During the holiday season, nothing brings joy to your home and the faces of your family and friends like a batch of homemade Christmas candy. Whether you choose chocolate toffee, caramel turtles, bourbon balls, or old-school peppermint divinity, these recipes are so magical you’ll want to double up and keep a whole batch of treats for yourself—and we don’t blame you.
All our Southern-favorite ingredients for the holidays are on full display, especially pecans, which make for the most delicious pralines, tassies, and pecan logs. If a busy schedule throughout the season leaves you with no time to stand over an oven, there are also a few no-bake options. Some of these no-bake solutions require a package of your favorite cookies, a little frosting or cream cheese, and some chocolate. Grab your cookie tins or goodie bags and fill them with these gift-worthy Christmas candy recipes for instant holiday cheer.
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
No one will ever know how easy this gorgeous fudge is to pull off. Double or even triple the recipe, so everyone on your holiday list can get a taste.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Torie Cox
There is no denying pralines are a Southern Christmas tradition. Pralines were once made with molasses and mixed with peanuts, pecans, and benne seeds. In Toni Tipton-Martin’s version, her pralines are thick and chewy thanks to a swap of heavy cream for milk.
Photographer: Isaac Nunn, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
This easy fudge recipe requires no candy thermometer. Butterscotch and white chocolate chips help to set everything up, and a healthy handful of nuts add texture and crunch. Be sure to wait at least two hours for the fudge to cool before slicing.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This recipe for cracker toffee is nearly foolproof. It’s the perfect blend of salty crackers and smooth chocolate,
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
If any candy were gift-worthy, this fudge would be it. Rich chocolate and caramel swirls intertwine dramatically, and the dash of espresso gives it just the right depth of flavor. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes this the perfect decadent dessert.
Micah A. Leal
Chewy caramel, crunchy pecans, and smooth chocolate come together in these easy turtles for some of the most indulgent bites you’ll have this season. It’s a decadent combination, complete with the savory crunch of toasted pecans. Make a foolproof caramel using ingredients like sweetened condensed milk and corn syrup.
Alison Miksch
This old-school candy reminds us of divinity and other traditional homemade Southern sweets. The recipe is a testament to the genius of thrifty cooks who based the confection on leftover mashed potatoes. With seven ingredients, you can have a unique candy to share this season.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
This Southern-favorite convenience store snack, made with a sweet nougat base, is rolled in chewy caramel and coated in pecan pieces. And trust us—they’re way better homemade. Aside from the prep, these candies are easier to assemble than they look.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This vintage recipe was the go-to fudge recipe in the 1950s and 1960s. Also known as Million Dollar Fudge, this creamy fudge is relatively easy to make. Store it for up to two weeks in an airtight container.
Micah A. Leal
Like bite-sized pecan pies that travel as well as cookies (thanks to a shortbread-inspired crust), these tassies spotlight a quintessential ingredient in Southern households during the holidays: pecans. Maple syrup gives these tassies a unique flavoring.
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Simultaneously crunchy, creamy, fudgy, and sweet, these nutty pralines are a holiday staple. Use paper baking cups to help shape the pralines before they set. Let the pralines cool for an hour before serving.
Jessica Furniss
These are perfect no-bake treats to make in advance of your gathering. After freezing the cream cheese and cookie mixture, dip the cookie balls in melted chocolate. Top with melted green candy melts.
Zoe Denenberg, Styling: Rachel Mulcahy
Part cookie, part marshmallow treat, this recipe gets high marks in both the taste and appearance categories. Not to mention, it feels delightfully nostalgic. This no-bake recipe can feed a crowd.
Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Caleb Clarke
With a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, you can make and start bagging up the most irresistible snack mix ever. It’s the perfect blend of crunch and peanut butter.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley
Ask any Southerner, and they’ll admit that bourbon balls are their favorite Christmas treat. These treats freeze well and stay for up to a week when stored in an airtight, refrigerated container. The best part is this recipe only requires four ingredients.
Jennifer Davick
Great things come in small packages. These pecan pie bites are small but full of flavor and just the right size for pass-along party desserts. After baking, let these bites cool for at least 30 minutes.
Southern Living
What better way to show appreciation for friends and family than by giving packages of these old-school holiday confections? This classic candy is crunchy and fluffy. Adding toasted pecans makes this candy extra flavorful.
Southern Living
These are the perfect festive crafts, plus they are entirely giftable. After dipping the marshmallows in chocolate and decorating, wrap each individual pop in cellophane and tie it with a ribbon or twist tie. Use your favorite candies to decorate these adorable faces.
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This peppermint-flavored candy will take you straight back to your childhood. Dye them in different Christmas colors and pack them into your cookie tins to spread holiday cheer. When using different colors, make one batch at a time.
Southern Living
Low on time and oven space? Try these no-bake treats that come together instantly but are just as sure to impress. Using store-bought cookies makes this five-ingredient recipe one you’ll want to make more than once.
Emily Laurae / Southern Living
The ubiquitous sandwich cookie finds its way into a delightfully easy white chocolate truffle. Sign us up for these simple and sweet treats. Try dyeing the white chocolate in different colors for the holidays.
Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett
Powdery white, these Almond Snowballs will transform any cookie tin into a winter wonderland. Let the treats cool for 10 minutes before rolling them in powdered sugar. Add festive sprinkles on top if you want to add a pop of colors.
Iain Bagwell
This dessert is the best of both worlds, packed with lots of chocolate, caramel, and toffee. Even better, these fudgy bars are a no-bake recipe. Allow these bars to chill before serving.
Now that you have all your baked goods ready to present to family and friends, check out these stylish Christmas gift wrapping ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the candy cane invented?
Does homemade candy freeze well?
When stored in an airtight container, homemade Christmas candy stays fresh for about two to three weeks in a cool, dry location. Homemade candy such as fudge or caramel stays fresh when wrapped tightly and frozen for up to a year.