Trick or Treat... I'll Take the Treat

In one week, we will celebrate one of my favorite childhood holidays, Halloween. Kids and lately, parents will be dressed as their favorite spooky characters, and the sweet sensations known as candy bars will be their quest. Candy bar manufacturing is a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone, however a debt of gratitude goes out to English and Swiss companies Cadbury and Nestle'. Cadbury created the first chocolate bar in 1847, and Nestle developed milk chocolate in 1874. In the states, Milton Hershey opened the Hershey factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1893 and quickly built a chocolate empire. Here are last year's top five U.S. sweet chocolaty morsels along with some cooking tips.

5. Kit Kat's come in at number 5 in sales with $201.8 million in revenue. The chocolatey, crispy wafers have a long past when it comes to ownership. Originally produced by Rowntree Limited of York in 1935, the Kit Kat bar became a part of the Nestle' lineup in 1988 after they acquired Rowntree. Bars made in the U.S. have the infamous Hershey name on them and have been in production stateside since 1969. They are a great addition to your favorite brownie recipe. Pour half of your brownie batter into a pan and top with a layer of Kit Kat bars. Top with the rest of the batter and bake. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and ganache. Give me a break!

4. Hershey Bars are the most iconic of chocolate candy bars worldwide. The Hershey Bar alone is responsible for $249 million in annual sales for the chocolate-making behemoth. Before Milton Hershey developed the candy bar, chocolate was considered a food for the wealthy. He started a mass production milk chocolate factory in the heart of Pennsylvania's dairy country, and the bar was an instant success selling for a meager 5 cents. Smores are all the rage as a dessert ingredient. Try Hershey's in a cream pie. Break bite-sized chunks into a prebaked pie crust, top with toasted coconut, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and sprinkle with more coconut and ground chocolate.

3. Snickers is the most popular candy bar throughout the world. The bar is produced by Mars and is their biggest moneymaker with $399 million in sales last year. They popped onto the market in 1930 and have been on a roll since. The name is an affectionate tribute to one of the Mars families' favorite horses. As the slogan states, "Snickers satisfies," and why not? Loaded with peanuts, nougat, and caramel, they certainly deliver on why they were created. I love a frozen Snickers bar, however they are great warmed to make fondue. Chop 3 bars and warm with chocolate chips, marshmallow cream, and heavy cream. Use strawberries, green apples, and graham crackers to dip.

2. M&M's may be tiny but, they are the giant of the candy bar industry. Invented by 2 friends with names ending in Mars and Murrie, hence the name M&M's, they now generate $400 million in sales each year and are only growing. The duo invented the bite-sized candies to solve the chocolate melting problem and also created the now infamous slogan "Melt in your mouth and not in your hands". Not only found throughout the world, but M&M's have also traveled in space during a 1982 shuttle mission. I use them in my homemade trail mix simply combine equal amounts of M&M's, raisins, peanuts, and pumpkin seeds. Shredded coconut is an option that I enjoy.

1. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were the brainchild of Harry Burnett Reese, a former dairy employee of Milton Hershey. In the 1920s, Reese decided to strike out on his own and created my personal favorite candy bar. Eventually, the Hershey company got the rights back when they purchased Reese's for $23.5 million in 1963. The investment was worth it, as the cups make $407 million annually for Hershey's. The flavor profile is without equal: salty, sweet, smooth, and chocolatey and Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites make a perfect combo. Sandwich a peanut butter cup between 2 pretzels and dip in melted chocolate. Top with chopped peanuts and enjoy.

Hershey's and M&M/Mars are by far the leading producers of these chocolate sensations. Hershey was a marketing genius, and the economic effects on our country during WWI and the Great Depression didn't slow him down. During WWI, Hershey contracted with the U.S. Army making chocolate a staple for the soldier's diet. During the depression, Hershey amped up advertising, cut the price, and sold it as an affordable food source. Hershey also had an impact on the literary world. In 1964 Roald Dahl wrote his now-infamous novel "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," and a magical movie quickly opened. Still popular today all because of ....chocolate, and of course Oompa Loompas. Happy Halloween!