Every year around Christmas time, we see them. They're on trees, in bowls or more commonly, in the hands of youngsters. Candy canes, a popular treat worldwide, come in all sorts of flavors. Traditionally peppermint, nowadays you can find just about any flavor of candy cane known to man. But, a couple of questions loom. Where do candy canes come from? Why are they in a cane shape?

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One question led to another, and finally, we wanted some answers. While there are many different accounts on the origins of candy canes, we found a story that seemed to shed some genuine truth.

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Candy canes are said to date back as far as the seventeenth century. According to a popular account, candy canes were created in 1670 to help remedy the noise of children during Christmas Eve service at the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany. The choirmaster requested "sweet sticks" from the local candy maker, however, in order to justify handing out sweets during service, he requested that a hook-like shape be added to the treat to remind children about the shepherds that tended to baby Jesus.

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From Germany, their popularity spread across Europe as they became handouts at Nativity plays. They soon made their way to America, debuting sometime around 1847, when a German immigrant decorated his Christmas tree in Wooster, Ohio.

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Candy canes reportedly didn't earn their red-and-white stripes until the early 1900s. In fact, all photos prior to the early 1900s show the bare cane all decked out in white, and only white. While we can't be too sure of the famous inventor behind the stripes, we know one thing: Christmas time without candy canes would in fact be no Christmas at all. We simply love them.

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We love candy so much (especially around the holidays), that we decided to round up a few of our favorite candy recipes! Continue clicking through our slideshow for our top favorites!

Homemade Blow Pops Recipe

A fun recipe to create one of the most classic candies around! Blow pops!

Want the recipe? Click here: Homemade Blow Pops Recipe

Homemade Pop Rocks Recipe

Create your very own pop rocks! Also, this time, YOU get to choose the flavor! 

Want the recipe? Click here: Homemade Pop Rocks Recipe

Chocolate Macaroons

Bite into these sweet and sultry, zesty macaroons and you won't regret it. Every bite is jam-packed full of sweet goodness!

Want the recipe? Click here: Chocolate Macaroons

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Pops

The great thing about cake pops is that the baked cake doesn’t need to look perfect! Our easy recipe will deliver delicious cake pops for very little trouble and can be adapted to create several yummy flavors. Yes that’s a cake pop you’re looking at, not a real strawberry!

Want the recipe? Click here: Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Pops

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Want to make one of the most classic and delicious candies? Try this recipe out!

Want the recipe? Click here: Homemade Tootsie Rolls