Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses

Like Candy Corn, Peeps and Peanut Butter Kisses are one of those seasonal candies that people either love or hate. I’m gonna go ahead and say right now, I’m on the side of love here.

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I don’t know if I’ve ever had “name brand” peanut butter kisses before, these are the first I’ve ever seen that have anything on the black & orange wax wrappers. Made by Necco, Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses are a molasses taffy with a little blurp of peanut butter in the center.

The molasses taffy is soft and flavorful, with a rustic taste of mellow molasses with a little smoke and woodsy maple in there. In the center (or somewhere near there) is a pocket of peanut butter, a little crumbly and of course nutty and roasty tasting. The salty hit of the fatty peanut butter is a great combo with the sweet taffy. I much prefer them to the traditional Mary Janes, which I find not only a little too hard but also not enough of a “concentrated peanut butter” dollop.

Since these are not a spectacularly popular candy, with their rather mousy wrappings and bland colors they’re easily found dirt-cheap in the remainder bins after Halloween, which is when I prefer to buy them. If they’re a little old and stale, a little warm-up in the palm of your hand will revive them.

Some other notes: Mary Janes were originally made by the Miller Company starting in 1914, which was later bought by another taffy company called Stark Candy Company that continued the Mary Jane tradition. In 1990 Stark sold out to Necco, who continues to make the traditional Mary Janes pretty much unchanged from its original format.

Related Candies

  1. Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kisses
  2. Frankford Marshmallow Pals
  3. Milk Maid Caramel Candy Corn
  4. The Great Pumpkin Roundup
Name: Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Necco
Place Purchased: Rite Aid (Echo Park)
Price: $1.29
Size: 12 ounces
Calories per ounce: 106
Categories: Chew, Peanuts, United States, Necco

POSTED BY Cybele AT 10:16 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. I don’t know if you remember, but when we were kids, Mom had a *magic* pocket. It was a bottomless supply of peanut butter kisses. I’d put my hand in to take a candy and find none, only to have her reach in and produce another.

    Comment by Amy on 10/24/06 at 10:36 am #
  2. One of my favorite candies in the world is James & Fralinger’s peanut butter taffy, which started in Atlantic City in the late 1800’s!  I order it online, but Cost Plus carried it last Christmas.  It’s really truly wonderful…soft, crunchy, salty, sweet, and nutty… and one of those candies I don’t share.  smile

    Comment by Lesley on 10/24/06 at 11:12 am #
  3. I don’t think I ate these even when I got them as free trick-or-treat candy. raspberry

    Comment by Sera on 10/24/06 at 12:01 pm #
  4. Oh, I remember Peanut Butter Kisses! DeLECtable! A fave autumn candy of mine as a young’un, and I wondered why these little nuggets of yumminess were only sold at Halloween!

    Comment by Sparkina on 10/24/06 at 1:34 pm #
  5. I sit in my ergonomic chair in utter disbelief of that reivew.  In my neighborhood, these would’ve gotten your house rolled and your car door handles covered with ketchup.  I know, for sure, that the instant one of these hit my tongue that it would be violently ejected, and I would vomit if forced to eat them.  There are several green vegetables that I would much rather eat than Mary Janes.  The Necco factory is (along with Just Born) a purveyor of horridness that, under the guise of “candy”, scars numerous children every year.

    Comment by Dave on 10/24/06 at 2:14 pm #
  6. I remember getting these as a kid.  The other kids complained about them, and it wasn’t cool to like them, but I did.  I just had to stay quiet about it.  For some reason, the people giving these out seemed to be somewhere around retirement age.
    Rebecca

    Comment by Rebecca on 10/24/06 at 3:23 pm #
  7. One of my childhood favorites.  I vividly remember being surprised at how much I liked this candy despite its lack of packaging pizazz.  I also liked the sound the papery wrapper made when unfurled.  Thanks for the nostalgia.

    Comment by MarkO on 10/25/06 at 3:44 am #
  8. Hey Dave, tell us how you REALLY feel! :^)

    Comment by Tricia on 10/25/06 at 4:31 am #
  9. Dave, I totally agree with you!

    Comment by Patti on 10/25/06 at 7:08 am #
  10. Mmmh, well, they *sound* yummy. I mean, peanut butter! Yumm! :D

    Comment by Barbara on 10/25/06 at 7:13 am #
  11. I never ate them at all, so I don’t know if I like them.  However, when trick or treating was over, and mom dumped the bags to inspect the candy to toss out “suspicious” sloppily wrapped yummies, these were always thrown away.  They had horrible wax wrappers that came loose, exposed parts of the candy, and otherwise looked like some Tylenol tamperer had got to them.  The packaging was just so ugly, and the thought of eating a candy wrapped in black..well, I think it didn’t fill mom with much confidence.

    Comment by Julilla on 10/25/06 at 10:03 am #
  12. Wow, this brings back memories.  My mom always used to buy some cheap off-brand of these to give trick-or-treaters, and I was always profoundly unimpressed. 

    I am SO psyched that you are doing this week of Halloween candy!  I was thrilled by the candy corn review, and I’ve had to physically restrain myself from pursuing the suggestions of other commenter and buying a bag to mix with peanuts and pretzels for what sounds like a dazzlingly good sweet/salty snack.  But as someone who finds it easier to eat no candy at all than to eat a moderate and sensible amount, I’ll just have to enjoy the reviews vicariously.

    Comment by good enough cook on 10/25/06 at 11:12 am #
  13. It’s fitting that these are branded as Mary Janes, because Mary Janes and Peanut Butter Kisses (which I always thought were called “those weird things in the orange and black wrappers”) are two trick-or-treat scores I would never touch.

    Comment by Shauna on 10/28/06 at 4:49 pm #
  14. I want to learn how to find out how to buy some of the Mary Janes candy.

    Comment by Michelle Sample on 11/07/06 at 8:36 am #
  15. i love the Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses,Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses are a molasses taffy with a little blurp of peanut butter in the center.

    can you email me the place where i can order them direct,or snail mail me the information i need.

    thanks.
    [personal info removed by admin]

    Comment by Thomas Horne on 11/15/06 at 10:02 am #
  16. Cybele's avatar

    I hope you REALLY like them, Thomas, I could only find them in a 10 LB case (a different brand):

    http://www.candyfavorites.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=1321&pname=Peanut+Butter+Kisses

    You also might want to try the bargain bins at the local grocery stores and drug stores to see if they have any Halloween inventory left.

    Comment by Cybele on 11/15/06 at 10:18 am #
  17. I’m squarely on the side of “hate” here. These were the candies handed out by people who weren’t really serious about giving you candy, but wouldn’t stoop to chocolate-covered raisins. Ersatz candy, as it were. Goodness knows these things tasted fake.

    So- a word to prospective candy distributors: People who buy this stuff don’t eat it. They just hand it out to the unwary. Stop the cycle!

    Comment by Franz on 5/30/07 at 3:32 pm #
  18. Who doesn’t LOVE taffy?  That’s what we are talkin’ about here . . . “taffy love.”  The little blob of peanut butter in the middle is fantastic, but doesn’t change the fact that this is taffy. 

    Personally, I can NEVER FIND peanut butter kisses with a large enough blob in the middle.  Right now, I have a bag of Melster Peanut Butter Kisses which I bought a few days ago at the grocery store.  They were the only brand in the candy section, and I was skeptical they would satisfy my “blob urge,” but I bought them anyway. 

    The taffy is itself soft and fresh, but could benefit from more peanut butter flavor.  And the “blob” is virtually non-existent. 

    Here’s what’s on my fall and Halloween candy “wish list,” a super-premium peanut butter kiss with about 50% taffy, 50% blob.  To me, that would be “peanut butter kiss heaven.”

    Comment by Anne on 10/07/07 at 11:58 am #
  19. I so wish I could buy these year round.  I know you can buy the rectangular Mary Janes year round but for some reason they just aren’t the same.

    Comment by Linda on 10/13/07 at 1:55 am #
  20. I bought some of these this year to give out on Halloween. When we were in the store my wife said “kids wont want that”. I think she may be right, so when we got home, I opened the bag and let her taste them. We both agree now, we won’t be giving any of these away on Halloween. These are just too good to give away, plus kids will probably throw them away without even trying them anyway.

    Comment by jon on 10/16/07 at 2:49 pm #
  21. I hated these when I was a kid, but somewhere around high school I tried them again and found them to be quite good.  I don’t know if anyone else feels the same way, but for some reason the ones wrapped in orange always seem to taste better.  I don’t know why.  They just seem to be softer and more flavorful.  Maybe it’s like the concept of brown M&M’s.  Those always seem more chocolately to me.  I guess it’s just some kind of weird mindset.

    Comment by Heather on 10/16/07 at 6:41 pm #
  22. I found Mary Janes at a bulk food store in Amish country in Ohio recently. $2.29/lb. Nice and fresh too. Wasn’t aware that peanut butter taffy was made by the same people. Will have to hit the stores the day after Halloween.

    Comment by Harold Stoetzer on 10/22/07 at 4:16 pm #
  23. My discovery of this site and the commentary was accidental. I must admit I love Peanut Butter Kisses and I have searched for them in vain in stores. What I can’t fathom is that adults actually have the time and the energy to post their infantile opinions about candy. Additionally I find it appalling that there are rebuttals to some of the opinions. It is little wonder why Americans are fat, lazy and terribly under-educated: they are not imaginative enough to do anything else.

    Comment by Ruby on 10/24/07 at 2:47 pm #
  24. I found these at the a Family Dollar store. I was going to hand them out for Halloween, but I tried one and decided to keep them for my self and hand out other candy instead. I just went back and bought a couple more bags on clearance dirt cheap. My wife andI love them.

    By the way Ruby, I’m an adult I like candy it’s one of those things that keep you young at heart. I watch cartoons too. Your welcome to your opinion, but I for one am I’m not under-educated, fat, and lazy. Who stuck a Peanut Butter Kiss up your butt?

    Comment by Bob on 11/01/07 at 8:05 am #
  25. I too enjoy candy and have really enjoyed the ‘Mary-Jane Peanut Butter Candy Kisses’ my husband found.

    Ruby-That’s quite an angry view you’ve got there. Maybe if you got some of the peanut butter kisses you’d be a little more positive. Though your statemant carries some validity, I strongly disagree with it. I happen to be a well educated, marathon runner, high school special education teacher. The fact that United States citizens have the educational skills and access as well at the right to post their opinions in such a written format shows some form of educational ability.

    Thank you for a great product that promotes people’s ability to write and read the English language.

    Comment by Greta-Marie on 11/01/07 at 9:38 am #
  26. help! its after halloween and i’m stuck with a ton of peanutbutter taffy and maryjanes.while i do like them, i can’t eat them all. does anyone have any recipes?
    thanks in advance. my teeth hurt.
    mich

    Comment by mich on 11/03/07 at 8:21 am #
  27. I’m always amazed when people rush in to reply to a professional troll. All they want is to create controversy and then sit back and enjoy the attention. Actually what they need is pity - as in what a pitiful life they must lead to have to seek such attention.
    On a happy dance note: I got a nice stash of MJ pnbutter kisses at Walgreens at half off. And yes, I left some for others to enjoy. Harold

    Comment by Harold on 11/03/07 at 1:07 pm #
  28. MUNG***MUNG****MUNG***MUNG***

    this candy was dubbed Mung, by mike meyers playing the role of wayne on snl, he said it’s that unidentified candy from the recluse old lady down the street…member?you member!

    Comment by Turin on 5/16/08 at 4:03 pm #
  29. As a young’un myself as being only 19 years old, I do agree completely with the fact that these delightful candies are AMAZING. I started as a really young girl just holding them in my mouth and getting the flavor out because I was too young to actually chew them enough to eat them. I beg my mom to buy me these in the fall. You know it’s getting to be fall when these hit the shelves. One of my most favorite candies that are unfortunately not appreciated for their amazing taste and texture.

    Comment by Kristen on 6/27/08 at 10:26 am #
  30. I’ve loved these all my life… still my favorite candy!

    Comment by Kiki on 9/24/08 at 5:32 pm #
  31. I’m right there with Kiki, loved ‘em all my life and I’m 56! <:) Used to buy them at Dime Stores, a chain that went out of business years ago up here in Michigan. I’ve always been able to find them this time of year…at Walgreen drug stores for the last several years…until this year. Aargh!!! They’re carrying an inferior peanut butter kiss this season. I bought a bag, ate a few…Blehk! I’ll pass them out Halloween night, I guess….I’m going to check Rite Aid tomorrow. Thanks for the tip Echo Park!

    Comment by David on 9/25/08 at 3:25 pm #
  32. Dave…

    They have these at “K-mart” in my area this year. I have also seen them at “Family Dollar” Stores. Hope that helps.

    -Bob

    Comment by Robert on 10/02/08 at 5:32 am #
  33. Thanks, Bob!

    Comment by David Coburn on 10/02/08 at 7:21 am #
  34. I got the Melster Peanut Butter Kisses at Dollar General this year - they’re delicious - never seen or heard of the Mary Jane ones before.

    Comment by Charity on 10/02/08 at 5:22 pm #
  35. Walmart is also a great place to find these this time of year. I am already working on my first bag for the halloween season. I have found that there are several different brands and the only one that’s really worth eating to me is the Mary Janes…the other ones are too dry or abnormally sticky even for taffy. Hope all the rest of you peanut butter kisses fans out there are getting yours for the season… =]

    Comment by Kristen on 10/03/08 at 7:55 am #
  36. Not finding them in Walgreens this year yet. They have an entire shelf of Halloween candy, but no Mary Janes. Don’t know of any K-Mart here anymore. We have 99 Cent Only stores. May have to hold my nose and try Walmart.

    Comment by Harold on 10/03/08 at 1:37 pm #
  37. “MUNG***MUNG****MUNG***MUNG***

    this candy was dubbed Mung, by mike meyers playing the role of wayne on snl, he said it?s that unidentified candy from the recluse old lady down the street…member?you member”

    THANK YOU, TURIN.  I’ve been going around calling this crap ass candy “Mung” forever and people look at me like I’m crazy.  I keep a bowl of these wax turds next to the good candy.  The good candy is for the good costumes.  The mung is for the kids who need to try a little harder.  That, or when the kids ask if they can have another piece for their dad standing at the edge of my driveway.

    Comment by jyck on 10/22/08 at 10:48 am #
  38. Please let me know where I can buy these in Salem, Oregon.  I bought them at Walmart at Halloween, but they don’t have them anymore—I really want to get some more!

    Comment by Donna on 11/25/08 at 5:10 pm #
  39. I always liked these peanut butter things, although I never could eat very many at once.  They were definitely nerdy, just like Bit-O-Honey, which is another one of my favorites.  I guess I just like the nut + taffy experience.

    I had my Mom bring me two huge bags for Xmas since I moved to the UK.  Around here, peanut butter is considered a savory item so all the Brits think I am insane for liking peanut butter candy.

    Comment by Mander on 2/06/09 at 1:06 pm #
  40. to the(Comment by Franz on 5/30/07 at 6:32 pm)
    if you don’t like them or wont buy them that’s fine,but why make any comments to us that do like them.kinda lame

    Comment by Thomas R Horne on 2/06/09 at 1:32 pm #
  41. EEUUUCK. Ugh, sorry, but those look simply awful. Those Wockenfuss Molasses pops you tried looked wonderful, but they only merited a seven.
    These little ickies place higher than those?

    Comment by Jeni on 2/25/09 at 1:19 pm #
  42. Have always loved Mary Janes Peanut Butter Candy.  Bought 4 bags at Halloween time and froze them.  Now I am out and want to buy more but can not find them anywhere.  Can I order from the company?

    Comment by Gail Nowaczyk on 3/04/09 at 4:13 pm #
  43. I LOVE these.  My favorite thing is how the peanut butter creates a no-stick zone in the middle of the taffy, so the two sides of the taffy come apart and slide around when you bite it.  Sort of like Abba Zabba…Has Cybele reviewed Abba Zabba?  Let’s go see!

    Comment by JJR on 3/20/09 at 11:22 am #
  44. these little candies became my most favorite treats but i think they should be available year round because there are enough people who love them as much as i do to justify there presents on store shelves

    Comment by Greg on 4/12/09 at 7:30 am #
  45. I looked everywhere I could think of around Halloween this past year and I could not find peanut butter kisses anywhere - grocery stores, drug stores, K-mart, Target, dollar stores… I even ventured into Walmart, may my husband forgive me. I was SO disappointed.

    My mom was one of the frugal folks who passed out peanut butter kisses for Halloween when I was very young and I don’t remember ever getting egged or TPd but I could have been blissfully unaware. Maybe that’s why we moved to a new neighborhood though - hmmm… Seriously, my sisters and I did eat the chocolate candies first but we still enjoyed the PB kisses when the Snickers and Milky Way bars were gone. I still enjoy them and also wish I could find them year round. I can’t think of another thing Necco makes that I would eat though.

    Comment by Rita on 5/01/09 at 10:42 am #
  46. I finally found these candies at WALGREENS!!!! Yummy!!!!!

    Comment by JD on 8/19/09 at 1:51 pm #
  47. Simply put….ADDICTED!!!! Originally, I purchased these little pieces of heaven for my 90 year old Mom, who loves Mary Janes, but can no longer chew them. I ate one and that was it! Like I said…ADDICTED, and there’s no hope. What am I going to do when Halloween is over?! By the way, Walgreens sells them for .99 bag, but don’t bother trying to find them in Chandler, AZ. I bought them all!

    Comment by Debbie on 9/16/09 at 10:39 am #
  48. one time I ate a bunch of these and when i took a shit, it smelled like mary jane peanut butter kisses LMAO!

    Comment by Jestin on 9/28/09 at 7:29 pm #
  49. Why are they called Mary Jane Kissses?

    Comment by Ashley White on 10/14/09 at 6:35 am #
  50. I cannot find them anywhere in Cleburne.  They are the only candy we buy at Halloween.  Please tell me who might be selling them?  Walmart isn’t.  Albertson’s isn’t. Kroger isn’t.  I want some, but where are they?

    Comment by Theresa Williamson on 10/26/09 at 9:24 am #
  51. Theresa,

    I have seen them at K-mart this year. At least in PA.

    Comment by Robert on 10/27/09 at 5:00 am #
  52. If you have Walgreen’s in PA, you’ll find them there.

    Comment by Debbie on 10/27/09 at 6:08 am #
  53. Where can I buy peanut butter kisses in the black & orange wax wrapper.

    Comment by Michael Sinischo on 10/28/09 at 11:01 am #
  54. where can i find mary janes locally

    Comment by maria on 10/30/09 at 6:49 am #
  55. i am willing once a year to overeat and get a tummy ache on these little beauties.  i am jonesing for one even as we speak.

    Comment by mo english ditto #53 on 10/30/09 at 10:43 am #
  56. I remember having Mary Jane peanut butter kisses way back in the 1970s and they are still the best!  The only problem is you can only get them around Halloween time.

    Comment by Scott on 2/27/10 at 7:46 pm #
  57. They are in at Walgreens now! 79 cents a bag, limit 4. In ad coupon. Lost out last year waiting for them to be discounted. On my way…

    Comment by Harold on 10/04/10 at 1:03 pm #
  58. I love these things!  I think your review is spot on.
    Clearly, these things are one of those love ‘em or hate ‘em things…and I’m with you. 
    I got a nice big bag of them for $1.00 at the drugstore.  Other people’s feeling that they’re not so good is MY gain!

    Comment by Lisa on 10/06/10 at 10:22 am #
  59. where are the kisses i cant find them its a traditoion always have them this time year

    Comment by shirley on 10/12/10 at 2:39 pm #
  60. I’ve only seen them at Walgreens.

    Comment by Harold on 10/12/10 at 3:37 pm #
  61. All you folks cravin these candy MaryJane PBK ..... try your local K-Mart. They should be available. This year the candies are very-very delicious .... fresh and natural tasting. Not anything like they were in the “olden days.”
    ENJOY ..... HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!!

    Comment by Marcee on 10/25/10 at 3:17 pm #
  62. Hey I loved these as a kid! I still love ‘em, but they are hard to find. They are like soft Mary Janes. And I love the simple, old fashioned black and orange wrappers.

    If you don’t like them, can I have yours?

    Comment by Laurel962 on 10/26/10 at 5:01 pm #
  63. where can I find the Mary Jane Halloween candy? I have not been able to find them in any of the stores here in PA for the last two years. They are my favorite Halloween candy. I have my friends looking for them as well and so far nothing.

    Comment by Richard Wagner on 10/26/10 at 8:05 pm #
  64. I found them in a K-Mart in Ohio. I love them, but did they use to have more peanut butter? I really like their wrappers, too. But I agree that they should not be wasted on trick or treaters.

    Comment by Chris on 10/27/10 at 1:42 pm #
  65. My husband and I both love them, and always have.

    And we’re “old” seniors!  Found them this week at

    Walmart in Ohio. 20 oz. bag for $2.00. Makes me

    sad to know some people waste them.

    Comment by Shirley Fischer on 10/29/10 at 5:37 pm #
  66. When I was a kid and went trick-or-treating,  peanut butter kisses were always dead last in the “Halloween Candy” competition after chocolate, fruity/gummy/novelty candy, hard candy, then these atrocities, in a category all by themselves. None of the neighborhood kids liked them either- they were Halloween candy non grata. My brother and I didn’t throw our stash away, but gave them to our parents, who always enjoyed them (having grown up eating them). But at some point, when I was older, I actually started to like them. I think perhaps the “rustic” flavors are best suited to older, more distinguished palates.

    Comment by GWSTB on 10/30/10 at 11:31 pm #
  67. can’t you fix the mary jane kisses in red and green papers? I would love to be able to purchase this candy other than Halloween. The stores can’t keep this candy on the shelf.

    Comment by Carol Hurst on 11/16/10 at 2:05 pm #
  68. I disagree that the recipe has not changed, as today they are made with hydrogenated fats. That’s my primary complaint with them.

    Comment by Phill on 2/12/11 at 12:57 pm #
  69. I have to agree with Phil that they’ve changed.  The peanut butter center is almost non-existent.  Used to be you could bite off half the molasses and take the peanut butter middle out to eat it seperately.  Still good though.

    Comment by Michelle on 10/03/11 at 7:12 am #
  70. Cybele's avatar

    I bought these last night just to see if they were different.

    They are definitely inconsistent. The size of the pieces varied considerably. Some had what seemed like no peanut butter at all in them and others had very little. I still enjoyed the soft molasses chew.

    The package was 9 ounces and pre-priced at 99 cents. So it’s hard to complain too much when I was actually able to find them in several stores this year and they were a good value.

    Comment by Cybele on 10/03/11 at 7:16 am #
  71. I love Mary Jane.  Sitting here eating them as I type.

    Comment by Little Willie on 10/11/11 at 8:51 am #
  72. Do you still make the peanut butter kisses that are wrapped in black paper and orange pape? if so how can I order?  thanks…jim

    Comment by james nehrig on 10/14/11 at 4:57 am #
  73. I would appreciate haveing these mailed to my home in pa because I do not drive ar havve any way in gettint to the store that sells them HELP
    mary jane kisses

    Comment by ann zenk on 10/20/11 at 4:54 am #
  74. Someone mentioned “way back in the 70’s”.  I grew up in the 30’s and 40’s. Really can’t remember if I saw them then. Living in the country, we didn’t go trick or treating like other kids. But when my children did that in the 50’s and 60’s, I know I loved the Peanut Butter kisses, and still do!  So does my husband. Buy lots of them whenever I see them for sale.

    Comment by Shirley Fischer on 10/20/11 at 6:47 am #
  75. liked them as a kid and when I can find them still like them. Don’t uderstand the comments about the deep dislike, must be from people who like the sour candies.

    Comment by Vicki on 10/20/11 at 7:39 pm #
  76. I absolutely love these!!! And everyone thinks in weird(:

    Comment by Addison on 10/23/11 at 11:26 am #
  77. I buy them at WALMART OR YOU CAN GET THEM ON-LINE.  JUST TYPE IN “MARY JANE HALLOWEEN CANDY”

    YUMMM

    Comment by KATHY on 10/23/12 at 9:14 am #
  78. I just picked up some Necco branded MJPB Kisses from Walgreens, Target didn’t stock them in my area, Crystal, MN. I didn’t check the dollar store since my hands were already full.

    Love the taffy even if they skimp on the PB (I had nine walking back home), loved the molasses/anise cookies my great-grandma had baked growing up so I’m used to the flavor some might not find appealing.

    Now I just got to track down Caramel Creams (Bulls Eyes) that were similar to these.

    Comment by MN on 10/27/12 at 8:35 am #
  79. I love these peanut butter taffy candies. I agree they get thrown out from the trick or treat loot because they do unwrap easily and just look wrong. That’s why I buy a new bag-or hit clearance after Halloween; they’re ALWAYS there by the cartfull for like 50ยข a bag by the next week.
    Anyone in the Midwest looking for them now can find the good ones at Menards.

    Comment by wiscgirl on 10/27/12 at 4:06 pm #
  80. MN, I don’t know where you are, but you can find those pretty much anywhere in GA… Any gas station, drug store, dollar store… even Wal-Mart. Try looking with the 50 cent candies at the gas station. (I say 50 cent. I think they’re 99 now. Hehe.) What I have been looking EVERYWHERE for is Jelly Nougats. Where can I find this darned things?!

    Comment by GWSTB on 10/27/12 at 6:14 pm #
  81. @ Ruby—sometimes it’s fun to act like an infant even though you’re not. That’s what keeps you young at heart. Noe, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to have some PB kisses and watch “Popeye”

    @ Jeni—If these little delicacies are “icky,” then I’m a Roman emperor

    Comment by Sparkina on 10/27/12 at 8:13 pm #
  82. A Halloween favorite as a kid and adult. Also a Halloween tradition, like candy corn, for the whole family. smile

    Comment by Chris on 10/30/12 at 5:35 am #
  83. No luck at the local Dollar Tree for MJPB kisses but I did find the Caramel Creams (stocked regularly it seems) I was looking for in a theater-sized box.

    Walgreens had their MJPB Kisses still in stock, 2bags for 3 but you get 50% off halloween candy so 4bags for 3 dollars if you had their card… so if you like this candy you have a chance to buy it in bulk on the cheap.

    Comment by MN on 11/02/12 at 9:33 am #
  84. Got 4 bags last week when Walgreens had them for 99ยข, using 2 Internet printed coupon for $1 off 2, so 49ยข each. Since Halloween I’ve been to 3 Walgreens and finally found 2 more today at 75ยข ea, with another $1/2 coupon making them 25ยข each. YES….....Still have more coupons so the hunt continues.  Anyone know if these can be frozen?  LOL.

    Comment by Harold on 11/02/12 at 4:17 pm #
  85. Cybele's avatar

    I found a 90% off sale at KMart today. I bought four of their 1 pound bags of the Peanut Butter Kisses - they were 29 cents each.

    (I also bought about 15 lbs of Wonka candies ... because it was only $5.)

    I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed with the Necco quality control. Many bags had unwrapped pieces in them that became a big sticky mess inside the plastic.

    Comment by Cybele on 11/02/12 at 4:20 pm #
  86. Those are nice deals, KMarts in my area have been on the decline but a 45 minute drive for cheaper candy? I’ll take a wild guess and say I’d have to buy a lot of bags to make up for the cost of gas.

    As for freezing I believe someone mentioned earlier in the comments about freezing theirs and eventually ate them all so there shouldn’t be a problem.

    @Cybele have you bought candy online? some carriers offer ice packs/thermal bags to keep your candy from melting in transport, since New England is on the other side of the states from yourself perhaps there was insufficient packaging when transported to your location if the bags you found were melted together. Purely speculation, but you are getting temps 25 degrees higher than myself and New England.

    The taffy does melt easily if you give it a helping hand by taking a swig of hot chocolate it’ll become pliable then chew it flat and take another swig if you wish and it’s all gooey.

    Comment by MN on 11/03/12 at 1:05 am #
  87. I loved peanut butter kisses as a child and still love them as an old fart. Too bad they seem hard to find,

    Comment by Craig on 10/31/13 at 11:45 am #
  88. A couple of years ago I asked my husband to leave the interstate to go on an excursion in search of a Kmart that might have the MaryJane peanut butter taffy in the black and the orange wrapper.  I bought 8 large bags and put them in the freezer so that I could enjoy them all year. They are hard to find these days,especially at a reasonable price.

    Comment by Katie on 10/16/14 at 3:22 pm #
  89. My son has gotten a few of these candies in the orange and black wrappers with no writing on them, and I am having a terrible time finding out the ingredient list to see if this is something we can eat or not.  I did notice somewhere that these are gluten-free, but we also need to know if they are casein-free, and if they are soy protein free.  Please send me an ingredient list or a site where I can find the ingredient list.  He was sorely disappointed this year because most of the candy he received contain ingredients he cannot eat even though they are typically candy most would love.

    Comment by Melissa on 11/06/14 at 6:35 pm #
  90. We have old candy stores in my uptown (Whittier CA) and I’ve found Mary janes in both. What’s distinctive is their brand appearance no orange or black wrappers that I’ve seen…..they’re pretty good and after a minute or two, chewable.

    Comment by SteveCarras on 1/08/15 at 10:54 pm #
  91. I LOVE Maryjanes…I buy them every week at the ACME…I am addicted…soon as i pop one in my mouth, out comes the peanut butter..instead of biting on it (cause its a sticky taffy )  I suck on it and the soft molasses flavor just melts in my mouth… I like them cool from the fridge… Diana

    Comment by Diana Iaccarino on 1/13/15 at 4:46 pm #
  92. It’s that time of year again. Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses are the best. In fact they are addictive. I have no self control and could sit down and eat the entire bag in one sitting! Probably a good thing they only come out around Halloween. I’m glad when Halloween is over when all the stores discount them. I stock up for the winter.

    Comment by Roger on 10/08/15 at 2:06 pm #
  93. I just picked up a bag at Walmart in Albany, NY.  All the Walmarts probably carry them.

    Comment by Donna Smith on 10/16/15 at 7:39 pm #
  94. I just want you to know that I love the Mary Jane’s that are wrapped in the yellow paper but they are so hard to get the paper off.  Could you please come up with something better to wrap them in.

    Comment by Carol Jenkins on 9/08/16 at 11:51 am #
  95. Hello.
    I just saw a article on SHESAID that listed 20 candies that should go away.This was the #1 candy ,ok I have always loved this candy and I want it around long after I am dead but I do have to admit its time to update the look.How about a nice black and orange striped pattern,or keep the original and make a new flavor like roasted peanut covered kisses or caramel and rice crisps with milk chocolate covering the original candy.I still give it out with my other candies along with pop corn.Keep making this please.
    thank you
    Sean Golden

    Comment by Sean Golden on 9/27/16 at 1:52 pm #
  96. I loved these all my life, I’m in my 80’s. Halloween seems to be the only time you can find them in the stores. I buy about 20 bags at a time. When you have dentures this candy satisfies a craving for sweets. Nice thing about it is that it doesn’t stick to the roof of your mouth. Best if eaten with dentures removed.

    Comment by Hooked on peanut butter molasses taffy on 2/13/17 at 1:09 pm #
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