Homemade gifts always hit differently, especially when they’re sweet and edible. Candy made from scratch feels thoughtful, creative, and far more meaningful than anything picked off a shelf. These recipes make it easy to create treats that feel special and perfect for the holiday season. From crunchy brittles to creamy fudge, these DIY goodies bring a personal touch that’s hard to beat.
Candied Bacon Nut Brittle
Sweet, salty, and just a little spicy, this candied bacon nut brittle is the gift no one will see coming—but everyone will want more of.
Get the Recipe: Candied Bacon Nut Brittl
Fudge with a Cookie Crust
Gingerbread Fudge is what happens when smooth fudge meets a crunchy gingersnap crust. It’s festive, easy to make, and practically made for gift-giving.
Get the Recipe: Fudge with a Cookie Crust
Peanut Brittle
Homemade Peanut Brittle is crunchy, sweet, and simple to whip up with just seven ingredients. It’s a no-brainer for holiday treats or gifts.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Brittle
Christmas Cornflake Brittle
Cornflakes and caramel team up in this Christmas Cornflake Brittle. Quick to prep and packed with crunch, it’s a great addition to any holiday dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cornflake Brittle
Turtle Candy
Toasted pecans, caramel, and chocolate come together to make these nostalgic turtle candies. Perfect for keeping the holiday spirit (and snack game) alive.
Get the Recipe: Turtle Candy
Cranberry Orange Fudge
Cranberry and orange are a match made for the holidays. This microwave fudge is a quick, no-hassle way to bring seasonal cheer to any dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Fudge
Toffee
Got 15 minutes? That’s all you need to make this microwave toffee. A few pantry staples and no oven required—it’s the holiday shortcut you didn’t know you needed.
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The Perfect Nut Brittle
Even if candy-making isn’t your thing, this nut brittle has you covered. A few ingredients and a trusty thermometer, and you’ve got a holiday treat no one will forget.
Get the Recipe: The Perfect Nut Brittle
Cinnamon Hard Candy
This nostalgic cinnamon candy is spicy, sweet, and ready to remind everyone why homemade candy is always a great choice.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Hard Candy
Crockpot Christmas Candy
Throw chocolate, peanuts, and pecans in your slow cooker, and let it do the work. Add some sprinkles, and you’ve got a treat perfect for gifting or cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Christmas Candy
Turtles
Slow Cooker Turtles are a game changer. Chocolate, pecans, and caramel all come together for a treat so good you might want to keep it for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Turtles
Chocolate Orange Truffles
Chocolate and orange pair up for these rich truffles. Whether you go dark, milk, or white chocolate, these make a great homemade candy for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Orange Truffles
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
These peppermint truffles pack big flavor in a bite-sized treat. They’re easy to make, decadent, and ready to impress.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
Sugar Cookie Truffles
These no-bake Sugar Cookie Truffles take just four ingredients and zero effort. They’re fast, easy, and a perfect addition to your holiday candy lineup.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Truffles
Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge
This Hot Chocolate Fudge brings all the cozy vibes in candy form. Made with condensed milk, it’s foolproof, gift-worthy, and just plain fun to eat.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge
Chocolate Caramel Peanut Clusters
These Chocolate Caramel Peanut Clusters are salty, sweet, and loaded with gooey caramel. Homemade candy doesn’t get much easier—or better.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Peanut Clusters
Crockpot Candy
This Crockpot Candy recipe is as easy as it gets. Chocolate, nuts, and caramel melt together into a treat that’s great for holiday cookie trays or gifts.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Candy
Sweetheart Bark
Sweetheart Bark is a fun, fast way to turn candy into something extra. It’s easy, colorful, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Sweetheart Bark
Chocolate Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bark
This frozen yogurt bark is like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in snack form. Creamy, peanut buttery, and a great treat to stash in the freezer.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bark
Divinity Candy
This classic candy is soft, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth good. It’s a little old school but always a hit after holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Divinity Candy
Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
If chocolate is your thing, this hazelnut torrone is a must-try. It’s rich, crunchy, and so easy to make you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
