Sky Bar | New England’s Classic Chocolate Candy Bar
One of America’s oldest chocolate bars, Sky Bar is an old-fashioned New England candy favorite filled with caramel, vanilla, peanut, and fudge.
By Aimee Tucker|Mar 03 2020|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine Keenan
Let’s celebrate another classic New England candy — the Sky Bar!
A chocolate bar made by Necco (of the famous Necco Wafers, Necco Sweethearts, andMary Jane candy) in Revere, Massachusetts (see Update at the bottom of this post), Sky Bar has four separate milk chocolate chambers, each filled with sugary goodness in flavors that Necco describes as “caramel, vanilla, peanut, and fudge.” For those who can’t make up their minds, a Sky Bar is the perfect choice. Why settle for one flavor when you can get four?
Sky Bar | New England’s Classic Chocolate Candy Bar Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Sky Bar debuted in 1938 with a grand skywriting campaign. Newspaper ads promoted the spectacle by urging members of the public to “Keep your eye on the sky!” and look for “Letters a mile high — written at 10,000 feet in the sky — visible ten miles — A thrill to see!”
From a 1938 newspaper ad – Keep your eye on the sky for Sky Bar!
The bar actually was something to celebrate, since Sky Bar was the first chocolate bar to have four distinctly different centers encased in chocolate. Molded chocolate bars debuted in the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the first half of the 20th century that they really took off, with thousands of different bars being made and distributed by individual companies. Today, it’s hard to find many small and independent chocolate bar manufacturers, but Necco is one of the few, making it all the more beloved by chocolate-loving Yankees with long memories.
In addition to its tasty and sweet properties, the Sky Bar (or at least one of its advertising signs) was also witness to history. In 1945, following V-E Day and the end of three long years of wartime blackout, the lights were finally turned on again in New York’s iconic Times Square. After years of darkness only six were primed and ready for power, and Necco’s Sky Bar was one of them.
Fudge, peanut, vanilla, and caramel encased in milk chocolate. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Today, Sky Bar remains a favorite for many here in New England, where it’s still available in candy stores and supermarket checkout displays alongside the numerous offerings from Hershey’s and Mars. For those who can’t find it, but miss those 4 distinct flavors, the internet comes to the rescue again! You can order Sky Bar online by the bar or case.
Do you love unwrapping a Sky Bar? Which “square” is the best? Let us know!
Necco Update (2018)
Due to financial hardship, Necco was first sold to investment firm American Capital in 2007. When losses continued, the Los Angeles-based Ares Management bought both Necco and American Capital in 2017. Ares sold Necco’s real estate to an investment firm that rented the facility back to Necco. In May 2018, Necco declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was purchased by Greenwich, CT-based Round Hill Investments for $17.3 million. Hopes for a rebound were abundant, since Round Hill had been responsible for reviving troubled brands like Pabst Blue Ribbon, Chef Boyardee, and Hostess (including its venerated Twinkies), but on July 24, 2018, the Revere facility was was suddenly shuttered. Approximately 230 workers and executives were laid off, and production of all candy lines stopped, ending the Necco Wafer’s reign as the country’s longest-running, continuously produced candy. Round Hill would go on to sell off many of Necco’s long-running candy lines to other manufacturers.
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
Oh my goodness!! I LOVED these growing up and loved never knowing which “end” flavor I was getting. Did not know these were still being made, never see them around here in Ohio, I may have to order some when I can spare some money!
Was just in CT this past weekend – half the reason I drove was so that I could shop at Geissler’s grocery stores in Windsor and in Bloomfield to stock up on Moxie – I was kind and only bought four six-packs and four bottles – I left one or two on the shelf in Bloomfield. someone else had beat me to the stock in Windsor!
Finished eating a Sky Bar just now! I saw these at the Cracker Barrel store yesterday and remembered this article. The peanut square is my favorite with vanilla a close second!
Anyone know where I can get these cheaper than at Cracker Barrel? They’re charging $1.49 and I only bought it to try a bit of New England history. The price seems very high for such a small candy bar!
Thanks for the sweet memories of a childhood favorite. There is a Cracker Barrel store nearby and I will remember that. I imagine that Necco wafers are available there also. The only other place in Florida that I have found Necco wafers was at a candy store in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
John, Your post made me think of the time I went to the Cain’s factory as a little girl with my Girl Scout group. We all came home with a bag of chips and a mall jar of mayonnaise.
Loved Skybars! My favorite section was the caramel. Many years have passed since I last enjoyed this sweet treat. Thanks for invoking happy childhood memories.
These are still my favorite and I will drive miles out of the way to go to a store that carries them. My husband puts one in my Christmas stocking each year – always makes me smile!!!
Always loved Sky Bars, Necco Wafers (especially the chocolate and Licorice), Moxie. Used to take a supply of them whenever I visited my brother in Florida. And yes Garrett it still tastes the same. I moved to Massachusetts from Maine 20 years ago and have just recently been able to get Moxie regularly. At 72 years young that is one of the highlights of my life now.
this is where I buy mine since I’ve been in FL also my maple candy. haven’t found my state line chips though! I really miss those. The Moxie well that was Dad’s thing I was a crème soda gal. but the SKY BAR I always had to save the caramel for last! How did I know you ask? Sinple you stick your thumb in each end lol you’ll find the caramel everytime!!
The Granite State Potato Factory went out of business and yes is now a new Dunkin Donuts, sad because they were great chips. Humpty Dumpty in Scarborough, Maine I think is still in business, about the same as Granite State. If you see them try them. Didn’t know SkyBar was still available. I did love them as a kid, haven’t had them since.
Sky Bar has been my favorite since I was a child. Has anyone else noticed that the vanilla cream filling is no longer “white”? It does not have the same taste and is more a clearish filling. I did send an email to the company about it, but they had no interest in hearing about this. Told me to mail them back, my expense, which I decided was not worth it.
I remember the jingle for Sky Bar. It was the sponsor for the TV show “Sky King”. The jingle has been in my head for fifty-three years but now I can’t remember the names of all the the four flavors. I think they were English Toffee, Honey Nougat, Peanut Whip and one other. I haven’t been able to find a Sky Bar here in Washington state yet but I’m sure not going to quit searching yet. ???? Thanks for the memories. ????
Hi Harold, I appreciate your comment! That 4th flavor in question was “Fudge parfait.” The Sky Bar TV commercial from the early 1950s was set to a conga beat ~ “One, two, three, four ~ Sky Bar: You’ll love Necco’s Sky Bar: It’s the four-in-one bar ~ Peanut whip, can’t be beat; English toffee, what a treat; Fudge parfait, boy that’s sweet; Honey-nougat, c’mon let’s eat…etc.” What one nickel could buy back in 1953!
I have loved these since I first had one as a youngster. I always eat them in the same order: fudge to start, then vanilla creme, caramel and ending with the peanut, which was my favorite. I loved having 4 different flavors in one bar. (And all you have to do is bite a small corner off the end square to see which flavor it is, so you will know where the other flavors are!) I hope they never stop making these!
Loved these as a kid. Had one as an adult, and truth be told, they’re pretty not that good. The chocolate is flavorless, and the 4 squares are just variants on “sugar filling”.
But – as far as the ads are concerned, they appear to be a very early version of making events out of the ads themselves. Mentioning the airplane signs in the newspaper ads is an early forerunner to teasers for movie trailers, or releasing Super Bowl ads in advance online.
I love(ed) Sky Bars. I agree with the above comments: the white isn’t as white as it used to be and the chocolate has changed – doesn’t taste like fudge and now it has a funky mouth feel . Please return to the old formula – if saving money vs. taste is your goal, then you don’t get it. I’ve been eating Sky Bars for at least 60 years, and they have changed and not for the better. Sadly, I don’t pick them up anymore at Market Basket. Used to buy at least 4 at the checkout. Change the formula back and I’ll buy a lot of them.
Always loved Skybars. Never knew the order of the fillings, so am just surprised. Haven’t been able to find them locally lately, but will drive to VT. Country store in the spring. Necco wafers- chocolate is my favorite. My grandfather always had a stash for me in his desk.
Love Sky Bars! Have a large stash at home. Been eating them since I was probably around eight years old. I am now 66. I am thrilled that I can still find them at Market Basket for a good price. Usually buy a bunch at one time. The Fudge is my favorite flavor, I wait til the end to enjoy the chocolate section! Keep ’em coming! An important connection to my past…
I first had a Sky Bar in the 1950s. I kind of “rediscovered” them a while back and went a little crazy. They are common in the boston area, as they are made by NECCO in Revere, MA. AT one point, I had to ask my wife to not buy one for me just about every time she saw one! Here’s the thing, though: At best, NECCO is about to be sold; at worst…gone, out of business. Say it ain’t so! (It is so.) Get them while they are still here!
We can buy Sky Bars and Clark Bars at the Half Nuts store in Milwaukee. I was delighted to find them, but the quality is not like it used to be. I won’t be buying any more; I’ll stick with those great (and tasty) memories of the 50’s.
I have often thought sky bar candy should also be in dark chocolate. But has always been my favorite candy bar. I can’t always find it but when I do I usually bar 5 or 6 and put them in the freezer. Another one of my favorite is Needhams. Also a rare find. Reny’s Store sometimes willl have both!
Duck Soup will officially roll them out on Dec. 7th 2019, but only available in their Sudbury Ma store until they get a wholesale license to distribute them. You can purchase one box of 24 bars and they will ship when they begin.
You are the best !!!!!!! Love ALL of the information about New England that you take the time to tell us about. So many things I remember and was a part of. Homesick is what I am — but when I read about all of things you write about I feel good — you bring me back to when ! Thanks soooo much for you being you . Peggy From MD.
Hi Cheryl! Unfortunately, in 2018 Necco Wafer production was discontinued. Necco Wafer, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and Canada Mints were all sold to the Spangler Candy Company of Ohio, best known for their Dum Dum Lollipops. However, shortly afterward, Spangler quickly announced plans for both Necco Wafers (perhaps renamed) and Sweethearts to return to store shelves sometime in 2020. So…stay tuned!
Oh my goodness!! I LOVED these growing up and loved never knowing which “end” flavor I was getting. Did not know these were still being made, never see them around here in Ohio, I may have to order some when I can spare some money!
A Sky Bar, a can of Moxie and a bag of State Line Potato Chips!
My perfect New England summer!
(Grew up in Plainville, CT)
Was just in CT this past weekend – half the reason I drove was so that I could shop at Geissler’s grocery stores in Windsor and in Bloomfield to stock up on Moxie – I was kind and only bought four six-packs and four bottles – I left one or two on the shelf in Bloomfield. someone else had beat me to the stock in Windsor!
You can buy Sky Bars at any Cracker Barrel Old Country Store throughout the country! 😉
Finished eating a Sky Bar just now! I saw these at the Cracker Barrel store yesterday and remembered this article. The peanut square is my favorite with vanilla a close second!
Anyone know where I can get these cheaper than at Cracker Barrel? They’re charging $1.49 and I only bought it to try a bit of New England history. The price seems very high for such a small candy bar!
Try the Vermont Country Store. They have a lot of old time candies. There are two stores you can also visit if in the area.
Hi Stacy. I can get Sky Bars at my local Market Basket grocery store here in NH — only 50 cents each!
I’ve been eating sky bars since 1953 when I was 5. They did make a switch on one of the four squares. There no longer is nougat, which was the best.
Been eating these for 50 plus years…peanut is my favorite. They changed the white. it’s not as good as it used to be. Buy them all the time.
During summer break from college I worked at the Cain’s mayonnaise plant on Vassar street across from the MIT athletic fields.
We were used as fill-ins for vacationing regular workers.
The hours were long and the labor could be hard but all of us had a great time.
I earned sixty dollars and brought home forty-two a week which was good pay then.
I often think fondly of those days.
Cain’s was made with superior ingredients then as now.
I was sent to the potato chip plant in Medford for a week and I didn’t like it at all. The smell of the boiling oil got to me.
Thanks for the sweet memories of a childhood favorite. There is a Cracker Barrel store nearby and I will remember that. I imagine that Necco wafers are available there also. The only other place in Florida that I have found Necco wafers was at a candy store in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
John, Your post made me think of the time I went to the Cain’s factory as a little girl with my Girl Scout group. We all came home with a bag of chips and a mall jar of mayonnaise.
always loved Skybars for Saturday matinee
Loved Skybars! My favorite section was the caramel. Many years have passed since I last enjoyed this sweet treat. Thanks for invoking happy childhood memories.
I was never a fan of the Sky Bar. But I love Necco wafers!
Ikr? I am in Michigan and they all look at me like I am crazy when I talk about these!
These are still my favorite and I will drive miles out of the way to go to a store that carries them. My husband puts one in my Christmas stocking each year – always makes me smile!!!
A box of them are on my Christmas list every year. You can also order them from Yummies in Kittery,ME.
moxie? really ? Does it still taste like liquid horehounds cough drops ?
Does anyone remember “old nick” &” bolster ” bars
Always loved Sky Bars, Necco Wafers (especially the chocolate and Licorice), Moxie. Used to take a supply of them whenever I visited my brother in Florida. And yes Garrett it still tastes the same. I moved to Massachusetts from Maine 20 years ago and have just recently been able to get Moxie regularly. At 72 years young that is one of the highlights of my life now.
this is where I buy mine since I’ve been in FL also my maple candy. haven’t found my state line chips though! I really miss those. The Moxie well that was Dad’s thing I was a crème soda gal. but the SKY BAR I always had to save the caramel for last! How did I know you ask? Sinple you stick your thumb in each end lol you’ll find the caramel everytime!!
You have a very thoughtful and smart husband!!!
Used to pick up fresh chips at State Line Potato Chip in Salem, NH. They were great. If it’s the same then it’s a Dunkin’ Donuts now.
The Granite State Potato Factory went out of business and yes is now a new Dunkin Donuts, sad because they were great chips. Humpty Dumpty in Scarborough, Maine I think is still in business, about the same as Granite State. If you see them try them. Didn’t know SkyBar was still available. I did love them as a kid, haven’t had them since.
Easy to get these, Cost Plus Imports has them all the time.
Sky Bar has been my favorite since I was a child. Has anyone else noticed that the vanilla cream filling is no longer “white”? It does not have the same taste and is more a clearish filling. I did send an email to the company about it, but they had no interest in hearing about this. Told me to mail them back, my expense, which I decided was not worth it.
I remember the jingle for Sky Bar. It was the sponsor for the TV show “Sky King”. The jingle has been in my head for fifty-three years but now I can’t remember the names of all the the four flavors. I think they were English Toffee, Honey Nougat, Peanut Whip and one other. I haven’t been able to find a Sky Bar here in Washington state yet but I’m sure not going to quit searching yet. ???? Thanks for the memories. ????
Hi Harold, I appreciate your comment! That 4th flavor in question was “Fudge parfait.” The Sky Bar TV commercial from the early 1950s was set to a conga beat ~ “One, two, three, four ~ Sky Bar: You’ll love Necco’s Sky Bar: It’s the four-in-one bar ~ Peanut whip, can’t be beat; English toffee, what a treat; Fudge parfait, boy that’s sweet; Honey-nougat, c’mon let’s eat…etc.” What one nickel could buy back in 1953!
My favorite now and then. Like to break them apart, and hope the one I choose last is the favorite vanilla!
I have loved these since I first had one as a youngster. I always eat them in the same order: fudge to start, then vanilla creme, caramel and ending with the peanut, which was my favorite. I loved having 4 different flavors in one bar. (And all you have to do is bite a small corner off the end square to see which flavor it is, so you will know where the other flavors are!) I hope they never stop making these!
Loved these as a kid. Had one as an adult, and truth be told, they’re pretty not that good. The chocolate is flavorless, and the 4 squares are just variants on “sugar filling”.
But – as far as the ads are concerned, they appear to be a very early version of making events out of the ads themselves. Mentioning the airplane signs in the newspaper ads is an early forerunner to teasers for movie trailers, or releasing Super Bowl ads in advance online.
Moxie is my favorite cold drink, try it as a float with vanilla ice cream, it’s so good!
I love(ed) Sky Bars. I agree with the above comments: the white isn’t as white as it used to be and the chocolate has changed – doesn’t taste like fudge and now it has a funky mouth feel . Please return to the old formula – if saving money vs. taste is your goal, then you don’t get it. I’ve been eating Sky Bars for at least 60 years, and they have changed and not for the better. Sadly, I don’t pick them up anymore at Market Basket. Used to buy at least 4 at the checkout. Change the formula back and I’ll buy a lot of them.
Always loved Skybars. Never knew the order of the fillings, so am just surprised. Haven’t been able to find them locally lately, but will drive to VT. Country store in the spring. Necco wafers- chocolate is my favorite. My grandfather always had a stash for me in his desk.
Skybar absolutely loved….english toffee fudge parfait honey nougat peanut whip for me
Love Sky Bars! Have a large stash at home. Been eating them since I was probably around eight years old. I am now 66. I am thrilled that I can still find them at Market Basket for a good price. Usually buy a bunch at one time. The Fudge is my favorite flavor, I wait til the end to enjoy the chocolate section! Keep ’em coming! An important connection to my past…
I buy them by the case on Amazon.
I first had a Sky Bar in the 1950s. I kind of “rediscovered” them a while back and went a little crazy. They are common in the boston area, as they are made by NECCO in Revere, MA. AT one point, I had to ask my wife to not buy one for me just about every time she saw one! Here’s the thing, though: At best, NECCO is about to be sold; at worst…gone, out of business. Say it ain’t so! (It is so.) Get them while they are still here!
I,too, really hope they are not sold or closed.
A yankee.
We can buy Sky Bars and Clark Bars at the Half Nuts store in Milwaukee. I was delighted to find them, but the quality is not like it used to be. I won’t be buying any more; I’ll stick with those great (and tasty) memories of the 50’s.
Walmart online also sells Sky Bar. Yum Yum My favorite candy.
Years ago, when I worked the overnight shift, this was my favorite snack in the vending machine. Still like them from time to time. 🙂
My favorite all-time candy bar. Sometimes, they are hard to find.
I have often thought sky bar candy should also be in dark chocolate. But has always been my favorite candy bar. I can’t always find it but when I do I usually bar 5 or 6 and put them in the freezer. Another one of my favorite is Needhams. Also a rare find. Reny’s Store sometimes willl have both!
I love it so much I always buy two of them every week I used to live in Billerica Ma for 18 yrs now live in FL due retirement
When I was in Massachusetts in Sept. I looked in both Hannaford’s & Market Basket and could not find it. Where are they distributed too?
Now that NECCO has gone out of business who is making Sky Bars? I kind of assumed that they would be gone forever.
its peanut whip for me!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite too!
Duck Soup general store in Sudbury, MA has bought the right to the Sky Bar recipe, and plans to have them available by the end of 2019.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN I CAN PURCHASE THE SKY BARS…
THANK YOU..
Duck Soup will officially roll them out on Dec. 7th 2019, but only available in their Sudbury Ma store until they get a wholesale license to distribute them. You can purchase one box of 24 bars and they will ship when they begin.
Sky Bars can now be ordered online at https://www.skybarcandy.com by the case (24 bars).
You are the best !!!!!!! Love ALL of the information about New England that you take the time to tell us about. So many things I remember and was a part of. Homesick is what I am — but when I read about all of things you write about I feel good — you bring me back to when ! Thanks soooo much for you being you . Peggy From MD.
Can you still buy Necco Wafers anywhere? I loved them, too.
Hi Cheryl! Unfortunately, in 2018 Necco Wafer production was discontinued. Necco Wafer, Sweethearts conversation hearts, and Canada Mints were all sold to the Spangler Candy Company of Ohio, best known for their Dum Dum Lollipops. However, shortly afterward, Spangler quickly announced plans for both Necco Wafers (perhaps renamed) and Sweethearts to return to store shelves sometime in 2020. So…stay tuned!
Went to the hardware store this morning and found sky bars for the first time in a long time. I guess god does answer prays.