Boyer, the Pennsylvania candy company famous for its Mallo Cups, does indeed still make the beloved chocolate and marshmallow treats. Mallo Cups were first introduced in 1936 and have been a customer favorite for over 80 years.
The History of Mallo Cups
The story of the Mallo Cup begins in 1936 with the Boyer Candy Company. Boyer was founded in 1898 by Henry Boyer in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Altoona was a railroad town, home to the Altoona Works railroad shop complex. Henry Boyer first opened a small candy business next to the Altoona train station, selling candy, newspapers, and tobacco to travelers.
In 1936, Boyer created the Mallo Cup after successfully pioneering the concept of combining marshmallow and chocolate together in candy. The Mallo Cup featured a dome of marshmallow resting on a round mound of chocolate. The chocolate mound was wrapped in foil with the Boyer name stamped on top.
The Mallo Cup was named by taking the first two letters of “marshmallow” and combining it with the first three letters of “chocolate.” The name Mallo Cup was catchy and fun, and helped the candy stand out from competing sweets.
Mallo Cups were an immediate success upon release. The affordable candy was very popular during the Great Depression. Boyer heavily marketed the Mallo Cup, even setting up displays allowing customers to see the cup being made. Boyer also distributed free samples to introduce people to the treat.
The Mallo Cup’s Continued Popularity
After World War II, American economic prosperity rose, yet the Mallo Cup remained popular. The candy now came in both 1 oz and 2 oz sizes. The brand expanded from the Altoona area to wider distribution across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Boyer invested in technology to automate production of Mallo Cups to meet growing demand. The company’s factory in Altoona produced millions of Mallo Cups each year.
In the 1970s, Hershey’s increased competition in the candy aisle by releasing their own cup candy, the Hershey’s Kissables. However, the Mallo Cup maintained a strong fan following, who were drawn to its unique marshmallow-chocolate combination.
Today, Mallo Cups are still made and sold under the Boyer brand, now a subsidiary of the Y&S Candies corporation. Over 12 million Mallo Cups are produced annually, with about half of the demand coming around Easter. The cups can be purchased at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Walgreens.
| Year | Mallo Cup Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1898 | Boyer Candy Company founded in Altoona, PA |
| 1936 | Mallo Cup introduced |
| 1970s | Hershey releases Kissables as a Mallo Cup competitor |
Mallo Cup Ingredients
Mallo Cups contain just a few simple ingredients to create their signature taste and texture. Each 1 oz Mallo Cup contains:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Partially hydrogenated soybean oil
- Nonfat milk
- Cocoa
- Whey
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Salt
- Gelatin
Inside the foil wrapper, Mallo Cups feature a dome-shaped marshmallow top that is lightly toasted. The marshmallow dome sits atop a thick disc of chocolate. Customers enjoy the contrast of the fluffy marshmallow against the creamy chocolate.
Nutritional Information
Here are the basic nutritional facts for a 1 oz Mallo Cup:
- 140 calories
- 18g carbohydrates
- 8g fat
- 2g protein
As a candy treat, the Mallo Cup is high in sugar and fat. The marshmallow provides pure sugar, while the chocolate contributes fat and additional sugar. However, consumed in moderation, a Mallo Cup can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.
Where to Buy Mallo Cups
While Mallo Cups originated in Pennsylvania, today they can be purchased across the United States. Here are some of the leading retailers that carry Mallo Cups:
- Walmart – Mallo Cups can be found in the candy aisle at Walmart stores. They sell 1.5oz cups in bags.
- Target – Target also stocks Mallo Cups in the seasonal candy section, generally increasing supply around Easter.
- Amazon – Online retailer Amazon sells Mallo Cups in bulk bags up to 5lbs of candy.
- Candy company websites – Direct from Boyer Candy Company, Mallo Cups can be bought in specialty packages like the Mallo Cup Lovers Tin.
Some smaller independent candy shops and confectioners may also carry Mallo Cups seasonally or year-round.
Mallo Cup Flavors and Varieties
While the classic Mallo Cup with chocolate and marshmallow is by far the most popular, Boyer has created some limited edition flavors over the years, including:
- Dark Chocolate – Released for a limited time in 2016, this version used darker chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
- Peanut Butter – Mallo Cups with a peanut butter cream center were available briefly in 2019.
- Red Velvet – Also in 2019, Boyer sold Red Velvet Mallo Cups for Valentine’s Day with cream cheese flavored marshmallow.
Sometimes Boyer offers special holiday-themed Mallo Cups for Christmas and Easter, with festive foil wrappers instead of the traditional brown wrapper.
In addition to different flavors, customers can purchase Mallo Cups in the standard 1 oz single size or larger 2 oz and 3 oz cups. The 3 oz size is about the size of a jumbo marshmallow.
The Future of Mallo Cups
Boyer Candy Company remains family-owned over 120 years since its founding. While many candy companies have been bought out by larger corporations, Boyer still operates from its Altoona, PA headquarters.
The company management has emphasized a commitment to quality and tradition when making Mallo Cups. Automation has been implemented cautiously with an eye towards retaining the iconic Mallo Cup taste and appearance.
Thanks to generations of loyal customers, Mallo Cups are poised to continue their status as a popular Pennsylvania candy treat. Boyer is likely to stick with the tried and true chocolate and marshmallow formula that has served them well for over 80 years.
As long as candy lovers remain interested in the unique combination of chocolate, marshmallow, and that nostalgic foil wrapper, Boyer will keep making Mallo Cups.
Conclusion
Mallo Cups have come a long way from their Depression-era origins in Altoona, PA. The story of the Mallo Cup is one of an American candy success, loved across generations. Today Boyer Candy Company continues to produce millions of Mallo Cups each year to satisfy America’s craving for the marshmallow and chocolate combo treat. The iconic cups can be readily found on store shelves, proving that the beloved Mallo Cup is here to stay.
