Aye, Candy Will Be Back At Comic-Con 2023

**SDCC executive director of marketing and communications Maren Dougherty models this year’s Comic-Con candy bars.**

Even if writers’ and actors’ strikes keep Hollywood glitterati away from the 2023 version of Comic-Con International (July 20-23), there’ll be some tasty eye candy to ogle–and even nibble on.

Welcome back to the San Diego Convention Center’s limited-edition craft chocolate bars.

It’s been a sweet tradition since 2016. The convention center’s executive chef Sufi Karaien and pastry chef Kristianna Zabala have whipped up four exclusive flavors this year. Just 5,000 of the handcrafted bars will be sold during Comic-Con.

Available at Ballroom 20, the hand-wrapped, super-stuffed bars are priced at $10 and have always sold out in the past. And, in the spirit of Willy Wonka, four bars will include $100 Golden Tickets–good for use at Starbucks.

SDCC executive director of marketing and communications Maren Dougherty notes that people frequently save the candy bars as collectors items. Ergo, the Golden Tickets sometimes go unfound.

Her advice: “Carefully unwrap the bar and eat it, look for the Golden Ticket and save the wrapper.”

The Candy Bar Flavors

Here’s what the convention center’s kitchen has whipped up:

The Oooh Bay bar is a fresh take on the classic s’mores fireside snack. Overflowing with torched ube marshmallow and house-made ube graham, the white chocolate shell is a picturesque rendering of the San Diego Bay.

**The **Lunchbox Hero** bar evokes the classic PB&J in a milk chocolate shell with peanut butter rice crisps and concord grape jelly.**

Strange sightings in the fields at night? An out-of-this-world Crop Circle Crunch bar is sweet blueberry cornbread creation featuring white chocolate, crispy sweet cornbread, dried blueberries and honeycomb candy.

**Flavors pop like colorful costumes in the Cosplay Crackle bar, a combination of dark chocolate, strawberry Pop Rocks, freeze-dried strawberries and basil garnish.**

After the chefs develop the concepts, the convention center’s creative team develops the names and themes. The bars are then brought to life through design by graphic designer Grayson Van Loon and digital communications specialist Dylan James.

For more news about Comic-Con International 2023, check back on thesandiegosun.com. SDSun