These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (2024)

Peppermint patties, homemade fudge, Christmas bark, and more!

By Beth Branch
These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (1)

Sure, we look forward to presents and festive lights each holiday season, but we can't lie. We mostly look forward to the Christmas desserts.

Some folks are die-hard Christmas cookie fans, while others adore peppermint in its many forms. (Hello, peppermint eggnog.)

Some of us love making from-scratch recipes at every opportunity. For others, an easy upgrade to store-bought cookies makes us quite happy.

But whatever you prefer, if you're ready to create delicious food gifts for family, co-workers, and guests, these Christmas candy recipes will help you along. From fudge to chocolate bark to truffles, you'll find all kinds of homemade sweets for every person on your holiday gift list.

1

Peppermint Palmiers

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (3)

These beautiful French cookies are so festive with their dusting of peppermint! Serve them at your next Christmas party with cups of peppermint eggnog, pictured, for a cooling winter treat.

Get the recipe for Peppermint Palmiers.

2

Holiday Reindeer Chow

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (4)

This holiday snack is easy to make, difficult to stop eating. Mix up a big batch and wrap some up in gift-bags as party favors, or simply keep a big bowl on hand for munching on while opening presents!

Get the recipe for Holiday Reindeer Chow.

3

Apple Cider Caramel Candies

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (5)

These sweet cider-flavored treats are a surprising and delicious holiday treat to have on hand. They make a great host or hostess gift. You can keep them in a bowl on the counter for unexpected guests.

Get the recipe for Apple Cider Caramel Candies.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (6)

Give tins of this holiday snack out as gifts, or serve at your next gathering!

Get the recipe for Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn.

5

Striped Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

These easy holiday cookies make a delicious gift or party treat! They may look like they just came from a professional baker's dessert case, but these beautiful 5-ingredient Christmas cookies couldn't be easier to make.

Get the recipe for Striped Peppermint Sandwich Cookies.

6

Chocolate-Peppermint Fudge

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (8)

Oh, fudge! This already hard-to-resist holiday treat is even more tempting when given a jolt of cooling peppermint extract and topped with the classic red and white striped candies.

Get the recipe for Chocolate-Peppermint Fudge.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (9)

The burst of tart juices combined with the sweet white chocolate creates a balance of flavors in this perfect-for-the-holidays bark.

Get the recipe for White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark.

8

Orange-Glazed Pecans

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (10)

Something pretty magical happens when you toast pecans in orange juice and zest. They become irresistible! Set these out at your Christmas party and they'll disappear in no time.

Get the recipe for Orange-Glazed Pecans.

9

Chocolate Coconut Truffles

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (11)

Who can say no to truffles?

Get the recipe for Chocolate Coconut Truffles.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Maple, Cinnamon, and Walnut Fudge

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (12)

Combine these cozy flavors in delicious fudge and you've got the perfect holiday sweet treat!

Get the recipe for Maple, Cinnamon, and Walnut Fudge.

11

Cranberry Pâte de Fruit

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (13)

Careful: once you try these bite-sized jelly squares, it's hard to stop eating them.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Pâte de Fruit.

12

Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Sticks

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (14)

These peppermint sticks look beautiful and taste even better! Leave out a dish of them when trimming the tree or relaxing by the fire with a mug of hot cocoa.

Get the recipe for Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Sticks.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Roasted Hazelnut & Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (15)

This homemade treat is easy to package in treat bags or boxes for a sweet holiday gift.

.

14

White Chocolate Peppermint Patties

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (16)

Impress your friends with a snappy and sweet homemade peppermint patty.

Get the recipe for White Chocolate Peppermint Patties.

15

Slice-and-Bake Shortbread Cookies

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (17)

This easy-to-make dough can be turned into three different cookies, depending on what you're in the mood for. The chocolate ones are perfect for Santa.

Get the recipe for Slice-and-Bake Shortbread Cookies.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Pecan Pralines

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (18)

No holiday table would be complete without some sort of sweet treat filled with pecans, and these sweet pralines will hit the spot after Christmas dinner.

Get the recipe for Pecan Pralines.

17

Cherry and Pecan Divinity

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (19)

These light-and-delightful classic Southern desserts look and taste absolutely divine.

Get the recipe for Cherry and Pecan Divinity.

18

Christmas Light Gingerbread Cookies

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (20)

These pretty gingerbread cookies are simple to make, and can be arranged into an absolutely stunning dessert-table centerpiece.

Get the recipe for Christmas Light Gingerbread Cookies.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Gourmet Marshmallows

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (21)

The perfect treat for those cups of cocoa by the fire? How about some homemade marshmallows in cute little gift bags? Yes, please!

Get the recipe for Gourmet Marshmallows.

20

Tart-Cherry and Dark-Chocolate Bars

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (22)

What makes a delicious food gift? Homemade chocolate bars! Tart cherries hiding in the center of these quick and easy chocolate treats deepen the earthiness of the dark chocolate.

Get the recipe for Tart-Cherry and Dark-Chocolate Bars.

Watch Next

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (23)

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Fun Christmas Decor and Gift Ideas 2023

The Most Awesome Gifts for 11-Year-Old GirlsBest Christmas Tree Storage Bag OptionsMerry and Bright British CottageHere Are Target's Hours on Christmas Day 2023

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Is Walmart Open on Christmas 2023?Is Starbucks Open on Christmas Day 2023?Cozy Cabin ChristmasHow to Dry Citrus Slices in the Oven
30 Fun Christmas Party Games for Adults 2023The Best Christmas Activities to Try This YearMingle as You Jingle40 Best Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular Christmas candy of all time? ›

To absolutely no one's surprise, candy canes - red and white, or red, green, and white, striped candy traditionally flavored with peppermint - are one of the signature Christmas candies, with most countries firmly associating them with the holidays. Candy canes are supposedly a German invention.

What is the importance of candy in Christmas? ›

Christmas trees adorned with sugary decorations have been a visual feast for centuries. From candy canes hanging like ornaments to strings of popcorn and cranberries, these edible embellishments not only add a touch of sweetness to the tree but also serve as a testament to the joyous spirit of the season.

What is the candy for Christmas? ›

Along with candy canes, gingerbread is possibly the most iconic holiday candy that isn't regularly eaten at other times of the year. Making gingerbread families and houses is an activity that families have been doing for a long time, and it is one of the most well-known Christmas traditions.

What are the Christmas candy called? ›

A candy cane is a cane-shaped stick candy often associated with Christmastide, as well as Saint Nicholas Day. It is traditionally white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint, but the canes also come in a variety of other flavors and colors.

What is America's #1 candy? ›

Top-selling chocolates and sweets. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the No. 1 selling candy brand in the United States, consisting of white fudge, milk, or dark chocolate cups filled with peanut butter. They were invented by H.B. Reese after he founded the H. B. Reese Candy Company in 1923.

What is the oldest Christmas candy? ›

One of the oldest traditional candies eaten for special occasions like Christmas is marzipan. This almond-based confection dates back centuries, with origins in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Each region has its own uses for the sweet.

What was the first Christmas candy? ›

The first candy cane most likely took shape in 17th century Europe when people were enjoying pulled sugars, the parent to today's candy sticks. At that time, somewhere in Germany, an unknown person added a hook to the stick.

What was candy originally used for? ›

Before the Industrial Revolution, candy was often considered a form of medicine, either used to calm the digestive system or cool a sore throat. In the Middle Ages candy appeared on the tables of only the most wealthy at first. At that time, it began as a combination of spices and sugar used as an aid to digestion.

Why is Christmas candy so expensive? ›

Year-to-date, cocoa prices have risen 138%. The West African region produces over 80% of the world's cocoa supply. But that region has been hit especially hard by multiple adverse weather and crop diseases. This has caused the worst cocoa supply shortage in over 60 years.

What is the best selling candy in December? ›

Kit Kat ranked top in 13 states, followed by a tie between Skittles and candy canes. In a recent survey conducted by Hubscore, findings revealed that four in five Americans love to put candies in their Christmas stockings during the holiday season, while only a few preferred to fill them with small toys and gift cards.

Why are Christmas candies red and white? ›

In 1847, he made a candy to symbolize Christ. The cane's "J" shape stands for Jesus; when turned upside-down, it becomes a shepherd's staff. The white color signifies purity; the red represents Christ's blood, shed for the world's sins, and three red stripes symbolize the trinity.

Where is candy Christmas from? ›

Born Carmel Hemphill in Bastrop, Louisiana in 1961, she was a third-generation member of Southern gospel royalty. The Happy Goodman Family were her grandparents while at the age of 13 Candy joined The Hemphills, the legendary family group founded by her parents Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill.

Are there Christmas Skittles? ›

SKITTLES Holiday Mix Christmas Candy, 3.5-Ounce Gift Box.

Do candy canes expire? ›

"Things like candy canes or ribbon candy are good for well over a year, up to five years possibly. The sugar creates a matrix that holds it all together," said Allured. This is as long as you store it in a cool, dry place: "Humidity is the enemy."

Are candy canes vegan? ›

Generally yes, candy canes are vegan. Their base ingredients are sugar, corn syrup, natural flavourings and colourings. Traditionally, red food colouring was made from crushed beetles (definitely not vegan) but thankfully that practice is pretty much out-dated.

What candy sells the most during Christmas? ›

(WHNT) – Peppermint bark, mini Reese's cups, and Starburst, oh my! Those are just a few of the most popular Christmas candies, according to a new report from CandyStore.com. However — the top candy varies from state to state.

What is the biggest selling Christmas toy of all time? ›

Lego – 1932

Later on, Lego introduced themes lines like space, western, pirates, and Harry Potter. In 2000, The British Association of Toy Retailers named the Lego brick the “Toy of the Century” and as of 2018, Lego has sold 75 billion of its bricks across 140 countries.

What is the number one candy holiday? ›

Answer-Halloween followed by Easter Christmas and Valentine's Day.

What is the most popular Christmas sweet? ›

A Quick Look at 11 Popular Christmas Sweets
  • Stollen.
  • Gingerbread cookies.
  • Peppermint bark.
  • Candy canes.
  • Fruitcake.
  • Mince pies.
  • Yule log.
  • Eggnog.
Dec 22, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 5962

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.