There are plenty of delicious Christmas candies you can make at home to enjoy during the holiday season. There are countless other Christmas candies and treats you can experiment with, based on your preferences. Enjoy the holiday baking and have a sweet Christmas! Some of the options below can be made with children, others use the oven and others are definitely for adults (such as rum balls and eggnog truffles). Here are a few popular options:
Peppermint Bark
Melt white chocolate, spread it on a baking sheet, and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Let it cool and harden before breaking it into pieces.
Gingerbread Truffles
Combine crushed gingerbread cookies with cream cheese, roll the mixture into balls, and dip them in melted chocolate. Decorate with festive sprinkles.
Homemade Caramels
Cook together sugar, butter, corn syrup, and condensed milk until it reaches the desired caramel consistency. Pour it into a greased pan, let it cool, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Dip pretzel rods or twists in melted chocolate (you can use white, milk, or dark chocolate) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes or colorful sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet.
Peppermint Patties
Mix together powdered sugar, softened butter, peppermint extract, and a little milk to form a dough. Roll it into small balls, flatten them, and dip them in melted chocolate. Let them cool until the chocolate hardens.
Holiday Peppermint Patties
Mix powdered sugar, melted butter, peppermint extract, and a few drops of food coloring (optional) to form a smooth dough. Roll the dough into small discs and let them firm up in the refrigerator. Dip the patties in melted chocolate and let them set.
Maybe you are wondering whether it is worthwhile making Christmas candy at home? If you are hesitating, remember, it can be a fun and rewarding activity for several reasons:
Personalization
When you make Christmas candy at home, you have full control over the ingredients, flavors, and decorations. You can customize the candies to your liking, incorporating your favorite flavors and experimenting with different combinations. And you can ensure that no allergens find their way in.
Festive Atmosphere
Making Christmas candy is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. The process of creating treats, decorating them, and enjoying their festive flavors can bring joy and excitement to your home. It can also be a fun activity to do with family and friends, creating lasting memories together.
Thoughtful Gifts
Homemade Christmas candy can make wonderful gifts for loved ones. You can package the candies in decorative boxes or jars and give them as thoughtful, homemade presents. It shows your care and effort, and recipients will appreciate the personal touch.
Cost Savings
Making Christmas candy at home can often be more cost-effective than buying pre-made treats. You can buy ingredients in bulk and make larger quantities of candy for a fraction of the price of store-bought options. Plus, you can save money on packaging by using your own creative and inexpensive solutions.
Quality and Freshness
Homemade candy allows you to use high-quality ingredients, ensuring the freshness and taste of the treats. You have control over the ingredients you use, avoiding any artificial additives or preservatives that might be present in store-bought candies.
Bonding and Creativity
Making Christmas candy can be a creative outlet, allowing you to experiment with different flavors, textures, and decorations. It can also be a bonding experience as you involve family members or friends in the process, sharing laughs, stories, and the joy of creating something delicious together.
Remember, making Christmas candy is not only about the final product but also about the joy and satisfaction that comes with the process. So, if you enjoy cooking, baking, and indulging in sweet treats, making Christmas candy at home can be a delightful and rewarding activity during the holiday season. With that in mind, here are a few more christmas candy treats to make:
Christmas Fudge
Combine condensed milk, chocolate chips, and your choice of add-ins like nuts, marshmallows, or dried fruits. Heat the mixture until the chocolate melts, then pour it into a greased pan and let it set before cutting into squares.
Snowball Cookies
Make a buttery cookie dough with flour, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. Roll the dough into small balls and bake until golden. While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar to coat them.
Coconut Snowballs
Mix together shredded coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Roll the mixture into small balls and coat them in more shredded coconut. Chill in the refrigerator until firm.
Candy Cane Marshmallows
Make a batch of homemade marshmallows and add crushed candy canes to the mixture before pouring it into a pan to set. Once cooled and firm, cut the marshmallows into squares and dust them with powdered sugar.
Candy Cane Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Stirrers
Skewer marshmallows on candy cane sticks and dip them in melted chocolate. Let the chocolate set, then use them to stir hot chocolate for a festive twist.
Peppermint Marshmallow Pops
Skewer marshmallows with lollipop sticks. Dip them in melted white chocolate and immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.
Peanut Butter Balls
Mix together peanut butter, powdered sugar, and melted butter. Roll the mixture into small balls and chill them in the refrigerator. Dip the chilled balls in melted chocolate and let them set.
Christmas Crack
Line a baking sheet with saltine crackers. In a saucepan, melt butter and brown sugar together, then pour it over the crackers. Bake in the oven until the caramel is bubbly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with melted chocolate. Let it cool and break into pieces.
Rum Balls
Mix together crushed cookies, chopped nuts, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and a splash of rum. Roll the mixture into small balls and coat them in powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
Christmas Muddy Buddies (Puppy Chow)
In a large bowl, mix Chex cereal with melted chocolate and peanut butter. Toss the mixture with powdered sugar and add festive-colored M&M’s or other candies.
Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Drain maraschino cherries and pat them dry. Wrap each cherry in a small amount of fondant or marzipan. Dip the wrapped cherries in melted chocolate and let them set.
Holiday Popcorn
Pop plain popcorn and toss it with melted white chocolate. Add crushed candy canes, holiday-themed sprinkles, or dried cranberries for extra flavor and color.
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
Toss pecan halves in melted butter, then coat them in a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake until toasted and fragrant.
Chocolate-Dipped Apricots
Dip dried apricots in melted dark or milk chocolate and let them cool on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You can also sprinkle them with chopped nuts or coconut flakes before the chocolate sets.
Christmas Toffee
Cook together butter, sugar, and a pinch of salt until it reaches a toffee-like consistency. Pour the toffee onto a lined baking sheet, spread it out, and sprinkle it with melted chocolate and crushed nuts. Let it cool and break into pieces.
Almond Butter Crunch
Cook together butter, sugar, and corn syrup until it becomes a caramel. Stir in chopped almonds and spread the mixture on a lined baking sheet. Once cooled, break it into bite-sized pieces.
Eggnog Truffles
Combine white chocolate, eggnog, and a pinch of nutmeg in a saucepan. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Let it cool, then roll it into balls and coat them in cocoa powder or grated white chocolate.
Pretzel Turtles
Arrange pretzels in clusters on a baking sheet. Top each pretzel with a caramel candy and bake in the oven until the caramel softens. Remove from the oven and press a pecan half onto each caramel. Let them cool and set.
These are just a few more ideas to add to your list of homemade Christmas candies. Remember to adjust the recipes according to your preferences and dietary restrictions. Have fun making these Christmas candies and enjoy the festive season! Enjoy the process of making these sweet treats and savor the festive flavors!