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Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
Halloween is synonymous with sweets and candy, especially free sweets and candy given to you by your neighbours to prevent you from pranking them. Where did this tradition start, and where are the best sweet shops in Belfast for Halloween treats? Read on to find out where early trick-or-treat traditions came from and where you can continue them!
Want to learn more about Halloween traditions? Check out our article on Samhain, the original Halloween festival.
Contents
- Why do we have sweets at Halloween?
- What sweets are Associated with Halloween?
- Best sweet shops in Belfast for Halloween Treats
Why do we have sweets at Halloween?
The earliest form of giving treats out at Halloween comes from the tradition of ‘Souling’. To understand this tradition, it is essential to know how prayers were used in medieval Britain. Christians at the time believed that after death, you would go to purgatory to pay for your sins before being allowed to go to heaven, a terrible place one wanted to get through as quickly as possible. You could get out of purgatory and into heaven quicker if someone prayed for your soul.
You could also get out of purgatory quicker by paying for or facilitating masses by donating money or property in your will. A chantry was a mass paid for in a will or by a wealthy person via donation. Those rich enough would even have chapels built specifically for chantries, and we can see these chapels in churches today even as the tradition is no longer practiced. This belief went right to the top of society, and Henry the Fifth, King of England, asked for 10,000 masses to be celebrated in the month following his death. Whether this happened or not is debatable.
So, what is souling?
Souling was a tradition in which poor people would go door to door asking for money or food in return for praying for the souls of loved ones who were in limbo. They would often be given baked goods such as soul cakes or ale. This tradition was later adopted by children, who were also given cakes and ale. This is the earliest ‘trick or treat’ form associated with Halloween, or ‘All Souls Day’.
How did this change in modern Halloween traditions?
Much later (in the 20th century), as Halloween became a more secular tradition and a time for fun parties, this tradition was lost, and a different form of going door-to-door began. As adults had parties and made merry to the monster mash (or whatever the equivalent for the time was), kids had very little to do. Kids began going door to door between parties, playing tricks, and having fun; by the 1940s, giving kids some treats was an easy way to avoid being pranked. They were given fruits and nuts and the occasional baked sweet treat.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that baked treats fell out of fashion, and packaged candy became the norm. American candy companies jumped at the chance to sell more, bringing out snack-sized bars and Halloween-themed sweets. This was sped along with the satanic panic in the 1970s in which parents feared neighbours with hand-made Halloween treats would poison their children. Candy companies provided a safe alternative with pre-wrapped factory-produced sweets.
From prayers to purgatory to pranks on your neighbours, trick-or-treat sweets became integral to celebrating Halloween.
What sweets are associated with Halloween?
Candy apples
This brightly coated fruit treat is synonymous with Halloween treats, the candy apple, the caramel apple, or the chocolate apple (arguably the worst one). This treat has routes in fruit preservation that date back hundreds of years, but the candy apple we know and love started in 1908.
An American candy maker, William W. Kolb, created the apple while looking for a way to display his cinnamon candy in the run-up to the Christmas season. However, people were very interested in it, and he sold out quickly. This new candy apple treat was a hit that swept the nation and is now eaten around Halloween worldwide. This also means that the original candy apple was cinnamon flavoured… I think I’ll stick to the plain candy myself. Looking for a tasty candy apple, check out our list of sweet shops in Belfast to find out where to get one.
Candy Corn
This American candy predates having candy for Halloween, invented in the late 19th century. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it debate in America, with around 49% of the population liking it. If you’ve never had it, imagine a cheap fudge, and you’ve got the picture.
Banshee Bones
It’s a Northern Ireland classic. It’s a spooky snack and a great way to revisit childhood Halloween nostalgia. For ultimate nostalgia, put on a Disney princess outfit, then slap on an oversized puffy winter coat and eat a pack of these. Even though you can get them year-round now, they will always be a Halloween staple. Now, if Monster Munch could bring back the pickled onion ones that turn your tongue blue, that would be appreciated.
Soul Cakes
You may not know about this unless you are a Halloween purist, i.e., someone who carves a turnip instead of a pumpkin for authenticity or buries boots in your garden for the spooky vibes. Dating back to the times when trick-or-treating was about prayers for your eternal soul, Soul Cakes were a big part of early trick-or-treat traditions. They bore a cross to signify that they were given as alms, a donation to the poor.
These early Halloween or All Souls Day treats are little flat biscuits or cakes (don’t ask the Irish courts about this one) flavoured with spices, currants, or raisins. They had a cross carved into the top and would be given to those ‘Souling’ door to door. This was the original Halloween candy and is still a nice treat today.
Click here for a recipe for making soul cakes.
Fun Fact: Soul cakes aren’t the only baked goods marked with a cross for spiritual or religious reasons. Hot Cross Buns, synonymous with Easter, are also marked with a cross. Traditional Irish breads such as Wheaten Bread are also scored this way. Potato farls are cut in a cross shape from a circular bread, as it was believed the cross would allow the fairies to escape from the bread, harking back to Celtic traditions.
What are the best sweet shops in Belfast for Halloween Treats?
Aunt Sandra’s
Aunt Sandra’s is a Belfast institution known for their amazing hand-crafted candy and chocolates. They have been making sweets in Belfast since 1953 and have become a well-known local favourite. Visit their shop in East Belfast for a wide range of sweets, chocolates, and delights. You can even see a little bit of behind-the-scenes magic in making sweets. They even have workshops for Halloween, including crafts and chocolate making. It is one of the best sweet shops in Belfast that offers classic sweets.
If you can’t make it out to the shop, you can always try and buy some of their great range in St George’s Market on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Their friendly staff and great samples will prepare you for the trick-or-treat season.
Location: 64-72 Castlereagh Road, Belfast, BT5 5FP
Opening Times:
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 12–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–8 pm |
| Thursday | 12–8 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–6pm |
| Saturday | 12–9 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–6 pm |
Old Time Favourites
This fantastic shop in Smithfield has been providing the people of Belfast with sweet treats for over 100 years. They have a great range of sweets, from Belfast’s old favourite Chelsea Whoppers to American Candy staples like candy corn. Why not have a look around and see what amazing treats you can find for your Halloween celebration? They also have Halloween treats like candy skulls, perfect for trick-or-treaters or for you to eat while watching a classic horror.
One of the oldest sweet shops in Belfast.
Location: 23 Winetavern St, Belfast BT1 1JQ
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 10 am–5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am–5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5:30 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Joob Joobs
A new kid on the block, as far as sweet shops in Belfast go, the owner of this shop brings coffee, ice cream, and the UK’s best independent sweet creators together in one café. While there, you can peruse their massive sweets wall, making a custom pick and mix from their dispensers. You can even throw a birthday party for all you Scorpios out there to enjoy, with craft workshops available, too. Say no to boring, sweet brands and find a new favourite for your Halloween party. One of the biggest sweet shops in Belfast.
When visiting Joob Joobs, it’s worthwhile looking at Refill Quarter, a great place to get vegan sweets.
Location: 24 Belmont Rd, Belfast BT4 2AN
Opening Times:
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 2–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 2–10 pm |
| Thursday | 2–10 pm |
| Friday | 12–10 pm |
| Saturday | 12–10pm |
| Sunday | 12–10 pm |
Flossy Treats (Outside of Belfast but available for delivery)
Based outside of Belfast, Flossy Treats offers delivery and treats worth a trek. They have an entire Halloween range, including chocolate slabs, jellies, and mystery boxes. Check out their website for all their exciting sweets, or if you are in Ballymena, you can visit.
Conclusion
Sweet treats have been part of Halloween since the medieval age, so why not continue the tradition and treat yourself? Visit one of the sweet shops in Belfast, new or old, and grab some tricks or treats this spooky season. Did we miss your favourite sweet treat spot? Let us know in the comments below.
Want to learn more about Halloween traditions? Check out our article on Samhain, the origins of Halloween or read about the best Spooky Staycation spots in England.
