Candy & Chocolate

Plan about 115 to 225 g (1/4 to 1/2 lb) of candy per guest. That works out to roughly 11 to 23 kg for 100 guests. Use the lower figure when the buffet is a favour table guests visit once, and the higher figure when it is the main dessert. Offer 4 to 6 varieties, mixing chocolate, gummies and hard candy, and include at least one peanut-free option. Hard candy and gummies go further per kilogram than chocolate because each piece is lighter.

Hard candy and lollipops keep 12 months or more, gummies 6 to 12 months and milk chocolate about 12 months when sealed, with dark chocolate lasting longer. Store candy at 15 to 18 °C in a dry room, away from sunlight and strong odours, because chocolate absorbs smells and gummies get sticky in humid air. Do not refrigerate chocolate; moving it between cold and warm air causes condensation and bloom. Once a bulk bag is opened, decant it into airtight containers and use first in, first out.

The white or grey film on chocolate is called bloom, and it is safe to eat. Fat bloom happens when cocoa butter melts and re-sets on the surface after the chocolate gets too warm. Sugar bloom happens when moisture dissolves surface sugar, which then dries into a dusty layer, usually after refrigeration. Bloom changes the look and snap but not the safety. Steady storage at 15 to 18 °C prevents both kinds, and bloomed chocolate is still fine for melting and baking.

A standard dry topping portion is about 28 g (1 oz), roughly 2 tablespoons. A 4.54 kg (10 lb) bag such as Toppers Nerds or chopped Reese’s Pieces therefore gives about 160 servings, and a 11.34 kg (25 lb) bag of Oreo cookie crumb gives about 400. Scoop shops portion toppings with a 1 oz scoop or a shaker to keep costs steady. Store topping bags sealed and dry, since crunchy toppings soften quickly once they absorb moisture.

Packaged candy sold in Canada must list ingredients and declare any priority allergens, either in the ingredient list or in a “Contains” statement. Canada’s priority allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans and shellfish, soy, wheat and triticale, mustard and sulphites. Many products also carry a “may contain” precautionary statement for shared equipment. When candy is moved from a bulk bag into jars for a buffet or bulk bin, keep the original label or a copy of the ingredient list on hand for guests who ask.

Shipping is calculated live at checkout from real carrier rates. Free shipping on orders over $199. Orders are processed in 2 to 3 business days (cut-off 10:00 AM MST, Monday to Friday) and Canadian transit takes 2 to 6 business days. We also ship to the United States, with duties and taxes shown at checkout. See the Shipping page for full details.