Joy Stick

“In 1871, Claus Doscher created the first Doscher’s handcrafted candy cane in Cincinnati, Ohio. His process involved using real peppermint oil, cooking small batches in copper kettles, and working with the best tools known to man – his hands – to roll, knead, stripe, and hook the canes.”

Not everyone can say their city holds one of the country’s oldest candy-making companies, but we can!

Doscher’s Candies in Newtown, Ohio has been crafting candies — specifically, candy canes — since 1871.

Recently, we stopped by the gift shop & factory for a behind the scenes look at how their candy canes are made.

The process is relatively straightforward and happens pretty fast!

It involves the same recipe, copper kettles and time-honored techniques used 150 years ago.

Employees mix, stir, wait (there’s a lot of waiting), knead, fold, stretch, and add handmade pinstripes to each block of “Confectionary Art”.

“One of a kind confectionary art”

Eventually, a this block of sweetness is dropped into another machine which twists and stretches it into what now resembles the Doscher’s candy canes we know and love.

Next, employees create the “hook” of the candy canes. One-by-one, the canes are led down the line to eventually be packaged, boxed and sent off to their destinations.

“Peppermint is by far and away is the most popular..”

…but the birthday cake, root beer and salted caramel are very popular.” says V.P. of Business Development, Gregory Clark.

Over the year, more than 3 million candy canes will be made at Doscher’s Candies. The process typically starts each spring.

Make sure to stop by Doscher’s this holiday season to satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a few holiday gifts and visit with Santa!

They didn’t stop at candy canes

Doscher’s also makes the famous French Chew & Candy Buttons.

You can find Doscher’s products in Sam’s Club, Kroger and many local businesses.

For more info, click here.