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20 Sweet And Simple Candy Recipes For The Holidays

Celebrate the season with simple and sweet candy-shop treats, like sparkling mint marshmallows and chocolate-cherry cordials.
20 Sweet And Simple Candy Recipes For The Holidays

With just a few  weeks to go until the holidays, we've got visions of cookies, sugarplums and fancy fudge dancing in our heads. Far be it for us to tell you to cool it on the cookies (we believe no such thing), but IF you're looking to switch things up a little this year, we've got all the candy recipes for you to try, from peppermint fudge to peanut butter balls and marshmallow coal:

Peanut Butter Balls

These bite-sized peanut butter balls are perfect for New Year’s entertaining or a post-holiday recess. Get our peanut butter balls recipe here. 

peanut butter balls with chocolate coatingPhoto, Erik Putz.

Pretzel Toffee Crunch Bark

The dessert you didn’t know you needed in your life. Salty pretzel bits, sweet toffee and chunks of chocolate and nuts make for a decadent and delicious treat. Get our pretzel toffee crunch recipe here.

toffee pretzel crackle cookiePhoto, Liam Morgan.n

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Marbled Candy-Cane Bark

Absolutely irresistible! Marbled candy-cane bark looks too good to eat. But then again, with a double hit of chocolate – both white and dark – as well as crunchy pistachios and minty candy canes, who can resist? Treats don’t get much easier than this! Get our marbled candy-cane bark recipe here. 

peppermint barks in a red metal box

No-Bake White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

If you’re not that into chocolate (we know you’re out there), try this tasty Christmas dessert made with white chocolate and crushed candy canes. Get our peppermint fudge recipe here.

White chocolate peppermint fudge cut into squares, no-bake peppermint fudge recipePhoto, Erik Putz.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Cordials

These tempting truffles add an eye-catching flourish to the dessert table. And with their sweet cherry centres, they’ll disappear in no time. Get our dark chocolate cherry cordials recipe here.

Dark chocolate cherry cordials on a white stand with one to one side cut in half in a candy-shop setting(Photo: Erik Putz.)

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Victorian Sugarplums

Almonds and assorted dried fruits are the base of these bite-sized sparkly, sweet gems. Get our Victorian sugarplums recipe here.

Victorian sugarplums and chocolate covered rum balls arranged in concentric circles on a marble surface(Photo: Erik Putz)

Peppermint Sparkle Marshmallows

Consider making your own marshmallows for some extra holiday sparkle. The sweet candy-striped treats are delicious on their own, and they also bring that wonderful peppermint flavour when added to a cup of hot cocoa. Get our peppermint sparkle marshmallows recipe here.

Peppermint sparkle homemade marshmallows on a glass serving plate on a white marble counter(Photo, Erik Putz)

Candied Ginger

You’ll love these sweet snacks that are simple to make, yet deliver incredible flavour. Get our candied ginger recipe here.

candied ginger in a glass jar with a scoop of candied ginger with teh candy spilling out onto marble counter beside other holiday treats(Photo, Erik Putz)

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Chocolate Cherry Hello Dollies

Can’t decide between biscuits, chocolate or fruity sweets? Satisfy all of your dessert cravings with our Hello Dollies. The crispy base is topped with chocolate, cherries and coconut—the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Get our Hello Dollies recipe here.

Chocolate Cherry Hello Dollie Bars On A Plate on a red and white striped cloth on a white marble counter(Photo: Erik Putz)

White And Dark Chocolate Pink Salt-And-Pepper Whiskey Truffles

Cookied-out? Try a few no-bake treats, like these decadent dark chocolate truffles. Get our White And Dark Chocolate Pink Salt-And-Pepper Whiskey Truffles recipe.

White And Dark Chocolate Pink Salt-And-Pepper Whiskey Truffles one with bite out of it on a red background

Cider Gelée Candies

Homemade candies for the grown-ups. (They’re made with a giant splash of hard cider for that buzzy apple flavour.) Get our cider gelées recipe here.

Green hard apple cider gelée gummy candies on a white background(Photo: Liam Morgan)

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Chocolate-Mint Cookie Thins

Part cookie, part chocolate bar and all delicious, this easy treat is even prettier when decorated with candied sprinkles. Get our chocolate mint cookie thins recipe here

Chocolate-Mint Cookie Thins, drizzled with chocolate and silver dragées, on parchment paper

Salted Caramel Popcorn Bark

In just a couple of steps, enjoy your favourite salted caramel popcorn as a scrumptiously crunchy holiday dessert. Get our salted caramel popcorn bark recipe here.

20 Sweet And Simple Candy Recipes For The HolidaysPhoto, Erik Putz.

Chocolate Sea Salt Almond Clusters

Melting the chocolate in two parts is essential to this recipe. It will prevent your chocolate from pooling and will create a smooth, firm shell. Get our chocolate sea salt almond clusters recipe here.

Chocolate sea salt almond clusters on a white plate with navy background

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Candy Cane Meltaway Mints

Freshen up the yuletide menu by making your own peppermint candy with some simple mixing and rolling. Get our candy cane meltaway mints recipe here.

20 Sweet And Simple Candy Recipes For The HolidaysPhoto, Erik Putz.

Turtle Fudge

This combination is simply irresistible. (And using packaged caramels makes it incredibly easy.) Get our turtle fudge recipe here.

20 Sweet And Simple Candy Recipes For The Holidays

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

The power couple of the candy aisle: peanut butter and chocolate. Kitchen Tip: If you’re allergic to peanuts, substitute tahini for peanut butter. Get our peanut butter cookie cups recipe.

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups on a baking tray

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No-Bake Gingerbread Cookie Truffles

A no-bake delight you can make with just a few ingredients (think ginger cookies, cookie butter and tempered chocolate) and cute gem-shaped silicone molds (optional—you can also shape these truffles into balls). Get our no-bake gingerbread cookie truffles recipe.

Gingerbread cookie truffle with white backgroundPhoto, Erik Putz.

Chocolate Truffles

These decadent truffles are both intensely satisfying and incredibly easy to make. After whipping together a simple ganache using melted chocolate, butter and cream, pop the mixture in the fridge and let it firm up. After that, it’s just a matter of rolling into bite-sized balls and choosing your favourite toppings to coat them in. Get our chocolate truffles recipe here. 

20 Sweet And Simple Candy Recipes For The Holidays(Recipes by Irene Ngo, Produced by Sun Ngo, Photography by Erik Putz, Prop Styling by Madeleine Johari, Food Styling by Michelle Rabin)

White Chocolate Bark With Cranberry And Pumpkin Seeds

Desserts for Thanksgiving: Pumpkin crème brûleé with white chocolate barkPhoto, Erik Putz.

Assorted cookies on a pink background with the words in white

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