As Halloween nears, the Mast Store checked in with several of its familiar friends who – while strange – are no strangers to the holiday. We surveyed these classic characters to find out their favorite festive candies available at Mast General Store. 

Some chose Halloween treats you might expect, and others went with sweets that might surprise, even “trick,” you. All the selections, however, reveal a tasty morsel about their spooky personalities.  

Enjoy the frighteningly fun read and heed their haunted advice before heading to the Mast Store to choose your own Halloween candy for this year’s flock of trick-or-treaters and your own eerie enjoyment. Happy Halloween! 

Vampire – Licorice Anise Squares

What’s Count Dracula’s go-to treat between nighttime neck nibbles? Licorice Anise Squares! The potent fennel-like flavor is perfect to quell his thirst while also acting as a much-needed, post-bite breath freshener. From their unmistakable taste down to their ghoulishly colored, which is somehow so apropos, wrappers, it’s no wonder the Prince of Darkness keeps these at hand on his coffin-side table for a quick snack before retiring at daybreak. 

Jack-o’-Lantern – Atomic Fireballs 

Only one candy can light you up like a Jack-o’-Lantern: Atomic Fireballs. Pop only one of these spicy cinnamon bombs, and you’ll be glowing like a pumpkin packed with a hundred candles! Furthermore, just like the porch life of every Jack-o’-Lantern is brief, so, too, are Atomic Fireballs. These classic treats are no longer in production, which means it’s wise to stock up on the limited remaining supply before Halloween. 

Werewolves – Mast Store Provisioners Peppermints 

Peppermints?! “Why this wintry cool Christmas mint?” you ask. Well, what if you were up all night howling at the moon? Your throat would be a little sore the next day, too, no matter the season! While no man, woman, or wolf can turn down this refreshing lozenge, there’s also nothing that visually captures the dual nature of the lycanthrope lifestyle better than the alternating spiral stripes of a peppermint. Just be mindful of the dubious prescription: Take one at night and call Dr. Jekyll in the morning. 

Frankenstein – Wax Lips  

As Dr. Frankenstein assembled his monster limb by limb and piece by piece, there’s one glaring thing he left out… Lips! That’s why the monster Frankenstein prefers Wax Lips as his Halloween candy. How else would he kiss the blushing Bride of Frankenstein? And, after all, what’s reanimated life without love? Try a pair of these sweet cherry lips for yourself, and enjoy a silly, tasty retro treat that’s been around nearly as long as angry, torch-wielding village mobs have chased this misunderstood, lovelorn creature on movie screens throughout cinematic history. 

The Mummy – Rainbow Licorice Laces 

It’s important not to unravel as you celebrate Halloween, especially if you’re the Mummy. In his case, getting wrapped up in the season is a good thing, which is why you’ll find Rainbow Licorice Laces twisted throughout his trick-or-treat basket. As the Mummy ties up loose ends from the past millennia, each yummy rainbow strand adds a pop of playful color… Just what the afterlife calls for following a few thousand years of being couped up inside a dusty, dark sarcophagus. 

Witch – Gummi worms 

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble,” goes the most famous recipe William Shakespeare never intended to write. The Witches he depicts preparing this objectionable potion toss in a putrid pantry full of icky ingredients, including, quite likely, their slimiest, lip-licking favorite, Gummi Worms. Whether traditional or sour, these classics are ideal enhancements to any Witches Brew and add the dash of umami that pleases every culinary-minded occultist. 

Ghost – LAFFY Taffy 

Do you hear the eerie echoes of a spiteful spirit? Quite the contrary. Those are the sounds of ghoulish giggles emanating from a pleasant poltergeist. This apparition must have an appetite for every Ghost’s candy of choice: Laffy Taffy. Perhaps each drawn-out “muah-ha-ha” isn’t a laugh at all but the tortured soul trying to say, “Want to share?” as he tries to chew this treat’s gooey goodness. Finishing a full piece for himself might just resolve the unfinished business that keeps him in this otherworldly realm.  

Black Cat – Swedish Fish  

Any curious cat may dip its paw into the fishbowl, but, on Halloween, black cats specifically come out to dip theirs into the candy bowl. What sugary confection is swimming in it to lure a bad-luck feline? Swedish Fish, obviously! While these gummi candies have been long-time, year-round favorites of kids around the world, Mom and Dad might fish some out while they wait on trick-or-treaters… They best be wary, however, of crossing paths with a prowling black cat that’s heading toward the candy bowl for its own share. 

Spider – Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy 

Oh, what a sweetly tangled web the Spider weaves… No creepy cobwebs here, but instead there hang fruit-flavored pillows of Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy. These soft, bright bundles are spun and packed in moisture-resistant, air-tight bags to ensure the freshness of every bite – not just at Halloween, but all through the year. This is one web you wish you could get caught in even if you’re stuck alongside a long-legged, crawling arachnid.  

May your candy haul this Halloween be filled with your favorites and, perhaps, sprinkled with a few of the prized recommendations suggested by our Halloween interviewees. Be safe, spooky friends!