Next to Baby Jesus & Santa, the candy cane is probably one of the most recognizable elements of the Christmas season.

Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he had the candies bent into shepherds’ crooks.

Beyond that little tidbit, It is fascinating to see how candy canes are made.

My family and I had the pleasure of visiting the Spangler Candy Company (which is mentioned in the video below). The size of the strips of white and red are enormous!! I never would’ve guessed that something so small would take so much!!

If you ever get the chance to visit Spangler in Ohio, it is well worth it!

And now…
 THE CANDY CANE!