Jump for Jelly Beans, Cakes and Candy!

by michelle.sundvick | July 31, 2008 at 10:13 am

4135 views | 12 Recommendations | 77 comments

For all those with a sweet-tooth as strong as mine, I'd consider today a perfect opportunity to indulge in some of your favorite treats. I was happy to see that my favorite candy of all time, the jelly bean, is part of today's national food holiday line up.

Here it is -- July 31, and it looks like they tried to squeeze in three food holidays before the month was over.

Today is National Jump For Jelly Beans Day, National Cotton Candy Day, and National Raspberry Cake Day. Why Raspberry Cake is so popular it gets its own holiday I have no idea, but there you go. Here's a recipe for Raspberry Cake from Annie's Recipe Kitchen, and did you know you can make cotton candy at home?

As for jelly beans, you can get some recipes from Jelly Belly. They aren't "recipes" in the classic sense, they are actually combos of jelly beans you pop in your mouth that create a dessert. For example, 2 chocolate pudding jelly beans + 1 cappuccino jelly bean + 1 peanut butter jelly bean = Mud Pie!

Here's a little history on the origins of cotton candy that I came across:

Cotton candy has a history that goes back far, far beyond my childhood days. In fact, two men named John Wharton and William Morrison invented the first electric cotton candy machine and patented it in 1899. The manufacturing concept was simple: their machine melted the sugar down and then spun it around rapidly. The result was a light, airy, threaded candy that was originally called, "Spun Sugar" or "Fairy Floss." The finished product was twirled onto a stick or paper cone so it could be held and eaten with a minimal amount of mess.

Spun Sugar, or Fairy Floss, made its first public appearance at the Paris Exposition in 1900. From then, in 1920, its name was changed to "cotton candy." Cotton candy has since become an American favorite at amusement parks, fairs, carnivals, and circuses. It's most often seen in pink or blue colors.

I'm not too sure either why Raspberry Cake has it's own holiday. I didn't realize it was popular enough to merrit one. However, if you are a fan of this dessert then I've found a three step recipe for a perfect National Raspberry Cake Day:

Go out to a "pick your own" farm and pick them fresh. Bring the kids along.
Bake fresh raspberries into a cake (or two).
Eat some raspberry cake with family and friends.

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JeffHuang

at 12:14 on July 31st, 2008

My favourite candy of all time is Starburst Jellybeans. I havent seen it around for a few years now. If anyone has a source who could supply me some starburst jellybeans, plz tell me.

ladyvanexxa

at 12:58 on July 31st, 2008

Hiya, you can still get Starburst beans & Jolly Rancher beans in the US; I just bought a few huge bags at a liqudation food warehouse in Bellingham, along with "Jellybees" which are JellyBelly factory seconds (slightly mutated beans). Hope that helps!

Soov

at 10:32 on August 1st, 2008

I am very flattered that you chose my photo of my Jelly Beans necklace. I had fun making that and enjoy the candy so much that I also designed one named "Jelly Belly Deluxe". The necklaces can be seen at www.soov.etsy.com.

Eat Candy!
Soov

amyjudd

at 12:27 on July 31st, 2008

I love Jellybellys - although not the popcorn one - that's not good.

michelle.sundvick

at 15:26 on July 31st, 2008

haha I remember getting Starburst Jellybeans when I went trick or treating!!! sorry though Jeff, I have no clue where to find them now.

payj

at 15:52 on July 31st, 2008

i take photos in a candy store called sloans. i love photography and look at the world in a diffrent angle. and i love candy so i thought this would be really cool to take pictures of it, the people in the store always let me take pictures of there candys and stuff. and jelly bellys are the best in the

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Ashleigh Barretto Photography

at 15:53 on July 31st, 2008

I feel so proud to be able to represent my favourite sweet and my photography at the same time! both passions! :D

Ashleigh Barretto Photography has contributed a photo to this story.

Lea.Manalang

at 16:12 on July 31st, 2008

I heart Jelly Belly beans! Thanks for choosing my photo.

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Coach O.

at 16:48 on July 31st, 2008

COOL

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Jstbtrflyz

at 16:52 on July 31st, 2008

Thanks for the invite and for wanting to use my photo! Starburst Jelly Beans are my fave! You can find them at Walmart most times. During Easter, here in the U.S., they are at Walmart, CVS, Shaws, Stop and Shop and on and on and on...I think you can probably get them at one or more of those stores when it's not Easter too!

miller.manor

at 17:21 on July 31st, 2008

My darling daughter enjoying cotton candy & popcorn at the American Idols Live Concert in Columbus, Ohio on July 20, 2008!!! Her favorite American Idol is Jason Castro!

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Peaceful Paradox

at 17:50 on July 31st, 2008

Capps Picnic Park is located in southern New Jersey and surrounded by a large, crystal clear lake in a woodland setting. It is the perfect place for your ultimate picnic.

At Capps, we give all of our parties, small and large, the utmost professional and friendly service to make your day extra special. Having a picnic at Capps Picnic Park is like becoming a member of our family. You’ll want to come back year after year, as so many of our guests do.

Whether you are sailing or swimming, playing games or dancing, we are sure you are going to have a wonderful time.

We offer a wide variety of amusements, including, swimming, boating, rock climbing and much more!

There are old-fashioned activities including: basketball, horseshoes, volleyball and foosball. We also organize activities such as, Limbo, Tug-of-War, Egg Toss and DJ Dance Contests-complete with prizes supplied by Capps Picnic Park.

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Peaceful Paradox

at 17:28 on July 31st, 2008

My husband Death Blow (Kris) working the cotton candy at our friend Audra's picnic park.

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kmtjhawk

at 18:07 on July 31st, 2008

This is the biggest cotton candy I've seen personally and it only cost $1!!!! Trust me, Amanda (holding the monstrosity) shared so she wouldn't be sick!

kmtjhawk has contributed a photo to this story.

Ivonnardona

at 19:53 on July 31st, 2008

These jelly beans looked so good in the handmade bowl that I had spun at a nearby pottery place. I couldn't resist taking a photo and it turned out awesome. Of course, any type of jelly bean is my favorite. Except, I can't stand the black ones!

Ivonnardona has contributed a photo to this story.

Ivonnardona

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 19:54 on July 31st, 2008

I love food, so why wouldn't I LOVE this story?!

bexheartsyou

at 20:25 on July 31st, 2008

We made our own cotton candy at Kenka!

bexheartsyou has contributed a photo to this story.

MeFind

at 20:32 on July 31st, 2008

A really delicious white chocolate cake with raspberries.

MeFind has contributed a photo to this story.

vcenterprisestexas

at 20:33 on July 31st, 2008

A cotton candy after dinner treat at Harry's Prime Steakhouse in Cancun, Mexico.

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Takezo2000

at 20:40 on July 31st, 2008

These jellies didn't stand a chance in our office! Luckily I got the picture before the jar 'went public' !

Takezo2000 has contributed a photo to this story.

Sparnak

at 20:42 on July 31st, 2008

Cotton candy is common street food in South Korea. This picture was taken on the way down from N Seoul Tower of Namsan Park in Seoul, South Korea.

Sparnak has contributed a photo to this story.

mvlatoria

at 20:53 on July 31st, 2008

Well what can I say, Jelly on the spot here.

mvlatoria has contributed a photo to this story.

Brenda Moller

at 21:31 on July 31st, 2008

In Mexico you can find a huge variety of candy, both Mexican and foreign. As you can see here in the picture, one is never enough, children always want more... Well, children and grown ups like me too. Enjoy!

Brenda Moller has contributed a photo to this story.