The Lost Art of Candy Cane Making at Logan’s Candies

In a world of mass produced everything, hand-made goods are becoming unicorns, but in the little town of Ontario, where they still put up various scenes of the life of Jesus in the heart of their downtown during Christmas, Logan’s Candies is like a beacon of glistening sugar.

Logan's Candies spelled out in flickering white and red neon.

A large candy cane painted on the outside window.

Red and white candy canes of various sizes hang on the window wall between the shop and the candy making space.

Since 1933 Logan’s Candies has become borderline famous for their hand-made candy canes, that they make each year, and watching them be made has become a tradition for locals and those in the surrounding areas.

I first head of Logan’s from Charles Phoenix, and eagerly awaited the Christmas season to go out and witness the art that is candy cane making (even though I had already seen it done at Disneyland, I still love watching it), I also wore an appropriately themed outfit.

Myself standing in a covered white bandstand wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Leaning on the railing of the bandstand, looking out, wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Leaning on the railing of the bandstand, looking out, wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Myself standing in a covered white bandstand wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Myself standing in a covered white bandstand wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Leaning on the railing of the bandstand, looking out, wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Myself standing in a covered white bandstand wearing a mint green dress with red and white stripe pockets, a red sweater, a Christmas tree brooch, white purse, and red shoes. A large Christmas wreath hangs in the background.

Watching candy canes getting made is bit like watching magic, you witness an amber colored lump get transformed into a Christmas icon through kneading, pulling, and twisting. And the great thing is that Jerry, the candy maker, narrates each of his actions, letting you know what goes into making these peppermint treats.

Jerry, the candy maker uses a scraper against a white marble table to work with the amber colored gooey sugar.

Jerry uses a large hook anchored to the wall to pull the sugar to transform it from amber to white.

A close up of the sugar on the hook, appearing almost to look like hair.

After cutting part of the sugar away and dying it red, it is cut into strips to make the stripes of the candy cane.

After twisting the sugar to make the spiral design, Jerry holds up a rope of the spiraling candy.

The "World's Largest" hand-made candy cane hangs on the wall behind the candy counter.

Candy canes transformed into little hearts.

A candy maker hand bends the crook of the candy cane.

Rows upon rows of candy canes bagged up.

If you’re in the Southern California area this holiday season, check out Logan’s website to see the dates and times that they are doing their candy cane demonstrations. The website says to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before they start, but we arrived a half hour before and were outside, which still offers a great view.

Not in the Southern California area and still want to see how the magic happens? Check out this video Visitors Bureau.

And now the question, are the candy canes actually good? Yes. I can honestly say they are the best candy canes I’ve ever had! They are totally and completely worth the trek out to Ontario.

Myself holding one of the candy canes.

Myself holding one of the candy canes.

Christmas is almost in full swing at the house. We put up our six and a half (yes, six and a half, and of varying sizes) aluminum trees, but as this is the first year we’ve had Colonel Whiskers (oh, yes, did I mention we got a cat?) we had to come up with unique, yet aesthetically pleasing ways to cat-proof the trees! So I’ve been working on that, and hopefully soon I’ll photograph our decor to share!

Outfit
Sweater, Earrings, & Christmas Tree Brooch: ???
Dress: Rummage sale
Hair Bow & Bracelet: Gifts
Shoes: Re-Mix
Purse: Lux De Ville

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