The holidays aren’t complete without the irresistible pull of homemade treats—and this lineup of festive candies will make your kitchen the sweetest spot in the house. From creamy fudge to crunchy brittles, these recipes promise to spark nostalgia and satisfy every craving.
With 20 indulgent creations to choose from, there’s a flavor and texture for everyone. Whether you’re gifting, sharing, or keeping them all to yourself, these holiday confections guarantee a season full of sweetness.
1. Red Velvet Truffles
These truffles are like little bites of magic. They have a rich, velvety texture and a perfect pop of red color. You’ll love the soft, creamy inside paired with a hint of chocolate. Perfect for sharing or just enjoying by yourself!
How-to: Start by baking a red velvet cake mix according to the package instructions. Once it’s cooled, crumble the cake into fine pieces and mix with cream cheese until smooth. Roll the mixture into small balls, then dip each ball into melted white chocolate. Let them cool and harden, and you’ve got beautiful red velvet truffles!
2. Snickers Fudge
If you’re a fan of Snickers bars, you’ll love this treat! It’s packed with peanut butter, chocolate, and caramel, just like the candy bar, but in a smooth, creamy fudge form. This indulgent treat will satisfy any sweet tooth.
How-to: Start by melting chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together in a saucepan. Stir in peanut butter and mix until smooth. Pour this into a baking pan, then add chopped peanuts and caramel bits on top.
Let it set in the fridge for a few hours, and you’ve got a homemade Snickers fudge!
3. Christmas Bark
Christmas bark is one of those simple yet delicious treats that’s so easy to make. You can customize it with your favorite toppings like crushed peppermint, nuts, or dried fruit, making it as festive as you want!
How-to: Melt white or dark chocolate in a bowl over hot water. Once melted, spread the chocolate thinly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
While it’s still soft, sprinkle on your favorite toppings—peppermint pieces, crushed candy canes, or even colorful sprinkles. Let it cool and break it into pieces.
4. Peanut Brittle
This holiday treat is crunchy, sweet, and has a nutty flavor that makes it irresistible. The sugar caramelizes into a golden brown, and the peanuts add the perfect touch of crunch. It’s a classic holiday treat that’s always a crowd-pleaser!
How-to: In a saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly, until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Stir in roasted peanuts and a little butter, then pour the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it cool and break it into pieces.
5. English Toffee
English toffee is a smooth, buttery candy with a crunchy texture and a rich chocolate coating. The best part? It’s covered in chopped nuts, which add a delightful crunch. It’s a treat that’s perfect for giving as a gift or enjoying yourself.
How-to: Melt butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt over medium heat in a saucepan. Stir constantly until the mixture turns golden brown (this is where the toffee flavor comes from).
Pour it onto a baking sheet, and while it’s still warm, top it with melted chocolate and chopped almonds. Let it cool, and you’ll have perfect toffee.
6. Butterscotch Squares
These butterscotch squares are a sweet and buttery treat with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They’re simple to make and have a delicious caramelized flavor that everyone loves. Perfect for those who like a richer, sweeter treat.
How-to: In a saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir constantly until everything is well mixed and smooth. Pour this mixture into a baking pan and let it set in the fridge for a few hours. Once it’s firm, cut it into squares, and enjoy!
7. Soft Chewy Caramel Candies
One of those classic, irresistible treats that everyone loves, they’re rich, buttery, and have the perfect chewy texture that melts in your mouth. You can make them right at home, and they’re so much better than store-bought!
How-to: Combine butter, sugar, heavy cream, and a little salt using a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until everything is melted and smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly until it thickens (about 20-30 minutes).
Pour it into a greased pan and let it cool completely. Once firm cut it into small squares. Now you have soft, chewy caramel candies!
8. Christmas Cream Cheese Mints
These mints are super refreshing and melt in your mouth. The cream cheese adds a smooth, creamy texture, while the peppermint flavor gives it a cool, sweet kick. They’re easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings.
How-to: Mix cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth. Add a few drops of peppermint extract and a little food coloring if you want to make them festive! Roll the mixture into small balls and then flatten them slightly into little discs.
Let them set in the fridge for a couple of hours, and you’ll have delicious cream cheese mints ready to enjoy.
9. Peppermint Patties
Refreshing and sweet, peppermint patties are cool, minty, and covered in smooth chocolate. They make the perfect holiday candy. Plus, they’re easy to make at home and taste so much better than store-bought ones.
How-to: Start by mixing powdered sugar, corn syrup, and peppermint extract in a bowl. Roll the mixture into small balls and then flatten them into discs.
Melt some dark chocolate, and dip each mint into it until it’s fully covered. Let them cool and set, and you’ll have homemade peppermint patties that are perfect for holiday snacking.
10. Candied Pecans
Candied pecans are crunchy, sweet, and have a little bit of spice. They’re perfect for adding to a holiday dessert table or just nibbling on while watching a holiday movie.
The sweet coating gives them a satisfying crunch, and the warmth of the spices makes them extra cozy.
How-to: In a bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Toss your pecans in the mixture until they’re well-coated.
Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Once they’re done, let them cool and enjoy these perfectly sweet and crunchy candied pecans!
11. Chocolate Honeycomb Candy
If you love crunchy, bubbly candy with a rich chocolate coating, chocolate honeycomb candy is the way to go. It’s light, crispy, and has a caramel-like sweetness from the honey. Plus, the chocolate coating makes it extra decadent.
How-to: In a saucepan, heat sugar, corn syrup, and honey over medium heat until everything is melted and bubbly. Add baking soda, which will make the mixture bubble up and turn golden.
Pour it onto a greased baking sheet and let it cool. Once it’s set, break it into pieces and dip them in melted chocolate. Let the chocolate harden, and you’ve got yourself some crunchy, chocolatey honeycomb candy!
12. Buckeyes
They’re a perfect combo of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate. If you’re a peanut butter lover, these are definitely for you. Plus, they look just like little buckeye tree nuts, which makes them extra fun to make.
How-to: Start by mixing peanut butter, powdered sugar, and a bit of butter until smooth. Roll the mixture into small balls and stick a toothpick in the center of each one. Freeze the balls for about 30 minutes.
Then, dip each ball into melted chocolate, leaving a little circle of peanut butter showing on top (this is what makes them look like buckeyes). Let them cool and harden, and you’re all set.
13. Chocolate Almond Fudge
Chocolate almond fudge is smooth, rich, and full of flavor. The chocolate is super creamy, and the almonds give it a nice crunch. This is a great treat if you want something that feels a bit fancy but is still really simple to make.
How-to: In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together over low heat. Stir until smooth and creamy. Then, mix in chopped almonds.
Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours. Once it’s firm, cut it into small squares. Enjoy your creamy chocolate almond fudge!
14. White Chocolate Fudge
This sweet, creamy treat is perfect for those who love the smooth taste of white chocolate. It’s super easy to make and looks gorgeous, especially if you top it with a little something festive like sprinkles or crushed candy canes.
How-to: Melt white chocolate and sweetened condensed milk together in a saucepan. Once it’s smooth, pour it into a greased baking dish.
If you want, you can add vanilla extract for extra flavor. Let it set in the fridge for a few hours, then cut it into squares.
15. Chocolate Fudge
A classic holiday treat, chocolate fudge is rich, creamy, and perfect for any chocolate lover. This is one of those candies that never goes out of style, and it’s so simple to make. You’ll love how smooth and decadent it turns out!
How-to: Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until everything is melted and smooth.
Pour it into a greased baking dish and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours. Once firm, cut it into small squares and enjoy this rich, creamy fudge.
16. Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Chocolate peanut butter balls are like a dream come true if you love chocolate and peanut butter. The inside is soft and peanut-buttery, while the outside is covered in smooth chocolate. It’s like a bite-sized peanut butter cup, and you can’t stop at just one!
How-to: Mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter together until smooth. Roll the mixture into small balls and freeze them for about 30 minutes. Once they’re firm, dip them into melted chocolate and let the chocolate set.
After a little time in the fridge, you’ll have the perfect chocolate peanut butter balls.
17. Brownie Truffles
They’re rich, fudgy, and melt in your mouth. Imagine a brownie mixed with chocolate ganache, and then rolled into little truffle balls. It’s like having the best of both worlds in one bite!
How-to: Start by baking a batch of brownies (you can use a box mix or make them from scratch). Once they’re cooled, crumble them up into small pieces. Mix the crumbled brownies with some chocolate ganache (made by melting chocolate with cream).
Roll the mixture into small balls, then dip them into melted chocolate for that extra chocolatey coating. Let them set in the fridge, and you’ll have the perfect brownie truffles!
18. Church Window Cookies
They look beautiful with their “stained glass” windows, and they’re made with a mix of chocolate and colorful candies. They’re simple to make but look like a real showstopper.
How-to: Start by melting chocolate chips and mixing them with a bit of butter. Pour the melted chocolate onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper, spreading it into a thin layer.
While it’s still soft, add colorful candies (like jelly beans or M&Ms) in patterns that look like stained glass. Let the chocolate harden at room temperature, then break it into pieces.
19. Divinity Candy
Divinity candy is sweet, airy, and melts in your mouth. It has a light, fluffy texture that’s similar to meringue, with a chewy center. It’s a classic holiday treat that’s perfect for gift-giving, or just for snacking during the holidays.
How-to: Start by boiling sugar, corn syrup, and water until it reaches 240°F (soft-ball stage). While it’s boiling, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly add the hot syrup to the egg whites while continuing to beat.
Once it thickens, stir in vanilla extract and any mix-ins like nuts. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper and let it cool and harden.
20. Dark Chocolate Almond Clusters
If you’re a fan of dark chocolate and nuts, dark chocolate almond clusters are a must-try. They’re simple to make, with a satisfying crunch from the almonds and a rich, smooth chocolate coating.
How-to: Melt dark chocolate in a microwave or over a double boiler. Once melted, stir in roasted almonds. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate-almond mixture onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
Let them cool and harden at room temperature, and you’ll have delicious dark chocolate almond clusters ready to enjoy!
These homemade holiday candies are sure to put a smile on your face and fill your home with delicious scents. Whether you’re making them for a gift or just enjoying a sweet treat, they’re all simple to make and even more fun to eat. Enjoy!
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.