Goo Goo Cluster in Nashville

A round chocolate-coated candy of caramel, marshmallow nougat and peanuts, invented in Nashville in 1912. The first ever combination candy bar in America.

The story of Goo Goo Cluster

The Standard Candy Company invented the Goo Goo Cluster in Nashville in 1912: caramel, marshmallow nougat, peanuts and milk chocolate. It is widely cited as the first combination candy bar in America, predating the Snickers by 18 years. The cluster shape was named in a streetcar after a passenger said 'goo goo' at a child. Goo Goo's are still made in downtown Nashville; the Standard Candy flagship at 116 3rd Avenue South runs a chocolate-shop tasting and limited-edition flavours.

How to make Goo Goo Cluster

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 300g caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 200g salted roasted peanuts
• 150g marshmallow fluff
• 300g milk chocolate, chopped

Method

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt caramels with cream in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring until smooth.
3. Place small spoonfuls of marshmallow fluff onto the parchment, spaced apart.
4. Press a few peanuts onto each marshmallow mound.
5. Drizzle the warm caramel over each cluster to cover the marshmallow and peanuts. Chill 30 minutes.
6. Melt the milk chocolate gently in a clean bowl over simmering water.
7. Dip each cluster into the chocolate, return to parchment and chill until set.

Editor tip. Work in small batches; the caramel firms up fast. Salt the peanuts well; the contrast with the chocolate is the whole point.

The editor-picked rooms for Goo Goo Cluster in Nashville are still in research. Meanwhile, see the Nashville signature-dishes index or the Nashville food guide.