During the holiday season, it’s normal to indulge in a sweet treat or two … or five. Sugar has a way of making people feel merry and bright. This is why homemade Christmas candy is such a thoughtful gift or addition to any holiday gathering.
Here are 10 DIY Christmas candy ideas for those who want to bring the world a little bit more confectionary. Most of these recipes can also be turned into a fun family activity. So throw on an apron, grab the kiddos, and let’s learn how to make candy.
More from CafeMom: 20 Ways Moms Can Make the Holidays a Little More Magical
Chocolate Coconut Truffles
We have the ancient Olmecs and Mayans to thank for first discovering the deliciousness that is chocolate. They cultivated cacao plants and considered it a drink of the gods. Have your own modern-day spiritual experience by making some Christmas chocolates. These chocolate coconut truffles from Country Living will have you saying “OMG” in no time.
White Chocolate Peppermint Patties
Let’s keep the Christmas chocolates train rolling, this time with a peppermint twist. Peppermint is a classic Christmas flavor — pair it with luscious white chocolate for a sweet and decadent treat. Country Living’s white chocolate peppermint patties are a hit at the holidays.
More from CafeMom: The Real Reason Kids Love Sweets So Much
Christmas Cracker Candy
Polly might want a cracker, but all the saltines got used in this Pioneer Woman recipe. They act as the base for caramelly, chocolatey goodness. This Christmas candy is highly customizable — you can add your favorite toppings like sprinkles, nuts, or even more candy.
Reindeer Pops
Play your own reindeer games by making this Christmas candy with your favorite kid. Transform M&Ms, pretzels, and Ritz crackers into noses, antlers, and faces. Dasher, Donner, and Rudolph all approve of this fun Pioneer Woman recipe.
Candied Clementines
Clementines are a cross between a mandarin orange and sweet orange. Fall and early winter is their time to shine. This citrus fruit is yummy in its own right, but adding chocolate only improves the flavor. The question remains: Does this sweet treat count as a Christmas candy or fruit group?
Peppermint Trees
This Christmas candy is so simple to make. All you need is a metal Christmas tree cookie cutter and green peppermint candies. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, apply nonstick spray to your cookie cutter, and put it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Then the candies go inside the cutters with room to breathe between pieces. Bake for about five or six minutes or until the candies melt. Allow your festive treat to cool fully before you carefully work it out of the cookie cutter.
Rolo Pretzel Turtles
Don’t tell Crush from Finding Nemo, but turtles aren’t exactly a Christmas animal. “But dude, we’re like green,” he would probably argue. To be fair, that’s a valid point. Add some turtle power to your holiday celebrations by making a Rolo pretzel version. The recipe only requires three ingredients and is a great one to do with kids.
Pistachio Cranberry Bark
Williams-Sonoma helped popularize chocolate bark in the ’90s. These days, many families have their own secret bark recipe passed down through generations. If your grandma didn’t teach you how to make this candy, Taste of Home has your back with its festive pistachio cranberry variation.
Almond Cherry Fudge
Fudge has an interesting history: an unknown confectioner was trying to make caramels, but “fudged” it, creating a whole new sweet treat out of their mistake. There are many recipe variations of this Christmas candy (all of which are tasty). For a more unusual spin on the classic sweet, try this almond cherry variation from Taste of Home.
Mulled Wine Jelly Candies
Sorry kiddos, this is an adult Christmas candy. This Taste of Home recipe is a great way to use leftover wine. These sweet treats also make excellent gifts.
