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50 Best Christmas Candy Recipes to Share With Friends and Family

They make the sweetest gifts.

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christmas candy recipes
Caitlin Bensel

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There are tons of Christmas gift ideas you can give to your friends and family, but none are quite as sweet as homemade Christmas candy! Just like any other homemade food gifts, candy can be wrapped up in cellophane, tied with ribbon, or presented in a pretty holiday box. Not to mention, it makes for a great hostess gift throughout the season or even a Christmas dessert while you decorate the tree!

Not sure where to begin? Chocolate lovers will go crazy for the homemade truffles or chocolate-covered holiday haystacks. Otherwise, you can opt for something different like Ree Drummond’s pretzel turtles and candied nuts (both of which are delicious salty-sweet pecan recipes) or Crock-Pot candy decorated with festive Christmas sprinkles. You can also choose from peppermint bark, homemade fudge recipes, or the cutest reindeer pops inspired by everyone's favorite red-nosed Rudolph.

If you're feeling really ambitious, make a dozen different kinds! The whole family will love a Christmas candy calendar to count down the days till December 25. Many of these don't require a candy thermometer and come together in less than a half hour, so it's very doable! But no matter which candy recipe you choose, the best way to celebrate this holiday season is to snack on all kinds of Christmas candy while watching your favorite family Christmas movies.

1

Sugar Cookie Fudge

sugar cookie fudge christmas candy
Danielle Daly

Watch out, cookie lovers! This fudge is going to become your new family favorite. It has all the flavor of a holiday sugar cookie, including the festive sprinkles, but it's chewy and even sweeter.

Get the Sugar Cookie Fudge recipe.

SHOP PLATES

2

Christmas Cracker Candy

christmas cracker candy
Danielle Daly

This candy comes together like magic with its saltine cracker base, sweet toffee layer, and Nutella topping. It's salty and crunchy, but you can also swap in graham crackers if you've got a sweet tooth.

Get the Christmas Cracker Candy recipe.

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3

Peppermint Fudge

peppermint fudge christmas candy
Gordon Sawyer

Peppermint and chocolate are a match made in holiday heaven! All you need to do is melt, stir, spread, sprinkle, and let it cool—it doesn't get easier than that.

Get Ree's Peppermint Fudge recipe.

4

Reindeer Pops

reindeer pops christmas candy
Will Dickey

How adorable are these red-nosed treats made with peanut butter-filled Ritz crackers? You can even get your kids to help make them as a fun Christmas activity.

Get the Reindeer Pops recipe.

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5

Crock-Pot Candy

crock pot christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

If you're new to making candy or super busy, let your slow cooker do the work. It heats up low and slow, so your chocolate melts without seizing. Then, you can just stir in your favorite mix-ins.

Get the Crock-Pot Candy recipe.

SHOP SLOW COOKERS

6

Gingerbread Truffles

gingerbread truffles christmas candy
David Malosh

An easy way to make fancy-looking truffles? Start with a box of gingersnap cookies and a package of cream cheese! Once they're coated in chocolate and sprinkles, no one will know how quickly the came together.

Get Ree's Gingerbread Truffles recipe.

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7

Jeweled Divinity Candy

jeweled divinity christmas candy
Will Dickey

If you've never this old-fashioned candy, Ree describes it as "sort of like meringue, nougat, and marshmallow all combined in one ultra sweet holiday dessert." And it's just so festive to look at!

Get Ree's Jeweled Divinity Candy recipe.

8

Holiday Haystacks

holiday haystacks christmas candy
Will Dickey

No baking, no boiling, no temperature taking: This nostalgic treat couldn't be easier to make! All you have to do is melt chocolate and add the crunchy mix-ins before spooning out the little haystacks to cool.

Get Ree's Holiday Haystacks recipe.

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9

Christmas Bark

christmas candy bark
C.W. Newell

You'd never believe it once you bite into this sweet treat that the base of this bark is actually made of buttery club-style crackers. They turn sweet once a hot sugar mixture and white chocolate are poured on top.

Get Ree's Christmas Bark recipe.

10

Bourbon Balls

bourbon balls christmas candy
C.W. Newell

Proof that candy doesn't have to take a long time to make: These boozy delights come together in just 20 minutes and don't need to set or chill before you chow down.

Get Ree's Bourbon Balls recipe.

SHOP PARCHMENT

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11

Oreo Fudge

oreo fudge christmas candy
C.W. Newell

If you're looking for some simple hacks to making fudge, skip the thermometer and used sweetened condensed milk instead. Combined with crushed cookies, it comes together in 15 minutes.

Get Ree's Oreo Fudge recipe.

12

Potato Candy

potato candy christmas candy
C.W. Newell

More of a beginner? Skip the candy thermometer and make this old-fashioned treat instead. Yes, it's actually made of potatoes! But it's sweet and filled with creamy peanut butter.

Get the Potato Candy recipe.

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13

Brittle

brittle christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

This buttery and nutty candy packs some seriously sweet crunch. Plus, the super glossy, bright caramel color will look so impressive when you package it up as a homemade gift.

Get the Brittle recipe.

14

Homemade Marshmallows

homemade marshmallow christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

Grab the hot cocoa mix! These homemade marshmallows will float beautifully in your favorite mug. They have a dreamy texture and vanilla flavor that everyone will love.

Get the Homemade Marshmallows recipe.

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15

Peppermint Bark

peppermint bark christmas candy
David Malosh

There's something about sweet white chocolate and minty peppermint that just screams Christmastime. It only takes three ingredients to make so it's a holiday no-brainer.

Get Ree's Peppermint Bark recipe.

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16

Candied Orange Peel

orange peel christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

This winter citrus candy will sparkle as bright as your Christmas tree. You can dip them in chocolate or leave them plain depending on your family's preference.

Get the Candied Orange Peel recipe.

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17

Rum Balls

rum balls christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

This boozy candy is packed with rum, pecans, and cocoa powder to make the holidays just a little more decadent. They're a fun and fancy grown-up treat.

Get the Rum Balls recipe.

18

Buckeyes

buckeyes christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

There's a neat trick that makes it easy to dip these peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate. Simply pour the chocolate into a mug, then use a toothpick to make it even easier.

Get the Buckeyes recipe.

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19

Pecan Pralines

pecan pralines christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

This crunchy candy is a Southern favorite thanks to its big toasted pecan flavor. Adding a sprinkle of flaky salt on top will help to balance out the sweetness.

Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.

20

Hot Chocolate Bombs

hot chocolate bombs christmas candy
Caitlin Bensel

Skip the fancy store-bought hot chocolate bombs and make your own easy variation instead. They can be wrapped up with a festive Christmas mug as the ultimate holiday gift.

Get the Hot Chocolate Bombs recipe.

SHOP MUGS

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