Gift-Worthy Christmas Candy Recipes for Everyone on Your List

Recipe: Peppermint Divinity

We restored this delightful turn-of-the-century heirloom, adding a delicious peppermint-flavored twist.

Recipe: Homemade Pralines

There's no denying pralines are a Southern Christmas tradition. Originating with Creole pralinieres, 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.   

Recipe: Peppermint Truffles

Rich, cool, crunchy, and creamy, these truffles are a mix of your favorite chocolate-flavored mint cookie and some cream cheese. Coat with some good white chocolate, and you've got a holiday treat few will resist.

Recipe: Christmas Fudge

For the most perfect version of classic Christmas fudge, look no further than this recipe that makes the most of both bittersweet and unsweetened baking chocolate.

Recipe: Caramel Popcorn Balls

Sticky popcorn balls are the perfect fall treat and are just as at home hanging from your Christmas tree.

Recipe: Salty-Sweet Nut Brittle

This isn't your basic peanut brittle. Studded with peanuts, pecans, pistachios, and almonds, this recipe might be our best-ever nut brittle.

Recipe: Butterscotch Fudge

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.

Recipe: Toffee Candy

Developed by the super talented and much-loved Test Kitchen Professional Pam Lolley, this recipe is the best basic toffee recipe you'll find anywhere. The secret lies in details like the addition of instant espresso granules and half a teaspoon of cinnamon.

Recipe: Salted Caramel Fudge

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.

Recipe: Fruitcake Bark

Forget peppermint bark—we're going all in with fruitcake bark that's layered with candied fruit, nuts, and white chocolate.

Recipe: Homemade Turtles

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. 

Recipe: Potato Candy

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.

Recipe: Pecan Logs

This Southern-favorite convenience store snack is made with a sweet nougat base that's rolled in chewy caramel and coated in pecan pieces. And trust us—they're way better homemade. 

Recipe: Pecan Bourbon Balls

This fresh take on the classic boozy confection features gingersnaps, crystallized ginger, and melted chocolate.

Recipe: Pecan Pralines

No matter how you make pecan pralines, they are one of the paramount Southern treats. (But we're partial to this recipe.) 

Recipe: Cracker Toffee

Sometimes a rich, bite-sized nibble does the trick, whether enjoyed as a pampering pick-me-up or given as a special holiday gift. This recipe starts with a sleeve of saltine crackers. 

Recipe: Christmas Buttermints

Traditionally colored in a rainbow of pastel hues, these homemade candies have a crisp, buttery richness and a refreshing minty flavor.

Recipe: Easy Fudge

It's all there in the name: This is our easiest recipe for wonderfully nutty, traditional chocolate fudge. 

Recipe: Pecan Tassies

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.

Recipe: Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines

Simultaneously crunchy, creamy, fudgy, and sweet, these nutty pralines are a holiday staple.

Recipe: Cathedral Window Cookies

Part cookie, part marshmallow treat, this recipe gets high marks in both the taste and appearance categories. Not to mention, it feels delightfully nostalgic. 

Recipe: Coconut Balls

Consider these a homemade upgrade to your favorite coconut-almond candy—and the recipe starts with a can of condensed milk, so you know it's going to be a winner. 

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Medallions

You can substitute mini marshmallows for espresso beans in this take on turtles.

Recipe: Muddy Buddy Mix

With a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of your time, you can make and start bagging up the most addicting snack mix ever. It's got the perfect mix of crunch and peanut butter, all tossed in a cocoa-infused powdered sugar.

Recipe: Red Velvet Fudge

Find a prettier red-pink treat to give to all your family and friends this Christmas. We'll wait. This recipe is a great option for those who find chocolate fudge too rich or bitter. 

Recipe: Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls

Ask any Southerner and they'll admit that bourbon balls are their favorite Christmas treat. Sorry, pralines. 

Recipe: Rice Krispies Christmas Trees

Crunchy, chewy, and made in the most festive fashion—these Rice Krispies trees make the most fun treat during the holidays.

Recipe: Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

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.

Recipe: Mamie Eisenhower's Chocolate Fudge

This vintage recipe has garnered quite the fame over the past few decades. In fact, it was the go-to fudge recipe in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Recipe: Mrs. Floyd's Divinity

What better way to show your appreciation of friends and family than by giving packages of these old-school holiday confections?

Recipe: Pecan Toffee

The tender-crisp texture of this rich toffee will quickly make it your holiday guilty pleasure.

Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

A good Southerner doesn't let guests leave empty-handed. Give them a sweet send-off with these addicting salty-sweet nibbles.

Recipe: Milk Chocolate-Peppermint Bark

As if milk chocolate morsels and peppermint candies weren't perfect enough a mixture, we added rich cream-and-mint-filled chocolate sandwich cookies and salty pretzel sticks to our peppermint bark. 

Recipe: Stained Glass Candy

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.

Recipe: Pulled Candy

Good old-fashioned taffy was never a bad idea. People will love finding these homemade treats wrapped up in wax paper among all the cookies and divinity.

Recipe: Holiday Mocha Coffee Fudge

Chocolate, butterscotch, mocha, and pecans come together to create a decadent fudge that's topped with a shiny candied cherry garnish.

Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Mint Snowballs

Low on time and oven space? Try these no-bake treats that come together in a jiffy but are just as sure to impress.

Recipe: Oreo Cookie Balls

The ubiquitous sandwich cookie finds its way into a delightfully easy white chocolate truffle. Sign us up.

Recipe: Almond Snowballs

Powdery white, these Almond Snowballs will transform any cookie tin into a winter wonderland.

Recipe: No-Bake Fudgy Toffee Bars

Packed with lots of chocolate, caramels, and toffee, this dessert is the best of both worlds.

Recipe: Mint Meringue Christmas Trees

If you want to win the cookie swap, bring these adorable Christmas tree meringues. Use rainbow nonpareils as "ornaments" and hold everything together with a few dollops of frosting.

Recipe: Homemade Peppermint Patties

Rumor has it that these patties will win over even the grinchiest party guest.