We Are 100% Here for These Sorta-Sweet Candy Bars (that Taste Just Like Peanut Chews)

There are certain types of candy that you rarely encounter outside of a movie theater. Think Junior Mints, Goobers, Sno-Caps, and my childhood go-to: Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews. Those not-too-sweet, eraser-sized hunks of nougat coated in a waxy dark chocolate shell provided infinitely more candy satisfaction than mindless handfuls of Raisinettes. They offered a sort of rib-sticking quality rarely encountered in the candy aisle. And was I tickled that they also seemed like a proudly Jewish alternative to the more patrician-sounding Charleston Chews? Yes, I was.

Now imagine a Peanut Chew encased in good quality, fair-trade chocolate, studded with sophisticated add-ins like hazelnuts, pecans, and almonds, and flavored with coffee, clove, or cinnamon-tinged horchata, and you have a pretty good idea of what a Gigantic! bar will taste like. And I am 100% here for them. 

Gigantic! Bars Are Sorta Sweet and 100% Delicious

Gigantic bars bill themselves as a “sorta sweet” alternative to conventional candy bars; stacked up against something like a Snicker’s bar, they are definitely less tooth-achingly sweet. And with just 6 grams of added sugar per bar, they have significantly less sugar than plenty of protein bars. But what really makes these bars unique is the quality of their ingredients, and how packed with flavor they are. 

Of the four varieties, my favorite was the Salted Peanut; it most closely approximates the movie treat of my memories, all dolled up for an adult palate. The hint of salt turns out to be just the extra kick of flavor I’d been missing. But each variety has its own appeal and charms.

Almond Horchata, which the company promises will suggest jingling bodega doors and summer strolls, is the most unexpected combo; if you are a fan of that sweetened rice beverage, this will be right up your alley. The Hazelnut Café is meant to evoke a flavored latte, and the hint of coffee complements the dark chocolate and rich nuts nicely. And though I am generally not a fan of banana flavor in anything other than a banana, the Banana Pecan bar had a kind of goofy exuberance I could not help appreciate (and it was gobbled up by my banana-loving husband).

I should note that these bars are not, in fact, gigantic; they’re about the size of a small granola bar. But with such bold flavors (matched by equally bold graphics and packaging), these sweet treats make a big impression. And when you consider that all four varieties are vegan, gluten free, and contain no corn syrup or unpronounceables, Gigantic! bars are a welcome addition to the snack aisle.  

Buy It: Gigantic! Variety Pack, $28 for 8 bars