Football season isn't just a time for fans to gather and cheer for their favorite teams—it’s also a sweet opportunity for candy makers and chocolatiers to get creative. Game-day excitement will continue to grow until Super Bowl Sunday in February, creating a growing demand for football-themed sweets that add a special touch to each gathering. Whether it’s for tailgating, Super Bowl parties, or just family gatherings to watch the game, football-inspired treats appeal to both children and adults alike. Keep reading for fun and inspiring ideas that are sure to make shoppers cheer!
Football-Shaped
Chocolates
Rich, detailed moulds can capture the look of a classic
pigskin football, complete with stitches. Consider offering various sizes, from
bite-sized treats to larger centerpiece chocolates that fans can break open
during halftime. RCI member Peterbrooke Chocolatier, for example, offers life-sized
chocolate footballs filled with their signature chocolate-covered butter
popcorn. As if this realistic chocolate football from RCI member Annedore’s Fine
Chocolates wasn’t impressive enough, we love how they package it with a pretty
branded ribbon in their team colors.
Transform your chocolate Easter eggs into footballs by simply piping the football stitching with white chocolate. This rocky road football by RCI member See’s Candies is a real showstopper!
Tailgate
Essentials
You don’t have to be a devoted football fan to love this sporty merchandising display by RCI member Bon Bons Chocolatier! Not only do they showcase a variety of sizes of chocolate footballs, teaming up their football-themed treats with other cute tailgate essentials, such as a Game Day platter and fun puffy vest koozies, makes us want to host a football watch party just because!
Team-Colored
Candy
Fans love repping their team colors, and that can easily translate into candies and chocolates. Always a hit for snacking at football parties, jelly beans, gummies, or chocolate-covered pretzels can also be used to sport your local team colors. There’s no surprise which team Baltimore-based Wockenfuss Candies is backing with these vibrant purple non-pareils! RCI member Fowler’s Chocolate Company developed their own popcorn mix complete with mini chocolate footballs, chocolate drizzle and team-colored sprinkles.
Chocolate
Charcuterie Boards
RCI member, Vande Walle’s Candies has
enjoyed success with their team-inspired chocolate charcuterie boards. Read
RCI’s blog post for tips on building your own chocolate charcuterie board. RCI
member Li-Lac Chocolates packs four varieties of sweet treats into a wooden
tray to complete their chocolate football platter.
Themed
Candy Bars
Another option is offering football-themed chocolate bars. Create custom wrappers for your own chocolate bars with football designs and
clever sayings or better yet, chocolates that incorporate ingredients inspired
by stadium snacks—pretzels, caramel corn or peanuts.
This social media post by RCI member Bruce’s Candy Kitchen
is a nice reminder not to limit yourself to professional football teams. You
may see just as much support, if not more, for high school and college football
teams in your community.
Take advantage of football season by giving buyers a reason
to spend on game day. Build a football-themed display by incorporating your
local team’s colors (or black and white stripes will work too) and a chalkboard with spatterings of X’s, O’s and
arrows…leading them straight to their next purchase!
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