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Looking for easy Christmas candy recipes to make this holiday season? These 30 homemade Christmas candies include everything from creamy chocolate fudge and peanut butter balls to old-fashioned divinity, crunchy peanut brittle, and festive peppermint bark.
Whether you’re putting together homemade Christmas candy gifts for teachers and neighbors, filling holiday treat tins, or making a Christmas candy tray for a party, there’s something sweet for everyone in this collection.
Many of these recipes are easy to make ahead, and several are perfect for getting the kids involved in the kitchen!
Easy Homemade Christmas Candy Recipes
There’s something special about making homemade candy at Christmas. Some recipes bring back memories of the candy Grandma made every December, while others are quick and easy treats you can make with just a few ingredients.
This collection includes chocolate candies, peanut butter favorites, old-fashioned Christmas candy, and festive treats that are almost too pretty to eat.
Here are 30 of our favorite homemade Christmas candies to make, share, and give as gifts.
1
Reese’s Peanut Butter Balls
These homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Balls have a creamy peanut butter center covered in rich chocolate. They're easy to make, taste just like peanut butter cups, and are always a favorite on Christmas candy trays.
This old-fashioned Christmas candy is light, fluffy, and filled with sweet vanilla flavor and crunchy pecans. The easy no-cook method takes the guesswork out of making traditional divinity.
Rich, buttery homemade English toffee topped with chocolate and crunchy walnuts is a Christmas candy classic. Break it into pieces for a delicious homemade gift that looks as good as it tastes.
Layers of creamy white chocolate and rich dark chocolate come together in this festive peppermint bark. It's a beautiful Christmas candy that's perfect for holiday treat boxes and gift tins.
This old-fashioned Gold Brick Candy is a rich, creamy homemade fudge recipe that's been passed down for generations. It makes a generous batch, so there's plenty to share during the holidays.
These homemade Millionaire Candies combine crunchy pecans, chewy caramel, and rich chocolate. They look like something from a fancy candy shop but are surprisingly easy to make at home.
These festive chocolate-covered pretzel rods are sweet, salty, and incredibly easy to make. Dress them up with Christmas sprinkles for a fun homemade gift for teachers, neighbors, and friends.
This creamy cookies-and-cream fudge is loaded with crushed Oreo cookies and has a delicious hint of cheesecake flavor. It's an easy homemade candy that makes a generous batch for Christmas gifting.
These old-fashioned Martha Washington Candies feature a sweet coconut filling packed with pecans and cherries, all covered in rich chocolate. They're a nostalgic Christmas favorite that looks beautiful in candy boxes.
This homemade peanut brittle is packed with crunchy peanuts and rich buttery flavor. It's an old-fashioned Christmas candy that's perfect for breaking into pieces and sharing with family and friends.
Love homemade peanut brittle but want a quicker way to make it? This microwave peanut brittle has the same crunchy, buttery goodness as the traditional version with an easier preparation.
Rich chocolate, fluffy marshmallows, crunchy nuts, and crispy Rice Krispies make this Rocky Road Candy irresistible. It's a delicious homemade treat for Christmas candy trays and holiday gift boxes.
These easy Chocolate Covered Marshmallows are a fun Christmas treat that kids can help make. Dip fluffy marshmallows in chocolate and add festive sprinkles for an adorable homemade candy.
This bright red Cinnamon Hard Candy has a bold, spicy-sweet flavor that tastes like cinnamon Jolly Ranchers. It's a beautiful old-fashioned candy that's perfect for Christmas gifts and holiday candy dishes.
These rich Peanut Butter Crunch Bars combine a peanut butter cookie base with a chocolate-peanut butter topping and crunchy peanuts. Cut them into small squares for an irresistible holiday treat.
These old-fashioned Southern Peanut Patties are sweet, crunchy, and packed with peanut flavor. Their signature red color makes them a fun and nostalgic addition to Christmas candy trays.
Three delicious layers make these Chocolate Caramel Slices hard to resist! A tender coconut shortbread crust is topped with chewy caramel and smooth chocolate for a rich homemade treat.
Sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy! These Salted Peanut Chews feature a cake mix cookie base, a fluffy marshmallow layer, and a peanut butter topping loaded with peanuts and crispy cereal.
These homemade S'mores Chocolate Drops combine chocolate, fluffy marshmallow, and graham crackers in one irresistible bite. They're a nostalgic candy-shop-style treat that's perfect for sharing.
This homemade Cracker Jacks recipe combines crunchy caramel-coated popcorn with roasted peanuts for the perfect sweet-and-salty snack. Package it in festive treat bags for an easy Christmas gift.
These homemade Buttercream Chocolates have a smooth, sweet buttercream filling tucked inside a rich chocolate coating. They're a wonderful alternative to store-bought boxed chocolates and perfect for homemade Christmas gifts.
This easy microwave fudge made with powdered sugar is a great option when you want homemade chocolate candy without the traditional stovetop method. Cut it into small squares for holiday candy trays.
Creamy Biscoff Cookie Butter Fudge is a fun twist on traditional holiday fudge. Its sweet, spiced cookie butter flavor makes it a delicious addition to Christmas candy boxes.
This easy five-ingredient Peanut Butter Fritos Candy is the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat. Crunchy corn chips and peanut butter come together for an unexpected homemade candy that everyone will want to try.
Crunchy cornflakes coated in a sweet peanut butter mixture make this old-fashioned no-bake candy a family favorite. It's an easy treat to whip up when your Christmas baking schedule is already full.
This homemade Butterscotch Hard Candy has a rich, buttery flavor and a satisfying crunch. It's a nostalgic candy that's perfect for wrapping individually and adding to homemade Christmas gift bags.
If you love pecan pie, you'll love this crunchy Brown Sugar Pecan Pie Bark! A graham cracker base topped with buttery brown sugar and pecans makes a delicious homemade holiday treat.
These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles turn a favorite seasonal snack cake into adorable bite-sized treats. They're a festive, easy-to-share addition to Christmas dessert trays and homemade gift boxes.
These Peanut Butter Bugles combine the salty crunch of Bugles with sweet peanut butter flavor for a fun bite-sized treat. They're perfect for adding a little something different to holiday snack assortments.
These No Bake Turtle Cookies bring together the classic flavors of chocolate, caramel, and pecans in an easy homemade treat. They're a delicious choice for Christmas candy boxes when you want something rich and indulgent.
Homemade Christmas candy makes a thoughtful gift without spending a lot of money. A few pieces of candy tucked into a festive tin or treat bag can make a sweet little present for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
If you’re making homemade candy gift boxes, try including a variety of flavors and textures.
Chocolate lovers: Reese’s Peanut Butter Balls, Oreo Fudge, and Rocky Road Candy are great choices.
Old-fashioned candy favorites: Martha Washington Candy, Divinity, Peanut Brittle, and English Toffee are classic Christmas treats.
Easy treats for kids to help make: Chocolate Covered Marshmallows and Christmas Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods are fun options.
Colorful Christmas candy: Peppermint Bark and Hot Cinnamon Hard Candy add beautiful holiday colors to any candy assortment.
For a nice variety, choose three or four recipes and include a mixture of chocolate, peanut butter, and crunchy candy.
How to Package Homemade Christmas Candy for Gifts
You don’t need expensive packaging to make homemade candy look special. A few inexpensive supplies can turn your favorite Christmas candy recipes into beautiful gifts.
Christmas candy tins: Decorative tins are perfect for fudge, toffee, peanut brittle, and other bite-sized candies. Line the bottom with parchment or wax paper and separate the layers to prevent sticking.
Cellophane treat bags: Clear treat bags are especially nice for pretzel rods, popcorn, and colorful hard candies. Tie them with Christmas ribbon and add a gift tag.
Christmas candy boxes: Small bakery boxes are ideal for making assorted candy gifts. Arrange a few different treats inside and use candy cups or parchment dividers to keep everything neat.
Holiday mugs: Fill a festive mug with wrapped candies or chocolate-covered pretzel rods for a simple teacher or coworker gift.
For a personal touch, include a handwritten gift tag or a printed copy of your favorite candy recipe.
Can You Make Christmas Candy Ahead of Time?
Yes! Many homemade Christmas candy recipes are great for making ahead, which can make holiday baking and gift-giving much easier.
Hard candies, brittle, and toffee can be convenient choices when you’re preparing Christmas treats in advance. Chocolate-covered candies and fudge may also work well, depending on their ingredients and storage requirements.
Always follow the storage directions for each individual recipe, especially candies containing dairy or other perishable ingredients.
If you’re assembling Christmas candy tins, keep your candies in their recommended storage containers until you’re ready to package them. This helps preserve their freshness, texture, and flavor.
Tips for Making Christmas Candy Gifts
Make a little extra. Homemade Christmas candy has a way of disappearing before it ever makes it into the gift boxes!
Choose a variety of flavors. Combine chocolate, peanut butter, and fruity or cinnamon-flavored candy for a nice assortment.
Mix textures. Include something crunchy, something creamy, and something chewy.
Keep allergens in mind. Many homemade Christmas candies contain peanuts, tree nuts, or dairy. Label gifts when necessary.
Separate different candies. Use parchment paper or individual candy cups so flavors don’t mix and pieces don’t stick together.
Check storage instructions. Some candies can stay at room temperature while others need refrigeration.
More Easy Christmas Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for even more sweet treats to make this holiday season? From festive Christmas cookies to easy no-bake desserts, these reader-favorite recipes are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and homemade gifts. Take a look at these delicious Christmas treats to keep the holiday baking fun going!
Jennifer Smith is a food blogger and recipe developer from Oklahoma City who specializes in creating delicious semi-homemade recipes using pre-made ingredients, clever cooking hacks, and time-saving kitchen gadgets.