Mary Jane, a chewy peanut butter and molasses taffy candy, is a nostalgic New England penny candy favorite. Instantly recognizable with its yellow and red wrapper and illustration of a bonnet-wearing little girl (part of the candy’s packaging since the beginning), Mary Jane candy was named after the creator’s favorite aunt, and debuted in 1914.
Mary Jane Candy | An old-fashioned favorite since 1914. Photo Credit : Aimee Tucker
Today, more than a century after they were first introduced, the old-fashioned flavor of Mary Jane candy faces stiff competition from the decadent chocolate bars and colorful gummy sweets at the supermarket checkout. This has made them increasingly hard to find, so most folks get their Mary Jane candy fix from the nickel bin at the supermarket or at the “penny candy” counter on vacation.
Knowing this, I was surprised to find Mary Jane in this 5-piece package at a small convenience store while on vacation in Rye, New Hampshire, but there it was — right next to the Heath Bars. Naturally, I gave in and bought one.
Mary Jane candy by the box. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Mary Jane candy was originally made by The Charles N. Miller, Co., then Stark Candy Co., but today, they’re made by Necco (New England Confection Company) right here in New England (see Update at the bottom of this post). Based in Revere, Massachusetts, Necco is also home to the famous Necco Wafers, Necco Sweethearts, and Sky Bar — just to name a few.
Along with a few of its Necco siblings, Mary Janes are the kind of candy some people love (and others love to hate), but whether it’s taste or tradition, they endure.
I confess I love the simplicity of the packaging, and while I’m more of a Bit-O-Honey girl, I’ve been known to eat my fair share of Mary Jane and Squirrel Nut Zippers (another Necco classic) when the opportunity presents itself. What New England kid hasn’t?
Mary Jane candy gets its unique flavor from a combination of molasses and peanut butter. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
And does Mary Jane candy taste the same as I remember?
One jaw-stretching bite proved that, yes… Mary Jane candy is as molasses-y, peanut butter-y as ever. They’re also definitely not for those that might be overdue for a visit to the dentist, so consider yourself warned. Extremely warned.
But, if your tastebuds and teeth are ready, feel free to unwrap a piece, chew it slowly, and enjoy the sweet memories.
Are you a fan of Mary Jane candy? Which nostalgic candy is your favorite?
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 2015 and has been updated.
Aimee Tucker is Yankee’s senior digital editor. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.
Although I will take a Sky Bar over a MaryJane any day, I do enjoy a piece every now and then. This was one of my Mother’s favorite candies and every time we visited a country store that had a penny candy display, Mom would treat herself to a bag. And yes, do be careful if you have had dental work or are needing some work on your fillings; that chewy toffee can wreck havoc on a loose filling or crown!
Mary Janes, Sky Bars, Sweethearts (“I do!”), and Necco Wafers…what would Yankee sweet tooths nosh were it not for our New England Confectionary Company?! Chicago’s Ferrara Pan Red Hots and Lemonheads? Lord, bury me straight away…I’d just assume eat a bag of marbles! Give me the powdery crunch, the molassassey bite, and the stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth fight of a New England treat any day.
Back in the day when my brother and I were kids, I remember collecting coke bottles on the beach at Ocean City, N.J., which you could turn in at the snack bar for either 2 cents or MaryJanes. My brother (always thrifty) chose tne money. I with a sweet tooth chose MaryJanes. I never lost my taste for them, even into adulthood. Now, however (thanks to that sweet tooth) my bridgework won’t stand up to them.
When my Gr-Grandmother was a little girl her favorite penny candy was something called Mulberry Mix. (It had the texture and flavor of tootsie rolls or candy corn like the assorted shapes you can still get at Halloween). They used to put pennies in the candy. The story goes that my Gr. Grandmother stole a dime from her Mother’s purse and bought ten cents worth of Mulberry Mix. At this time you would get at least three pieces for a penny. Well, she started eating and found another dime and some pennies in the candy. She started feeling so sick and guilty that she threw the bag and money in a hedge and ran home. When I was a little girl I was really intrigued by the story and was constantly searching the penny candy counters for Mulberry Mix.
hard to find in Tucson but worth the search. How much coated paper have i eaten thru the years i don’t know but worth every bite of Mary (i have two first names) Jane
Didn’t they produce a full size bar at a point in time? I vaguely
remember my father coming home with them from work back in the
60’s. He would have purchased them somewhere in New York City as he commuted to Long Island. It was a thin bar akin to a Turkish Taffy.
what happened to this candy ???there is” never” any peanut butter in them and you can’t even get the wrapper off?not the same as I know them I grew up with the Mary Jane.
I have a special spot in my heart for them. I always had a few of them lurking in my Halloween trick or treat pumpkin. It’s because of that memory and the iconic packaging that I like to add these to my Halloween candy roster, if I can find them. Is Necco really going out of business?? I heard something about that but when I looked in the store I saw a lot of their products so I thought maybe it wasn’t true. That’s a travesty if true!
I love Mary Jane candies. Besides I love their taste it makes me remember my childhood way back in Boston. But they sure are hard to find in France ! Thanks to Internet it has become easier, if one doesn’t mind paying extravagant shipping prices. Just heard that the cany will now be manufactured by a new company ,starting in 2020 under a new wrapping and a different size than the original. Guess its better than nothing !
I have finally found Mary Jane(s). They are smaller in size and now have a roundish shape but are still good. The Albanese Candy Company in Merrillville, Indiana now carries them. You can find Albanese on line and they do take orders.
I just brought some that great bring me back wrapped in orange and black paper peanut nut butter kisses halloween candy.
So I thought. All ready to taste that once a year delight which I would buy several bags to last long time.
When I took in the piece immediately it wasn’t the same.
So I took to on line to see what happened. This brand is called ” is by Sweetsoul candy company. Made in Mexico.
Not evan close to the taffy I know.
It has peanuts an not chewy taffy and. It breaks apart when eating it.
So now I’m on the hunt to see if I can fine the real peanut butter taffy.
The company that made them went out of business then another took over and somewhere mary Jane candy came in void.
I want the real peanut butter kiss taffy for hollween back.
My next look will be Vermont Country Store catolge.
They carry a lot of old fashion candy and other items.
I well also call around to they still making them
If anyone ever wants to start making the original Mary Jane penny candy, put me on your list of customers. I am talking about the ones that were about 1/4 inch thick 1/2 inch wide and about 1 inch long with the distinctive wrapper. You can also put me down as a potential employee, but don’t wait to long because I am already 70 years old. (willing to relocate)
I have always loved the original Mary Jane’s, and so I was excited to see a small bag of the new-shaped much smaller pieces that I found at our Cracker Barrel store.
I excitedly put one in my mouth and honestly almost gagged. It tasted NOTHING like the originals. I will throw this bag in the trash. I know different companies have bought/sold/bought/sold this candy, but why on earth couldnt they have bought the original recipe and made them the same way instead of changing the flavor??? Just follow the original recipe and processing guide!
Anyway, I just felt someone needed to hear about my disappointment.
Although I will take a Sky Bar over a MaryJane any day, I do enjoy a piece every now and then. This was one of my Mother’s favorite candies and every time we visited a country store that had a penny candy display, Mom would treat herself to a bag. And yes, do be careful if you have had dental work or are needing some work on your fillings; that chewy toffee can wreck havoc on a loose filling or crown!
Amen to that, @Debi! I lost a tooth to a Mary Jane 35 years ago at Halloween and haven’t eaten one since.
I buy my Mary Jane’s at Dollar General Store here in Wichita, KS and eat several every night before I go to sleep. Born and brought up in Milton, MA
Mary Janes, Sky Bars, Sweethearts (“I do!”), and Necco Wafers…what would Yankee sweet tooths nosh were it not for our New England Confectionary Company?! Chicago’s Ferrara Pan Red Hots and Lemonheads? Lord, bury me straight away…I’d just assume eat a bag of marbles! Give me the powdery crunch, the molassassey bite, and the stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth fight of a New England treat any day.
Back in the day when my brother and I were kids, I remember collecting coke bottles on the beach at Ocean City, N.J., which you could turn in at the snack bar for either 2 cents or MaryJanes. My brother (always thrifty) chose tne money. I with a sweet tooth chose MaryJanes. I never lost my taste for them, even into adulthood. Now, however (thanks to that sweet tooth) my bridgework won’t stand up to them.
When my Gr-Grandmother was a little girl her favorite penny candy was something called Mulberry Mix. (It had the texture and flavor of tootsie rolls or candy corn like the assorted shapes you can still get at Halloween). They used to put pennies in the candy. The story goes that my Gr. Grandmother stole a dime from her Mother’s purse and bought ten cents worth of Mulberry Mix. At this time you would get at least three pieces for a penny. Well, she started eating and found another dime and some pennies in the candy. She started feeling so sick and guilty that she threw the bag and money in a hedge and ran home. When I was a little girl I was really intrigued by the story and was constantly searching the penny candy counters for Mulberry Mix.
Just once I’d like to unwrap a Mary Jane without the paper sticking to the candy!
hard to find in Tucson but worth the search. How much coated paper have i eaten thru the years i don’t know but worth every bite of Mary (i have two first names) Jane
Didn’t they produce a full size bar at a point in time? I vaguely
remember my father coming home with them from work back in the
60’s. He would have purchased them somewhere in New York City as he commuted to Long Island. It was a thin bar akin to a Turkish Taffy.
Sky Bars, Mary Janes and Squirrel Nuts. Mmmmmm yum.
what happened to this candy ???there is” never” any peanut butter in them and you can’t even get the wrapper off?not the same as I know them I grew up with the Mary Jane.
Necco is going out of business. I can’t find them anywhere this fall.
I have a special spot in my heart for them. I always had a few of them lurking in my Halloween trick or treat pumpkin. It’s because of that memory and the iconic packaging that I like to add these to my Halloween candy roster, if I can find them. Is Necco really going out of business?? I heard something about that but when I looked in the store I saw a lot of their products so I thought maybe it wasn’t true. That’s a travesty if true!
I love Mary Jane candies. Besides I love their taste it makes me remember my childhood way back in Boston. But they sure are hard to find in France ! Thanks to Internet it has become easier, if one doesn’t mind paying extravagant shipping prices. Just heard that the cany will now be manufactured by a new company ,starting in 2020 under a new wrapping and a different size than the original. Guess its better than nothing !
I have finally found Mary Jane(s). They are smaller in size and now have a roundish shape but are still good. The Albanese Candy Company in Merrillville, Indiana now carries them. You can find Albanese on line and they do take orders.
I cant find any Mary Janes in my area. Did yall stop making them? If not where can i find them in my area?
I just brought some that great bring me back wrapped in orange and black paper peanut nut butter kisses halloween candy.
So I thought. All ready to taste that once a year delight which I would buy several bags to last long time.
When I took in the piece immediately it wasn’t the same.
So I took to on line to see what happened. This brand is called ” is by Sweetsoul candy company. Made in Mexico.
Not evan close to the taffy I know.
It has peanuts an not chewy taffy and. It breaks apart when eating it.
So now I’m on the hunt to see if I can fine the real peanut butter taffy.
The company that made them went out of business then another took over and somewhere mary Jane candy came in void.
I want the real peanut butter kiss taffy for hollween back.
My next look will be Vermont Country Store catolge.
They carry a lot of old fashion candy and other items.
I well also call around to they still making them
Goldenrod taffy in Maine
If anyone ever wants to start making the original Mary Jane penny candy, put me on your list of customers. I am talking about the ones that were about 1/4 inch thick 1/2 inch wide and about 1 inch long with the distinctive wrapper. You can also put me down as a potential employee, but don’t wait to long because I am already 70 years old. (willing to relocate)
I have always loved the original Mary Jane’s, and so I was excited to see a small bag of the new-shaped much smaller pieces that I found at our Cracker Barrel store.
I excitedly put one in my mouth and honestly almost gagged. It tasted NOTHING like the originals. I will throw this bag in the trash. I know different companies have bought/sold/bought/sold this candy, but why on earth couldnt they have bought the original recipe and made them the same way instead of changing the flavor??? Just follow the original recipe and processing guide!
Anyway, I just felt someone needed to hear about my disappointment.