Calling all sweet tooth lovers! We’ve got some good news coming your way in the form of homemade candy recipes. I’ve rounded up so many amazing choices here, and I just know you’re going to want to try every single one.
We’ve got the must-have shortcuts for those childhood favorites and some truly awesome recreations. Some are perfect for grab-and-go snacks, while others are pure indulgence that will be the first thing gone at your next get-together.
And really, who can resist a homemade batch of cashew brittle during the holidays? Whatever you’re craving, I’m 99% sure you’re about to find a few new favorites.
1. Homemade Caramels
Sure, buying a bag of caramel candies from the store is easy. I get it. But let’s be real, they just don’t even come close to the homemade version.
This recipe is a thing of beauty, getting so much flavor from evaporated milk. Plus, since you’re making it at home, you can toss in all the fun extras, like mini-chocolate chips or some chopped nuts.
2. Southern Pecan Pralines
I’ll just put it out there: I am obsessed with pralines. It’s hard to describe, but that combination of the creamy coating with those lightly toasted pecans? I just can’t resist them. You will need your candy thermometer for this one.
A few important things for your review: be careful when you mix the nuts in. If you over-mix, you’ll lose that perfectly smooth texture.
You also have to work fast to scoop the candies out once it’s all mixed. Or, you can just pour the whole thing into a lined baking dish and cut it into squares later.
3. Homemade Junior Mints
Look, sometimes you want candy, but it’s nice to have a healthier option, right? These are where it’s at. You can make them right at home using whipped coconut oil, peppermint extract, and honey, saving you some of those unhealthy calories. Dark chocolate is definitely your best friend for this. It just enhances that mint flavor perfectly. But, I mean, how cute would a few white chocolate stripes look?
4. Gummy Recipe
Making a batch of soft, chewy gummies from your favorite flavored drink is just a genius idea! All you need is your drink of choice, corn syrup to keep it stable, and some gelatin.
I wouldn’t recommend using a soft drink unless you let it go completely flat first. The bubbles will just affect the outcome and you won’t get a clean gummy. For a vegan version, agar agar is the perfect swap for gelatin.
Just know that it will leave you with a firmer texture.
5. Cool Whip Candy
How many times have you bitten into a candy bar and just wondered, “what is that amazing texture?” I’m always Googling things when I can’t figure them out.
Now, I’m pretty sure all those huge companies aren’t using Cool Whip for that soft, fudgy filling, but you know what? It works. Warm up your arm, because this one needs some serious folding!
6. Saltine Cracker Toffee
I still remember getting a little bag of this for Christmas one year. I’m not kidding, I messaged them for the recipe after just one bite. It’s a total showstopper. It’s just such a simple combination, but it just works.
Those salty crackers make the perfect base for that creamy toffee and the dark chocolate on top. Please hear me say this, though: when you use saltines, you don’t need to add salt to the toffee.
As much as I love a good sea salt sprinkle, it just might be too much here.
7. Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars
You will not even believe how easy this is. And they taste exactly like the real deal! The filling just needs six ingredients: condensed milk, powdered sugar, vanilla, shredded coconut, salt, and almonds.
I like to chop up my almonds and scatter them over the top instead of just placing one on each portion. Once it’s all set, just cut them into bars and dip them in dark chocolate. Done.
8. Oh Henry Bars (Scotcharoos)
These are more commonly known as peanut butter Rice Krispie treats, and they get their name from an old candy bar.
Whatever you call them, you just can’t beat that combination of crispy cereal with butterscotch, crunchy peanut butter, and chocolate. YUM.
9. Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Candy
There is just so much to love about these, and they are so simple to throw together at the last minute. Anytime you’re cooking with nuts, it’s always a good idea to toast them first.
It really enhances the flavor and only takes a few minutes. If you don’t have time to make your own caramel, it’s totally fine to just melt some store-bought candies down.
10. Homemade Mallomars
Real question here: when was the last time you had a mallomar? I bet it was amazing. That light and crisp base, the fluffy middle, and that dark chocolate coating? They are just so sinful.
If you have ever thought about making your own marshmallows, this is the time to do it. I promise it is not even that hard!
11. Easy Crockpot Candy
I don’t know about you, but I am here for every single word in that title! Easy candy? In my slow cooker? Sign me up. All you do is throw everything into the pot and let it melt.
Give it a stir and let it cook without the lid, which avoids any water seeping in. When it’s all mixed, just spoon out little bite-sized lumps onto parchment paper and hit them with a sprinkle of sea salt.
12. Stained Glass Candy
Okay, this one is a little more involved, and you’re going to need a good candy thermometer. I really prefer the bigger kind that hooks right onto the side of the pan. It just feels safer and seems more accurate.
The great thing here is you can make it as colorful as you want. And if you can find some flavored oils, it can be anything from raspberry to mint. So much yes!
13. Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
These look and taste completely fantastic, and nobody has to know how ridiculously easy they are. I love the flavor and texture of graham crackers, but really, any cookie would work here.
The key is that peanut butter and white chocolate coating. Smooth peanut butter is a must. Avoid the natural kind because it just won’t melt smooth. I love pairing it with dark chocolate, but a mix of milk and dark would be pretty great, too.
14. Easy Homemade Lollipops
I am all about shortcuts in the kitchen. Work smarter, not harder. Am I right? Of course, some recipes need those long, complicated steps. But let’s be honest, when we’re talking about candy, it just needs to be sweet!
All you need for this one is some hard candies and a set of cute candy molds. Just make sure they are oven-safe. You just fill the molds with the candies and bake them until they melt. So. So. Easy.
15. Peppermint Patties Recipe
Who doesn’t love a cool, rich Peppermint Pattie? I just can’t get enough of that filling. I’ve even used it as a filling for chocolate cake! The texture is everything here.
You want to add enough powdered sugar so it forms a soft dough. Though, I have made it a little softer before and piped it into a homemade Oreo cookie sandwich. Dipping one end in chocolate adds some extra yumminess.
16. The Easiest Microwave Cashew Brittle Recipe
Do you have someone in your life with a peanut allergy? You are not alone!
Seriously, I feel bad for anyone who can’t eat peanut butter, and I know so many amazing recipes are just loaded with it. So it makes total sense to try out some of those familiar favorites with different additions.
Cashews are so creamy and nutty. You won’t even miss the peanuts. The only thing I think is missing here is a little sea salt on top and maybe a chocolate drizzle.
17. Candied Orange Peel Recipe
It is mind-blowing to me how many people just throw citrus peel away. When it’s candied, it tastes fantastic! It also lasts for months in the freezer and makes such a great decoration for cakes.
I have to admit, it can take a little while to make. The water needs to be boiled and refreshed a few times to get rid of any bitterness. But once it’s boiled in simple syrup and tossed in sugar, you’re left with a colorful treat everyone is going to love.
18. Churro Toffee Disneyland Copycat Recipe
If we can thank the 2020 lockdown for one thing, it has to be Disney releasing all those amazing park recipes. I’ve heard about these sweet snacks before but never had the chance to try one for real.
Obviously, making them at home is the next best thing! Making English toffee can feel a bit scary at first, but just trust yourself and be careful with that hot pot. Use high-quality white chocolate and don’t be shy with the cinnamon sugar!
19. Scottish Tablet
You might be wondering why there’s another fudge on this list. First of all, you can never have too much. But the real reason is that Scottish tablet, and a lot of fudges you’ll find in the UK, has a totally different texture than what we’re used to.
It’s not like the creamy, chewy fudge we typically see. Many UK fudge recipes will give you something that’s more crumbly. When you bite into it, it just breaks in half and melts in your mouth. And yes, you read that right. There is a LOT of sugar in this one!
20. Easy Buckeye Recipe
I can’t remember when I first tried these, but I just love how they look. They look so great nestled into a cookie platter. Or you could add fun candy eyes for Halloween!
The filling is a lot like a peanut butter fudge, but it’s going to be slightly softer. I like to use an ice cream scoop to get those perfect little rounds. When you’re dipping them in chocolate, use a toothpick and be sure to leave that top part uncovered.
21. Samoa Truffles
Do you go a little nuts during Girl Scout season? Do you keep a box stashed in the freezer for a rainy day? I get it. I feel you. That is why I love this recipe so much.
You can get that Samoa flavor all year round, and it only needs about half an hour of your time. That heavenly filling of toasted coconut and caramel is good enough to eat right from the bowl.
But if you can hold back, dipping it in chocolate will give you the tastiest little bites.
22. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
I love these pretzel bites. But I have to admit, I don’t always have the patience to dip every single pretzel. I always start out with really good intentions, getting a dozen or two that look perfect.
But then I get bored. I usually end up just pouring the chocolate into piping bags and striping them instead. It’s nice to have a mix, right? These look great with or without sprinkles, and I especially love the pretzel rods!
23. Homemade Gumdrops
I never knew making chewy gumdrops would be this easy. I mean, yes, there is some boiling sugar involved. But other than that, it’s really just flavored sugar syrup and gelatin!
You can make them any flavor you like and use whatever crazy colors make you happy. Just be sure you use silicone, oven-proof candy molds. I have a few and I love using all the fun shapes.
Once they’re set, roll them in some sugar and lay them out for a couple of days to crystalize.
24. Lemon Drop Candies
When you’re making hard candies like this at home, it is vital to have everything ready to go before you even start. That means scaling all your ingredients out and having all the equipment you need right on hand.
Since you’re going to be boiling sugar, you have to work fast once it hits the right temperature. The beauty of this recipe is that you’re not trying to get perfect little rounds. They can be rustic and have different shapes. It’s the taste that counts!
25. Homemade Jelly Beans
Okay, I can’t lie. This one isn’t totally perfect. The jelly beans come out softer than the ones you’re used to, and the coating isn’t all smooth and set.
But. The idea of making my own margarita jelly beans? That was all I needed to hear. Let me show you a cheat code I found: pour the mixture into a bunch of straws. You might have seen this for jelly worms.
Once it’s set, you can just pull out the long jelly sticks and cut them up. The final step is the coating. You have to “tumble” the beans in sugar syrup for a good 10 to 15 minutes. The good news? You can totally do this while binging your favorite show.
