Delectable Christmas Candies and Treats
Sea Salt Caramels [1]
Caramels made in the microwave? Absolutely! And the only gear you need is a candy thermometer. Be sure to use coarse salt so it doesn’t melt into the candies.
Golden Toffee Nuggets [5]
Dipping toffee pieces halfway in chocolate is way tidier and easier than fully coating them—and the result is more striking, visually. (We recommend melting chopped good-quality chocolate bars for dipping—chips have additives that affect their consistency.) For undeniable holiday wow, brush on some edible gold luster dust. It’s a splurge, but applying it thinly with a paintbrush helps avoid waste.
Christmas Mice [9]
Kids or grandkids can help create these adorable, easy-to-make treats.
Christmas Mice [10]
Raspberry Truffles [14]
These five-ingredient truffles come together in a snap. Blending jam into the chocolate makes for a subtle fruit flavor perfectly balancing the rich, smooth chocolate. The recipe comes from Annie Marshall of the Indianapolis-based blog Everyday Annie.
Raspberry Truffles [15]
Chocolate bark [18]
Short on time? Make chocolate bark for gifts—or for your family. After melting and spreading the chocolate, it's just top, top and away!
9 Fun Ways to Top Chocolate Bark Candy [19]
Peppermint Marshmallows [22]
Homemade marshmallows are infinitely superior to store-bought—creamy and almost melt-in-your mouth soft. And peppermint is just one variation. In the baking aisle, find extracts like lemon, raspberry and cinnamon to customize your own marshmallows. The power of a stand mixer eases prep of this recipe, though a hand mixer works well.
Oreo Truffles [26]
These easy candies look elegant but are simple to make. This holiday dessert recipe comes from the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls in Logan, Ohio.
Oreo Truffles [27]
Bing Candy [30]
People in Pukwana, South Dakota, come to bake sales just to buy Gwen Swanson's signature chocolate-cherry treat. Cherry-flavor chips create a red center between the chocolate layers. You can substitute peanut butter-flavor pieces if you prefer a peanut butter-chocolate combo.
Bing Candy [31]
Caramel Almond Stars [34]
These playful candies are sort of a mock turtle—all the texture and flavor minus the homemade caramel or fussy dipping. Sprinkle with Wilton’s gold star sprinkles (sold online) or coarse sparkling sugar. For a flavor twist, substitute roasted, salted almonds or even smoked almonds.
Caramel Almond Stars [35]
Nutella Cherry Hazelnut Fudge [38]
Chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella) gives this fudge a smooth texture and luscious nutty flavor. The recipe comes from Annie Marshall of the Indianapolis-based blog Everyday Annie.
White Chocolate Christmas Fudge [42]
This five-ingredient fudge is simplicity, squared: Just melt, stir, spread, cool and cut. We love seeing festive flecks of orange zest in the fudge, but substituting orange-flavored dried cranberries will have a similar taste.
Dark Chocolate Almond Brittle [46]
Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman of the blog A Beautiful Mess [47] share this sinfully good holiday candy recipe. Adding almond butter makes the candy a bit softer and more flaky than traditional brittle.
Maple Nutty Candy [51]
These bar cookies combine four winning flavors: peanut butter, maple, butterscotch and chocolate. The easy recipe, from a Wabash, Indiana, reader, makes about 6 pounds of candy. We suggest freezing the bars and thawing them out as needed.
Maple Nutty Candy [52]
Coffee Bean Meltaways [55]
If you’ve ever made butter mints, you’ll recognize this no-cook powdered sugar mixture. The coffee flavor comes from instant espresso powder, which is widely available online and at specialty stores. It’s richer and better-tasting than ordinary instant coffee.
Almond Meringue Bark [59]
This beginner-level candy is made by spreading meringue thinly and baking it until shatteringly crisp (so much simpler than piping into kisses). Eat it plain, or sprinkle it on berries and whipped cream or an ice cream sundae, like shards of nutty toasted marshmallow.
Almond Meringue Bark [60]
Caramel Heavenlies [63]
Graham crackers form the base for this bar cookie with layers of marshmallows, brown sugar, almonds and coconut. "I've made these cookies each Christmas since 1984," says Georgine Simmonds of Genesee, Michigan. "They're one of my family's favorites."
Caramel Heavenlies [64]
Fanciful Peppermint Fudge [67]
Mint flavor infuses this creamy, easy holiday fudge. If you like, use two cups mint-flavor semisweet chocolate pieces instead of the chocolate pieces and extract.
Candy-Box Caramels [71]
Dress up packaged caramel squares by dipping them in sprinkles, crushed nuts, and bits of candy. Drizzle with dark or white chocolate to add even more color.
Candy-Box Caramels [72]
Creamy Peanut Butter Truffles [75]
Minnesota's Saint Paul Hotel features these truffles at its annual Chocolate Lovers' Tea. We simplified the recipe by substituting candy coating for the chocolate used at the hotel.
Heavenly Hash [79]
Mix just three ingredients -- milk chocolate, marshmallows and pecan halves -- for this super-easy candy, from a St. Louis candy shop.
Heavenly Hash [80]
Latte Fudge [83]
A shot of espresso adds flavor and color to this holiday sweet. The recipe makes about five dozen pieces, so you'll have plenty to give as gifts.
Latte Fudge [84]
Mixed-Nut Brittle [87]
This fresh twist on peanut brittle takes just 15 minutes to make using your microwave. Be sure to use a heavy-duty glass measure that's free from cracks or chips to withstand high temperatures.
Mixed-Nut Brittle [88]
Terrific Toffee [91]
Make classic buttery toffee even tastier by combining two kinds of chocolate, toasted almonds and malted milk powder. Look for the malted milk powder near hot chocolate mixes or chocolate syrup in your grocery store.
Terrific Toffee [92]
Easy Candy-Bar Treats [95]
A mix of popular ingredients -- chocolate, caramel, and peanuts -- makes this easy and delicious microwave candy.
Hallelujah Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars [99]
A cocoa-graham crust forms the base for these candylike bars, from the Eagle Ridge Inn and Resort near Galena, Illinois.
Chocolate Truffles [103]
Even novice cooks can master this simplified candy recipe. Just melt chocolate, add whipping cream and follow our easy instructions for Chocolate, Mint-Chocolate or Orange-Chocolate Truffles.
Chocolate Truffles [104]
Lemon Drop Bark [107]
Melt the candy coating, add the candy, and you're done. It's that simple. The crushed lemon drops give this sweet treat some pucker.
Lemon Drop Bark [108]
Nut candies [111]
Pair Chocolate-Caramel Pecan Clusters with quick and easy Salted Peanut Squares for the nut lovers on your holiday list.
Salted Peanut Squares [112]
Santa's Delight Peppermint Bark [116]
This super-easy Christmas treat uses just two ingredients: candy coating and either crushed candy canes or crushed round peppermint candies.
Date-Orange Bars [120]
Date-nut desserts can be cloyingly sweet, but orange juice brightens these simple bars.
Date-Orange Bars [121]
