Head to Head! Butterfinger vs. 5th Avenue
I know that the 5th Avenue is a lesser known bar, but it's quite similar to the Butterfinger. Though they're both a peanutbutter crunch center with a chocolate(y) coating, they do have some differences. I'm doing this head-to-head in part to introduce Butterfinger fans to what I think is an exceptional bar. But in order to do that, I had to see them side by side again:
Both are massive bars. The 5th Avenue rings in at exactly 2 ounces and the Butterfinger at 2.1 ounces. The main difference, as far as I can tell between the two is that the Butterfinger coating is not chocolate but a chocolate-like substance where the 5th Avenue has a creamy milk chocolate enrobement.
The 5th Avenue bar of my childhood was not a Hershey product but made by Ludens (yes, the cough drop people). Also made in Pennsylvania, the 5th Avenue bar may not have had the wide distribution of the more well-known Butterfinger. When I first got to college I was forced to eat Butterfingers and developed a taste for them, but now that I'm back in an area that offers both, I'm a 5th Avenue girl. Of course, I seem to have a vague recollection of there being a couple of almonds on top. Does anyone else remember that?
The center is a crispy, crunchy peanutbutter crisp. Kind of like a flaky toffee. It has some peanutbutter between the layers, as far as I can tell. It also has a distinct molasses flavor to it, which brings out the roasted flavors of the nuts.
The Butterfinger bar was also not originally made by its current owner, Nestle. It was invented by the Curtis Candy Company based in Chicago (a great candy town) that also made the Baby Ruth (also made by Nestle now). It predates the 5th Avenue, and frankly, has a much better name. It's buttery and resembles a big finger and of course the play on words of being a clumsy person is kind of fun. The Butterfinger was always known as a great candy buy when I was a kid. Because the bar was so huge, you were sure to be satisfied. The center has similar crunch peanutbutter toffee-like layers that seem a bit crumblier (in a good way) than the 5th Avenue. The overwhelming taste in this center is buttery. A good hit of peanuts and a smooth, sweet and salty buttery taste. I've always loved the inside of Butterfingers ... it's the fake chocolate coating that's always bugged me. It's waxy, overly sweet and just not milk chocolate.
So, if the fake chocolate doesn't bother you and you're looking for flaky, crunch buttery experience, pick up a Butterfinger. If you like your crunchy peanut flakes with real chocolate and a good robust hit of molasses, 5th Avenue is for you.
11 Comments:
Great, I think you made the right decision, but how do they stack up against the Clark bar, yet another chocolate covered peanut crunch bar?
I really have to find a local source for the Clark bar - I tried a couple of places over the weekend.
When I get a hold of one I'll be sure to do a Short & Sweet entry on it. Really a favorite of mine growing up too (and the Zagnut).
My neighbor just gave me a chik-o-stik last night, so that'll have to go up too!
Your blog is the best. I've discussed reviewing candy professionally, but I was just ridiculed! Now I have inspiration!
PS. You might want to try the Caramel Junior Mints. Perhaps it's time for a bad review...
Jeremy - you mean I could get paid for this?
Oh - I did the Junior Caramels back in July - check them out here. I gave them a 6 ... just okay.
I've never been a big fan of the butterfinger type bars... not because of the taste which is delicious, but because the insides tends to get stuck in your molars. I guess the solution is to swallow without chewing, hehe.
Cybele, when you're handling non-coated chocolate candy to get ready to photograph, do you have problems with it melting in your hand? Our house is already super warm, and me breaking the candy in half to get good shots like you do is tough as the chocolate starts to melt off in my hands. I almost feel like i need to freeze the candy for a bit first. Or wear gloves. =)
I have always been afraid of the 5th Avenue bar, I guess I thought it was more nougat with nuts for some reason! (I don't like nuts in my candy.) You have convinced me to give it a try!!
I'm with Anna. I'm a huge, lifelong fan of the Butterfinger and can't remember ever eating a 5th Avenue. It may have been the almonds that threw me off, or maybe I confused it with some other bar that had coconut, which I detest.
Then again, I never noticed the chocolate as being waxy, so my tastes aren't very refined.
I remember an old, old, commercial for 5th Avenue that claimed it had "honeycomb candy, yes indeed" in the center. I always loved that description.
they are a better choice than Butterfinger, but the Clark bar is even better.
I usually prefer non-chocolate candy, so the Chick-o-Stick (and its cousins w/out the coconut) are my absolute preference. Plus, Atkinson is an underdog -- I almost always prefer to support the little guy over the big guy.
Anna & Russ - so I'm not alone in thinking that the 5th Avenue used to have an almond on top?
jim - I like underdogs and all, but I'm finding that some of the nostalgia and small-maker candy bars don't use the best ingredients (hydrogenated oils and fake chocolate). Not all of them, of course. But then sometimes I really dig them like Goldenberg's Peanut Chews which don't use real chocolate but I eat them anyway because no one else does a molasses peanut chew.
Bryan - the photo stuff is tough.
First, I take most photos in the morning while it's still cool. Second, wash your hands in really cold water before starting, just a few degrees cooler and your hands won't melt the chocolate as quickly.
I try to break the candy while it's still inside the package, it cuts down on the mess and if I have melted it, it's not as likely to look like a fingerprint (which are about as appealing as a hair in your food).
I have debated using gloves. But then again, I'm taking photos at the office (on my own time of course, either morning or lunch break) and if someone came into my office they'd be truly puzzled.
When I redo the site, I'll try to put up some candy styling tips for other folks who like to take pictures of food.
I definitely remember two almonds on top of my 5th Avenues when I was younger. I also grew up on Clark Bars and love them equally with 5th Avenues, when I can find them. Butterfinger is a 3rd choice.
Butterfinger bars were long one of my favorites, but in recent years I noticed the waxy element of the Butterfinger chocolate - and became aware of the Nestle boycott. So thanks for reminding me of the similar taste of a 5th Avenue bar!
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