There’s no need to go out and purchase candy when you can make your own! Here are some delicious homemade candy recipes that will sweeten up your day.

  1. Brownies: Start by mixing together a few ingredients in a bowl and then rolling them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  2. Caramel Apples: Peel, chop, and then bake apples in the oven until they are soft and caramelized. Once they are done, let them cool slightly so you can enjoy them as is or add some sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to make them even sweeter!
  3. Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting: Start by making the brownies according to the recipe above but using cream cheese frosting instead of sugar. Once they are made, place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for later use!

If you think candies are too hard to make, you will be surprised at how simple these recipes are. Did your mother or father pass down any unique candy recipes that you have in your recipe book? If not, the following recipes may be the start of a new family tradition that you can pass down for generations to come. See how many of these you can make throughout the season, and impress your friends and family with your newly found candy-making skills. You may even surprise yourself with how easy these are and how little time it takes to make them.

1. Fun Homemade Cinnamon Rock Candy

To make this homemade cinnamon rock candy, you need to invest in a quality candy thermometer. If you can find one that conveniently hooks over the pan, it’s easier, safer, and more accurate to use. It won’t get in your way. This candy will enhance the holiday feeling in your home with its cinnamon aroma and goodness. It will also make a great gift idea for friends, family, and neighbors.

2. Easy Microwave Hard Candy Recipe

Hard candies are holiday-friendly, and they make lovely gifts. This microwave hard candy recipe is perfect for creating unique lollipops. You will need to get some high-quality molds designed for complex candy making or a baking tray that will make 2×2 inch cubes. Some popular flavors for the holidays include peppermint, clove, and cinnamon, but consider how many of these flavors you use since they are pretty strong.

3. Easiest Caramel Candies Recipe

Are you ready for the holidays? Candy is known to boost holiday cheer. This easy recipe for caramel candies will delight anyone who loves caramels. You can give these candies out as gifts, serve them at parties, or make them part of any holiday event. For those who think candy-making is difficult, a recipe like this one is simple and lets you try your hand at homemade candies.

4. Peanut Butter Pinwheels Candy Recipe

I don’t know many people who don’t love peanut butter unless they have a peanut allergy. How do you feel about this peanut butter pinwheels candy recipe? This recipe is an old-fashioned candy to make and a favorite across many generations. You can save them for your holiday party, package them and give them as gifts, or keep them for Christmas Day and impress your family with your candy-making skills.

5. Crunchy Homemade Candy Apples Recipe

Fall is when candy apples are a favorite at Halloween parties, Harvest events, and generally a great treat during this time of the year. This crunchy homemade candy apple recipe will add some color and festive ambiance to your table. Get ready for the holidays! Are you ready to try this recipe on your own? The ingredients and instructions make it one of the easiest you will try this season.

6. Pretty Jelly Candy Recipe

Do you have a sweet tooth? This recipe is a good way to learn how to make homemade candies. We added this pretty jelly candy recipe to the list of homemade candy because it’s easy, tasty, and adds joy to the holiday season. You get to use your favorite flavored drink mix to make these fast and easy candies. Your friends and family with a sweet tooth with appreciate you.

7. Retro Martha Washington Candies Recipe

Martha Washington was known for many things in American History, but sometimes, her candy-making skills are neglected. We are almost in the holiday baking season, so this retro Martha Washington candies recipe is a good start. We think it’s easy, fun, and festive. Are you ready for a tasty treat from the past? We hope so because this one will make your taste buds happy and satisfy your sweet tooth.

8. Delicious Homemade Big Hunk Candy Bars Recipe

Do you remember your favorite candy from your childhood days? Could it have looked something like this recipe? These are creamy, crunchy, buttery recipes sure to be a crowd-pleaser this holiday season. Make it as a treat, or make batches to give to family and friends. If you love the sweet and savory flavors that this recipe will deliver, you will love this recipe, and so will your family.

9. Classic Wedding Mints or Butter Mints Recipe

Have you ever been to a wedding where they served creamy buttermints that melted in your mouth? Now you can use this recipe for the classic wedding mints or buttermints to do the same thing. This would be a great way to contribute to a friend’s or relative’s wedding. This is a super simple recipe for making up those creamy mints that everyone loves. Serve them at your next party.

10. Easy Crockpot Chocolate Candy Recipe

Did you know that crockpots can cook more than just stews and soups? Just wait until you see this recipe for crockpot chocolate candy. Chocolate and candy are both terms that bring joy to the holidays. Whether you want to make a batch of chocolate candy for trick or treaters or Christmas, this one will do the trick. Using the crockpot means you can make your candy-making time easier.

11. Jiggly Jell-o Marshmallow Candies Recipe

Do you remember Jell-O pinwheels? This mix of Jell-O and marshmallows will remind you of days gone by. The best thing about this recipe for Jell-O and marshmallow candies is that it’s an easy, no-bake solution for a rainy day, party, or quick snacks. This will be a hit if you have kids, especially if you let them help make them. This Jell-O candy-making activity is good quality time.

12. Classic Salted Nut Roll Candy Bar Recipe

Candy isn’t the only food that makes the holidays brighter. Does your family eat nuts like pecans and walnuts during the holidays? If your family enjoys eating peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and other types of nuts, this recipe for the classic salted nut roll candy bar will be perfect. You have probably seen candy rolls just like this in various stores, but now you can make your candy at home.

13. Creamy Cotton Candy Fudge Recipe

Do you have a child with an upcoming birthday? If you do, this creamy cotton candy fudge recipe will be perfect for a kid’s birthday party. You will be surprised at how fast, fun, and easy this fudge is to make. Your party guests will think you spent hours making it but don’t tell them it didn’t. Marshmallows, sprinkles, and white chocolate chips mixed up together never tasted so good.

14. Tasty Copycat Chocolate Mounds Candy Bar Recipe

Do you like Mounds candy bars? If you do, this recipe for the Mounds-inspired candy bar is simple to make. You don’t bake these in the oven at all. You will be using dairy-free butter, sugar, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips to make these vegan Mounds balls. These delicious Mounds-inspired balls are great for snacks. Stick one in your kid’s lunchbox, or wrap a few for a fun holiday gift.

15. Perfect Kentucky Bourbon Balls

The holidays are a magical time for candy and special adult beverages. What if you could combine the two? You can with this perfect Kentucky bourbon balls recipe. Since children aren’t the only ones who enjoy parties this time of the year, you can make these up and serve them at adult parties. The key is to soak those pecans in bourbon to get the most out of this candy.

16. Sweet and Salty Reindeer Chow Recipe

Don’t let the name of this recipe fool you. It’s not for Santa’s reindeer. It’s for you and the kids. Many kids enjoyed this retro throwback recipe several years ago that’s making a huge comeback now. You can make this recipe and surprise the kids or get them in on the fun and let them help. You can use this vacation time to occupy them.

17. Easiest Divinity Candy Recipe

If you’ve never eaten divinity candy, you are missing out on decadence. Do you like vanilla fudge? If you do, this is similar to that, only much richer. This recipe for divinity candy isn’t just for the holidays, but these candies will make gifts for people who will appreciate them. Usually, this recipe is made using the “drop” method, but this one is easy enough to use a fudge pan.

18. Homemade Flavorful Candy Wafers Recipe

Do you remember candy wafers from way back when? I think most of us do, but this recipe for homemade candy wafers will certainly improve your memory. Back in 1947, there was this company called Necco, and they made Necco wafers. This recipe will remind you of these old-fashioned thin, melt-in-your-mouth style candies. To flavor the wafers, you can use flavoring oils like lemon, lime, orange, cinnamon, wintergreen, or clove.

19. Easy Homemade Cookies and Cream Bark Recipe

Have you ever eaten cookies and cream candy bars? If you answered yes, then you might want to check out this recipe. You can make homemade cookies and cream bark to eat, serve as a snack, or give as a holiday gift this time of the year. This recipe will remind you of Oreo cookies because of the ingredients that go into them. You will need some parchment paper.

20. Quick and Easy Cotton Candy Popcorn

Not many people will refuse popcorn at a party, movie night, or as a gift. Better than that is this cotton candy popcorn recipe that combines these two entertainment favorites. This recipe isn’t just for the kids. It’s for everyone. After all, it’s sweet and savory because of the salt, so it’s a win-win. This popcorn recipe satisfies your popcorn craving and your sweet tooth too.

21. 5-Minute Pecan Caramel Bars Recipe

Nothing says autumn like caramel and pecans. Combine them into this recipe for pecan caramel bars, and you will have a hit. Do you have 5 minutes? If you do, you have time to make these pecan caramel bars, whether it’s for a party or just because. These are a great alternative to conventional crispy rice or toffee bars. You can experiment with saltines over club crackers if you want.

22. Old-Fashioned Nougat Recipe

Do you know what nougat is? It’s categorized as a confectionary mix or at least a super sweet candy with the texture of marshmallows. Nougat includes egg whites, dried fruits, and nuts, along with sugary honey. It’s a popular favorite during the holidays. This recipe for old-fashioned nougat will impress your friends and family during the upcoming holidays. Use it as a gift, or make it for a special occasion.

23. Copycat York Peppermint Patties

Do you know anyone who loves York Peppermint Patties or Thin Mints? If so, you can use this copycat recipe to make homemade peppermint patties for your loved ones. What makes this recipe so popular and beloved is its creamy center with the cool, refreshing flavor of peppermint covered in chocolate. You will need to use dark chocolate to properly make these. Dark chocolate complements the cool, creamy peppermint center.

24. Best Polar Bear Paws Recipe

Polar Bear Paws are every so popular candy made at See’s Candy shop, but now you can make your own. Are you comfortable enough to give this recipe a try? It’s not as hard as it seems to make this candy when you have an easy-to-follow recipe and instructions. Imagine how impressed and delighted your friends and family will be to get the gift of homemade Polar Bear Paws.

25. Fluffy Nougat Cool Whip Candy

Do you want something fun, yet decadent, to make for the holidays? You are in for a surprise with this fluffy nougat cool whip candy. This candy takes on three ingredients and is better than a Three Musketeers Bar because the secret ingredient is love. The Ghirardelli dark chocolate wafers are what make this candy taste the best. It’s easy to make, and it produces delicious 36 bite-sized squares.

26. Creamy Easter Egg Buttercream Candies Recipe

We may be focusing on the upcoming holidays, but this Easter Egg Buttercream Candies recipe fits into the season. You can forego buying these candies in the store this year by making your own from ingredients you can trust. The buttercream filling is part of what makes this so delicious. For a different flavor experience, you can substitute other flavors like coffee, orange, chocolate, lemon, or peanut butter buttercream filling.

27. Homemade Confection Divinity Candy Recipe

We discussed a divinity recipe earlier, but good candy makers know there is more than one way to make divinity candy. Divinity is candy and is categorized as a confection. It has a distinct and decadent flavor that wows during the holidays. Do you have an heirloom recipe that has been shared over the generations? If not, this heirloom divinity recipe is a good place to start a family tradition.

28. 2-Ingredient Sesame Candy Recipe

Almost caramelized candy will be a big hit at holiday celebrations, but this 2-Ingredient Sesame Candy is an old favorite. Two ingredients and 25 minutes are all it takes to make 12 squares. If you cut them smaller, you can make them more. For instance, for bite-sized pieces, cut these candies into 48 small squares. Does your family have a candy recipe that has been passed down?

29. Holiday Favorite Easy Candied Pecans

You can do more with candied pecans than you might think. Candied pecans are ideal for dessert toppings, salad additions, as well as for snacking. You only need five minutes to make this holiday favorite easy candied pecans and then 10 minutes to let them cool before eating. This is virtually the perfect recipe for busy moms with limited time to make treats.

30. Simple Sea Glass Candy Recipe

Hard candies are served during the holidays at parties and gatherings. Did you know it’s easy to make sea glass candy? If you knew how easy, you would already be making it at home. Surprise your friends and family with this sea glass recipe. It doesn’t have to be just for Christmas or holidays. You can easily make this candy anytime. If you don’t have one, get a candy thermometer.