Often when we think of Halloween, candy is instantly brought to mind. The tradition of trick-or-treating brings joy to people of all ages, whether through giving or receiving candy. Everyone has a favorite Halloween candy, but what do Madison students reach for from the candy bowl?

Twix – 18.8%

A rectangular cookie topped with caramel and coated with chocolate, wrapped in a gold wrapper. Fun-sized fact: As of 2012, people have the option between a left and right Twix, even though both candies are exactly the same.

“Twix are crunchy and good,” Will Waterston (’25) said.

Kit Kat – 17%

Simply put, a Kit Kat is a chocolate covered wafer. Each wafer section is connected by a little bit of chocolate, allowing for  a multitude of ways to eat it. Eating a Kit Kat without breaking it first may result in a loss of friends. Fun-sized fact: The candy is made differently around the world, with Britain, Japan, and the US using different types of milk.

“They’re not overly sweet like the other ones and they’re crunchy and don’t have hard caramel,” Anna Parijwani (’27) said.

Reese’s – 10.3%

The classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, Reese’s are a Halloween staple. Fun-sized fact: It is possible to purchase a half pound peanut butter cup online.

“They make me feel like I’m eating healthy,” Valentina Perez (’24) said.

Candy Corn – 7.6%

Both loved and hated, candy corn is one of the most popular Halloween treats. A tri-colored triangular shape with flavors reminiscent of vanilla, marshmallow and honey. Fun-sized fact: Since its creation in 1880, the confection has changed its name from chicken feed to candy corn and undergone multiple holiday transformations.

“I love candy corn because it’s seasonal, and sugar and honey ” Sahana Aravind (’26) said.

m & m’s – 7.6%

A disc shaped chocolate with a colorful candy coating. Fun-sized fact: The candy was formerly exclusive to military rations because they wouldn’t melt.

“They taste good and come from a company that prioritizes animal welfare,” Logan Beam (’27) said.

Milky Way – 7.6%

A chocolate shell with nougat and caramel filling. Fun-sized fact: Their flavor was designed to mimic that of a malted milkshake.

“Kinda reminds me of my childhood and I like the combination between the caramel and the nougat,” Elizabeth Isaac (’24) said.

Skittles – 4.5%

The fruity, malleable candy with a crunchy sugar shell that comes in a variety of flavors. Check out the official Skittles website for a good laugh. (alternatively, this sentence could say “Skittles are a vegan-friendly confection for all to enjoy”)

“You can put the whole pack in your mouth and have a flavorful explosion,” Maddie Corry (’24) said.

Snickers – 4.5%

A Halloween classic for decades, Snickers have a distinct flavor of nougat, peanuts and chocolate. The name Snickers originated from that of a horse.

“I like how the flavors work together,” Maddie Mead (’27) said.

Lollipops – 2.2%

A colorful, multi-flavor candy sphere on a stick. Lollipops have been around since ancient times and were made in Africa and Asia.

“Lollipops are a vessel of flavor,” Daniel Friedman (’26) said.

Whoppers – 0.9%

A malted milk ball covered in chocolate is a delightful treat. Halloween sized packs of Whoppers have three chocolate candies in a pack. Even though it seems like multiple flavors would be a hit, almost every single Whoppers spin-off has failed.

“I love the crunch, as well as the memories I have with them,” Monica Wong (’26) said.