What Is a Tootsie Roll Made Of? Should You Eat It?

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably eaten Tootsie Rolls all your life. For me, this is what my childhood was made out of. From the bag of candy I got trick-or-treating to that candy store down the road, a Tootsie was always just around the corner in my neighborhood. After all this time, a random thought occurred to me about these yummy treats, and I wondered, “What is a Tootsie Roll made of?”

Tootsie Rolls are made up of sugar, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, condensed skim milk, artificial and natural flavors, cocoa, whey, and soy lecithin. A delight to adults and children alike, Tootsie Rolls are safe to consume, and you should enjoy every single bite.

So, you just learned what Tootsie Rolls are made up of and that they are safe for consumption, but do you really want to stop there? Wouldn’t you like to find out if they are classified as chocolates? Or maybe you have a dog, and you’re wondering if you can share a piece of your Tootsie with them. Stick around and find out all the answers!

Are Tootsie Rolls Made of Chocolate?

It looks and tastes like chocolate, so it must be made of chocolate, right? Well, I’m sorry to break your chocolate-loving heart, but Tootsie Rolls are not made of chocolate. At best, they can be defined as chocolate-flavored chewy candy.

In most parts of the world, for an item to be classified as chocolate, it must contain cocoa butter. No item involved in the making of Tootsie Rolls contains cocoa butter or anything relating to it. 

Ingredients you will find in this delicious taffy-like candy are sugar, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, condensed skim milk, artificial and natural flavors, cocoa, whey, and soy lecithin.

Cocoa (which is a powder) and sugar give Tootsie Rolls that chocolate flavor we all love, but alas, they are not chocolate, neither are they made from it.

You can see all ingredients listed in the image below.

What Is a Tootsie Roll Supposed to Taste Like?

Tootsie has described its candy as “a perfectly-balanced cocoa taste, lined with a subtle, fruit-flavored undertone.” Although some would argue that they cannot taste that fruity undertone, this description is accurate.

Contrary to its dark look, a Tootsie Roll does not have that bitter dark chocolate taste. Instead, the chewable candy has a light flavor similar to that of chocolate milk or milkshake, and this is how it gets its flavor.

Are Tootsie Rolls Bad for You?

Three ingredients, in particular, make Tootsie Rolls our bodies’ mortal enemies. These constituents are sugar, corn syrup, and partially hydrogenated soybean oil.

Sugar and corn syrup have the same nutritional value and have been known to increase insulin levels and cause weight gain, tooth decay, and heart problems. [1] A single Tootsie Roll contains about five teaspoons of sugar.

Partially hydrogenated soybean oil possesses trans fat, and this substance has been known to increase a person’s chances of developing heart disease. [2] A single serving of Tootsie Rolls contains one gram of trans fat. 

According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association, a person’s trans fat intake should take up one percent of their total daily calories. [3]

Let’s be honest; what candy isn’t bad for you? I can tell you from first-hand experience that you’re not going to feel too well after eating too much, so the trick is definitely to limit the amount you consume. Still, did you know that Tootsie Rolls’ nutritional value helped save American soldiers during the Korean War?

Are Tootsie Rolls Bad for Dogs?

Tootsie Rolls in small quantities are relatively safe for dogs. However, it may cause diarrhea and vomiting. Dogs should not consume more than 3 to 4 pieces, or the results could be troublesome. [4]

Sugar in excess is bad for dogs; too much can lead to similar symptoms found in humans, like weight gain and tooth decay. Sugar also causes temporal hyperactivity followed by a low in dogs. They may also experience bloodshot eyes, urinary tract/kidney infections, or other complications.

We all know that chocolate and cocoa are toxic to dogs because they cannot metabolize the theobromine in them; I still remember the time my family dog swallowed a Tootsie — even though nothing really happened, my mom got worried, so we ended up at the vet’s, and the dog was not too happy.

And even though Tootsie Rolls do not contain a high amount of cocoa, they can still make dogs sick if consumed in bulk. A dog’s weight and how much Tootsie Roll it eats will determine how toxic the candy will be.

Tootsie Roll Sizes Chart

Tootsie Rolls come in various shapes and sizes to accommodate the needs of every fan of the candy, and therefore no one is left out; here they are.

Tootsie Roll Mini Bites – Tootsie has found a new way to delight customers. Each wrapped chewy treat is coated with a delicious candy shell, and they all come in a resealable pouch.

Tootsie Roll Bank Filled with Midgees – This product is perfect for having fun while saving. The package is a reusable container with a coin slot to insert money and save; maybe to buy more Tootsie Rolls.

Tootsie Roll Snack Bars – A long bar for those who want more than a bite of these treats. It is perfect for lunchboxes or those generous enough to give trick-or-treaters.

Tootsie Roll – Snack Bars not big enough for you? Then these 2.25-ounce bars are perfect for you.

Tootsie Roll Mega Mix – “Variety is the spice of life.” Tootsie embodies this motto with this product jam-packed with five assorted sizes that are bound to meet the size requirement of anyone.

Tootsie Roll Snack Bag – If you’re looking to excite your taste buds with a diverse set of candies, look for further. This bag contains Tootsie Rolls, Charleston Chews, Junior Mints, and Dots.

Why Are Tootsie Rolls Called “Tootsie Rolls?”

According to the Tootsie official website, the story of Tootsie Rolls began back in the 1800s.

In 1896, Austrian immigrant Leo Hirshfield opened up a small candy shop in New York City. He sold several variants of candies in this shop, including his customer-favorite individually wrapped chewy chocolate candy. To honor his daughter, Clara, he named this popular candy after her nickname “Tootsie.”

However, there have been speculations that this heartwarming story is not valid. Some people believe that the candy was named in homage to an actress who appeared in another candy commercial for the parent company, Stern & Saalberg, a company Hirshfield merged with to sell his candy in the broader area.