Buffalo's Truffalo (1997) & Sponge Candy (1910)

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   "Sponge candy" is not mentioned at all in (all together now) John F. 
Mariani's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN FOOD AND DRINK (1999).  "Sponge candy" is also 
not in (all together) the OED.  "Sponge candy" is a Buffalo regional specialty. 
 I don't know if it will make DARE, which stops at "Sk."
   There's no mystery to this regional item.  See the web site for Fowler's 
Chocolates:  H. W. Fowler wrote MODERN ENGLISH USAGE--then gave it all up to 
make "sponge candy" in Buffalo, New York?  Go figure.
   
  
  
http://www.fowlerschocolates.com/page/FC/CTGY/About_Us
> The story of Fowler’s Chocolate Shoppe, Inc. began in 1901 with a young 
> entrepreneur by the name of Joseph A. Fowler. After living in England and 
> Canada, Joseph traveled to Buffalo, NY in order to attend the Pan American 
> Exposition. At the exposition, he created and sold a small variety of chocolate 
> confections and sweets. The instant acceptance of his products, along with great 
> encouragement from his patrons, inspired Joseph to pursue candy making as a 
> career. With his brother, Claude, Joseph opened a small candy store in Buffalo. 
> 
> 
> In 1910, Claude decided to start his own business, concentrating on the 
> making of taffy and candied apples, and catered to carnivals, fairs and other 
> public gatherings. Claude passed away in 1942, but three generations of his 
> family have carried on his taffy business, now prominent in most carnivals and 
> fairs in the western New York area.
> 
> Joseph A. Fowler passed away in 1944, yet succeeding generations have 
> continued the chocolate business that he began nearly a century ago. Joseph’s sons, 
> Joseph C. Fowler and Ray Fowler, carried on the business and were 
> responsible for the success and growth of the company throughout the ‘50s and early ‘
> 60s. In 1961, Joseph C. Fowler’s son, Roy, joined the corporation, and in 
> 1968, Fowler’s Chocolate moved its operations to a 10,000 square foot building. 
> This new facility enabled the company to double its gross sales.
> 
> In 1993, the company was purchased by Buffalo residents Randy and Ted Marks. 
> At that time, the business had greatly expanded and had outgrown its old 
> location. The company was relocated to its current address at 100 River Rock 
> Drive in Buffalo.   
     
http://www.fowlerschocolates.com/page/FC/PROD/BS/SC
> Sponge Candy 8 oz.
>    
> Our #1 best-seller, every year, every season! With a sweet, crispy center 
> surrounded by rich premium chocolate, this mouth-watering treat is not only 
> heavenly, it's absolutely irresistible! Available in Milk, Dark or Orange 
> Chocolate. 8 oz.
> 
    
http://www.fowlerschocolates.com/page/FC/PROD/BS/728    
> Truffaloes
What would you call a truffle that is shaped like a bison, and made in 
Buffalo? Why, a Truffalo, of course! Milk Chocolate, with a hazelnut truffle center 
and Dark Chocolate with a raspberry truffle center. 8 oz.
  
  
Also, there's Romolo Chocolates of Erie, PA:
   
http://www.romolochocolates.com/
Romolo Chocolates' rich history began with Romolo, an Italian who immigrated 
to New York City in 1906. His grandson Tony, owner and master confectioner at 
Romolo Chocolates, continues to make cremes, caramels and other confections in 
the traditional methods his grandfather began after years working with candy 
makers in New York City and Chicago.  The family's confection making and 
chocolate mastery were learned under his tutelage.    
  
http://shop.romolochocolates.com/shopsite/romolo/index.html
The "famous in Romolo's Famous Sponge Candy came into play years after Romolo 
developed an impossibly delicate confection covered in rich milk chocolate 
that captured the taste buds and hearts of local Erieites and the attention of a 
national candy company. Needless to say, the national company never did get 
an exclusive contract, and the family recipe for sponge candy continues to be 
made at Romolo Chocolates and devoured far and wide. A chunk of delicate crisp 
that melts in your mouth, has a hint of molasses flavor and is coated in 
creamy milk chocolate, Romolo's Famous Sponge Candy is our most popular piece of 
candy. 
  
    
(TRADEMARKS)
Word Mark    TRUFFALOES 
Goods and Services  IC 030. US 046. G & S: buffalo-shaped candies with soft 
centers. FIRST USE: 19971215. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19971225 
Mark Drawing Code   (1) TYPED DRAWING   
Serial Number   75394557    
Filing Date November 20, 1997   
Filed ITU   FILED AS ITU    
Published for Opposition    July 7, 1998    
Registration Number 2221017 
Registration Date   January 26, 1999    
Owner   (REGISTRANT) Original Fowler's Chocolate Co., Inc. CORPORATION NEW 
YORK 100 River Rock Drive Suite 102 Buffalo NEW YORK 14207 
Attorney of Record  TRICIA T SEMMELHACK 
Type of Mark    TRADEMARK   
Register    PRINCIPAL   
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE    
    
   "Sponge candy" isn't in a lot of the usual suspects (Making of America, 
Brooklyn Eagle, American Kitchen Magazine).  I haven't yet checked ProQuest.
  
(ANCESTRY)
   24 January 1895, FORT WAYNE NEWS (Fort Wayne, Indiana), pg.1, col. 7:
   Something new and delicious--Pepsin Sponge Candy, at Batchelder's, No. 29 
West Main Street.
  
   23 March 1907, WASHINGTON POST, pg. 3, col. 4:
Chocolate Sponge
Pound Packages... 29c
(This could be "sponge cake," but it's in a section of candy advertisements, 
with no cake mentioned--ed.)
  
   13 April 1910, EVENING NEWS (Ada, Oklahoma), pg.4?, col. 3:
      Sponge Candy
   One cup of table syrup, one cup of granulated sugar; let boil until it 
cracks when dropped in cold water.  Take two teaspoons of baking soda rubbed 
smooth; stir soda quickly into candy.  After removing candy from fire, when thick 
turn out on buttered platter and let cool.
  
  
(If you go to Buffalo and buy some sponge candy, you may choose to share some 
with friends, but make sure they're sponge-worthy"--ed.)