When the original Valentine’s Day conversation hearts ceased production last year, we couldn’t stop talking about it. It was heartbreaking to think the iconic pastel candies stamped with messages like “Marry Me” or “You Rock” would be a thing of the past.
Good news for Valentine’s Day 2020: Sweethearts conversation hearts will be back!
Here’s the Full Story
Sweethearts’ original producer, NECCO, known for old-fashioned confections like NECCO Wafers, went out of business in 2018. Fortunately, Spangler Candy, who makes Dum Dums and Circus Peanuts, bought Sweethearts. But the new owner was unable to meet production demand in 2019. Now, Spangler has had a full year to get up to speed.
You can expect Spangler to bring back the original 118-year-old Sweethearts recipe and revive iconic flavors like wintergreen, clove and licorice. (We can only hope they’ll bring back iconic sayings like “Fax Me,” too.) That’s a far cry from the current trend of giving classic flavors extra-fruity and sweet-and-sour makeovers, but we like that Sweethearts is keeping it old-school.
Where Can I Get the Conversation Hearts?
It’s not all good news. The machinery that Sweethearts uses to print those cute sayings was damaged during the move to Spangler’s factory, so expect fewer sweet nothings. It’s true—conversations hearts still might be scarce this year. The company recommends looking for the holiday treat in national drugstores like CVS and Walgreens.
Don’t fret yet—Brach’s is producing its own conversation hearts, and they are available at both Target and Walmart.
And if you don’t have your heart set on candy hearts, last year Oreo launched a rosy limited edition flavor called “Love, Oreo” with cute messages like “Let’s Twist” and “Dunk in Love.” Here’s to hoping there’s a repeat performance in 2020!
Find More Sweet Ways to Say I Love You
You get the flavor of a snickerdoodle plus the texture of a shortbread in these fun cookies. Make them for your sweeties, or make them together for the memories!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Here’s a lovely dessert your guests will think is almost too pretty to eat! I love the way the raspberry meringue easily drapes into a heart shape. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
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Cool, fruity and creamy, these gelatin valentine cut outs are noticeably richer than plain gelatin. They're a fun finger food that can be easily cut into whichever shape you'd like for any holiday or theme. —Annette Ellyson, Carolina, West Virginia
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Every year my mom and I collect cookie recipes we want to try and then get together in early December for an afternoon of baking. These no-fail lemon cookies have become an annual tradition. They're a wonderful homemade holiday gift. —Kristen Stecklein, Glendale, Wisconsin
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My grandmother hand-wrote a cookbook; she created this amazing pie crust, and I added the delicious soup for it. —Karen LeMay, Seabrook, Texas
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I found this recipe in an old cookbook and changed a few ingredients to suit my family's taste. They really enjoy this candy pizza. You'll love how fast, fun and simple it is! Get the kids to help you spread the toppings. —Becky Thesman, Enid, Oklahoma
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I make rich, fudgy cookies that taste like brownies with a marshmallow filling. I usually use heart-shaped cutters, but I've also left them uncut and filled with pink marshmallow creme.—Kelly Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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This lovely and luscious treat is rumored to have been the favorite dessert of European royalty long ago. I know that it's won the hearts of everyone I've ever made it for. Enjoy! —Lorene Milligan, Chemainus, British Columbia
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I used peanut butter in place of the butter in my take on a traditional cutout cookie, which turned out super nutty and soft. My children love to decorate the cookie with frosting, sprinkles and some creativity. —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin
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Pretty pastel cookies are a fun way to brighten any special occasion. Replace the vanilla with a different extract for a change of flavor. —Laurie Herr, Westford, Vermont
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I enjoy making this lovely coffee cake for anniversaries, Valentine's Day and other special occasions. I found the recipe more than 30 years ago, and I've been making it ever since. The delicious treat is a hit with family and friends. -Norma Hammond, Leland, Iowa
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This is a old family cookie recipe; after many years, I have yet to find another one as good. I've served these at family gatherings and of course it's my Christmas cut-out cookie recipe. I gave these as gifts to overnight guests when my daughter got married, and also as Valentine's Day presents. At family gatherings, everyone asks for them! —Teresa Broullire, Niagara, Wisconsin
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These flaky cookies melt in your mouth. Dipped in chocolate, they look festive.—Barbara Birk, St. George, Utah
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Sweethearts of all ages will have a delightful time sprinkling these fun personal heart pizzas with whatever tasty toppings they love most. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Ruby red jam and coarse sugar add a festive look to these crisp sandwich cookies that are the perfect gift for loved ones. My husband likes coconut, so I make these for his birthday. —Jo Ellen Helmlinger, Columbus, Ohio
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Steal hearts this Valentine's Day with brownies that have cute frosting centers. They're simply irresistible. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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For special events, my mother would bring these cookies to the rural school I attended. She decorated each cookie with a student's name written in frosting.—Sally Gores, Almena, Wisconsin
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This specialty cookie takes a little extra effort, but the delectable results are well-worth it. I bake the tender jam-filled hearts when I need something fancy to serve for Valentine's Day or other special occasions. —Jane Pearcy, Verona, Wisconsin
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Baking a fun treat is a must when my four grandchildren come for “Grandma Camp.” This year I’ll recruit the oldest, Henry, to help pipe the cake batter. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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When my daughter, Katie, was 2, the juicy, ripe raspberries in my backyard inspired me to create this cutout cookie. It's become a mother-daughter tradition to pick the raspberries, choose the cutter shapes, cut out the cookies and frost them. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
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The post Sweethearts Conversation Hearts Will Be Back in Time for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Taste of Home.
Krista Garcia
