Jelly Babies are named Britain’s favourite confectionery as survey suggests retro classics are making a comeback with Gen Z-ers

Jelly Babies have been voted the nation’s favourite sweet – as it is revealed retro classics are making a come back with younger generations, according to a new survey.

The fruit-flavoured baby-shaped sweets took the top spot with 65 per cent of Brits.

The survey revealed a third of the 2,000 Britons admit they love eating sweets as it transports them back to their childhood.

In fact, 27 per cent are thrilled that sweets from when they were young are now back in the shops.

Jelly Babies were invented 160 years ago in 1864 and confectionery historians believe the earliest Jelly Baby was the work of an Austrian confectioner who worked for Fryers of Lancashire.

Retro classics are making a come back with younger generations, according to a new survey (Stock image)

Jelly Babies were invented 160 years ago in 1864 and confectionery historians believe the earliest Jelly Baby was the work of an Austrian confectioner (Stock image)

It is thought he was asked to make a mould for Jelly Bears, but the resulting sweets looked more like newborn infants and were subsequently given their name.

They were relaunched as ‘Peace Babies’ after the First World War by Bassett’s Sweets in Sheffield, the brand which continues to make them to this day.

Following close behind the babies on the list of favourite goodies were Rowntrees’ Fruit Pastilles (62 per cent), and in third place, Fruit Gums, which are also made by Rowntree’s.

The research found as many as two thirds (65 per cent) of Britons of all ages agree many of the old classics are back in fashion.

Other retro classics which made the poll were old school cola bottles (59 per cent) and Werther’s Originals (59 per cent).

Also chosen by Brits in need of a sugar rush were Skittles (58 per cent), Tangfastics (57 per cent), Liquorice Allsorts (57 per cent) and the classic Rhubarb and Custard (56 per cent).

Childhood favourites like Jelly Tots (56 per cent), Love Hearts (54 per cent) and Pear Drops (53 per cent) are also enjoyed by Brits with a sweet tooth.

Jonathan Horsley of Perspectus Global, which conducted the research, said: ‘Sweets are one of life’s simple pleasures. You can see how they provoke feelings of nostalgia, as childhood classics like Jelly Babies, Fruit Pastilles, Pear Drops and Dolly Mix made the list of best loved sweets.’

Following close behind the babies on the list of favourite goodies were Rowntrees’ Fruit Pastilles (Stock image)

The survey revealed a third of the 2,000 Britons admit they love eating sweets as it transports them back to their childhood (Stock image)

Turkish Delight was also a favourite with 52 per cent of Brits opting for this sweet treat (Stock image)

The research also reveals that on average, Brits chew on an average of 19 sweets a week, with 78 per cent saying there’s something magical about enjoying the same sweets you ate as a child.

77 per cent admit they would choose a bag of their favourite sweets over pudding every time, while 70 per cent prefer sweets to chocolate.