Unwrap the sweet story behind the origin of candy canes, from their simple start to their rise as a holiday symbol shaped by tradition, legend and a dash of creativity
Who Invented Candy Canes? The Sweet History of the Iconic Christmas Treat
Published on Dec. 06, 2024
Of all the sweet treats we associate with Christmas, nothing evokes the holiday spirit quite like the candy cane. With its decorative stripes and crisp peppermint flavor, it’s a holiday icon on par with boughs of holly and evergreen trees. So what’s the origin of candy canes, and how did they become the most dominant confections of the Christmas season?
The history of candy canes weaves together legend, tradition and a touch of whimsy. From pacifying fussy kids to decorating Christmas trees, the candy cane’s journey from humble origins to holiday mainstay is a sweet reminder of how the simplest of joys can stand the test of time.
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What’s the origin of candy canes?
The true origin of candy canes is hazy, mixing recorded history with a good amount of legend. Hard candy has existed for thousands of years. The expense of sugar made it a rare treat, shared on special occasions and holidays or as a reward for children’s good behavior.
Church records show that in 1670, a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out white candy sticks to keep restless children quiet during Christmas services. The sweets took a long time to finish and kept little hands and mouths busy while they weren’t singing. Worried it might seem improper to give candy in church, he added the symbolic crook to recall the shepherds of the Nativity.
Over the next century, the curved candy sticks became a holiday tradition across Germany and a favorite decoration for Christmas trees, which children got to enjoy after Epiphany on Jan. 6.
In 1847, German-Swedish immigrant August Imgard brought the tradition to America, hanging candy canes on his tree in Wooster, Ohio, and sparking a trend that continues to this day.
Have candy canes always been peppermint flavored?
Candy canes historically weren’t flavored with anything besides sugar. Then, at the turn of the 20th century, peppermint flavor was added to candy canes, likely because of its popularity.
According to Liz Smiley, the brand manager for Brach’s candy company, 49% of Americans still say that peppermint is their favorite candy cane flavor, followed by cherry (18%) and blueberry (13%).
Have candy canes always been striped?
Early illustrations reveal that, in the late 19th century, candy canes were still solid white. The red stripes didn’t appear until the 1920s, when a candymaker in Albany, Georgia, named Bob McCormack began hand-twisting red into his candy canes to make them extra festive.
A popular legend claims that the stripes symbolize the Holy Trinity and Christ’s sacrifice—born from the idea of covertly recognizing Christians during Oliver Cromwell’s Christmas ban. But McCormack’s candy canes were less about religious Christmas traditions and more about spreading holiday cheer.
How have candy canes evolved throughout the years?
While red-and-white peppermint candy canes are still the gold standard, the candy industry has embraced modern trends in flavor, design and purpose. Flavors now range from sweet to savory, with options like sour apple, hot cinnamon, birthday cake—even pickle and bacon!
Aesthetically, candy canes now come in a range of colorful patterns, with rainbow swirls, glittery finishes and plastic packages featuring popular characters or logos. They’ve also grown in utility; there are mini candy canes for snacking, giant candy canes for decoration, crushed candy canes for baking and even plastic candy canes filled with other candies.
Today’s treats are a far cry from the origin of candy canes, but they’re proof of the holiday sweet’s staying power. Whether you prefer peppermint or newfangled flavors, you’re bound to feel the Christmas spirit when you unwrap this classic hard candy.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on the origin of candy canes, Allison Robicelli tapped her experience as a James Beard–nominated food writer, recipe developer and cookbook author to investigate the food’s history. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Liz Smiley, brand manager for Brach’s; interviewed, November 2024
- National Confectioners Association: “A Candy Cane Story”
- Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins
- The Conversation: “The History of Candy Canes and Why They Taste So Cool”
