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

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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

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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

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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.

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4

Sweet-and-Savory Peppermint Popcorn

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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

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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.

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7

White Chocolate Pomegranate-Pistachio Bark

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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

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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

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Who can say no to truffles?

Get the recipe for Chocolate Coconut Truffles.

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10

Maple, Cinnamon, and Walnut Fudge

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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

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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

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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.

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13

Roasted Hazelnut & Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark

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This homemade treat is easy to package in treat bags or boxes for a sweet holiday gift.

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14

White Chocolate Peppermint Patties

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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

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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.

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16

Pecan Pralines

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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

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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

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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.

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19

Gourmet Marshmallows

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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

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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.

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These Christmas Candy Recipes Will Help You Sweeten the Season (2024)

FAQs

What does the candy cane symbolize for Christmas? ›

White Candy: Stands for Jesus as the holy, sinless Son of God. The letter “J”: Is for the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Cane: Is like the staff used by the shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd.”

What's the most famous candy during Christmas? ›

Unwrap The Top 12 Christmas Candies!
  1. Nerds Rope Christmas Candy. ...
  2. Christmas Nik-L-Nip Elf Punch. ...
  3. Brach's Funfetti Candy Canes. ...
  4. Christmas Cadbury Selection Box UK. ...
  5. Haribo Giant Trees. ...
  6. Fort Knox Gold Ingots. ...
  7. Peeps Candy Cane Marshmallow Chicks. ...
  8. Terry's Chocolate Orange Minis White Chocolate UK.
Nov 20, 2023

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 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.

Why do we give candy on Christmas? ›

A Sweet Prelude: The History of Candy Canes

One popular tale traces it back to a German choirmaster seeking a solution to keep children calm during Christmas Eve services. The candy's crook symbolized shepherds, while the red and white stripes embodied the purity of Christ.

What does the Bible say about candy canes? ›

(Psalm 31:3). Next the candy maker made the candy in the shape of a 'J' for the name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior (Matt 1:21, Acts 4:12). When the candy was turned upside down, it is the shape of the Good Shepherd's staff (John 10:11). "I am the good shepherd.

What is the oldest Christmas candy? ›

A candy called Marzipan is one of the oldest traditional Christmas candies.

What is the oldest most popular candy? ›

Good & Plenty

These small licorice-flavored, candy-coated capsules are one of the oldest candies in the United States, having been introduced in 1893.

What is Santa's girlfriend name? ›

Other names found for Mrs Claus are Mary Christmas, Gertrude, and Carol. This may be a good question to ask Santa when you write to him this year.

What was Santas old name? ›

Santa Claus is associated with Saint Nicholas, who is the patron saint of children. The Americanized name Santa Claus dates back to 1765—75, and it originally comes from the Dutch name Sinterklaas. The last bit of the Dutch name, Klaas, is short for Niklaas, or Nicholas.

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 the top selling Christmas candy? ›

In the study, the retailer found Peppermint Bark has made a a comeback to be the top candy. In 2022, it had dropped from the no. 1 spot in six states following a strong showing in 2021. This year, however, it regained its strength in 3 states, particularly in the Midwest.

What is Christmas candy corn called? ›

The Christmas variant, sometimes called "reindeer corn", typically has a red end and a green center. The Valentine's Day variant, sometimes called "cupid corn", typically has a red end and a pink center.

What is Hanukkah candy? ›

In the 20th century, candy manufacturers started selling Hanukkah-themed chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, as a substitute or supplement to real money gifts. Hanukkah gelt. Chocolate gelt. Alternative names. Gelt, Dmei chanukah.

What is the story of the candy cane Jesus? ›

LOVELAND, OH (December 25, 2021) – According to legend, there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was witness to Christ. First, he used a hard candy because Christ is the Rock of Ages. This hard candy was shaped so it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd's staff.

Why do people hang candy canes on Christmas trees? ›

During the 17th century, when Christmas trees began appearing, people decorated them with candy sticks and cookies. The first historical reference to a candy cane with a hook was back in 1670. A choirmaster bent the candy to look like a shepherd's hook. These candies were easier to hang on a tree.

Why does Santa give out candy canes? ›

It is said that in 1670, the choirmaster at a cathedral in Cologne, Germany sought a solution to keep the children quiet during their lengthy Living Creche ceremony held on Christmas Eve. He began giving out sugar sticks to help appease the children as they patiently waited for their turn to sing.

What is a significant symbol of Christmas is the simple candy cane? ›

The white of the cane can represent the purity of Jesus Christ and the red stripes are for the blood he shed when he died on the cross. The peppermint flavor can represent the hyssop plant that was used for purifying in the Bible.

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