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On The Hunt For Plantation Brownies

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Does this wrapper look familiar to anyone else? At my old job, we had a vending machine that sold these brownies for $0.25! The company I worked for subsidized the cost of the snacks, one of the perks of the job. During one late night at work, I bought eight of ’em!

For some reason, I had a craving for these last week. Now, I have only ever seen these sold in vending machines, and I haven’t worked in an office in over 5 years. So started my search.

Here’s what I have found so far: Plantation Brownies were manufactured by President Baking, which was acquired by Keebler. Then Kellogg’s later bought out Keebler, and supposedly killed the Plantation Brownie.

Now, rumor has it that Mrs Freshley’s has come out with a Chocolate Fudge Brownie that is supposed to be very similar to the old Plantation Brownie.

I haven’t been able to find anyone that sells them though, so now I’m on the hunt for that. (In the meantime, I tried Tastycake’s overpriced fudge brownie – Close, but no cigar)

If anyone has any info on this, please let me know. 😀

EDIT: Wow, thanks to Steve for discovering this post and filling in the blanks for us in the comments section below!

Zander Chance is a technology nut who is always first in line to try out the latest tech gadgets. He also has been an active affiliate marketer for the past 15 years, and he writes about his adventures in that on his blog.

239 Comments

239 Comments

  1. Robert Brown

    May 28, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    Try your local Hostess/Wonder Bread store/outlet. The Hostess Fudge Brownie is suspiciously like Plantation’s. It’s even packaged in the same red & white box with a dozen prepackaged brownies. They’re just as rich and chewy as the Plantation ones I remember from the 80s.

    • Zander

      May 29, 2010 at 10:09 am

      Awesome, thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely be checking that out!

    • Steve

      April 22, 2011 at 11:59 pm

      Interesting. Well, not sure where to start, but I am on of the original family members that owned nad operated Plantation. Plantation was the greatest company! We sold it in 1986 to a holding company. Thye sold to President Baking out of Taiwan. The holding company bought many US baking companies including Famous Amos, Bishop, etc. President buried the company, then sold it to Keebler. They destroyed it, and the rest is history. keep in mind that Keebler was bought by Kellogg. I miss the company each and every day. My father is still alive, but his brother passed away 2 years ago this coming June. Mrs. Freshley’s has been around for years. It is owned by Flowers Baking. Flowers attempted to purchase us in the late 1970’s. My father was not interested. They bought a very small operation in Crossville, TN called Vann’s. They actually had a very good brownie. The one they make today is not very good. Unfortunately there are no good brownies on the market today. As for the Hostess brownie… I designed that red, brown and white tray many years ago to be used by Plantation and other private labels that we made – a generic tray. We use to make brownies for Hostess and Dolly Madison – now they are one and the same. Their brownie is not very good. Oh, we also made the large 3 oz. 2 x 4 brownie for Tastykake. They are coming out with a brownie soon, but it is not very good. A lot of history to share with you, but I do not want to bore you. Thank you very much for your support and missing our product line. i do too…

      Sincerely,

      Steve K.

      • Zander

        April 23, 2011 at 9:39 am

        Wow Steve, that is an amazing story! Thanks for the history lesson, and here’s hoping that someone can once again make a brownie as good as the old Plantation ones!

        • Steve

          May 16, 2011 at 9:11 pm

          I was shocked to see that people were actually looking for Plantation Brownies. I got bored one night and just googled Plantation Fudge Brownies and comments came up. Well, if I ever hear of a brownies that is of decent quality I will let you know. I can only tell you that I miss it each and every day. working with my father and uncle was one of the greatest highlights of my life. You probably never thought an actual family member from Plantation would have ever read your posting. Again thank you for your support. I told my father and he was very touched. All my best,

          Steve K.

          • Beth

            September 26, 2023 at 11:47 am

            I miss the plantation brownies packaged in the box with plastic like the red one only it was a blue package bc they had a cream layer. I loved those little brownies.

          • Holly

            July 17, 2024 at 2:19 pm

            I, too, have been looking for these precious pieces of heaven for years. I am so sad to hear I won’t be able to actually find these. Soooo Steve, I have been thinking… why don’t you and your dad start up a small company and make and sell these. you would only have to tweek one small ingredient, like maybe one grain of salt less? I think your first customers should be all of us on this blog. I would pay double! Take care and thank your dad for great brownies and memories!

        • Meg

          May 16, 2019 at 9:09 am

          I, too miss these brownies from our vending machines at work. I’ve been here 35 years this month.

          • Steve

            May 17, 2019 at 4:50 pm

            WOW! What a great run in your career. Congrats and kudos to you. I am so glad to hear you remember our Plantation Brownies. I will share with my dad tonight.

            Regards,

            Steve

      • Mark G

        July 12, 2011 at 11:27 am

        Steve K.,
        Don’t despair. The brownies from Beverly Hills Brownie Company are fantastic. Have a look at beverlyhillsbrownie.com
        Mark G.

        • Zander

          July 12, 2011 at 12:26 pm

          Mark,

          Send me a batch of brownies and I’ll post my impressions of them!

      • Tara Savilla

        October 5, 2011 at 9:04 pm

        Dear Steve,
        I have longed for the old Plantation Peanut butter brownies for years! I have to have them before I die! LOL My grandparents bought them for me when I was a child, as did my parents, and I bought them as a teenager. As an adult of 50, (don’t tell anyone…lol)I think of them very often! I have tried to mimmick them, but to no avail. PLEASE HELP!!!
        Thank You! (for all the goodies in my lifetime)
        Sincerely,
        Tara Savilla
        Gordy0761@aol.com

        • Steve

          October 9, 2011 at 4:57 pm

          Tara:

          I’m 49 soon to be 50! Funny that you loved the peanut butter brownies because though they were a great seller and loved by thousands, I never liked them – don’t tell my dad. But the truth is I do not like peanut butter in any form. I have the recipe, I wish I could share it, sorry. But keep dreaming about them. Did you ever try the Creme-filled brownies? The Olde New England brownie? Thank you so much for your support. I will pass your comment on to my father.

          God Bless You. Sincerely,

          Steve

        • curt

          December 22, 2011 at 12:21 pm

          I am looking for the Plantation Peanut Butter Brownie in the Dallas and Ft Worth, TX area. Anyone know where I can find them?

          • Steve

            January 3, 2012 at 4:04 pm

            Curt: Thank you for inquiring about Plantation Peanut Butter Brownies. Unfortunately they are no longer manufactured. I am one of the family members of Plantation. We sold the company in 1986. It was a great company! Since 1986 the company was sold several times along with other baking companies. It was last owned by Keebler/Kellogg. They did a great job of ruining it. So I am sorry to say it is gone. I wish it was still around and we owned it. I will elt my dad know you remember and care.

            Thanks for all of your support.

            Steve K.

      • Anthony Scott

        November 19, 2011 at 7:28 pm

        Plantation Brownies were sold at the student store in my middle school. I spent a great deal of my paper route money buying one or two a day (preferred the ones with cream – blue packages, I think) and sometimes at the local convenience store (I’m 39yrs old).

        • Steve

          December 5, 2011 at 2:34 pm

          Anthony:
          Thank you so much for contacting me about your love for the Plantation Cremed Filled Brownies! Yes, they were in a Blue package! Great memory! And yes, they were delicious! I will share your Email with my dad. He always appreciates hearing from the public. All the best. Happy, safe and healthy holidays to you and your loved ones.

          Sincerely,

          Steve K.

          • Nila Jamerson

            July 2, 2012 at 3:52 pm

            Steve,

            I came here by way of searching for a way to buy some of those creme filled brownies. Was chatting with my mom and experienced a flashback from my childhood and how she would sometimes bring me one home as a treat. I think they were sold in her break room at work. Doesn’t matter. They were huge, and delicious, and that creme!

            Now, of course, I want one in the worst way! I’ve been reading your comments here, so I understand that I can’t have one. Which makes me want it even more. Please do consider getting them back out there at some point. I’d be a loyal customer, I promise.

          • Angel

            August 31, 2019 at 7:09 pm

            Well Steve, ya’ll still have the recipe so sell it to someone so they can start up again.

      • Todd

        January 2, 2013 at 5:36 pm

        Steve – would it be possible for you to email me direct at: tbamrktg@telus.net, please?

      • Steve Paxton

        January 2, 2014 at 6:12 pm

        I worked for an Arkansas confection broker in the later 1980’s through today. We sold Plantation Olde New England Brownies to all the distributors in the state. My that was the best brownie on the market. I still have accounts today asking who has the line so they can buy it.

      • Rami

        July 22, 2016 at 3:07 pm

        Dear Steve,

        I was wondering if you still have the rights for the brand Plantation, or otherwise how to buy those rights. We are interested in cooperating with you to bring it back to the market. Please email me to discuss it in further details.

      • Ted

        May 22, 2019 at 7:09 pm

        Steve – what do we have to do to get the recipe – we were the first people to bring that product into Canada – we would like to create the same Brownie again and have it manufactured here.

        Please let us know,

        Thx,
        Ted

        • Steven Kaufman

          May 23, 2019 at 10:25 am

          Hi Ted,
          So nice to hear that you were the first to bring to Canada. What company? Product you brought in? As for manufacturing it, I will talk to my dad and see what it will possibly take to accomplish that goal. We will need to know more about your company as well as your capabilities and plans. Please share your contact information. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

          Regards,

          Steve

        • Steve

          May 28, 2019 at 8:27 pm

          Ted please send me you contact info. Which company in Canada imported our products? Do you have the facilities and equipment to manufacture baked goods.

          Regards,

          Steve

        • Steve

          July 8, 2019 at 10:59 am

          I did reply Ted. Did you not get it?

          Steve

      • John

        August 13, 2019 at 11:27 pm

        Do you have the recipe you can share?

        • Steve

          August 14, 2019 at 1:50 pm

          John, I am not able to share that with you. I apologize. But I think you can appreciate and understand why.

          Steve

      • Linda and Rich

        August 22, 2019 at 2:29 pm

        Thankyou for THAT, Steve..Indeed, you and your family made such a yummy, outstanding product ! The first time I came across Plantation Brownies, was in the Navy, in the early 70s ..They sold them on our ship, at our little ships store. Very first one I bought and ate, I was hooked ! Got them all the time after that. I think, last time I bought some, was at a small convienience store in early 80s.. Do SO much miss them !
        Reason thought of, just yesterday we found a new little bakery in Oklahoma City
        while returning from a Dr. appt and they had some brownies packaged that just looked
        so good, we had to try..When we got home, we just had to open and try, and first thing thought of, was how they reminded me of your Plantation brownies ! They really
        did have such similar taste, asmI recall…only, had no nuts inside… But, we sure
        have you, your family, and one wonderful product and memories to share ! ! !
        So, thankyou once again, for Plantation Brownies. True, American History !

      • Deborah K Knutson

        September 20, 2019 at 2:21 pm

        Loved your brownie nothing even comes close. Ever thought of bringing them back?

      • Dale

        March 27, 2020 at 5:36 pm

        I use to buy plantation fudge brownie in high school 1980- 84 best ever. Been looking for them since. Sad to hear such a great product is gone. Had others but nothing compares

      • Kathy

        October 22, 2023 at 12:11 pm

        Oh you’re not boring us at all, I still till this day dream about plantation brownies… as silly as it sounds. What can we do to bring this brownie back? At least, something similar??? Please help!!! And thank you for sharing the story behind the brownie, although it’s heartbreaking.

    • Bo Shaffer

      May 24, 2023 at 5:30 pm

      Little Debbie confetti brownies are close. My family ran a vending business years ago and we’d get cases of plantation brownies. I could eat 3-4 at a sitting!!! I will follow your hunt!

  2. Tim

    July 24, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    Central vending of dc lists them. I used to get them from a machine in northern mn. When I moved to fl they had new England brownies which looked identical but weren’t quite as good.
    http://www.centralvendingservices.com/vending_products_docs/product_selections/snack_machine_selections.html
    they may ship some or tell you how to order some.
    Good luck
    tim

  3. Jess

    September 27, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    I’m curious if these are as good as well…

    • Zander

      September 27, 2010 at 8:26 pm

      I’ve been meaning to try those, as they appear to be the closest things to the original as I could find.

  4. phil

    February 28, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    I used to eat plantation brownies every weekend I would go duck hunting as a kid. We’d stop at the local gas station and I would get two for breakfast saturday and sunday morning at around 430. Once I started college 6 years ago I realized I hadn’t seen them in a long time and have been craving them every since. I try brownie after brownie and none can even come close to comparing. Even the hostess brownies, which were pretty good in their own way, and I also can’t find anymore, could never come close to stacking up to the mighty taste of plantation! I guess I will have to try a Mrs. Freshly…. I am glad someone else shares my pain in this matter, because I have become very upset and frustrated about not being able to find my favorite treat as a kid. It really is sad.

  5. spade

    June 3, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    Those plantation Brownies were the best brownies I’ve ever TASTED! I looked all over for those things, but never found ’em. Really sad that this product was discontinued, they are really missed by this gentleman!

  6. Diane

    June 19, 2011 at 3:09 am

    I also miss the plantation brownie and googled it hoping to find a place I could get some. I miss them! Interesting history behind the brownie. I wonder why it is so difficult to come up with another very good commercially sold brownie? So what made the plantation brownie so good?

  7. Diane

    June 19, 2011 at 3:10 am

    Also, any idea if Hostess makes a brownie still? I’ve never seen them.

  8. Steve

    June 25, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    WOW! So nice to see that people are still writing and missing Plantation brownies! Everyone should keep in mind that they were discontinued because Keebler and Kellogg did not know how to maintain the product line. They did not give it the TLC that we as family owners of Plantation did. Someone asked about Hostess Brownies. Well the story goes… we manufactured the original fudge brownie for Hostess many years ago. As we did for Dolly Madison (now they are both one company). They were delicious back then. Today they make their own , and use the same tray I designed for them. The brownies is not very good – try it! The Olde New england brownie that was also mentioned was delicious! One of the best sellers of all time! It is very hard to commercially bake a quality brownie. The cost is high and the equipment is expensive – very! I wish we never sold the company! Everyone, thank you for remembering Plantation. The stories are many and if you are ever interested just write and I will post them. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, my uncle passed away two years ago. My dad is still alive. He, and I know my uncle would appreciate from the bottom of their hearts all the nice things you have written about Plantation.
    Thanks,

    Steve K.
    (Son)

    • Deanna Coulter

      March 30, 2020 at 3:21 am

      Steve, I just love that you took the time to share your knowledge and history about your family business and these beloved brownies!
      My parents owned small mom & pop grocery store in Oregon for 22 years. We loved and sold your brownies there!
      As you can see, the are a special part of so many people’s memories!
      Thank you for filling in the blanks as to what happened to these unforgettable favorites! Best wishes to you and your dad!

      Deanna Coulter

  9. Tara

    June 28, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    I loved the Plantation brownie. I used to eat them all the time. I haven’s had one in probably more than 7 yrs. It doesn’t matter where I shop, I always look for it. I miss eating them. I wish they would come back.

    • Steve

      July 18, 2011 at 12:33 am

      Thanks Tara. My name is Steve and it was my father that started Plantation. It was my life. I miss it each and every day. Thank you for thinking about our product. I will pass it on to my dad. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, my uncle passed away two years ago. It was he and my dad that started the company.

      All the best,

      Steve K.

      • Cinde

        July 7, 2019 at 3:20 pm

        We lived just down the road from a factory in lake bluff Illinois in the late 70s and would get them warm. I was thrilled to have them for my son in the early 2000s! And in Missouri, no less. So sad to hear we won’t be able to enjoy one again. Thank you and your family for the great brownies!!

  10. Chad

    July 13, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    I was just eating a Little Debbie Brownie thinking about how much I missed Plantation Brownies. I first found them in a vending machine in middle school in the 80s. I would eat one of those every time I got the chance back then. As I got older, and especially when I traveled I would look for those in gas stations. I too miss them and decided to Google them to see if they are still around anywhere. Sad to know that they are not.

    Chad

    • Steve

      July 18, 2011 at 12:31 am

      Sorry Chad! Glad you remember Plantation Brownie. I was looking over the recipe the other day and it hit home how that great formula was no longer being used. What a shame and loss. It was an all natural brownie with no preservatives. I had dinner with my father tonight and as always I reiterated to him how much I missed our family business. The Little Debbie brownie is fair at best in my opinion. Very chewy because they use a lot of corn syrup. Their object is to be cheap – less then Hostess. I taste every brownie that I come across on the market – and I cannot find one that I like. Soooo, keep it in your memory. That you were fortunate to have had Plantation Brownie in your life time.

      God Bless you!

      Steve K. (Original Plantation family member)

  11. Harmony

    July 20, 2011 at 1:58 am

    When I think of the hustle and bustle of my early college years, I think of a Plantaion brownie! I returned to Mt San Antonio College hopes of finishing this time! To my disappointment, Plantation brownies are no where to be found at the Mountie Stop 🙁 RIP Plantation brownies! Anyone have a good homemade copy!? Can we petition to resurrect the company..!?

    • Steve

      August 9, 2011 at 9:57 pm

      I would do anything to rebuild or start a new “Plantation Baking Company!” I am the only one with the original formulation/recipe. But to start a company today would cost an awful lot of money. Just continue to remember the great brownie that we all loved and enjoyed so much. When i use to travel for our company – i was in charge of vending and candy jobbers, the positive comments from all the people I met all over the country was wonderful. It was people like you that made our days! Thank you for your thoughts and love for our brownies.

      Sincerely,

      Steve K.

  12. Sarah

    August 6, 2011 at 1:25 am

    I have been searching for these chewy brownies for over a decade. Tonight, I was reminiscing about these vending machine brownies that I used to purchase almost every day when I was in junior high. I did a search and found this site – and this wrapper is exactly the brownie I was looking for!!! I was hoping I could purchase them online but to my chagrin (and many others), I guess I will only continue to remember these delicious brownies.

    • Steve

      August 9, 2011 at 9:50 pm

      Sarah, name is Steve. If you read the earlier postings you saw that my family was Plantation Baking. My dad and uncle started it. I grew up in it an worked there after college for 11 years. It was the greatest company. I miss it so much. Thank you so much for thinking about the delicious brownies. I will read your posting to my dad when I see him later this week. My uncle passed away just over two years ago. Together they were a great team.

      All my best to you…

      Steve K.

      • Sarah

        August 27, 2011 at 11:42 pm

        steve – thank you for your comment. it made me tear up a little thinking about you reading the comments to your dad! cherish every moment! the quest for a like-brownie continues…take care!

      • Becky

        September 6, 2011 at 11:30 pm

        Hi Steve I am another plantation brownie lover, I grew up in the country part of NY and when I moved when I was 15 to Pa I would go visit family in NY and my sister and I would always grab a case of them to take back to pa and now we can’t get them but that doesn’t meen we stop searching, tonight I just ran across a site where it might now be called a plantation devils food and boy does it look good.

        • Steve

          September 12, 2011 at 9:09 pm

          Thanks for being a fan! Not sure what that product is. But I can assure you it is not Plantation. But enjoy anyway!
          Steve

  13. Tyler

    August 20, 2011 at 10:36 am

    I have kept one Plantation Brownie in my freezer, over multiple moves, since 2002. I swear to god. I bought it in high school because I thought it sounded awfully racist. I never even ate it. I still have it to this day. If my girlfriend throws it out I don’t know what I’ll do. But I swear to god, I still have it. I wonder if I could sell it on eBay

    • diane

      August 22, 2011 at 5:26 pm

      Racist! What the heck do you mean?

      • Zander

        August 22, 2011 at 7:48 pm

        I’m guessing it has something to do with the name? “Plantation” brownies?

    • Steve

      August 23, 2011 at 10:30 pm

      Well, I have several in my freezer! I also have the original recipe(s). Let me know if you sell them on Ebay. if you have been reading the earlier posting you would see that I am part of the original Plantation Baking Company owners. Thank you so much for thinking about our brownies. I miss them as well. I share all the posting with my father, the founder (along with his brother).

      All the best.

      Steve

    • Steve

      August 23, 2011 at 10:34 pm

      As for racist, that hurts… If you and anyone who looks up “Plantation” as a definition, actually has nothing to do with slavery or racism. Our family has never been racist. In fact, MANY of our employees were minorities of many different backgrounds and religions. All were treated incredibly well; and many were in managerial ranks. We had one African American gentleman who my father basically raised and took off the streets of Chicago. He worked for my dad for over 40 years! Oh, and his wife and sister worked for us as well. Plantation was a wonderful company to all of its employees.

      Steve
      Plantation Family

      • Tyler

        August 30, 2011 at 4:50 pm

        It wasn’t meant to offend, just the blunt honesty of how I took it at the time as a 14 year old back then…basically the age you are most immature… Obviously a decade later it doesn’t come off that way at all now that I’ve grown up.

        • Tyler

          August 30, 2011 at 4:54 pm

          However if not for that, I wouldn’t still have one to this day. As a few years went by it became almost special to me that it was still there in my freezer, and it became the joke with all of my friends that I would freak out if anybody ate it on me. I kind of consider it a good luck charm? In the way I keep 1976 quarters in the dash of my car and refuse to spend them.

    • BILL

      December 15, 2012 at 12:58 pm

      TO TYLER ,
      TRERE IS NOTHING RACITS ABOUT PLANTATION.plantation is a farm,if you want to learn about what todays farm sre (yesteryears plantations) google,facebook,or youtube “PETERSON FARM BROS.” they are real farmers telling the story of modern farming by way of song parody but what they say and show on their vidieos is true, if it were not for young people like this takig over the family farms (plantations) you would be very hungry

  14. Cole

    August 27, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    Steve, I will add my comments to the mix. I ran a vending company in the 1980s, and I always ordered plenty of Plantation brownies. They were, and still are, the best brownies I have ever eaten (and I’ve eaten a LOT of brownies, man). I came pretty close to “eating the profits” with that product! I can’t imagine that some baking company couldn’t be persuaded to buy your recipe and continue the tradition–surely!

    Please pass along my best to your father–what a great product.

    All best,

    Cole

    PS. I believe that the name is only racist to people who are looking for a fight.

    • Steve

      September 12, 2011 at 9:16 pm

      Wow! You remember the good old days! Which vending company? Where? I don’t think we would be willing to sell the recipe. I will pass on your well wishes to my dad. I and I know he will appreciate that. All the best to you. Steve

  15. Nicole

    November 8, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    I have been on a hunt for Plantation brownies for over a year!! Sorry to hear that they are no longer available 🙁

    • Steve

      December 5, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks Nicole. I miss them too! More then you can imagine. I grew up in the business and it was my dream to have and run for myself and my two boys. I will let my dad know that you were on the hunt for Plantation brownies, he will appreciate that very much! All the best to you. Sincerely,

      Steve

  16. Mengo

    November 15, 2011 at 2:15 am

    I used to love carefully eating the brownie portion, leaving thr icing for last. I am so sorry they are gone forever. How cool that Steve K. Found this thread & gave us the ( sad) news about our favorite brownie!

    • Steve

      December 5, 2011 at 2:49 pm

      Great Call Mengo! The fudge icing was delicious! I once received a letter (1985) from a prison inmate in Florida. He would buy two brownies and one pack of our cookies from the prison commissary and make what he called a “Smash Sandwich.” So you see everyone had their interesting way of eating our product. Oh, and he wanted a job when he was released to work on packaging and marketing his idea! Thany you for think about Plantation, my dad will appreciate it very much. All my best. Sincerely,

      Steve

  17. Michele

    January 8, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    My husband were just talking about the Plantation brownies this evening. He was commenting on how he lived on them in High school. I agree, best brownies! Thanks for the info!

    • Steve K.

      February 10, 2012 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks Michele for thinking and talking about Plantation brownies. I am sure read most of the comments above. It really moves me that so many people remember and miss them. We never considered ourselves to be a national and well-known item, but I was wrong. These “hunts” for the brownies has proved that. I do recall reading in the Vending Times periodicals back in the late 80’s and early 90’s that several of our brownies were always in the top 10 vending items and cookies in the top 25 – competing for space with other baked goods and ALL the Mars, Hershey and Nestles products. Kind of cool! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your years of enjoying them. I will share this with my dad. Sincerly,

      Steve K.

  18. Rich Lavene

    January 19, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Ummm…This is the most unbelievable story! I LOVE THE INTERNET….sometimes! I’m so glad I got to read these stories!

    Steve, I think it’s time you went back into business!

    Rich

    • Steve K.

      February 10, 2012 at 6:22 pm

      Hey Rich! I wish. I actually wished my dad and uncle never sold it. My uncle has since passed away. My dad will turn 83 soon. I’m in senior care now, but would prefer baking! It was my life. I worked there growing up from the age of three, really. In high school when my friends were playing on the weekend I worked loading trucks unless I had a soccer or b-ball game. My dad and uncle were amazing businessmen. Quality was the most important thing. We used fresh eggs that were delivered 5-6 days a week! I can go on and on. But I loved it and miss it every day of my life. I also loved working with my dad. Those were very special days for me. I learned so much and was allowed to do so much. G-d bless you, anad thank you. Sincerely,

      Steve K.

  19. Francesco

    January 19, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    This is the first that I’ve heard/seen of Plantation Brownies. I never ate vending machine food when I was in the corporate world.

    • Steve K.

      February 10, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Interesting… So what made you check out the Hunt for Plantation Baing Fudge Brownies? The best brownies in the world. Trust me. Too bad you missed out.

      Steve K.

  20. Ben S.

    February 4, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    Hope this is not a stale item (and hope the brownies you find aren’t stale either). Looks like Mrs. Freshley’s Fudge Brownies may be at Dollar Tree stores (that may be a regional store, but they may ship). Here is the source:
    http://voices.yahoo.com/a-review-mrs-freshleys-fudge-brownies-chocolate-5852568.html

    You could also make your own “Plantation Brownies;” here is a book with a recipe for this treat:
    http://www.amazon.com/shadow-hill-book-of-squares-bars-and-brownie

    Good luck!

    • Steve K.

      February 10, 2012 at 6:27 pm

      These are brownies made by Flowers baking Company. They are primarily in the south. Very large company! Much bigger then Plantation ever was. BUT, we made many more brownies then they ever did! So there, lol. Mrs. Freshley’s is baked in their Crossville, TN bakery I believe. Flowers once attempted to purchase our company and my dad did not want to sell. They then bought Vann’s baking company. They actually had a very good brownie. But over time I think Flowers ruined it. Sorry. All the best.

      Steve K.

    • Steve K.

      February 10, 2012 at 6:29 pm

      Definitely NOT a Plantation brownies recipe. I am the only person on earth with the recipe/formula. Stee K.

  21. Meghan G.

    February 6, 2012 at 9:54 am

    Steve,

    I have to say that it is great you actually read these posts and respond to them. I work for my father who owns a distribution business and we used to sell Plantation Brownies along with Olde New England Brownies. I have to say we sold a lot of Peanut Butter Plantation Brownies, which also happened to be my favorite. We won’t talk about how many never got sold because I ate them first. Anyway, after the brownie line was destroyed by Keebler, we haven’t sold brownies. Just the other day we acquired a new vending account and he was wondering if we could get him Plantation Brownies to sell in his machines, which is how I found this thread. I am very sad that I will have to tell him I can’t get them (and that I will never eat another one!). I just thought that I would add my two cents into the mix.

    Steve, thank you and your family for having once made a terrific brownie!

    • Steve K.

      February 10, 2012 at 6:39 pm

      Wow Meghan! May I ask what the name of your family distribution company is? Where it is located? The Olde New England was the best! Glad you enjoyed the PB Brownie. I never did because I do no like peanut butter. Did you and/or your family ever attend NAMA and/or the candy wholesale conventions? I try to read the posted comments every couple weeks or so. I know one day they will not be written so I enjoy and share them with my dad. He is turning 83 soon, so I try to share peoples’ comments with him. Maybe your family knows mine… All the best to you and your family. Enjoy working with them. There is nothing like a family business! Of course geting along is key. But I miss it each and every day! I have two sons and they would have loved it. More importantly, I would have loved to work with them every day. I am in senior care now. I have been for 17 years. I develop and operate assisted living facilities. What I learned from my father has made me who I am today. He is still my-go-to guy! Take care. And thank you and your family so very much for all the years of purchasing our products.
      Sincerely,

      Steve K.

  22. Nina

    February 17, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    It’s so sad you guys will never make one single one ever…. I loved just the regular one. I would pretty much do anything to have just one more. I know that’s a bit serious but I seriously loved them!! It was a tradition for my gram to bring some over every weekend and once they stopped selling them them and we couldn’t find them anymore we were the sadest people ever!!! And we still are when we think about how delicious they were 🙁

    • Steve K.

      February 18, 2012 at 8:50 pm

      Thank you Nina. I just read your posting about Plantation Baking brownies to my wife; and she got upset with me and said that it enough you need to make them again! Of course she doesn’t understand how hard it is. I would love to have my son’s make them. I do have the recipe and could have someone make them for me. You never know. Stay tuned. However, I would like to thank you as well for remembering Plantation and being a dedicated brownie-eating member! So appreciated! G-d bless you.

      Steve K.

  23. Kris

    March 13, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    I just stumbled upon this site because I googled Plantation Brownies. I just ate a Cosmic Brownie and it made me remember how much better the Plantation brownies were. I have fond memories from my childhood of eating a plantation brownie every day after tennis practice. I looked forward to it every day! Please bring back the Plantation brownie!

    • Steve

      March 19, 2012 at 2:13 am

      Kris,

      Great to hear that. the little Debbie Cosmic Brownie certainly is not anywhere as delicious as the Plantation brownie was. Unfortunately, there is no more Plantation brownie. Our family sold the company in 1986 and since then it went down hill until Keebler under Kellogg put the dagger in the product line. What a shame it was. I still have the recipes and would love to produce them some day. Who knows… But thank you for thinking about our product. I will let my dad know you searched for them and miss them!

      God bless!

      Steve K.

      • Herb C

        April 28, 2012 at 11:34 pm

        Steve, I’ve been reading all your comments as well as those of the others posting here, and I’m pleased to see that so many people remember your product so fondly. I thought my wife and I were the only people who remembered how good your brownies were. When I was in college in the early nineties, I used to get one from the vending machine every day (sometimes it served the Olde New England brownies, which were very good as well), and I always grabbed them at gas stations when I saw them later on. Then one day they were gone, replaced by Keebler’s own branded brownie. Ptooey!! They are nothing like the rich chocolate brownies your family used to make. I was very sad to see them go.

        Give my best to your father, and my thanks to you and your family for many happy little moments.

        • Steve K.

          May 15, 2012 at 1:32 am

          Thank you so much Herb. It is always so nice to hear from people who still remember Plantation brownies. After Keebler got their claws on our operation it went down hill. I will pass your kind words on to my father. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out to Plantation. I miss it each and every day. Plantation was like a living family member that had a life of its own.

          God bless you and your family!

          Sincerely,

          Steve K.

  24. BILL

    May 4, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    dear steve,
    if you still have the “rights” to the receipe,you should go on “shark tank” on abc tv,maybe some one like “marc cuban” or one or more of the other investors would finance your bakery,”plantation brownies” were the greatest snack food of all time!!!!,i found them in student store at school in the 60’s they could not keep them in stock,they got stock on mondays ,sold out by tuesday,when ever i found them in a vending machine when i started working in the 70’s I WOULD BUY EVERY ONE OF THEM,oh how i miss them,if you do produce them again good luck
    may forth,2012
    “may the forth be with you”

    • Steve K.

      May 15, 2012 at 1:44 am

      Thank you so much for writing Bill. I do not own the rights to Plantation, BUT I do have the recipe. The rights were bought by Keebler and then Kellogg after Keebler was bought by them. Love Shark Tank! Not sure they would lend money for a start-up. But interesting thought. If it materializes you were be the first to know! You sure go back a long time with Plantation, the sixties! Customers like you are what made it Plantation so wonderful. Loyal people who remember us that far back is just fantastic. I cannot wait to share your comments with my father. After my dad and uncle sold the business (1986) I put together a book with letters that we had on file at the bakery. More then anything I put together in the book, my dad loved reading the letters and comments. I will print and add yours to his collection. I went to the cemetery where my uncle is buried today (my dad’s brother and partner) and I just thought about all the great times I had working for him. He taught me so much. I miss him. he would be 85 today.

      All the best to you…

      Truly your,

      Steve K.

  25. Tammy.

    May 12, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    I am 23 years old. I remember using whatever quarters i got from my dad in elementary school to buy those delicious Plantation brownies. It was the late 90’s then. Gosh, They were SO GOOD! I savored every chewy bite, every morsel. Sometimes i’d eat 2 brownies in a day. They were one of the only things that truly made me happy as a little girl. I never really forgot about them. I always have my eye out, for that one special day when I find them again on the shelf. If only…

    It’s nice to google search Plantation brownies and see that there are others that loved and miss them as much as I do. Make a wish..

  26. Steve K.

    May 15, 2012 at 1:52 am

    Tammy,

    You wound like a wonder young lady full of life, love and sincerity. G-d bless you. I feel honored that our brownies made you feel good. Not an easy task with all the great candies out there! Thank you so very much for thinking about Plantation Baking, and taking the time to “hunt” for them. As you are aware they are gone, so sad. Truth is after my cousin and I resigned in 1994 the product went down hill. I resigned because I could not deal with the large corporate structure. We were family people, not ladder climbers or only concerned about the mighty dollar. My dad and uncle taught me quality first, alway! Please don’t ever forget the brownies! All the best to you Tammy wherever you are in America!

    Sincerely,

    Steve K.

    • BILL

      May 19, 2012 at 6:08 pm

      Hi Steve,
      I understand why you left kellogs keebler corprate.it is sad that the corp. brass kills the good stuff,it seems like a good product or company is killed or ruined by corp. greed or stupidity or both,almost weekly now.when some body has an idea to improve something,corp.will ruin it or bury it, it takes a show like “undercover boss” to expose corp.stupidity on the inside of these corps.,but they are still slow to understand what the little guy on the out side really wants, these big corps. sell us want they want not what we want. i always try to do what i can to support the small co. and local co. when ever possible, I hope someday “PLANTATION BROWNIES” will come back on the market thanks for taking the time to respond to my previous comments and all the others
      Bill B.

      • Steve K.

        May 27, 2012 at 12:29 am

        Thanks Bill. I would like to hope that one day our brownie will make a come back. We will see… In the meantime, thank you so very much for writing and showing a true interest in our family business. I miss it each and every day. My dream would have been to have had my two sons work it with me.

        God Bless,

        Steve K.

  27. club car parts

    May 15, 2012 at 6:10 am

    I have kept one Plantation Brownie in my freezer, over multiple moves, since 2002. I swear to god. I bought it in high school because I thought it sounded awfully racist. I never even ate it.

    • BILL

      May 19, 2012 at 6:17 pm

      Plantation is not racist, plantations are farms,& it was the farmer that helped build this country to what it is today. true some mistakes were made do to the greed of a few, just like corp.america, if it was not for the farmer “plantation brownie” would not have had the ingredients to make the BEST brownie EVER MADE

      • Steve K.

        May 27, 2012 at 12:36 am

        Way to go Bill! Someone knows their American History.

        Steve K.

    • Steve K.

      May 27, 2012 at 12:35 am

      WOW! Well, you missed out. Bill answered it correctly. ONE, my family is far from racist. We had employees in ALL positions that were of different color and religions. My father and uncle practically raised one particular black man who worked for our family for over 40 years. racist? Hardly. However, I do see where you thought it was. But please reference the definition of a “plantation” and you will see that it does not mention or lead towards racism.

      Steve K.

    • BILL

      December 15, 2012 at 1:04 pm

      TO CLUP CAR PARTS,
      TRERE IS NOTHING RACITS ABOUT PLANTATION.plantation is a farm,if you want to learn about what todays farm sre (yesteryears plantations) google,facebook,or youtube “PETERSON FARM BROS.” they are real farmers telling the story of modern farming by way of song parody but what they say and show on their vidieos is true, if it were not for young people like this takig over the family farms (plantations) you would be very hungry

  28. CJ

    June 5, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    Grabbing a Plantation brownie from the gas station shop used to be the highlight of every road trip I took back in college days. I’m so sad to hear they are gone. (I knew they must be because I’ve been searching for them for years, but I held out hope that maybe they had just shrunk to a different region or something.)

    Steve K., is there any way your dad could license your family’s wonderful recipe to a company like, I don’t know, Starbucks maybe? Your product was so much tastier than any comparable shelf-stable treat… it’s a shame for it to just disappear. I imagine a lot of work went into creating it.

    I know I’d pay just for the recipe!

    • Steve

      June 8, 2012 at 11:39 pm

      CJ, thank you so much for writing about Plantation Brownies. We have discussed the idea of making it ourselves as well as having it made for us. I will be having dinner with my mom and dad Sunday night and I will be sure to mention your comments to him. I know he will appreciate hearing it. My dad is 83 and i am not too sure he wants to get back into the fight. BUT, with that said he does have several grandsons that would love too! God Bless you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for thinking about Plantation. It was such a great company that made the highest quality products.

      Sincerely,

      Steve K.

  29. ward

    June 20, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Hi Steve:

    Please please please make your brownie again. I have been distributing snack cakes since 1990. I am in Canada, near the US border and I began importing your delicious brownies in 1991 – so I missed dealing with you, and was instead buying from President. I bought all of the varieties and pack sizes.

    It was the bet most consistent seller of all the lines I have ever carried – and I carry many.

    I do not recall the exact date but at one point my orders kept getting delayed. They said they were replacing their ovens. This went on for about three months and I finally grew exasperated and said “you’ve been using that excuse for over 3 months, what is really going on”?

    The lady replied, “Sir our ovens are 1/2 a mile long.”

    I guess I see why you say its not cheap to make them.

    When you say your dad does not want to get back into the fight, I say he might be in for some hard work, but the world will beat a path to your door.

    When/If you start I will buy in truckload quantities.

    Please start again – the market is starving for the Planation Brownie. I still get asked about it up here in Canada.

    • Steve K.

      July 16, 2012 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you! I am sorry it took so long to respond to your comment. Your kindness is so appreciated. So you remember President baking! Unfortunately I worked for them for awhile when my cousin and I were running Plantation. Let’s put it this way, I resigned under their ownership. My dad is 83, so he is out of the fight. As you acknowledged, the cost is HUGE to start up again. And in this economy, raising the capital and getting a bank to take on a loan of this magnitude is almost impossible. I am so happy you had the chacne to enjoy our products, it sucks that undere Keebler/Kellogg they killed the entire product line. Stay tuned you never know – but doubt we will ever sdtart it up again… God Bless you!

      Sincerely,

      Steve K.

  30. Frank

    October 17, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    I worked for a wholesaler in the late 80s and early 90s. We sold a TON of Plantation Brownies. I work for another distributor now, and I was looking over Mrs. Freshleys brownies. Then I remembered 20 years ago, how I would buy a whole box of those brownies. They were delicious.

    • Steve K.

      November 1, 2012 at 1:54 am

      Thanks Frank for being a loyal Plantation Brownie lover! If you were able to read the other comments before yours you would have unfortunately read that our product line is no longer. Sad, but true! I miss it every day! Mrs. Freshley’s is made by Flowers. Nothing great. It use to be a decent brownie back in the 70’s and 80’s when it was baked under the Vann’s Brownies name/label. I wish there was a great brownie to tell you about, but I have not seen or tasted one to date. I will share your comment with my dad. He and my uncle started Plantation. My dad is retired and is 83 years old. My uncle passed away a few years ago. Again thank so much for your love for Plantation brownies. People like you made our products popular and loved. G-d Bless you and best of luck to you. Sincerely, Steve K.

  31. BILL

    October 19, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Glad to see this is still an active link & discussion ,I wish there was some way to get the original PLANTATION BROWNIE products back on the market, all the others are very poor imatations,they are dried out before their sell by date,Plantation brands always tasted fresh beyond their sell by dates,never got a bad one.
    Please Steve K. keep us updated

    • Frank

      October 23, 2012 at 2:50 pm

      Why doesn’t Steve sell the recipe for the brownies to one of the bigger manufacturers. There is obviously a demand.

      • Steve K.

        November 1, 2012 at 2:03 am

        Great question Frank. I just could not sell it. Technically we did sell it when we sold the company back in 1986. Since then it has changed hands, which is where the problems surfaced. It went from a holding company to a Taiwanese company, then to Keebler and Kellogg. They killed the product and the manufacturing along the way. Truth is I could manufacture it myself making a few modifications to the recipe to differentiate it a bit. The capital investment would be prohibitive,s o having someone else make it would be the best option. Maybe some day. We have talked about it. I appreciate you taking the time to write. Best luck to you. Steve K.

    • Steve K.

      November 1, 2012 at 1:59 am

      Thank you Bill. So nice of you to write about Plantation in such a positive way. I wish I could refer another brownie to you, but I cannot. Maybe some day we will find a way to produce them. I sure would love too. However, my uncle has since passed away and my dad is 83, so… I miss it very much all the time! My best memories are from working there and growing up in the business. If anything were to ever happen I promise to post it here. Plus you will probably hear me yelling across the country in joy! Take care. And if you don’t mind I will share your comment with my father. He always appreciates reading and hearing about how he touched so many lives. G-d Bless. Steve K.

      • BILL

        November 17, 2012 at 2:39 pm

        11-17-2012
        Hi Steve,
        Another sad day in the snack food industry has occured,the closeing of Hostess & thier related brands & products,true their brownie was never good,but my fall back item was their Chocolate ZINGER,by Dolly Madison then Hostess, the chocolate had a similar taste/flavor to your Plantation Brownie,never tasted dry like most of the other snack foods.Maybe this is your chance to get back in the game(one could only hope)maybe thier is someone out there that could buy one of their bakerys & let you run it ,show the snack food industry how to do it right,& bring back the best brownie ever made
        thanks again for reading & replying to my comments & all the others
        happy holidays to you & your family

        • Steve

          November 29, 2012 at 10:22 pm

          Hi Bill,

          Just read your comment about Hostess. Funny thing is many, many years ago, back in the 70-‘s and 80’s we made their brownie. It was great back then. We have talked about how we could possibly purchase Hostess… lots of issues there. It will take a true dismantling of it or a company like Flowers to take it over. Their entire way of operating will need to change. They do not need 33 plants, they need to remove their DSD – Direct Store Delivery and deal with the labor union issues. We have been removed for so long not sure we would be able to jump into the game that quickly. If something changes I will post it, I promise!!! Happy and healthy holidays to you and your family.

          Steve

          • BILL

            December 1, 2012 at 12:42 pm

            Hi Steve,
            I understand,but still us Plantation brownie lovers can only hope that maybe you or a group like you ,who know & understand how the how the snack food industry is supposed to operate & work ,could at least buy one of those bakerys and start producing the greatest brownine ever made again .
            thanks again for keeping us udated.
            happy holidays to you and yours
            Bill

  32. BILL

    October 23, 2012 at 4:23 pm

    Probably because of CORPARTE GREED,see past posts & replys

  33. Sujeet

    December 4, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    I picked up a box of Little Debbie Brownies the other day, and while not an exact match, they’re pretty darn close! Give ’em a shot and see what you think.

    • Steve

      December 29, 2012 at 12:20 am

      Well Little Debbie is average at best. When we left Plantation McKee Baking had asked for “Brownie” advice from us. We passed based on our allegiance. Their brownie is kept moist by using TONS of corn syrup. Keep hunting!

      Thanks for writing so very much appreciated. I share all with my dad.

      Happy and healthy holidays to you.

      Sincerely,

      Steve

  34. BILL

    December 4, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    I tried them a long time ago ,to me they were dry , like most Little Debbie products i have tried in the past they have always tasted dry compared to Hostess/Dolly Madison brands , but i will try again and let you know what i think,via this link,thanks for the tip and keeping this link active

  35. BILL

    December 15, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    12-15-12
    I tried the Little Debbie Chocolate chip brownie, paid full price, not as dry as before but still not as good as the Plantaton brand was may or may not buy again but if i do i will only buy if they are on sale not worth paying full price NOT THAT GOOD.

    AND TO STEVE K.
    HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS

    • Steve

      December 29, 2012 at 12:23 am

      Happy holidays to you and your family Bill. Little Debbie (McKee) brownies are fair. I would keep hunting for a better brownies. Maybe there will be one some day. I always think about reviving them, but not sure how to do it quite yet. The upfront cost would be tremendous! But stay tuned. All the best and from the bottom on my heart thank you for thinking an writing about Plantation Brownies. I miss them every day.

      Steve

      • BILL

        December 29, 2012 at 3:53 pm

        Hi Steve,
        thanks for the update.I have only tried 1 box of little debbie,not that good.still looking for a replacement brownie,again we can only hope that some way,some how,some day,your brand can make a come back.If I find something better I will let you know.
        happy new year to you & yours
        Bill

      • Todd

        January 2, 2013 at 5:41 pm

        Steve: Wud u pls cntct me by direct email, please?

        • Steve

          January 12, 2013 at 1:50 am

          What is your direct Email?

          Steve

        • Steve

          January 31, 2013 at 11:14 pm

          Todd,

          What is your direct Email address? You can Email me at kingfish1@aol.com

          Steve

  36. BILL

    December 15, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    CHECK OUT “PETERSON FARM BROS.” ON GOOGLE,FACEBOOK,YOUTUBE. IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE FARMER WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE INGRDEINTS THAT MADE “PLANTATION BRAND PRODUCTS” THE GREASEST BROWNIE EVER MADE
    you may think they are making fun or insulting the farmer, they are not. they are telling their story in a fun way thru song, they are college educated, if it were not for young people like this feeding America thru their hard work we all would starve,watch the vidieos listen to the words and you will learn what a “plantation” was,and what a “farm” is.

    I am not a farmer, but i have many reletives who are, and i spent my summers growing up on my uncles farm down south in Tennesee,
    HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

  37. TomB

    February 9, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    To start on a rhetorical tangent– if you went to the American South during the time of the Civil War and said you were looking for a Plantation brownie, what do you think they would assume you were seeking?

    But– Through the 1990s, I worked at a small chain of photo labs. Some distributor put snack boxes in our stores. Now, technically we were allowed a half-hour for lunch, but rather than lose my productivity (and pay) by leaving, I’d just keep working while munching on something from the snack box.

    The Plantation brownies had by far the most net weight, so I kept myself fueled with those. Sorry– I didn’t love them for their flavor, but their density!

    Did love ’em, though… and it was a sad time when the snack box ran out of ’em.

    Now my little son has to grow up in a world without Twinkies, OR Plantation brownies. Add my name to the list of people who remembered them fondly enough to Google them.

  38. Jerry

    February 22, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I just ran across this forum while on my own search for Plantation Olde New England Brownies . I remember my first job back in the late 70’s, working as a custodian while going to college. The brownies out of a Canteen vending machine were my staple when time didn’t allow for a regular meal.

    I remember the thump they made when being dispensed out of the machine! It was the sound of a moist brownie. I would in turn smash that moist brownie while in the wrapper so as not to lose any of the chocolate chips (sorry Steve and fans, but remember I was a custodian at that time!).

    Reading all of these posts makes me wonder if we can step up the pressure on Steve (lol!). I personally would not want the recipe wasted on a large company given their problems (aka Hostess). BUT, I would hope some of the fans could underwrite the startup in some way – a cash infusion or a “commitment to purchase”. Wishful thinking, I know – but I was inspired by this long running and extremely positive thread!

  39. Steve

    March 27, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Great cdall on smashing the brownie Jerry. Can only say I wish rebooting Plantation was possible! I would love nothing more then to be able to bring my two sons into it. I guess never say never… Thank you so verey much for thinking about Plantation and being loyal back in the day. Regards,

    Steve

  40. Steve

    March 27, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Tom B.

    Thank yo so very much for your past suppot of Plantation Brownies for whatever the reason was. It did touch your life and that made it worth it. G-d Bless.

    Steve

  41. Najla

    July 9, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    Well, I have been I have been reading these comments for the past year, but never commented. Anyway I loved the Plantation Brownies! My mother used to buy them from a bread store when I was a little girl. I wish there was a way that Steve can come up with bringing the Brownies back…

    • Steve

      July 11, 2013 at 12:43 am

      Thanks for loving them Najla! It amazes me so much how so many people not only remember our brownies, but miss them! Steve

  42. Tom

    August 2, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Steve,
    Plantation Brownies were my favorite vending machine snack when I was young. I remember when I was a kid in the 70’s and walking down to meet my mom at her job at the newspaper office in the small town in Ohio I grew up in. She would give me money to get a snack from the vending machine in the lunch room, and if the Plantation Brownie was in the machine, that was my snack. If the brownie was sold out I would get a Sky Bar. It was a big treat to buy that brownie out of the vending machine and then talk with my mom while I ate it. I would always offer her some brownie, and she would say, “No you eat it, you’re a growing boy, you need the calories.” I was happy to obey her! Mom is in her 80’s now, and still writes a column for that newspaper, but from home now. Those were good memories. Tasty times. Thank you!

    Just a thought…If you ever want to get back in the brownie business, you may want to consider crowdfunding (like kickstarter.com) to raise starting capital to get things rolling. I bet enough Plantation Brownie fans are out there that you could raise a fair amount of money in a hurry.

    Thanks again for the great brownies and memories and God bless you, your father and the rest of your family.

  43. Steve

    August 12, 2013 at 1:35 am

    Thank you Tom! That story is awesome. I will share it with my dad this week when I see him. He always appreciates hearing and reading about the brownies and cookies we made. Thanks for the financing thought. Trust me, we looked into it several years ago and just not sure we could put it all together even if funding were available. NOT impossible, must very challenging since so many customers and markets have changed over the years. My uncle passed away four years ago. He was the formulation guy. My dad was the business end. In a way In think my dad would still like to have that challenge again, but he is in his mid-80’s now… I will keep your idea and we may revisit it sometime in the future. In the meantime, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your story and love for our brownies. It honestly means a lot to me. All the best.

    Steve K.

  44. bill

    November 27, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    haven’t seen any updates lately hope all is well happy Thanksgiving

  45. Alicia Macias

    April 8, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Omg! Plantation brownies are the best! My mom worked there for 14 years untill her plantclosed in lake bluff il .. we couldn’t wait until she came home with those brownies. But she only would bring like two and there were six of us so we would try to be the first to get to her lunch box. Those were the days. Wish you would really make more.

  46. Alicia Macias

    April 8, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    Steve my mom said she remembers you and jeff

    • Steve

      May 12, 2014 at 11:56 pm

      WOW! Who is your mom. I am sure I will remember her. Maybe, I have been gone for almost 20 years. I sure do wish we could make them again. I miss Plantation very much. Great company with great people working there. Regards to you and your mom. Please extend my appreciation to her for working at Plantation. Steve.

  47. Judy

    July 15, 2014 at 1:04 am

    Like many others who have commented here, I too, have been looking for Olde New England Brownies for years. Thanks for the history and the reason they are gone. I’m not happy with what I have discovered here and really wish you could find a way to bring them back again. I used to buy them by the case from Sam’s Club. Missing the BEST brownies ever.
    Judy

  48. Stephanie

    September 8, 2014 at 9:26 pm

    Plantation Brownies were the absolute best! We had them in the High School Cafeteria, I had them from the corner store when I was in college, and I’m pretty sure they got me through the toughest days of law school. I only wish my kids could taste them too. There is simply nothing like them.

  49. Shawn

    September 18, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Steve, I can read the passion in your replies. I’m sure that kindness and caring extends to your assisted living realm today. Quality senior care is hard to find.

    I was going to suggest crowd-sourcing to raise the capital as well, but I see someone already suggested that. Perhaps contributing fans could all be shareholders based on their contributions. Think of it as an extended-family business. 😉 Or maybe we just get a few boxes of discounted heavenly brownies, which are slightly modified from the original recipe and under a new name.

    My grandma, who is now in an assisted living facility in FL with dementia, used to buy boxes of Plantation brownies from a Makro wholesaler store in MD and have them ready for me when I visited. I loved them… simply the best snack food ever. To this day, when I think about my grandparent’s old house, Plantation brownies are the first thing that pops in my head.

    Can you recreate them in a kitchen or do you need special equipment? If you ultimately decide not to revive your brownie legacy, I hope the recipe somehow miraculously leaks to one of those copycat recipe websites. 😉

    • Steve

      December 17, 2014 at 1:12 am

      Thank you Shawn. I appreciate you taking the time to search our brownies as well as to write about them. I am always thinking about a way to manufacture them even if it was for a short time – just to be able to send them to great fans like yourself. As I do with all the write-ins I will share your wonderful comment with my dad. He is 85-1/2 now and is doing pretty good. I want to thank you for the compliment as well, yes I always try to bring my personal touch and passion to all my residents. I love what I do, BUT really miss my family business. Maybe some day I will bake them in a truncated batch and attempt to sell them. Who knows. Either way, thank you so much for your comment it means a lot. In the meantime enjoy your grandmother as much as you can. God bless you. I hope your holidays are wonderful and joyous.

      Regards,

      Steve K.

  50. Sue

    November 19, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    I am a life long brownie hater. To me brownies taste like burnt, weak, not very high quality chocolate. That being said, Plantation Brownies were an obsession of mine. So moist, so chocolaty, just wonder mouthfuls of pure Heaven. I miss them so much.

    • Steve

      December 17, 2014 at 1:15 am

      NOW you know a good brownie when you taste one! They were great. We made everything from scratch including using fresh eggs daily. We used over 3.5 million eggs a day! We received them in bulk totes already broken. We received whites and whole eggs. We also used pure chocolate chips and real cocoa powder, NO carob powder! I am so happy you enjoyed them and actually took the time to read up on them. My sincere appreciation!

      My best to you,

      Steve

  51. Colin

    December 24, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    I would be willing to invest my life saving in a plantation brownie reprise. I miss them so much!!!

    • Steve

      April 14, 2015 at 3:49 pm

      WOW Colin. I am so sorry I did not see your comment before today. Your response is hysterical. I will share this one with my dad. I can only thank you a million times over for your kind words and support for our Plantation brownies. Thank you for being a loyal customer and for taking the time to research them. Be well…

      Regards,

      Steve K.

  52. Amy

    January 28, 2015 at 12:32 am

    Hi Steve,

    I have been craving the brownies all day today out of the blue. I actually couldn’t remember the exact name. I searched brownies, fudge brownies, England brownies, and pecan brownies with chocolate chips until I recognized the name Olde New England brownies. Bet I googled for over an hour! I had noticed I never could find these for a long time, but never realized until now that they are out of production. Please tell your dad how wonderfully delicious the brownies were and that I miss them greatly. I remember getting them from the convenience stores and vending machines in school and college. If you don’t get to ever put the recipe back in production, would you ever think of sharing it with the world? Thanks for putting a smile on my face and satisfying my chocolate cravings so many times. God bless you and yours.

    • Steve

      April 14, 2015 at 3:56 pm

      Amy your are the best! Thank you. I assume you read many of the earlier comments that were written with my responses. Unfortunately, production ceased years ago. Basically, Keebler and Kellogg destroyed it. It was such a wonderful and amazing company. My dad and uncle took such great care of all the employees. We had people who had worked with us for over 45 years! The product line we made was fantastic. Quality was the upmost important ingredient! I will be sure to share your comments with my dad. He always appreciates when I tell him people remember Plantation brownies! As for sharing the recipe, hmmmmm. Not sure I should. But you never know. Thank you again for such a beautiful comment and for taking the time to search Plantation. Be well and take care.

      Regards,

      Steve K.

  53. Steve

    February 1, 2015 at 2:18 am

    WOW! Colin and Amy thank you so much for taking the time to look up Plantation and writing. Very much appreciated. I promise you that IF we were ever able to bring them back I will let you know. I only wish it was an easy task to do. I truly miss our family business each and every day. I resigned on October 7, 1994. I cannot believe I have been gone from there for over 20 years. Time truly flies… I will pass your sincere and kind words on to my dad. He will appreciate hearing them. Best to you. Regards, Steve

  54. Mike

    March 13, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    Oh man, I too have been looking for these brownies for years. Used too be my lunch at work when I had no time. They were wonderful, so sad that there gone.

    • Steve

      April 14, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks Mike. I wish I was able to send you a case! They are gone, not a fault of ours. The bakery was my life and I miss it every day. I grew up working there and enjoyed the years I had there working with my dad and uncle. The best two men I ever met! Thank you so much for being a loyal customer and for missing our brownies. People like you made this whole journey great for my dad and uncle. I will be sure to pass your comment along to my dad. Best to you.

      Regards,
      Steve K.

  55. Cliff B.

    April 17, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    Steve K.,
    I used to survive on your dad’s brownies when I was in college (’91-’95). For some odd reason they didn’t give me the instant sugar rush and then crash. They were “solid” enough to last me for hours. I loved them so much. Since I moved from Texas to Maryland in 2004 I have searched high and low for them. I’ve google’d them many times and got bits and pieces of information. Did not truly know the history of the company until today when I ran across this conversation thread and read one of your comments from several years ago. So, so sad Keebler killed it; those brownies were awesome and I have yet to find anything close to their taste. My condolences on your uncle’s passing. He and your dad had an excellent product that is sorely missed.

    Sincerely,
    Cliff

  56. Ken

    May 11, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    I loved these brownies and I miss them so. I used to work in Washington, DC, and the hot dog truck in front of my building carried them. For years, I would get one every Friday as an end of the week treat. They were the best packaged brownies I ever had, by far. Then one day . . . he didn’t have them anymore. He said they were discontinued. A couple of months later I found some at a gas station convenience store and I bought the lot of them. I went through those soon enough, and I never saw them again. It is comforting to come here and see that I was not alone in my love of these brownies, and in remembering them after all these years. Brings back a lot of nostalgic memories. So thanks for posting this!

  57. Steve

    August 12, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    Thank you for taking the time to write Cliff and Ken! Yep, they no longer exist. Plantation brownies were great and like I have written before, I miss them as well. They were truly Americana! If WE ever revive them I will promise to be the first person the post here! G-d bless and thank you for your interest and past support. So appreciated. I will share both of your posting with my father.

    Best to you,

    Steve

  58. Ward

    August 29, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Well the last comment is a year old, but Steve – I dont know how tough it would be to start producing again, but as a distributor of packaged bakery goods, I can tell you that Plantation Brownies were one of the very best selling items we ever carried. You could pick up today where you left off years ago.

    • Steve

      October 24, 2016 at 1:29 am

      Much appreciated Ward. I wish it was that easy and possible. I don’t think it will happen. Keebler/Kellogg owns the name rights. That would be the first stop. But to product again would so expensive. It is always a thought in the back of my mind. You never know! I will share your comment with my dad. I want to thank you very much for thinking and remembering Plantation Baking Company and our brownies. It is touching and I know my dad will be happy to read your note. God Bless. Regards,

      Steve

  59. Cathie Cabral

    October 4, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    I miss Plantation Brownies too! We used to get them with our school lunches. I would always trade for other brownies! Best brownies ever!!! Please bring them back!!!

    • Steve

      October 24, 2016 at 1:31 am

      Much appreciated Ward. I wish it was that easy and possible. I don’t think it will happen. Keebler/Kellogg owns the name rights. That would be the first stop. But to product again would so expensive. It is always a thought in the back of my mind. You never know! I will share your comment with my dad. I want to thank you very much for thinking and remembering Plantation Baking Company and our brownies. It is touching and I know my dad will be happy to read your note. God Bless. Regards,

      Steve

      Thank you as well Cathie! The fact that you took the time to look Plantation up is such an honor. I will share your comment with my dad as well. Regards,

      Steve

  60. Tom Schall

    October 7, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    Plantation brownies still get mentioned from time to time in this office located in Fort Wayne Indiana. We refer to the brownies as “C4” brownies because they were always in the same spot in the vending machine — item 4 in row C – always ! ! ! There is no existing brownie that comes close to being a substitute to the Plantation brownie.

    • Steve

      October 24, 2016 at 1:35 am

      WOW Tom!!! What company? I am sure I made a sales call on it back in the mid-1980’s. Ironically, I am now in healthcare. I am opening up a NEW Memory Care facility in Fort Wayne! It will be opening in the next couple of weeks. We are located on Diebold Road. It is called Lincolnshire Place.

      You comment is so much appreciated. Like all the comments I will share with my dad. If we EVER bring them back I will contact you. Regards,

      Steve

  61. Elle Stork

    March 30, 2017 at 6:21 pm

    Plantation Brownies were the best!!! The go-to snack throughout my childhood. I always find myself searching for them and now I know they are no longer :(. The perfect consistency with that fudgy frosting layer! I would buy a case right now if I could. Thanks for all those years of yummy goodness. No other brownie has ever come close!

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:39 pm

      Ty ty Elle. Much appreciated. I will share with my dad.

  62. Steve

    April 30, 2017 at 12:12 am

    Too kind Elle! Thank you. I will share with my dad tomorrow. We have a family brunch for his 88th birthday! He will appreciate your comment. G-d Bless! Regards,

    Steve

  63. David

    May 12, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    We love those browines, used to buy them at Sam’s club been looking for them for years.wish I had one they are good!

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:41 pm

      Thank you David. Comment is much appreciated. So nice to hear that people still remember them. God Bless.

      Steve

  64. Eric

    May 24, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    These were awesome, they tasted real. Also Old New England with the little walnuts on top if I remember right. I used to buy the whenever I saw them cuz the quality stood out next to everything else in the gas station/corner store. The salt/sweet balance was perfect.

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:44 pm

      Ty Eric. Olde New England was an amazing brownie. I use to sell and work in production and always loved those. Pecans not walnuts though. Close enough. So nice of you to write. God bless. I will let my dad know what you wrote.

  65. Steven

    June 18, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    My wife and I were wondering where could find those delicious brownies.Saddened to here they are no longer made.Tell your dad thank-you and I have never found any that tasted as good as those.

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:46 pm

      Ty. I love to share all the comments with my dad. Unfortunately my uncle, his partner died several years ago. But the two of them were an amazing duo. Thank so much. Bets fo you.

  66. Crystal

    August 14, 2017 at 10:47 am

    I am so sad that they are no longer made. As a child my father bought me one every Saturday for years. My father passed away last august and those brownies are one of my favorite memories I had with my dad.

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:48 pm

      I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad Crystal. But so happy that you shared Greta times and have the memories. The fact that Plantation brownies were part of those memories is amazing. I wish I had brownies to send to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless. Steve

  67. Paul

    September 5, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    Best brownies ever!I wish my kids had a chance to try them! They will only be able to hear how good they was from me.

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      Thank you Paul. They were amazing. So glad you had the chance to enjoy. I too wish they were still around. I miss our family business very much. God bless. Steve

  68. Stephanie

    September 27, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    OMG…..NOOOOOO I used to buy these ALL the time. Has it really been 20 years?? I just thought of these and decided to go find a place that sells them. These were the BEST brownies. I had such and addition to them. I always bought them in a package of 8. Have never been able to find anything even close to it since. 🙁 PLEASE PLEASE bring them back :'(

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:52 pm

      I wish I cold bring them back Stephanie. Boy do I! Pack of 8 must have been out large multipack 3” x 1.625” each. Thank you for being a loyal customer and fan for so many years. Take care and God bless. Steve

  69. Evis

    October 24, 2017 at 9:54 am

    I used to buy these at my school’s vending machines when I was little. (Mind you, I’m 40) and one year, a state over, and in the most random place, I saw them in a vending machine at a sink/faucet warehouse. I bought a few and thought they must be out on the market again.. a year later, at Costco, I saw them! They were sold in a pack of 12 , I believe, and was really inexpensive. I was buying chocolates for my family in Hong Kong and thought ok great, Costco is now selling them, I’ll be back for them and only purchased one. When I came back, they we’re gone! This was before 2010. I tell my kids about Plantation Brownies all the time.. would love to see them back on the market!

    • Steve

      November 1, 2017 at 9:56 pm

      Wow Elvis. Great story there. Thank you for being so loyal and supportive. I wish I could bring them back. Talked a lot about it. Wish we never sold the company. They ruined it! Destroyed it. So sad after all my dad and uncle out into it. They started in baking back in 1947 just after WW2. They were in retail baking. The rest is truly history and American! God bless you. Ty again. Steve

  70. Cathie Cabral

    November 1, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    Can’t you re-start the company? Please?????

    • Steve

      December 3, 2017 at 2:28 am

      I only wish. Ty.

  71. Jason

    November 23, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    The Plantation peanut butter brownies from back in the 90’s were the best . Certainly miss those things

    • Steve

      December 3, 2017 at 2:30 am

      Ty Jason. They were good so I was told. I don’t like peanut butter but so many people did! I never like making them on my shift because I would spell of peanut butter. Best to you.

  72. Troy S.

    November 29, 2017 at 9:42 am

    Steve please tell your pops what a great piece of Americana he produced and by far the best brownie I’ve ever had. Miss them so much.In fact as I was typing this I showed 3 people from work a picture of the brownie and they all exclaimed how much they used to enjoy them!

    • Steve

      December 3, 2017 at 2:33 am

      Thanks so much Troy. I will tell him and shared your comment with him. Your kindness and support is beyond. Best to you. Steve

  73. Troy S.

    November 29, 2017 at 10:15 am

    These look very similar..I wonder how they taste. https://www.amazon.com/PEGGY-LAWTON-FUDGE-BROWNIES-PACK/dp/B004WP04YG

  74. Steve

    December 3, 2017 at 2:34 am

    Lol. Those brownies were around for a bit. They are actually very small if I recall. Like 2”x2”. Very dry.

  75. Brian M

    February 2, 2018 at 12:15 am

    Steve, Like all the comments before, I also had a craving and searched high and low for a picture of the packaging because I didn’t remember the name. Soooooo sad that we will never taste these again. My favorite memory of my Grandpa was that he would take my little sister and I to the corner store and tell us we could pick any treat we wanted. We always got your Dad’s brownies. He always asked…are you sure you don’t want a chocolate bar? And he would tell us to grab another because they were such a deal.
    I was trying to find a box of them for my sister’s 49th birthday coming up. She’s just gonna have to settle for a Shawn Cassidy poster…because nothing else tastes as good.
    Too bad Keebler was only interested in eliminating competition.

  76. Steve

    March 18, 2018 at 9:48 pm

    Hey Brian. Of course a brownie over a chocolate bar, lol. Such a great story. I will share with my dad. I will be visiting him soon in CA. Best to you and thanks so much for loving our brownies and writing. G-d Bless. Steve

  77. Aarati Martino

    May 26, 2018 at 4:07 pm

    Steve, thanks to your family for these brownies. My husband was on the hunt for a substitute just today and tried the Tastykakes. He said they are not the same and he misses yours.

    I wish we could pull a Twinkie and get these back on the shelves…

    Anyway have a great day and thanks for the tasty memories. 🙂

    • Steven

      November 20, 2018 at 4:57 pm

      Aarati,

      Sorry for long delay to respond. I do not check the site as often as I should. No, Tastykake is not the same. I KNOW the company that made them for back in the DAY. It was delicious then! I sure do wish I could make them again. I will share your comment with my dad. He always appreciates hearing comments. Please thank your husband for his love of our brownies. SO much appreciated. God Bless. Steve

  78. Lisa

    June 25, 2018 at 7:33 pm

    My mother remembers these brownies being sold at her high school student store, class of ‘84. She fondly missed these brownies and was also on a hunt for them. Several years ago, she came upon a brownie and describe it tasting like the brownie of her youth! They are widely available, people! 7-Eleven counters for $1.19! Let me know what you think of them.

    • Steven Kaufman

      November 20, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks Lisa. They may be good but not that good, lol. Glad your mom enjoyed them. Regards,

      Steve

  79. Bill W.

    February 19, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    Wow, a bit of nostalgia. I was an independant snack food distributor from 1986-2006 and purchased product from many suppliers and bakeries such as flowers, and dolly madison as well as Plantation brownies. I remember purchasing them drop shipment of 25-50 cases I think 25 cases was the minimum. I used to order quite regularly the fudge brownies as well as the PB and if I remember correctly they also had a mint brownie. Also ordered the cookie line they sold,, PB, Ch. chip, molasses, and oatmeal raisin. All these items did very well for me. I now have a vending business which is what bought me here, I was looking for these products for my machines, sorry to hear they are unavailable. Thanks for all the stories and comments. Bill

    • Steve

      February 19, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      Wow. Great memory Bill. Minimum was 300 lbs. The brownie your referred to as mint was actually just a cream filled brownie. If you read some of the comments and my responses you realized this great company was literally ruined and no linger exists. Sad. My uncle and father worked so hard to build it. But any way I will share your story with my dad. He turns 90 in a couple of months. My uncle passed away about 9 years ago now. My dad will be very happy to know people remember our brownies. I always share stories with him when they come up. Many many people comment to me all the time. I’m fortunate that I still have my mom and dad in my life. He is as sharp as ever! Thank you so much for your comment and your past loyalty. Wishing you well. Steve Kaufman

  80. donna tuttle, look me up on fb I don't do/look at email

    May 4, 2019 at 5:20 am

    When I searched google for a copy cat recipe for Plantation Brownie. It led me here and I started reading thru the threads of comments and I like everyone else was very sad to hear they are no longer available. In reference to your comment that you are the only one on earth that has the recipe…..why man why (lol) would you not share something so wonderful as the experience of enjoying THE BEST BROWNIE EVER ??? I am pushing 60yrs old, so I have eaten a lot of Plantation Brownies in my time. I’ll share a story with you… I no longer work due to health. When I did I was a dog groomer, I bred Labrador Retrievers, trained dogs, boarded dogs…loved what I did. I used to watch an old bosses/friend dog. He would “tip” me with homemade deviled eggs. The best deviled eggs ever!! Everyone loved his eggs!! He was known as the egg man, no joke. Well he passed away and took that recipe to the grave with him. To this day people still talk about his deviled eggs. Someone will always make the comment about how we wished he would have shared his recipe. To this very day I still crave his deviled eggs and the BEST BROWNIE EVER!!! Before I owned my own shop I used to work at a grooming shop in Lake Bluff, Il. On my way to work I would drive by a Plantation Baking operation on US RT 41….the smell of those brownies baking was what heaven must smell like… Thank you for your time reading this, sincerely, Donna Oh how we wish you would sell the recipe. A girl can dream. Take care Steve K.

    • Steve

      May 4, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      Hi Donna,

      How wonderful to hear your comments and memories… Ironically, I was with my mom and dad last night and I went to the website to see if there were any new comments to share with them. I read a bunch and he enjoyed them thoroughly! I mentioned that one day no one will inquire about Plantation because as with the passing of time things are forgotten. That said, here you come! Your comment arrived just in time. I read it to my dad this AM. Yes, Rt. 41 in lake Bluff across from the Full Moon Truck Stop! I have thought about having someone make the brownie. Problem is Kellogg MAY still own it. When they merged with Keebler they destroyed our entire product line, sad to say. Any way… YOU never know, maybe one day I will figure it out. Starting up today would be too cost prohibitive. My dad just turned 90 and I talk about the baking business all the time. I share pictures of our baking days of him and my uncle. He is an amazing man. I wish he wrote a book! Again thank you so very much for reaching out! God Bless! I hope you feel better… Sincere regards,

      Steve

      • Ted Benedict

        September 20, 2019 at 3:02 pm

        Steve: We’ll bake them and label them anyway you want – even pay a royalty on sales if necessary – all we need is the recipe.
        tbamrktg@telus.net

        • Steve

          September 20, 2019 at 3:12 pm

          Thanks Ted. I Emailed you directly.

          Steve

  81. Allan

    October 2, 2019 at 6:10 am

    Steve,
    I grew up on your delicious brownies! My family members worked for Plantation, so we had an endless supply of goodness. You ran a wonderful company and were good to your employees. Thank you for making my childhood a brownie delight. Give my love to your father.

    • Steve

      December 29, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      Hi Allen. So kind of you to write that. Truly appreciated. My dad and uncle were amazing owners. They fully cared about all the employees at Plantation. I will share with him. My uncle passed away about 9 years ago. My dad is 90! He is still quite the man. Happy holidays. Steve

  82. Kevin Lester

    October 6, 2019 at 3:47 am

    WOW! This is possibly the most awesome thing I have found on the internet to date. Like so many above, over the years commenting, I too was reminiscing about these dang brownies. And upon googling them for fun and to show my girlfriend I found this. I have shared it with my father, whom started our families love for the Plantation brownies. Now he is busy texting me, after midnight on a Saturday, about his memories of them as well. That says something, about the relationship of a family business that put out quality for their customers and the relationship it truly builds. Thanks Steve, for finding this, and sharing memories of your side of the story. Your family really did leave a mark in the world. Incase anyone is wondering, my dad was obsessed with the New England and was split between those and the Creme version. And as many have mentioned, nothing, NOTHING comes close to comparison.

    Best wishes Steve, to you and your family. Thanks for decades of great brownies, and more importantly, great memories.

    • Steve

      December 29, 2019 at 3:22 pm

      Hi Allen. So kind of you to write that. Truly appreciated. My dad and uncle were amazing owners. They fully cared about all the employees at Plantation. I will share with him. My uncle passed away about 9 years ago. My dad is 90! He is still quite the man. Happy holidays. Steve

    • Steve

      December 29, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      Amazing. I enjoyed reading your wonderful and sincere comments. I will share with my dad. He is 90 and loves to hear stories like this. So glad we made a difference. Most importantly that you all enjoyed and remember them so well. God bless. Steve

  83. Nicholas McPherson

    October 13, 2019 at 12:11 am

    I was browsing and stumbled upon this article about hostess company and who owns and can profit from recipes.. still consult a lawyer pending the disclosure agreements upon sale of your company may stop you from profiting but may allow others who gain knowledge of the ingredients to produce the brownie in question.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/slate.com/business/2012/11/hostess-bankruptcy-what-will-happen-to-the-recipes-for-twinkies-ho-hos-and-wonder-bread.amp

    On a side note. I’ve never had one but my roommate raves.. now I want to try one..

    • Steve

      December 29, 2019 at 3:31 pm

      Interesting. My son and brother are attorneys. Will be reviewing. Much appreciated. Steve

  84. Vincent Singer

    December 13, 2019 at 11:31 am

    I used to love these brownies in the late ’80’s when I was in the Army. $1.00 each from a vending machine in the barracks. Rich chocolate flavor, not bitter or overly sweet. Moist and very slightly chewy, with a hint of firmness around the edges. Nice size – were always fresh.

    Yes – I miss them, and would love one now. Regional c-store chain Allsups sells one under their brand – not quite as much chocolate flavor, a little dryer, but otherwise very good. $2.00/ea.

    • Steve

      December 29, 2019 at 3:35 pm

      Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story. Most importantly thank you for your service in the Army. I will
      Share with my dad who is now 90! He is still an amazing man! They were the greatest brownies ever. I miss them every day. God bless Nd be well. Steve

      • m@

        December 30, 2019 at 7:25 pm

        Steve, I also loved these brownies. Although I’m curious… Does Plantation Brownie not come off as racist?

        • Steve

          December 30, 2019 at 7:29 pm

          Great question. It may sound it. But in reality plantations had nothing to do with slavery from the definition standpoint. There are many places such as plantation Florida and plantation candies. When wee were in business we new er ever had an issue or questions. We employed hundreds of African Americans and many other minorities. Yet today it may be questioned by some. I get that. Ty.

          • Mark Massie

            June 27, 2020 at 9:57 am

            Thank you, Steve For your great blog about Plantation Brownies. Here’sa good, true story…
            My wife, Robin and I actually met in junior high school. In high school in about 1972, she bought a package of Plantation Brownies from the vending machine. She found a piece of the blue wrapper inside one of the Brownies and decided to send the company a letter to “complain”. It was in gest but she claimed of “great sadness” when she took a bite of her favorite treat just to find the wrapper instead.

            She received a wonderful reply at that time, echoing her sarcasm and indicating that the “great oversight” in quality control would be repaid by sending her some samples of the wonderful Brownies.

            Years later, she came across your reply letter in a box and realized that she had never actually received the promised Brownies. So she crafted another letter. Saying something like “I have been waiting patiently for over 10 years” and each day I wait by the mailbox for my promised Brownies but continue to be disappointed…

            After that letter, you once again replied with heartfelt apologies but this time, you sent her a CASE of the wonderful Brownies!!

            Thank you SO much for the years of pure enjoyment and the great sense of humor.

            Mark M.

  85. Steven Kaufman

    June 29, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    Wow! Great story. I shared with my dad this AM. He is now 91! He truly appreciated the story and laughed! We talk about Plantation ALL the time. It was such a wonderful company! The product, the employees and relationships were fantastic! I have such great memories of growing up and then working there. That is all I ever wanted to do! I miss it every day. Thank you so much for sharing your wife’s story. I love to hear them even after all this time. I KNOW my dad appreciates them.

    Be safe and stay well…

    Best,

    Steve

  86. Anthony

    November 28, 2020 at 10:05 pm

    Steve, I hope this finds you well. Well, it’s 2020, almost 2021, and I want you to know that people are still “looking” for a replacement of this iconic brownie. I had my first Plantation brownie some time in the early 90’s in junior high school. Since they were discontinued there just have t been anything close.

  87. Steve Kaufman

    December 31, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    Amazing Anthony. Thank you for sharing. As always I will share with my dad, the founder. He will soon be 92 (G-d willing!). They were the best! I truly miss the company. We had amazing employees that were dedicated for their entire adult life! Our product line was wonderful. Growing up in the business and then being blessed to have worked there with my dad, uncle and cousin was the greatest time of my life! Be well and thank you so much for reaching out.

    Regards,

    Steve

  88. Peggy

    February 26, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    Did the Plantation brownies have chocolate chips?

    • Sujeet Patel

      February 26, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      I don’t recall chocolate chips, just nuts on top.

  89. Steve

    March 26, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Our regular fudge brownies had walnuts. Some private label had pecans. We did use pure chocolate chip morsels in our Olde New England Brownies. This brownie also had pecans.

  90. Rosie

    June 5, 2021 at 10:33 pm

    Hi Steve, having just finished a Little Debbie brownie it brought me back to my memories of Plantation products. Found this blog. I was in beauty school in 1983 and had a client there on Saturdays that worked for Plantation on Rte 41. I’m sure you will remember her. Yoko was the sweetest lady and would treat me to Plantation goodies, she would bring me McDonalds and even treated me to dinner at the Sizzler on Rte 21 when I graduated. I got to see her about 10 years later at a wedding she was serving at in Waukegan.
    She had not changed! Plantation products are a found memory of growing up in Lake County!

  91. Steve

    August 13, 2021 at 10:38 pm

    Hi Rosie. Yes I believe I do remember her. If I am am correct she is of Japanese decent and worked there for years. Thank you for writing and of course remembering Plantation. I will share with me father. Be well and safe.

  92. Bruce J Rietveld

    August 14, 2021 at 12:41 pm

    Wow!! I just read this all and it is so interesting!!I used to work at a Ben Franklin Store in high school days and we sold them. I bought one and tried it and bought many more. I have kept my eye open for them ever since. Now I know why I can’t find them!! They were awesome!!

  93. Eric L F

    September 9, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    Hi, I live in Minnesota. Back when I was a kid/teen in the 80s and first half of the 90s I tried and then would regularly enjoy the Plantation brownies. I did so, so much that the gas station workers would call me ‘Brownie’. I loved them so much!! If the cream filled ones were sold out I’d get the peanut butter ones. Unfortunately, they haven’t been on the market for years. Thus started my quest for a brownie just as good or better. Many years later, I’m still on the quest.

    I do have to note there was a brownie only sold 5 miles from where I lived that was also really good with frosting on top. That brownie I suspect was homemade because it never had commercial packaging but plastic wrap anyone can find in a grocery store and a price tag that was locally put there. I asked for the recipe but never got it and is no longer sold there. These two brownies obviously have different recipes, but I’ve yet to find something just as good.

    Steve, if you refuse to give the recipe out, please at least make them for yourself and your family. And please share the recipe with your kids and possibly grandkids. Enjoy them during the holidays and other get-togethers with them. Please keep it in your family at least, I’m sure they’d thank you for it.

  94. Abby

    September 28, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    ha!! I am soooo delighted to see that I am not the only person searching for Plantation Brownines. I went to high school in Chicago in the 90s, and I literally ate a Plantation Brownie almost daily. I’d buy it from our vending machine, along with a bag of Cheetos. lmbo! Not the most nutritious meal, but deeeelicious! Every so often, I reminisce about how I miss Plantation Brownies, so I decided to hop on the internet to see if I could find where to order them. Lo and Behold, I came across this site. Very cool to see an original family member, Steve, jump in the comments and share that Plantation Brownies are no more. Womp womp. But yay for the memories.

  95. Steve

    October 16, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    Abby, great story. Thank you for sharing. I just love to hear about it. Like many stories before yours I will share with my dad. He is 92 and enjoys hearing about how people loved his products. Thank you for being a loyal customer and enjoying our brownies. I miss them as well. Be well, be safe and take care. Best to you, Steve

  96. Doug

    December 21, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Around 1992-94 used to work at the Great Lakes navy base less than a mile from the plantation bakery in North Chicago (“Lake Bluff” according to the mailing address). The bakery was on Route 41 and our firehouse was on the west side of the Green Bay Road crest – we could see it during the winter. When the wind blew towards us we used to joke that the breeze was 15 calories.
    They were a great snack and I miss eating – and smelling – them. Thanks for the family point of view.

  97. Steve

    March 13, 2022 at 1:38 am

    You bet Doug. Glad you enjoyed. Those breeze calories are tough to lose! All the best, Steve

  98. Jason

    June 17, 2022 at 6:56 pm

    Steve, I was just telling my kids about this amazing brownie that kept me alive though college. I was a broke BROKE college kid and realized these amazing brownies gave me the most calories for the money out of the vending machine. I Googled were I could still find these and found this thread. Very sad to hear these aren’t made anymore. Thank you and you family for keeping a broke kid alive though college. Tell your father his brownie helped get me though the hard times.
    Jason

  99. Craig Ball

    July 3, 2022 at 9:37 pm

    This wrapper looks so close to the brownies I was trying to find that my dad used to get a box at Sam’s club individual wrapped had chocolate chips it them was about 20yrs ago but I thought they were Old english.

  100. Steve

    July 18, 2022 at 10:50 pm

    Hi Jason,
    Great story. I love it. I am so happy that our brownies helped with your education 😊. I appreciate your patronage and writing. My dad is 93 and he will enjoy hearing this story. God bless. Steve

  101. Steve

    July 18, 2022 at 10:57 pm

    Craig,

    I hope all is well. Thank you for reaching out. Yes, we did sell to Sam’s Club. You were close, Olde New England Fudge Brownie. Chips and Pecan topping. No Icing. They were amazing! I am so happy you enjoyed and remember them. I will share with my dad as I do all comments. Be well and safe. Steve

  102. Craig Ball

    July 19, 2022 at 11:19 am

    Ok guess I will give up my search for them. Lol. Those were my morning breakfast for school for years, grab a brownie off the fridge an a pop from inside an on my I went.

  103. Bernard

    July 28, 2022 at 3:40 am

    I think that I bought Plantation brownies in the early to mid 60s when I was a kid. I used to like a brownie that had peanut butter between the brownie and the icing. I was in the vending business in the 80s and 90s. Plantation brownies were always in every snack machine. They were the best.

  104. Bernard

    July 28, 2022 at 3:49 am

    60 years later and people are still talking about these brownies. I was looking for Sara Lee Banana cake a while ago. It isn’t in stores any more as far as I can tell. I did find that you can get them from Gordon Food Service. You have to order a case (frozen and about $100) but it ended my search and they’re still pretty tasty. It was worth all of the trouble looking for them.

  105. Anthony Scott

    August 10, 2022 at 8:41 pm

    The student store at my middle school sold them and I ate the all the time. Preferred the cream-filled ones in the blue rapper. That would have been 1983-1984.

  106. Steven J Kaufman

    August 26, 2022 at 11:15 am

    Well Craig that is one healthy breakfast I have to tell you! Soooo glad you enjoyed. Thank you for sharing your experience. I will tell my dad. Best, Steve

  107. Steven J Kaufman

    August 26, 2022 at 11:17 am

    Thank you Bernard. Funny, I HATE peanut butter. I used to dread running any shift I had to bake peanut butter cookies or brownies. That said, THEY were a great seller and were tasty – just not to me. I will share with my dad as well. Regards, Steve

  108. Steven J Kaufman

    August 26, 2022 at 11:19 am

    Good choice Anthony! The creamed filled brownies were awesome! So glad you enjoyed and now took the time to research them and share your story. My dad will appreciate hearing bout it. Best, Steve

  109. Najla

    August 26, 2022 at 1:51 pm

    Hello Steve. Have you ever thought about making a deserts recipe book?

  110. Steve

    September 9, 2022 at 8:33 pm

    Actually no thought for a recipe book. But not a bad idea. Just not sure I want to share our recipes.

  111. Tony

    September 14, 2023 at 12:03 pm

    Came across this thread when searching around for Plantation brownies. I used to love the Plantation crème filled brownies when I was a kid and wondered if they were still around. Sad to know the company no longer exists but its nice to know that so many people enjoyed the brownies and are like me, out searching to find that special brownie from their childhood. Steve, I bet you could work with a baked goods company and reintroduce Plantation brownies on the market. I’m sure people would buy them again. I’d be on board. You’re right, there are no good brownies anymore. Might as well chew chocolate flavored cardboard.

    • Steve

      December 22, 2023 at 1:15 am

      Hi I Tony,
      Sorry for the late response. I usually check this blog every few months. I appreciate your kindness and love for our brownies. I will share your comments with my dad. Who is 94🙏🏻. Unfortunately my uncle passed about 13 years ago. I have been asked to revive our delicious brownies by many. Just not sure I have the energy. In the meantime be well and God Bless. Steve

  112. Libby

    March 10, 2024 at 3:09 am

    So… are we ever going to get these back? I was kinda hoping to have one before I die. I can give money, I can easily sell a kidney. Anyone?

  113. Libby

    March 10, 2024 at 3:11 am

    libbyscritters@gmail.com if anyone wants to sell me the recipe, I would promise to keep it just for me, not trying to manufacture them or anything, really I just want to eat one more before I leave this world 🥺

    • Steven J Kaufman

      March 28, 2024 at 5:38 pm

      Hi Libby,

      You are too funny! Unfortunately, I think we will both leave this world without another Plantation Brownie. Sad, right? I will share with my dad your WISH to have ONE more Plantation Fudge Brownie. He will appreciate it very much. My uncle has passed on, but we are fortunate to still have my dad with us. He loves to hear stories about people who enjoyed our products. Thank you so much for loving our brownies so much. Thank you as well for reaching out!

      God Bless…

      Steve

  114. John

    May 16, 2024 at 10:01 pm

    Hi all! I came across this thread recently while searching for Olde New England brand Brownies. I never had the privilege of trying a Plantation Brownie but I’m sure I would have loved them as I love most kinds of brownies. 😉

    Question for Steve: Did your father’s company also make the Olde New England brand Brownies? I see that you had mentioned them by name earlier. I used to get that brand at gas station convenience stores in the mid 2000s I believe. The last time I was able to score one was around the year 2010 give or take if I had to guess. For a convenience store brownie they were pretty darn good in my opinion! I ran across a 1996 online patent for them and they were described as, “OLDE NEW ENGLAND BRAND PECAN FUDGE BROWNIE WITH PURE CHOCOLATE MORSELS”. Do you know of any similar brownies to the Olde New England brand brownies? I looked for a copycat recipe online but nothing came up.. 🙁

    My current favorite store bought brownies are the one they sell at Firehouse Subs and also the ones they sell at Jersey Mike’s Subs.

    I used to go to a pizza shop that sold excellent brownies in the early to mid 2000s and the guy there told me they were Hershey’s brand he bought at the food wholesaler. I tried Hershey’s brand (in a box) from the local grocery store but they weren’t the same. Perhaps the ones from the food wholesaler were different or he was leading me in the wrong direction. The ones he sold were very similar to the ones I can now buy from Jersey Mike’s. If anyone knows of copycat recipes to Old New England brand, Firehouse or Jersey Mike’s feel free to paste a link in your response.

    Thanking you all in advance!

    • Steve

      June 15, 2024 at 11:54 am

      HI John,

      Sorry for the delayed response. I TRY too respond top comments and interest in Plantation brownies and cookies once a month. YES, we made the Olde New England Brownie. IT was an AMAZING brownie. One of my favorites as well. We first introduced it in 1985 – I was our Vending Sales Manager then. I truly enjoyed introducing that brownie to our customers. The recipe was developed by my dad and uncle. Like in all of our products, we only used the best quality ingredients as well as FRESH Eggs that were delivered in large totes every day of the week. NO one has the recipes except possibly Keebler that eventually owned Plantation. They eventually dismantled the company – VERY SAD! It was a wonderful company that employed over 300 people and supported their families. I do want to thank you for remembering our product, it means a lot. My dad is 95 and I share every comment with him. He will enjoy yours as well. God Bless and THANK YOU! Steve

      • Davve

        July 18, 2024 at 2:46 am

        Steve, Yes your Brownie was a wonderful seller. I sold them by the pallet. So many tried, but nothing could replace Plantation. I worked in the vending industry for 35 years. In 1985 I was with with Vistar in Commerce CA. I believe your Broker was Cindy Ciulla. I’ve always wondered why nobody made a comparable product. I understand you’re in a position that you can’t disclose trade secrets. But if the time comes and you’re looking for investors, let me know.

        • Steve

          July 28, 2024 at 11:28 pm

          Woooooo! Yes, Cindy. I worked with Cindy on many occasions. She worked for her uncle Harold Witt. I used to calll on then VSA, now Vistar. I greatly appreciate your comments and the fact you remember our products and took the time to research. If I ever go back into baking you will know!!! Promise. That said, being in my early 60’s not sure I would have the energy. God bless you. I plan to share with my dad. My uncle unfortunately has passed on, but dad will enjoy hearing what you wrote. By the way, great memory recall on Cindy Cuilla.

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