An interesting New York Times piece yesterday explained that one of the few sectors whose numbers are rising as the recession deepens is the candy industry. The logic behind this trend is fairly self-explanatory: in bitter times, people want to eat sweet (and cheap) things. We’d like to see the candy industry seize upon this trend by creating more products that can be flaunted like luxury goods. To give an idea what we mean, we’re planning a private tasting of these 10 Luxurious Candies for the Recession.

The Chocolate Porsche

Okay, so you can’t afford a real sports car anymore, not a big deal. Next mid-life crisis, reach for one of these delicious chocolate roadsters.

The Chocolate Checkbook

Maybe you can’t write real checks anymore, but you can make delicious withdrawals with this chocolate checkbook.

The Candy Ring

You may not be able to buy a real diamond ring, or even real metal, but this colorful and sweet ring will keep your partner sweet and grateful for years (provided you give them a new one every day or so).

The Candy Necklace

So you’ve had to pawn your gold chunk and platinum chains? Just buy a boxful of these colorful candy chains and layer.

The Chocolate Gold Bar

If the gold standard will be the last thing to go on our downward economic slide, perhaps the chocolate standard is a slightly safer bet.

Chocolate Coins

Don’t leave these coins floating in your pocket or the bottom of your purse. Their value literally melts off every hour they aren’t being eaten. Help stimulate the economy: buy chocolate money.

Chocolate Cigars

Cuban contraband is probably out of your price range now, and Ecuadorian cigarillos just aren’t the same. Next time you need a puff of something fancy and smooth, reach for this humidor full of chocolate cigars. Also, no risk of lung cancer.

The Chocolate Cell Phone

Even if your service provider has disconnected your cell phone, you can still enjoy this smart chocolate flip phone wherever you go. Again, no risk of brain tumors.

Werther’s Original Candies

Okay, this one might seem like a stretch, but think about it: They’re wrapped in gold; they’re rich, creamy and smooth; and their packaging makes all kinds of allusions to safer, simpler times.

The Candy Bikini

You may not be able to afford expensive cruises and resorts, or even fancy swimwear, but you’ll always be able to lounge around your studio apartment in one of these candy bikinis.