Clark Bar: History, Ingredients & Availability
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Snack History Nostalgia Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The Clark bar is somewhat little known, but it is definitely worth knowing about. It has earned it’s self many fans over the decades. The Clark Bar is a candy bar made with milk chocolate and peanut butter and has a very unique taste to it, it has crisp when bitten and has a strong cocoa taste. Many compare it to the Butterfinger based on sight and sound, but Clark Bar is much different. It really does not taste anything like Butterfinger, it’s more chocolaty and a bit smoother to eat.
| Clark Bar | Facts |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1917 |
| Manufacturer | New England Confectionery Company (Necco) as of 2015 |
| Candy Type | Chocolate-covered peanut butter candy bar |
| Original Flavors | Milk chocolate and peanut butter |
| Still Available | Yes, though limited distribution |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Parent Company | New England Confectionery Company (Necco) as of 2015 |
| Origin City | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
The History
The Clark Bar, or at least its base recipe, was first invented in the year 1886 by David L. Clark. David Clark was an Irish immigrant who invented the Clark Bar while living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His original inspiration for the name is also said not to have just come from his name. The name also seems to have come from an employee’s pet chinchilla who was ironically named “Clark Can’t”.
The Clark candy bar is often highlighted as having real chocolate and peanut butter. This Is likely done to distinguish it as high quality from other candy bars that tend to use alternatives to real chocolate or peanut butter. It is often thought by many to be an American classic candy. While not as well known as some snacks that have similar appeal such as the Nut Bar, and still maintains a loyal following.
The rights to produce it were eventually purchased by Beatrice Foods. It then passed hands several times, along the way added a new dark chocolate variety. Hershey‘s eventually merged with a company called Leaf that owned the rights. Hershey’s is a famous producer of snacks and candy such as the Heath bar and the Nutrageous Bar. During this merger, Hershey’s took over the rights to several snacks such as the Zero Candy Bar. The Clark Bar ended up becoming independent due to this merger, ending up staying based in Pittsburgh. Then it was bought in 1999 by the New England Confectionery Company, also called NECCO.
Clark Bar Timeline
- 1886 —
- 1917 — Clark Bar officially introduced by David L. Clark
- 1955 — Clark Bar production leaves original family-owned business
- 1990s — Rights pass through Beatrice Foods and several other owners
- 1990s — Hershey's merges with Leaf, briefly acquiring Clark Bar rights
- 1990s — Clark Bar becomes independent, remains Pittsburgh-based
- 1999 — New England Confectionery Company (Necco) purchases Clark Bar rights
- 2018 — Necco declares bankruptcy; Clark Bar production transfers to Boyer Candy Company
Clark Bar vs Butterfinger
| Feature | Clark Bar | Butterfinger |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Smoother, less crispy peanut butter core | Very crispy, flaky peanut butter core |
| Introduced | 1917 | 1923 |
| Manufacturer | New England Confectionery Company (Necco) as of 2015 | Ferrero (formerly Nestlé) |
| Flavors | Milk chocolate and peanut butter | Milk chocolate and peanut butter |
| Price Range | Specialty pricing, limited availability | Standard candy bar pricing, widely available |
| Availability | Limited; mainly online and select stores | Widely available nationwide |
| Calories | 220 per serving | Approximately 270 per bar |
The Year Was The Clark Candy Bar Was Invented
The Clark candy bar was first dreamed up way back in the year 1886 and is still as of the year 2015. It’s likely it has lasted so long because it fills a fairly unique area of the snack market.
Quick Quiz
Which Of These Is The Oldest Candy?
The Company That Makes The Clark Candy Bar
The Clark Bar has changed hands many times over the years. As of 2015, the current producer is Neeco. Necco has been producing candy since 1901 and makes delicious wafer-based candy.
Stores That Sell It
- Sams Club
- Otherwise its mostly sold Online
- It may be more easy to find in Pennsylvania, let us know if you have any information about its locations.
What Does The Clark Bar Taste Like?
The Clark Bar has a rather unique taste to it, not the same as a Butterfinger, but somewhere in that ballpark. It’s chocolaty and has a strong peanut butter taste to it. The peanut butter taste seems a little stronger than the chocolate flavor, but it’s a good mix. It’s not as crispy as one might expect from the more well-known butter finger, it’s a bit easier to bite also. Its honeycomb-like peanut butter and milk chocolate bring powerful cravings of nostalgia, as it gives you a nice fuzzy feeling of comfort when you eat it.
Why is it so hard to find the Clark Bar?
The Clark Bar is produced in fairly small amounts it appears. It does have a strong following, but it just has a bit of a small-town mentality to it, and not that many people know about it. This means not many places sell it, it almost had to be saved outright with NECCO buying the rights.
Logo
Pictures
Commercial
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Ingredients
Here are the ingredients of Clark Bar.
- Milk Chocolate
- Sugar
- Cocoa Butter
- Chocolate Liquor
- Milk Powder
- Butter Oil
- Soy Lecithin
- Vanilla Extract
- Corn Syrup,
- Sugar
- Peanuts
- Molasses
- Corn Flour
- Invert Sugar
- Salt
- Coconut Oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Soy Lecithin
Calories And Nutritional Info
Here is the nutritional information for 1 serving – This information may not be up to date and you may wish to check the product’s labeling.
| Serving Size: | 1 serving |
| Calories | 220 |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0g |
| Sodium | 70mg |
| Potassium | 0mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 29g |
| Protein | 3g |
FAQ
What is a Clark bar?
The Clark bar is somewhat little known, but it is definitely worth knowing about. It has earned it’s self many fans over the decades. The Clark Bar is a candy bar made with milk chocolate and peanut butter and has a very unique taste to it, it has crisp when bitten and has a strong cocoa taste. Many compare it to the Butterfinger based on sight and sound, but Clark Bar is much different. It really does not taste anything like Butterfinger, it’s more chocolaty and a bit smoother to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clark Bar
What is a Clark Bar?
The Clark Bar is a candy bar made with milk chocolate and peanut butter with a very unique taste. It has a crisp when bitten and a strong cocoa flavor. It is often highlighted as containing real chocolate and peanut butter, distinguishing it as a high-quality product compared to other candy bars.
How does the Clark Bar compare to a Butterfinger?
While many compare the Clark Bar to the Butterfinger based on sight and sound, they are quite different in taste. The Clark Bar is more chocolaty and a bit smoother to eat, and it is not as crispy as the Butterfinger. The peanut butter taste in a Clark Bar is strong but blends more smoothly with the chocolate flavor.
Who invented the Clark Bar and when?
The Clark Bar was invented by David L. Clark, an Irish immigrant living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The bar was first introduced in 1917. The name is said to have come not only from David Clark's own surname but also reportedly from an employee's pet chinchilla named 'Clark Can't.'
Who makes the Clark Bar today?
As of 2015, the Clark Bar was being produced by the New England Confectionery Company, also known as Necco, which has been producing candy since 1901. Necco is also known for making wafer-based candies. The bar has changed hands many times throughout its history.
Where can you buy a Clark Bar?
The Clark Bar can be found at Sam's Club and is mostly sold online due to its limited distribution. It may be easier to find in Pennsylvania, given its Pittsburgh origins. Its relative scarcity is attributed to it being produced in fairly small amounts compared to more mainstream candy bars.
We love the original Clark candy bars & are able to get & purchase they @ a specialty grocery store in Dayton Ohio. Please do not ever stop manufacturing those delicious candy bars. Our entire families love them too!
I don’t know where the information came from regarding the name “CLARK BAR” and someone’s pet but DL Clark was my Great Grandfather and JL Clark of CLARK BROS GUM (Teaberry gum) was my grandfather. The candy bar and its name were DLClark’s. He sold them door to door in the beginning from their tiny home. the pet store may have been confused with the fact that my mother had a pet cat named TOMMY TEABERRY (an orange striped tabby) which the mascot for Teaberry Gum had been named after. sorry to pop someone’s bubble but that is FACT.