetze's Candy Company has actually been around for much longer.

Cow Tales got their name thanks to the association with Bulls-Eyes, a joking reference to the front end of a cow. While Cow Tales refer to the tail of the animal, Goetze's Candy Company altered the spelling to ensure its sweet treat isn't confused with a genuine beef product. The spelling also refers to the famous nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle, Diddle" from Mother Goose. Although the candy is typically sold in 7-inch sticks (there's also a mini version measuring 2½ inches), in 2017, Goetze's teamed up with the proprietors of Bulk Candy Store to create a mammoth 10-foot version of the sweet for the Maryland State Fair.

Goetze's Candy Company first got its start in 1895, when August Goetze and his son William purchased the failing Baltimore Chewing Gum Company. WWI led to shortages of essential chewing gum ingredients, which inspired the confectioners to experiment with other types of treats, including its famous caramel confections. The business has occupied the same manufacturing plant since 1928, although modifications ensure it can keep up with customer demand. While the candy company has innovated quite a bit over the years, it's still synonymous with classic sweets that harken back to a simpler time. Cracker Barrel embraces a similar vintage aesthetic, but Cow Tales aren't the only novelty candy the restaurant chain carries.

Besides Cow Tales, the Cracker Barrel website features a wide selection of retro and nostalgic candy of every description, including hard candies in surprising flavors. One such item is the horehound sanded drops, which are hard candies with a sugary coating. Horehound is an herb that imbues the candy with a flavor similar to black licorice, although with a bit of mintiness. Cracker Barrel also offers sanded drops in other flavors, such as cinnamon, cherry, and lemon.

As for soft candies, coconut slices are a unique treat that combines chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors. Guests of Cracker Barrel can also enjoy butter mints after their meals, which are most notable for their pleasing pastel color. However, these mints are also beloved for their texture, which can be described as buttery smooth as they dissolve. The candy selection at Cracker Barrel — and Cow Tales especially — perfectly exemplifies the chain's commitment to serving up a nostalgic experience, which its customers most appreciate.