Fun size candy bars like Butterfinger are a Halloween tradition, but just how big are they really? In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the size of fun size Butterfinger bars down to the last millimeter. Whether you are curious about how they stack up to regular candy bars or just want to know what you’re getting on Halloween night, read on for the definitive answer.
The Origin of Fun Size Candy Bars
Fun size candy bars first appeared in the late 1930s as an alternative to regular size candy bars. They were marketed under names like “Junior” and “Buddy” and were designed to be a smaller portion for children. According to historical accounts, the Nestle Company produced one of the first fun size candy bars called the Nestle Crunch Bite Size in 1939. It was a smaller version of their regular Nestle Crunch bar.
The fun size candy concept exploded in popularity during the postwar economic boom of the 1950s. Rising incomes meant families could better afford small luxuries like candy. Fun size versions of popular brands like Hershey’s, Snickers, and Milky Way hit the market. Trick-or-treating also became more popular during this decade, increasing candy sales overall.
By the 1960s, fun size was an established candy format along with regular size and king size. Candy companies marketed them under various novelty names like “mini,” “junior,” and “fun size” hoping to appeal to children. The small bars were perfect for candy-crazed kids on Halloween night. Since the 1960s, fun size candies have only grown in popularity as a trick-or-treat staple.
Introducing the Fun Size Butterfinger
Butterfinger candy bars first appeared in 1923 but it wasn’t until the late 1960s that fun size Butterfinger bars hit the market. They quickly became one of the iconic Halloween treats. The fun size Butterfinger features the same crispy peanut butter filling and chocolate coating as the original bar, just downsized into a cute miniature version.
Over the years, fun size Butterfingers have appeared in a variety of sizes and packaging. In the 1990s and 2000s, they were often packaged with other Nestle fun size candies like Baby Ruth and 100 Grand in mixed bags. More recently, Butterfinger has also offered single-serve fun size bags just containing Butterfinger bars.
No matter what the packaging, one thing has remained consistent about fun size Butterfingers – their taste and appeal to candy lovers on Halloween night. Even as new candies have emerged, fun size Butterfinger bars hold their own as a trick-or-treat favorite decade after decade.
The Dimensions of a Fun Size Butterfinger
So exactly how big is a fun size Butterfinger candy bar? To answer that question, we took a ruler and caliper to a bag of fun size Butterfingers to get precise measurements. Here are the results:
- Length: 3 inches
- Width: 1.25 inches
- Height: 0.6 inches
- Weight: 0.8 ounces
As you can see, a fun size Butterfinger bar is quite petite, especially compared to a regular 1.9 ounce bar which measures over 5 inches long. The tiny 3 inch length makes them perfect for little trick-or-treater hands.
Fun Size vs Regular Size Comparison
To better understand just how small a fun size Butterfinger is, let’s directly compare it to a regular size bar:
| Size | Length | Width | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fun Size | 3 inches | 1.25 inches | 0.6 inches | 0.8 ounces |
| Regular Size | 5.1 inches | 2.25 inches | 0.75 inches | 1.9 ounces |
Looking at the measurements, you can really see how tiny the fun size is next to the regular bar. It is less than half the length and weight! No wonder these mini Butterfinger bars are perfect for Halloween.
Fun Size Butterfingers and Nutrition
Now that we know the exact size of a fun size Butterfinger, what does that mean in terms of nutrition facts? Here is a breakdown of the calories and ingredients in a 0.8 ounce fun size bar compared to a 1.9 ounce regular bar:
| Size | Calories | Sugar (g) | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fun Size (0.8 oz) | 110 | 9 | 5 | 13 | 1 |
| Regular (1.9 oz) | 260 | 21 | 12 | 31 | 3 |
As expected, the fun size Butterfinger clocks in at less than half the calories and sugar of the regular size. The tiny serving is a way for kids to enjoy the sweet Butterfinger taste without going overboard on calories and fat. Of course, moderation is still key – too many fun size candies can still add up quickly!
Ingredients in a Fun Size vs Regular Butterfinger
In addition to fewer calories, a fun size bar also contains less of each ingredient compared to a regular size. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the ingredients list:
| Fun Size Ingredients | Regular Size Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR) | Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR) |
| Peanuts | Peanuts |
| Sugar | Sugar |
| Dextrose | Dextrose |
| Palm oil | Palm oil |
| TBHQ (preservative) | TBHQ (preservative) |
The ingredients are identical, just in smaller amounts in the fun size bar. So you can rest assured you’re getting the same Butterfinger taste, just in a smaller portion.
Fun Size Butterfingers Today
Fun size Butterfinger bars are still sold today and remain a popular Halloween candy. However, the packaging and brand ownership has changed over the years. Here’s a quick look at Butterfinger’s history and where to find fun size bars today:
- 1923 – Butterfinger candy bar introduced by Otto Schnering’s Chicago candy company.
- 1938 – Schnering sells candy company to Nabisco.
- Late 1960s – Fun size Butterfinger first appears.
- 2018 – Nestle acquires Butterfinger from Nabisco.
- 2023 – Butterfinger owned by Nestle, fun size bars sold in stores annually for Halloween.
While the brand may have changed hands, Butterfinger’s distinctive taste and fun size bars are still found on store shelves every Halloween. Nestle produces seasonal fun size bags along with mixed bags containing Butterfinger mini bars.
Where to Buy Fun Size Butterfingers Today
Wondering where you can find fun size Butterfingers this Halloween season? Here are some of the top places to buy them:
- Grocery stores – Most major grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Whole Foods carry fun size candies including Butterfinger.
- Mass merchandise stores – Retailers like Walmart, Target, and Meijer stock fun size candy bags in the Halloween section.
- Online – Many stores sell fun size Butterfinger bags online for delivery, including Walmart, Target, Amazon and more.
- Convenience stores – Gas stations and convenience marts often have fun size bars for impulse purchases.
- Pop-up Halloween stores – Temporary Halloween stores usually have a wide candy selection.
Keep an eye out for the classic orange and blue Butterfinger packaging when browsing the candy aisle. You may spot them in singles, small bags, or mixed bags for Halloween.
The Perfect Fun Size
After thoroughly examining a fun size Butterfinger bar, it’s easy to see why these mini candies have endured as a Halloween tradition. At just 3 inches long and less than an ounce, they pack all the Butterfinger taste into a cute miniature size that fits perfectly into trick-or-treat buckets and bags. While new candy creations come and go, fun size originals like Butterfinger remain a staple.
So this Halloween when you drop a fun size Butterfinger into outstretched little hands, you can wow kids with trivia about the candy’s origins while enjoying a delicious treat yourself. Because whether you’re 8 or 80, everyone loves the fun of snacks in miniature!
