The Candy That Made Us: Chocolate Bars Every Gen X Remembers

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Twix

Imagine stepping into your local corner store, the bell on the door jingling like a nostalgic soundtrack to your childhood. The smell of chocolate wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet scent of sugary confections—all waiting to be discovered. With coins clinking in your pocket, you made your way to the candy aisle, eyes sparkling as they landed on a shiny gold wrapper: Twix.

Introduced in the UK in 1967 and gracing American shelves by 1979, Twix quickly became a staple in the candy landscape. The two-bar format felt revolutionary—like a built-in sharing mechanism that nobody ever used. Who could resist the crispy cookie base, thick layer of caramel, and that smooth chocolate coating? It was a texture journey, a crunchy, gooey delight that made you feel like you were savoring a little piece of heaven. You could get three Twix bars for just a quarter back in the early 1980s, leaving enough change for a pack of bubblegum.

The gold wrapper shimmered under the store lights, inviting you to rip it open. As you eagerly unwrapped your prize, the first bite revealed the perfect crunch of cookie meeting the luscious caramel, creating that iconic combination. With each bite, the chocolate melted slowly on your tongue, and you were hooked. Twix commercials featured a young Chris Knight and later, Chuck Norris, who became synonymous with the candy from 1990-2001. The Left Twix vs. Right Twix rivalry, which made waves in 2012, had Gen X kids arguing over their preferred side long before it became a marketing gimmick.

Still in production today with dozens of varieties, Twix remains a staple in candy aisles around the country. But you know you're a Gen X if you still remember the thrill of debating Left Twix versus Right Twix during lunch breaks!

Whatchamacallit

Next on our sweet journey through memory lane is the whimsical Whatchamacallit. You could practically hear the giggles from that iconic name alone. Released in 1978 by The Hershey Company, this candy bar didn’t just have a quirky name; it also had a taste that was impossible to define, and that was the magic. Kids flocked to corner stores, eager to ask for a Whatchamacallit, giggling at the absurdity of it all. Priced at about 30 cents in the early 1980s, you could snag one for a dime and still have enough change to buy some candy cigarettes or a soda. Talk about a sweet deal!

The Whatchamacallit was a beauty: crisp rice, creamy peanut butter, and a chocolate coating that melted in your mouth. The 1980s jingle, “Whatever it is, I think I see, a Whatchamacallit bar for me,” was a catchy earworm that got stuck in everyone’s head, making it the anthem of snack time. The playful marketing turned confusion into a selling point, and it became a beloved underdog of the candy world. It may not have had the advertising budget of other giants, but it certainly had a cult following.

Though it’s still available today, it doesn’t get the limelight it once did, which is a bummer for those of us nostalgic for its quirky charm. You know you’re a Gen X if you still find yourself singing that jingle when you see a Whatchamacallit!

Skor

Ah, Skor—the sophisticated choice for Gen X kids who wanted to feel like adults while indulging in something sweet. Introduced in the US in 1981, this thin, buttery toffee candy bar wrapped in milk chocolate was the epitome of elegance. Priced at about 35 cents, you could make a quick stop at the store after school to treat yourself to a little luxury.

Taking that first bite was an experience unto itself: the delicate crunch of the toffee combined with the smooth chocolate created a moment of sheer bliss. It was positioned as an indulgent treat during the Reagan-era obsession with sophistication. The commercials featuring aerobics-clad models declaring, “No matter how much you exercise, everyone deserves an exercise in indulgence,” elevated Skor to a status that felt almost elitist.

Still around today and competing with its former rival, the Heath bar, Skor has maintained its place in the candy landscape. The name 'Skor' itself was derived from Swedish, where it means 'brittle,' coincidentally capturing the essence of this delightful treat. You know you're a Gen X if you remember feeling like the coolest kid in class, unwrapping a Skor bar while everyone else was chomping on more traditional options!

Caramello

Now let’s talk about Caramello, the candy bar that was pure magic for any Gen X kid. Launched in the US in 1988, after captivating candy lovers in Canada and the UK a bit earlier, Caramello was a chocolate-coated marvel that oozed rich caramel from every square. It was a tactile experience like no other, and biting into that segmented bar meant watching the gooey caramel flow out like liquid gold. For about 35 cents, this delightful treat was always within reach, making it a must-have during those summer bike rides to the corner store.

The creamy Cadbury chocolate was different from the milk chocolate we were used to, adding an exotic allure to every bite. The commercials, featuring mesmerizing slow-motion shots of caramel flowing, were practically hypnotic, making it impossible to resist picking up a Caramello when you saw that iconic purple and gold wrapper. Today, it’s still available under the Hershey license, but it’s often overshadowed by flashier candy options.

You know you’re a Gen X if you vividly remember the thrill of watching the caramel ooze out, wondering, “How did they get that inside there?” That mystery made it feel like a treasured secret, making sharing a piece of Caramello an event in itself!

100 Grand Bar

Finally, we arrive at the 100 Grand Bar—originally introduced as the '$100,000 Bar' in 1966, it was rebranded in 1985 to sound a bit cooler for the Gen X candy-buying market. For about 25 cents, this candy bar combined crispy rice, chewy caramel, and smooth milk chocolate to create a texture explosion that was unforgettable. It was like a mashup of the classic Nestle Crunch and Milky Way, but with a style all its own.

The clever name change brought a fresh vibe, making it feel like the candy bar had undergone a trendy makeover just when we were all in our peak candy-buying years. It became an urban legend that a guy once tried to cash in and received a 100 Grand candy bar instead of a check. That quirky story made it all the more memorable!

Today, the 100 Grand Bar maintains its status as a Halloween bag staple, still loved for its unique texture contrast. You know you’re a Gen X if you remember trading these bars like currency at school or stashing them away to enjoy later while feeling like you were winning at life!

The Corner Store is Gone

As we reminisce about these cherished candy bars, it’s hard not to notice how the landscape of our sweet memories has changed. Those beloved corner stores, where kids gathered to trade stories and pocket change for sugary delights, have largely disappeared. They’ve been replaced by gas stations and the convenience of Amazon, stripping away the magic of the candy aisle we once knew so well. Yet, the memories remain—sugar highs, sticky fingers, and the thrill of unwrapping a beloved candy bar echo through our minds like a sweet lullaby.

It’s a reminder that while times may change, the small joys—like the thrill of a candy bar purchase—still hold a special place in our hearts. Those penny candies taught us that small things add up, much like life insurance — a little each month can grow into something meaningful for your loved ones.

So, what candy would YOU bring back if you could? Drop us a line on Facebook and let’s keep the sweet memories alive!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Twix — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production and one of Mars's best sellers. Over $63 million in US sales in 2017 alone. Available in dozens of varieties including Peanut Butter, Cookies & Creme, and seasonal flavors.. Originally introduced in 1967 (UK), 1979 (US nationwide) by Mars Limited (Slough factory, United Kingdom). Twix was called 'Raider' in mainland Europe for decades before being renamed in 1991 (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Turkey didn't change until 2000). The bar has undergone significant shrinkflation -- from 60g in the 1980s to 58g in the 2000s to just 50g today. The dot above the 'I' in the current logo is actually a stylized pause button, suggesting you should 'take a pause' with Twix. The gold wrapper was introduced in a 2000 redesign that also made the cookie crunchier.

Whatchamacallit — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production but receives minimal marketing support from Hershey compared to its other products. Considered an 'underdog' candy bar with a devoted cult following.. Originally introduced in 1978 by The Hershey Company. The original 1978 version was simply peanut butter crisp coated in chocolate -- no caramel. In 1987, candy chemists modified the formula to add caramel, peanut-flavored crisp, and a richer chocolate coating. In 2009, Hershey released a companion bar called the 'Thingamajig' with a different configuration but the same playful naming concept. The name was devised at DDB ad agency during a brainstorming session for Hershey's new product line.

Skor — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production. Hershey now owns both Skor and its rival Heath bar (acquired Heath in 1996), making them the only company competing against itself in the chocolate toffee category.. Originally introduced in 1981 (US), 1983 (Canada) by The Hershey Company. The name 'Skor' comes from Swedish -- 'skor' means 'shoes' in Swedish, but with the correct diacritical marks over the O, it means 'brittle,' which describes the toffee texture. Hershey created Skor specifically to compete with the Heath bar. When Hershey acquired Heath in 1996, they ended up owning both competitors. The Skor bar is slightly thinner than a Heath bar despite the similar recipe. In 2015, the logo was redesigned with a more modern font.

Caramello — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production in the US under Hershey's license from Cadbury/Mondelez. Known as Caramilk in Canada and Cadbury Caramel in the UK. The purple-and-yellow Cadbury branding is used internationally while the US version uses Hershey's darker brown-and-red wrapper style.. Originally introduced in 1968 (as Caramilk in Canada), 1976 (UK as Cadbury Caramel), 1988 (US as Caramello under Hershey license) by Cadbury (as Caramilk, 1968 in Canada/UK). The candy goes by different names worldwide: Caramello (US, Australia), Caramilk (Canada), Cadbury Caramel (UK), and Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel (other markets). The 'Caramilk Secret' -- how they get the liquid caramel inside the chocolate squares -- has been a marketing mystery since the 1960s. The actual process involves depositing liquid caramel into pre-formed chocolate shells. In the US, the wrapper is brown and red (Hershey style), while everywhere else it's the iconic Cadbury purple and yellow.

100 Grand Bar — Is it the same as it used to be?

Still in production under Ferrara/Ferrero after Nestle sold its US confectionery business in 2018. A fun-size mainstay in Halloween candy bags.. Originally introduced in 1966 (as '$100,000 Bar'), renamed '100 Grand' in 1985 by Nestle. Originally introduced in 1966 as the '$100,000 Bar' by Nestle. The name was changed to '100 Grand' in 1985 to sound more contemporary. The bar is sometimes confused with the Nestle Crunch due to both containing crispy rice, but 100 Grand adds a chewy caramel layer. It was one of the first candy bars to specifically target the 'I want it all' mentality -- multiple textures in one bar. Nestle sold its US candy business to Ferrero in 2018 for $2.8 billion.