I absolutely adore homemade sweets and snacks. If you crave sugar like I do, this collection of 25 candy recipes is exactly what you need.
You will find everything from simple microwave cheats to stunning recreations of popular store brands. There is truly something here for every skill level and occasion.
Get ready to fill your kitchen with the most incredible sugary aromas.
1. Homemade Junior Mints
Sometimes you want a treat that feels a little bit healthier than the rest. I whip up coconut oil with honey and peppermint extract for a lighter filling.
Dark chocolate is the ideal partner here because it elevates that cool mint flavor. You can even add white chocolate stripes for a cute finish.
2. Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars
These bars taste exactly like the original version but are surprisingly simple to make. You only need six ingredients including condensed milk and shredded coconut for the filling.
I prefer chopping the almonds to sprinkle on top instead of using whole nuts. Dip the bars in dark chocolate once they set firm.
3. Scottish Tablet
This treat from the UK offers a very different experience than American fudge. It has a crumbly texture that melts the moment it hits your tongue.
Be prepared for a very sweet experience because it uses a massive amount of sugar. You can never have too much fudge on a list.
4. Churro Toffee Disneyland Copycat Recipe
Making Disney snacks in your own kitchen is the ultimate way to cure a craving. Trust your instincts when working with the hot toffee mixture.
High quality white chocolate makes a huge difference in the final taste. Coat everything generously with cinnamon sugar for that authentic park flavor.
5. Homemade Mallomars
These treats feature a light and crispy base topped with a fluffy center. Making your own marshmallows is actually much easier than it sounds.
Dip the entire thing in dark chocolate for a sinful bite. They are totally worth the effort.
6. Chocolate Peanut Butter Grahams
Graham crackers provide the perfect crunch and flavor for this simple sweet. Use smooth peanut butter instead of natural types to ensure it melts properly.
A coating of white chocolate pairs beautifully with the savory filling. Nobody will guess how easy these were to assemble.
7. Easy Homemade Lollipops
Shortcuts are a smart move in the kitchen. You only need some hard sweets and oven safe molds for this project.
Place the candies into the molds and bake until they melt down. It really is that simple.
8. Easy Buckeye Recipe
I adore how these look on a holiday cookie platter. The filling resembles peanut butter fudge but stays a bit softer.
Use a small scoop to create uniform rounds. Dip them with a toothpick and leave the very top exposed.
9. Lemon Drop Candies
Get all your equipment ready before you start boiling the sugar. You must move quickly once the mixture hits the right temperature.
Rustic shapes are perfectly fine and taste just as delicious. Flavor is what counts most here.
10. Saltine Cracker Toffee
Salty crackers make an excellent foundation for rich toffee and chocolate. You do not need extra salt in the caramel mixture since the base is savory.
This combination works surprisingly well. I always ask for the recipe after eating this.
11. Homemade Caramels
Homemade versions beat the store bought kind every single time. Evaporated milk gives this recipe a fantastic depth of flavor.
You can stir in chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips for fun textures. They are so much better than the bagged variety.
12. Homemade Jelly Beans
These homemade treats are softer than what you buy at the store. Pour the mixture into straws to create long sticks you can cut later.
The coating process requires tumbling them in sugar syrup for quite a while. You can easily do this step while watching a show.
13. Stained Glass Candy
You definitely need a reliable candy thermometer for this project. I prefer the large ones that clip onto the pot for safety.
Make these treats as vibrant and colorful as you want. Flavored oils like raspberry or mint add a wonderful punch.
14. Homemade Gumdrops
These chewy sweets are surprisingly simple to create. It is mostly just flavored sugar syrup combined with gelatin.
Silicone molds are essential for getting them out easily. Let the candies dry for a couple of days after coating them in sugar.
15. Oh Henry Bars (Scotcharoos)
Think of these as an upgrade to your standard cereal treat. You get a perfect mix of crunchy peanut butter and crispy rice cereal.
Butterscotch and chocolate toppings make them absolutely irresistible. The name comes from a classic old candy bar.
16. Peppermint Patties Recipe
Getting the texture right is the most important part of this recipe. Add plenty of powdered sugar until you form a pliable dough.
I love using this filling inside homemade chocolate sandwich cookies. It is cool and rich and addictive.
17. Candied Orange Peel Recipe
Boiling the citrus peels multiple times removes any bitterness. Simmer them in simple syrup before tossing in sugar for a sparkly finish.
They make fantastic cake decorations and last for months in the freezer. Stop throwing away those tasty peels.
18. Cool Whip Candy
Big companies might not use Cool Whip, but it works perfectly here. This ingredient creates a texture that is wonderfully soft and fudgy.
Prepare your arm for some serious folding work. The result is totally worth the effort.
19. Gummy Recipe
Mix your favorite flavored drink with corn syrup and gelatin for this fun snack. Make sure any soda is completely flat before you begin.
Vegans can swap in agar agar for a similar result. It is a genius way to use beverages you love.
20. Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles Candy
These simple sweets come together very quickly at the last minute. Toasting the nuts beforehand enhances the flavor significantly.
You can melt down existing caramels if you are short on time. They are simple to assemble and always a hit.
21. Southern Pecan Pralines
A creamy coating covers toasted pecans in this irresistible treat. You will definitely need a thermometer to get these right.
Scoop the mixture quickly before it starts to set. Avoid over mixing to keep the texture perfectly smooth.
22. Samoa Truffles
Get that classic Girl Scout cookie flavor any time of year. The filling is a heavenly mix of toasted coconut and caramel.
Dip the bites in chocolate for the perfect finish. I often eat the filling straight from the bowl.
23. Easy Crockpot Candy
Simply dump everything into your slow cooker and let it melt. Leave the lid off so water does not drip into the chocolate.
Spoon the mixture onto parchment paper and top with sea salt. I love how effortless this recipe is.
24. The Easiest Microwave Cashew Brittle Recipe
This is a wonderful alternative for anyone dealing with peanut allergies. Cashews offer a distinctively rich and creamy crunch.
Add some sea salt and chocolate drizzle to finish it off. You will not even miss the peanuts.
25. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Dipping individual pretzels requires a lot of patience. I often get bored and switch to drizzling chocolate stripes with a piping bag instead.
Pretzel rods work wonderfully for this lazy method. They look fantastic with or without sprinkles.