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 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 does the candy cane symbolize for Christmas? ›

Cane: Is like the staff used by the shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd.” The Color Red: Is for God's love that sent Jesus to give his life for us on the cross. The Stripes: Remind us of Jesus' suffering-his crown of thorns, the wounds in his hands and feet; and the cross on which he died.

What is the name of Santa's candy? ›

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 the story of the candy cane? ›

“Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony,” Schildhaus says.

What is the best Christmas candy? ›

Top 12 Best Christmas Candies!
  • Haribo Giant Trees.
  • Fort Knox Gold Ingots.
  • Peeps Candy Cane Marshmallow Chicks.
  • Terry's Chocolate Orange Minis White Chocolate UK.
  • Christmas Hot Chocolate Bomb.
  • Maltesers Mini Mint Reindeers UK.
  • Kool-Aid Candy Canes.
  • Bailey's Salted Caramel Truffle Bar.
Nov 20, 2023

What is the most eaten candy at 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 did candy canes originally look like? ›

Candy canes were originally solid white, but during the turn of the 20th century stripes started to appear. Prior to the late 19th century, Christmas cards of that period show nothing but plain white candy.

Do candy canes have a religious meaning? ›

There are people who claim that it has a religious origin, saying the white represents purity of Jesus, and the red represents the blood of Jesus. That's a completely fabricated Christian folklore legend which has no basis in truth. Candy canes originated in the 1800s as a Christmas holiday treat.

What does a broken candy cane mean? ›

It also reminds us of the spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthew 2:11). Broken For Us: Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (I Cor. 11:24).

What is Santa's 1st name? ›

A long time ago, Santa was known as Saint Nicholas by his peers because he was so kind to others and often gave gifts to those in need. Today, some still call Santa “Saint Nicholas” among his many nicknames.

What is bad Santa's real name? ›

Willie T. Soke and his dwarf assistant Marcus Skidmore are professional thieves. Every year, Willie gets a job as a department store Santa Claus and Marcus as an elf to rob shopping malls on the night of Christmas Eve, with Marcus' wife Lois as their getaway driver.

Is Santa half elf? ›

"Now, if you are talking about St. Nicholas, he is a bishop out of Turkey so a man. If you are talking about the character that came from the legend of the Saint he is both a man and an elf depending on which legend you believe in. So, yes, Neda, you are both right."

Are candy canes related to Jesus? ›

One legend suggests that an Indiana-based candymaker shaped the peppermint stick into a “J” shape to represent Jesus, with the white stripe symbolizing the purity of his birth and the red stripe later added to acknowledge the blood he shed on the cross.

Why is the candy cane bent? ›

They were a gift to the children attending the Christmas Nativity pageant. Because of the shepherds in the Nativity story, the choirmaster bent the candy sticks into canes to represent the shepherd's crook. The cane-shaped candy sticks became a tradition at the church.

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."

What was the first Christmas candy? ›

Candy canes are one of the oldest Christmas candies, first appearing in the 17th century in Europe. They were originally straight white sticks of sugar that were meant to symbolize shepherd's crooks.

What are Christmas sweets called? ›

Kul-Kuls. Kul Kuls (pronounced as Kalkals) are traditional Indian Christmas sweets that are formed into little curls. These are deep-fried, sweet pastry nibbles that are served on every Indian Christmas plate. It is prepared during Christmas by Indian Catholics in Mangaloreans, Goans and Maharashtra.

What is the most popular candy in the world? ›

The Latest Most Popular Candies Statistics Explained
  • In 2020, the 3 most popular Christmas candies in America were Reese's Minis, Candy Canes, and M&M's.
  • The world's most popular candy is said to be M&Ms with annual sales worldwide of over $2 billion.
Feb 7, 2024

What is a Christmas sweet? ›

We have heaps of different types of Christmas themed sweets including Candy Canes, Milk Chocolate Money, Turkish Delight, Jelly Reindeer, and Jelly Snowmen. We have special Christmas crackers filled with retro sweets as well as Chocolate Father Christmas', Chocolate Snowmen and Milk Chocolate Christmas Puddings.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6059

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.