Milk Shake Bar
What Is It?
A candy bar with a light, airy malted milk nougat center enrobed in milk chocolate — designed to taste like a chocolate malt milkshake and eaten frozen in summer.
History
The Milk Shake bar, introduced by Hollywood Candy Company in 1927, was one of the most beloved regional candy bars of the Midwest and one of the most mourned when it disappeared. Its defining feature was the nougat: lighter and fluffier than a Milky Way, with a distinct malted milk flavor that genuinely evoked a soda fountain chocolate malt. It was designed to be frozen and eaten like an ice cream bar in summer — an early attempt at a crossover confection. The bar was produced at Hollywood's Centralia, Illinois plant starting in 1938. By the mid-20th century it had a devoted regional following, particularly in the Midwest. When Consolidated Foods purchased Hollywood Candy, they kept it going — but when the Centralia plant burned to the ground in 1980, they couldn't justify rebuilding for what they considered a niche product. Leaf Candy bought the Hollywood brands in 1988, and Hershey acquired them in 1993, officially discontinuing the Milk Shake bar. It remains one of the most-requested lost candy bars among nostalgic candy enthusiasts.
Other Products from Hollywood Candy Company
- Zero Bar
A white-fudge-coated candy bar with a caramel, peanut, and almond nougat center — one of the few candy bars to use white coating instead of milk chocolate.