10+ Christmas Candy Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday Celebrations

Making your own Christmas candy is honestly a fun way to add a little personal flair to your holiday gatherings. Whether you’re after sweet, creamy fudge or something crunchy like brittle, there’s a recipe for every mood and skill level.

Christmas candy recipes let you whip up tasty treats to share with friends and family—or, let’s be real, just to snack on yourself during the season.

You really don’t have to be a pro in the kitchen to get started. A lot of these recipes are super simple and use ingredients you probably already have.

Trying out different recipes lets you play with flavors and maybe even stumble on a new favorite. Why not experiment a little?

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Ingredients

• Sugar
• Butter
• Milk or cream
• Chocolate
• Nuts
• Flavorings like peppermint or vanilla

Cooking Instructions

1. Gather your ingredients and measure everything out.
2. Follow the recipe steps to mix and cook as needed.
3. Chill or cool the candy—usually in the fridge or just on the counter.
4. Cut or shape before serving or packing up for gifts.

1) Classic Chocolate Fudge

Classic chocolate fudge is way easier than you might expect. The rich, creamy texture comes from just a handful of ingredients—chocolate chips, marshmallow fluff, and butter.

You’ll love how fast it comes together. Perfect if you need a last-minute Christmas treat.

This fudge melts in your mouth, and it’s always a hit at family gatherings. You only need one pot—no baking, no fuss.

Grab your pantry staples, stir a bit, and with a little patience, you’ll have a plate of fudge before you know it. It’s a classic for a reason.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Boil for 4-5 minutes, then take off the heat.
4. Stir in marshmallow creme and chocolate chips until smooth.
5. Pour into a greased pan and spread out.
6. Let it set at room temp or pop it in the fridge until firm.
7. Cut into squares and serve.

2) Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is one of those treats that just screams Christmas. You get layers of dark and white chocolate with a cool peppermint kick.

Crushed candy canes on top add a satisfying crunch and look super festive. You melt the chocolates separately, stir in peppermint, and layer them up.

Once the chocolate sets, break it into pieces—no need to be perfect. It’s great for gifting or just munching while you wrap presents.

This recipe is quick, needs only a few ingredients, and always looks impressive. If you want the step-by-step, check out the classic peppermint bark recipe here.

Ingredients

• 8 oz dark chocolate
• 8 oz white chocolate
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt dark chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
2. Spread in a lined pan, chill until firm.
3. Melt white chocolate, stir in peppermint extract.
4. Pour over the dark layer, sprinkle crushed candy canes.
5. Chill until set, then break up.

3) Homemade English Toffee

Homemade English toffee is a classic holiday treat. You start by cooking butter and sugar until it turns rich and caramel-like.

Once it cools a bit, spread melted chocolate on top and toss on some chopped nuts—pecans or almonds work great. Let it harden, then break it up.

It makes a beautiful gift, and the chocolate-nut combo is just so good.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)
• 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine butter, sugar, water, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring until butter melts and sugar dissolves.
3. Boil until the mixture hits 300°F (150°C), stirring the whole time.
4. Pour onto a greased baking sheet and spread out.
5. Sprinkle chocolate on the hot toffee, let it sit for a minute.
6. Spread the melted chocolate, then add chopped nuts.
7. Cool at room temp until set, about 2 hours.
8. Break into pieces and enjoy.

4) Pecan Pralines

Pecan pralines are creamy, sweet, and just right for Christmas. The pecans give them a satisfying crunch and a buttery flavor.

You don’t even need a candy thermometer—just cook sugar and brown sugar with evaporated milk and butter until it thickens. Stir in the pecans for that signature texture.

Once cooled, these pralines turn soft and almost melt in your mouth. They’re a great homemade gift or just a treat to keep around.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup evaporated milk
• 1 ¼ cups pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cooking Instructions:

1. Combine sugars and evaporated milk in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture hits 238°F (114°C).
3. Remove from heat, stir in butter.
4. Mix in pecans.
5. Let it cool just a bit, then spoon onto wax paper.
6. Let them cool and harden at room temp.

5) Mint Cool Whip Candy

Mint Cool Whip Candy is one of the easiest no-bake treats out there. The Cool Whip gives it a light, almost fluffy texture, and the mint is just right for the holidays.

Melt chocolate chips, then gently mix in Cool Whip and peppermint extract. Spread it in a pan and chill until firm.

Cut into bite-sized pieces and you’re done. These are perfect to share or just grab as a quick snack.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup Cool Whip (thawed)
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
2. Let the chocolate cool a bit, but don’t let it get hard.
3. Gently fold in Cool Whip and peppermint extract.
4. Spread into a lined pan.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm.
6. Cut into pieces.

Want the full details? Check out the Peppermint Cool Whip Candy recipe.

6) Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle is that classic crunchy candy you find at every holiday party. The sweet, caramelized flavor and roasted peanuts are a winning combo.

Melt sugar, corn syrup, and water on the stove, then add peanuts and butter. Cook until it reaches the hard crack stage (about 300°F/150°C).

Add baking soda, spread it out thin, and let it cool. Break into pieces and you’re ready to go.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup peanuts
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine sugar, corn syrup, water, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture hits 300°F (150°C).
3. Remove from heat, stir in peanuts and butter.
4. Add baking soda, mix until foamy.
5. Pour onto a greased baking sheet.
6. Spread thin, let cool, then break up.

7) Creamy Caramels

Creamy caramels are soft, smooth, and surprisingly easy to make at home. Cook butter, sugar, cream, and corn syrup together until the mix hits about 248°F (120°C).

Add vanilla or other flavors if you want to mix things up. Pour the caramel into a pan to cool, then cut into squares once firm.

Wrap each piece in wax paper for easy sharing. Homemade caramels just feel a bit more special, don’t they?

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in sugar, cream, and corn syrup.
3. Attach a candy thermometer and boil, stirring often.
4. Cook until it reaches 248°F (120°C).
5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
6. Pour into a greased pan, let cool.
7. Cut into squares and wrap in wax paper.

If you want more details, check out this recipe for soft chewy cream caramels.

8) Holiday Sugar Cookies with Candy Toppings

You can make sugar cookies extra festive by adding candy toppings. Start with your favorite sugar cookie dough, roll it out, and cut into fun shapes—stars, trees, whatever you like.

Before baking, press candies like Hershey’s Kisses or sprinkles on top. It adds color and a touch of holiday magic.

Bake until just golden at the edges. If you’re feeling extra, add more decorations with frosting after they’ve cooled.

These cookies are great for sharing or maybe leaving out for Santa.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Assorted candy toppings (sprinkles, Hershey’s Kisses, candy canes)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth.

4. Add the egg and vanilla, then mix until combined.

5. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.

6. Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.

7. Add toppings to the dough shapes before baking.

8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for the edges to turn golden.

9. Let them cool before you add extra frosting, if that’s your thing.

9) Easy No-Bake Marshmallow Treats

No-bake marshmallow treats are honestly a breeze, especially when holidays make life hectic.

You don’t even need an oven—just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes.

Grab some marshmallows, chocolate, and whatever fun extras you like—candy canes, coconut, maybe some nuts?

These treats turn out soft, sweet, and honestly, they disappear fast at family gatherings.

Try making marshmallow squares, or go for a festive bark by tossing in mini candy canes.

Kids love to help with these since there’s nothing tricky about it, and they always taste good.

Ingredients

• 4 cups mini marshmallows
• 3 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)
• 2 cups crushed candy canes or peppermint
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Optional: 1 cup shredded coconut or chopped nuts

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips together until you get a smooth mix.

2. Stir in the mini marshmallows so they’re all coated.

3. Fold in the crushed candy canes or peppermint.

4. Spread the mixture into a lined pan and press it down.

5. Chill in the fridge for about an hour, or until it’s nice and firm.

6. Cut into squares and serve them cold.

Looking for more ideas? You might want to peek at these easy no-bake Christmas candy recipes.

10) Red and Green Gumdrop Clusters

These gumdrop clusters are as cheerful as they are easy—perfect for Christmas.

Just melt butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows together.

Mix in red and green gumdrops after chopping them into little pieces.

Spread the mixture in a pan and let it cool until it firms up.

Cut it into small squares or clusters—whatever shape you like.

Kids love making these, and honestly, they’re a hit at any festive gathering.

Curious about a more detailed version? Check out Easy Christmas Gumdrop Nougat Candy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 24 ounces white chocolate chips
• 20 ounces mini marshmallows
• 1 cup red and green gumdrops, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter, white chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows over low heat.

2. Stir until the mixture looks smooth and everything’s combined.

3. Gently fold in the chopped gumdrops.

4. Spread the mixture evenly into a lined pan.

5. Let it cool at room temperature until it firms up.

6. Cut into clusters. Serve and enjoy!