When it comes to fond childhood memories, few things evoke nostalgia quite like our favorite snacks. Whether it’s creamy chocolate pudding, the salty crunch of crispy potato chips, or the irresistible allure of freshly baked cookies, these snacks hold a special place in our hearts. Even as adults, the mere thought of these treats can bring a smile to our faces and transport us back to carefree days of youth.

The Question: What’s are your favorite childhood snacks, and why do they still hold a special place in your heart?

A few favorites come to mind when I think about this sweet and salty question. Here are a few of my own:

MARATHON CANDY BARS

Such a simple candy bar… random strands of melted caramel covered in milk chocolate. Marathon bars were absolutely amazing, whether frozen or at room temperature. It’s baffling why they were discontinued all those years ago. Maybe it was because they could get a little messy, with the chocolate separating from the caramel, and my mom getting frustrated with tiny pieces of melted chocolate on the couch. Nevertheless, I still yearn for the day when this incredible treat makes its triumphant return to store shelves!

APPLES

In 2024, my enduring passion for apples still burns bright, despite a period in adulthood when my love for the fruit waned. As a child, I adored specific varieties, particularly the Red and Golden Delicious, as long as they were crunchy and bursting with flavor.

Today, sinking my teeth into the Honeycrisp variety instantly transports me back to those carefree summer days by the pool in my hometown, chilling with friends after school and returning home just in time for a pre-dinner snack. Ah, such bliss!

NESTLE TOLLHOUSE COOKIES

Whether my mom made individual cookies or the quicker “pan” cookie variety, nothing made our house smell quite so delicious as a Saturday afternoon session of making Tollhouse cookies. It’s incredible how Nestle was able to literally trademark a chocolate chip cookie and make the public feel like it’s something over and above any other you could possibly eat.

These days, we have Crumbl and Dirty Dough cookies along with so many other options available, but every now and then you stumble upon a cookie that brings the nostalgic feeling of the “real thing”, melting in your mouth…and in your hands.

McDonald’s Extra Value Meals

I remember forming a strong connection with my oldest brother’s now wife during my childhood, facilitated by being the youngest in a family of seven. She possessed the ability to skillfully break down my defenses, leading me to accept the idea of my brother not entertaining me 24/7. Her secret? A McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Large Fry, and a Coke. This simple gesture never failed to uplift my spirits and change my perspective.

While my cravings for McDonald’s have evolved over the years, limited to occasional indulgences in their remarkably satisfying Coca-Cola and a yearly Big Mac, the memories of those moments shared with Charlotte at our local restaurant resurface with every sip…or bite.

ICE CREAM SUNDAES

When my cousins, nephews, and nieces of similar ages visited, we would transform our kitchen into a restaurant. Some of us would act as the wait staff while others took on the roles of “cooks”. We even created menus for our family customers and charged them for our culinary creations, despite not having purchased any ingredients!

We whipped up an array of treats including banana splits, hot fudge sundaes, waffle cones, and crunch cones, with tips graciously accepted, of course. Looking back, it’s amazing to recall how enjoyable – and profitable – our little enterprise was, even after nearly 50 years.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

What a fun journey down memory lane into the nostalgia of childhood snacks! As you reflect on the sweet and savory treats that defined your youth, I’m eager to hear about your cherished childhood snacks and the reasons they still hold a special place in your heart. Whether it’s the comforting appeal of a classic candy bar, the refreshing sweetness of a freshly picked apple, or the inviting aroma of homemade cookies, your stories are a treasure trove of beautiful memories waiting to be shared.