I was drawn in by these at my local Target simply because I’ve never seen them before. I don’t know how I managed to not notice this candy amongst the troves of chocolate eggs, marshmallow chicks and jellybeans. At first I resisted, but a week later I found myself in the store again specifically after this strange new confection. Curiosity got the best of me.
Right off, by just feeling the critters through the bag, they remind me of those orange Circus Peanut candies you see everywhere. This intrigued me even more, because as much of a sugar lover that I am, I’ve never had a Circus Peanut. A quick Google search didn’t enlighten me much. I only found out that fans of this candy are few and far between and the evoke a nostalgia of coming from grandma’s cupboard.
So I went into eating these with no expectations at all. I opened the bag and laid out one each of the three colors: yellow, orange, and blue. Upon my first bite, I noticed right away how the texture is something I’ve never experienced before. It’s soft, but had a bit of “give” to it like a marshmallow that has just started down the road to getting stale. The taste is very sweet and has a light banana flavor to it. Banana? Who would’ve thought? I sure didn’t.
The whole confection gets very sticky once you’ve bitten into it, so keep your fingers away from the bite marks. I also feel a film forming on my tongue from these guys. The candy dissolves in the mouth in a fun way, and I can imagine it shrinking away in a manner similar to when you put those packaging peanuts in water. Very strange. The candy is fun to play with since the texture allows you to shape it, squeeze and pull at it. After finished my first few pieces, I found my favorite way to eat it is to nibble off a piece, chew it once or twice, then press the mass into the roof of my mouth and flatten it. That way I can feel it melt away under my tongue. It’s just more fun that way.
Overall, I really don’t know what to say about these. They’re certainly fun to eat, even if the flavor and texture is just plain weird.
Editor’s note: These sound EXACTLY like Circus Peanuts – down to the banana flavor. So if you dislike Circus Peanuts, you will probably dislike these too.
I was once a self-confessed Chicks & Rabbits addict (I’m vegan now, so I don’t eat them anymore), and one year I ate my way through 16 bags. As big a fan as I was, I never did like Circus Peanuts. Circus Peanuts have a gritty, sugary taste to them that is not pleasant. Chicks & Rabbits are much smoother. Chicks & Rabbits = fond memories.
March 12th, 2007 at 9:29 amI picked up something similar at the 99 cent store (but they were different flavors – cherry & vanilla). That rabbit in the second photo doesn’t look very happy.
March 12th, 2007 at 11:02 amI don’t think there’s anything quite as unappealing as a pastel blue candy.
March 12th, 2007 at 12:26 pmI’ll have to look for those. I love circus peanuts.
March 12th, 2007 at 8:03 pmI agree with Lauren. These are my favorite Easter treat EVER, and I hunt for them each year. I always end up finding them at Walgreen’s. Your review was great with excellent pictures! I am happy to see them get recognition.
March 14th, 2007 at 12:00 amI love circus peanuts. The problem is 95% of the circus peanuts you find are stale and way too hard, if you find a fresh batch, they should be soft and completely smushable with slight finger pressure.
Orange circus peanuts are the standard, but there are also assorted versions that each color is
flavored differently.
Man, I crave them now.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:26 amI like how the Blue thing/”chick” in the second picture looks like he took a nasty bite out of the Orange thing/”chick”. That Blue thing/”chick” looks like a griffin to me.
March 19th, 2007 at 1:59 pmCircus Peanuts rock!! Has anyone tried the Disney marshmallow treats put out by Spangler? They have Pooh (lemon), Tigger (banana/original), Piglet (cherry) and Eeyore (cotton candy!!!), and let me say the flavors are out of this world!!! I just got some at Schnuck’s. If you like Circus Peanuts, RUN to get some of these before they run out!! :D
March 20th, 2007 at 9:38 pmI absolutely love these and can’t wait until they come out. When I was pregnant in 2006 I ate multiple bags of these! I am counting down the days until they come out this year. I always find them at Walgreens.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:04 pmI just want to say that I absolutely love Brachs Rabbits & Chicks. Sadly, they’re becoming more and more difficult to find, and I look forward to them every Easter.
Yummy!
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:51 pmwould love to have the chicks and rabbits all
October 29th, 2008 at 2:06 pmyear I also would love to have the recipe
for the chicks and rabbits how to get it
If I could only pick one holiday candy to have, or any candy for that matter, these would be it! They do not, for one moment, compare to a circus peanut (same idea, not the same taste.) But, shushh, don’t let the word get out. I look forward to the day after Easter when I can buy out the store on these treats.
And I too, always wished I could have the means to make them myself. That, or that Brachs would think about selling them for other seasonal events. Sigh. Two more weeks to go, then another couple of months (if I can get enough stock) waiting for Chicks and rabbits to come out again. My greatest fear around Easter is that one day they won’t be made…. Nightmare!
(Ok, yes, I am ridiculously passionate about these.)
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 pmThese are also my favorite Easter treat, and I hunt for them each year too. I use to be able to find them at Long\’s and Walgreen’s but not recently. I found them several years ago at Target so first thing last week I went to Target and bought a bag, that was a week ago I\’ve since gone through 5 bags tow just since yesterday. I\’m planning on buying more when their candy is half price. Defiantly something to look forward to each Easter!
Chicks and bunnies fan
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 amfor those of you Chicks and Rabbit fan I found a group that I just joined on Facebook.. Hope to see you all there
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56138428252
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 amChicks and Rabbits are my addiction. I’m on the hunt for them now. I used to get them at CVS, but haven’t found themyet
February 22nd, 2012 at 7:22 pmI have been looking for something for many years and no luck. They are SIMILAR to the “PEEPS” but they were called chucks and bunnies or something like that. They were marshmallow, very very soft covered in sugar the really good kind, and I just cant find them anymore. The “peeps ate ok but these were the best ever!
February 26th, 2012 at 12:09 pm