This Iconic Southern Candy Is Honoring Dolly Parton With A Brand New Flavor

We’re still reeling over the loss of the iconic, unmatched Dolly Parton last month, and if you are, too, there are plenty of ways to celebrate her life and legacy. Yet one of the sweetest might be still to come.

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In her usual unstoppable fashion, Dolly continued to work on numerous projects prior to her passing (we’re sure desserts were included!). One of those happened to be a particularly ooey, gooey, and delicious collaboration with another Tennessee icon: Goo Goo Clusters.

Goo Goo Clusters are a staple in the state — in fact, they’re considered the city of Nashville’s official candy. You’ll find them just about everywhere during a visit, from the gift shops of local Cracker Barrel restaurants to supermarkets and drugstores. And they’re a Southern tradition, often joining forces with regional staples like Cheerwine, a cherry cola that Goo Goo Clusters turned into an irresistible candy.

And now, Goo Goo Clusters is honoring Dolly herself with a special flavor inspired by her music and spirit.

Goo Goo Clusters Is Going Pink for Dolly

Goo Goo Clusters revealed that it’s been working on a brand-new flavor just for Dolly Parton and dropped a (very pink!) sneak peek. 

The SongTeller Strawberry Shortcake Goo Goo is an exclusive spin on the classic candy, one that was exclusively made for Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel. Made of strawberry butter cake nougat, white chocolate ganache, shortbread, and real strawberry, each cluster is covered in ruby chocolate and white chocolate. 

What, exactly, is a Goo Goo Cluster in the first place? For those who aren’t Tennesseans, these candies are made with a mix of peanuts, caramel, and marshmallow nougat and topped off with a layer of milk chocolate coating (though some versions like Premium Goo Goos may feature dark chocolate). They’re similar to Snickers, though their marshmallow nougat makes them a one-of-a-kind treat.

The SongTeller Strawberry Shortcake Goo Goo is a particularly sweet spin on the original. And its ingredients and coloring were inspired by the stories, songs, and Southern spirit of Music City itself (and Dolly, obviously!).

This Dolly-Inspired Candy Comes With a Sweet Perk

If your mouth is watering at the thought of tasting the new SongTeller Strawberry Shortcake Goo Goo, you can actually get your hands on this treat right now. If you’re a Nashville local, you can pick the clusters up today — this flavor is available for a limited time at the downtown Nashville Goo Goo store. Not in Tennessee? You’ll also find this Goo Goo online at googoo.com. 

If you manage to get one of these Goo Goo sweets, there’s another benefit that’s simply so Dolly. From now through the end of September, 10 percent of the sales of this particular flavor will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. 

Something sweet, pink, beloved to Tennessee, and it gives back? Now that’s a candy that’s truly inspired by Dolly.