Making Christmas candy is one of those things that keeps everyone busy and happy at the same time.
It’s easy to whip up a few batches for lunches, after-school snacks, or holiday gatherings without feeling like a huge production.
The kitchen usually turns into a bit of a mess, but it’s worth it when your kiddos gets to help with stirring, sprinkling, or taste-testing.
Most of these recipes come together fast, and you can mix and match flavors or toppings depending on what’s in the cupboard.
It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon and end up with a counter full of sweet, colorful treats!
1. Chocolate Candy Cane Truffles
Crush some candy canes into tiny bits and set them aside.
Then mix softened cream cheese with crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies until it’s smooth and doughy.
Roll the mix into small balls and pop them in the fridge to firm up.
Dip each one in melted chocolate, then sprinkle those candy cane bits on top before the coating sets.
These make amazing Christmas gifts!
2. No Bake Sugar Cookie Truffles
Blend crumbled sugar cookies with softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Roll the mixture into small balls and chill them for about 30 minutes.
Dip each ball in melted white chocolate, then add sprinkles or crushed candy cane on top.
Store them in the fridge for a cold, sweet treat that tastes just like holiday cookie dough.
3. Biscoff Christmas Truffles
Crush Biscoff cookies into fine crumbs and mix them with cream cheese until well combined.
Roll into even-sized balls and refrigerate until firm.
Dip each truffle in melted white chocolate and drizzle with melted Biscoff spread for a pretty finish.
Add a pinch of crushed cookie on top for extra crunch.
4. Gingerbread Truffles
Combine crushed gingerbread cookies with cream cheese until soft and sticky.
Roll into small rounds and chill until set.
Dip in melted white or milk chocolate and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon or nutmeg.
Keep them cold until serving to hold their shape and flavor.
5. Cranberry White Chocolate Truffles
Pulse dried cranberries with white chocolate chips and softened cream cheese until blended.
Roll the mixture into balls and place in the fridge to chill.
Coat with melted white chocolate and top with a few chopped cranberries for color.
These make a pretty addition to any holiday dessert plate.
6. Gingerbread Fudge
Melt white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk together until smooth.
Stir in molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg for that classic gingerbread flavor.
Pour into a parchment-lined pan and smooth out the top.
Sprinkle crushed ginger cookies or a bit of cinnamon sugar over the surface before it sets.
7. Eggnog Fudge
This is my favorite for Christmas bake sales!
Combine white chocolate chips, butter, and eggnog in a saucepan over low heat until melted and creamy.
Stir in nutmeg and a splash of vanilla extract for that holiday flavor.
Pour into a lined baking pan and refrigerate until firm.
Cut into small squares and dust lightly with more nutmeg.
8. Peppermint Mocha Fudge
Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and a spoonful of instant coffee granules.
Stir until smooth, then add a drop or two of peppermint extract.
Spread into a parchment-lined pan and top with crushed peppermint candies.
Chill until firm and cut into bite-sized squares.
9. Peppermint Swirl Fudge
Melt white chocolate chips and divide into two bowls.
Tint one with red food coloring and add a few drops of peppermint extract.
Alternate spoonfuls of each mixture into a pan and swirl gently with a knife for a marbled look.
Refrigerate until solid, then slice into squares for a pretty candy display.
10. Christmas Marshmallow Fudge
This one’s always a hit in my house.
Melt chocolate chips, butter, and condensed milk together, then fold in mini marshmallows once it’s smooth.
Pour into a lined pan and press a few extra marshmallows on top for color.
Chill for a few hours before cutting into soft, chewy pieces.
11. Grinch Fudge
I like making Grinch cookies, but the fudge is super cute too!
Melt white chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk until smooth, then stir in a few drops of green food coloring.
Add a touch of vanilla and pour the mixture into a lined pan.
Press a single red candy heart in the center of each square before it sets.
Refrigerate until firm and cut into small, colorful pieces.
12. Sugar Cookie Fudge
Mix melted white chocolate and condensed milk until thick and creamy.
Stir in sugar cookie extract or a bit of vanilla for that classic flavor.
Spread into a lined pan and top with colorful sprinkles before it cools.
Slice into squares once set for a fun and easy treat.
13. Christmas Coal Fudge
Melt dark chocolate chips with condensed milk and a spoonful of black cocoa powder.
Stir until smooth, then pour into a parchment-lined pan.
Sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top to give it a dusty, coal-like texture.
Refrigerate until firm and break into chunks for a playful “naughty list” treat.
14. Hot Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Melt milk chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and a packet of hot cocoa mix.
Stir in a few mini marshmallows and crushed peppermint candy.
Pour into a lined dish and let it cool completely.
Slice into thick squares and serve with a mug of warm cocoa for a double chocolate hit.
15. Peppermint Brittle
I always make this one last minute because it’s so simple.
Melt white chocolate and spread it into a thin layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top and let it set completely.
Break it into jagged pieces for a quick, crunchy holiday snack.
16. Maple and Molasses Walnut Brittle
Combine sugar, maple syrup, and molasses in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a deep amber color.
Stir in butter and chopped walnuts quickly before the mixture thickens.
Pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it out evenly.
Once cool, break into rustic chunks for a sweet, nutty crunch.
17. Gingerbread Bark
Melt white chocolate and spread it across a sheet of parchment paper.
Press small pieces of gingerbread cookies into the surface and drizzle melted milk chocolate on top.
Sprinkle crushed candy or cinnamon sugar before it hardens.
Let it set completely, then snap into uneven, festive pieces.
18. Sugar Cookie Bark
Spread melted white chocolate evenly on a baking sheet and top with chunks of baked sugar cookies.
Add a handful of colorful sprinkles for extra fun.
Chill until firm and break into pieces for a quick, no-bake holiday dessert.
Store in an airtight container to keep the cookies crisp.
19. Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Bark
Melt dark chocolate and pour it onto a parchment-lined pan.
Sprinkle dried cranberries and chopped pistachios evenly across the top.
Press them in gently so they stick while the chocolate is still warm.
Once cooled, break into rough shards for a sweet and tangy snack.
20. Chocolate Christmas Bark
Melt milk and white chocolate separately and pour both onto a lined baking sheet.
Swirl them together lightly with a knife for a marbled look.
Top with crushed peppermint, nuts, or candy pieces.
Let it chill until solid, then break apart for easy gifting or snacking.
21. Bailey’s Double Chocolate Bark
Melt milk chocolate with a splash of Bailey’s and spread it onto a parchment-lined sheet.
Drizzle melted dark chocolate on top and swirl gently with a toothpick.
Sprinkle flaky salt or chocolate shavings before it cools.
Once firm, break into uneven pieces for a grown-up holiday treat.
22. Homemade Candy Canes
Mix sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan and heat until it reaches the hard-crack stage.
Divide and tint half the mixture red, leaving the other half white.
Twist the two colors together and shape into classic candy cane curves while still warm.
Let them cool completely on parchment paper before wrapping or gifting.
23. Peanut Butter Balls
These are an absolute classic for Christmas!
Combine peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar until smooth.
Roll into bite-sized balls and chill for about 20 minutes.
Dip each one in melted chocolate and place on wax paper to set.
Drizzle a little extra chocolate over the top for a nice finish.
24. Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
Melt butter and marshmallows together, then stir in Rice Krispies until fully coated.
Add holiday sprinkles or red and green candies for a festive touch.
Press into a buttered pan and let cool before cutting into squares.
Use cookie cutters to make trees or stars for a fun twist.
25. Christmas Pretzel Rods
Dip pretzel rods halfway into melted chocolate and shake off the excess.
Roll them in crushed peppermint, sprinkles, or colored sugar for decoration.
Lay them on parchment paper and let them harden completely.
Wrap a few in cellophane bags for easy party favors or gifts.
26. Pretzel Wreaths
Lay small round pretzels in a circle on a parchment-lined tray.
Dip each in melted green candy coating and press them together so they stick.
Add red candy pieces for “berries” and let them cool until firm.
Tie a little ribbon around each for a cute edible decoration.
27. Pretzel Christmas Trees
Lay pretzel sticks down on parchment paper and drizzle with melted white chocolate to create the branches.
You can also use green food coloring and mix it in with the chocolate.
Decorate with sprinkles before the chocolate sets and let them harden (in the fridge is best) before serving.
28. Pretzel Snowflakes
Arrange small pretzel twists in a snowflake shape on parchment paper.
Pour melted white chocolate over the center to hold them together.
Add a few edible glitter sprinkles for sparkle.
Chill until solid, then carefully lift each one for a delicate, crispy treat.
29. Chocolate Covered Pretzels with Peppermint
Dip pretzels in melted dark or milk chocolate, coating them evenly.
Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top while the chocolate is still wet.
Place them on parchment paper and refrigerate until firm.
Store in an airtight container to keep them crunchy.
30. Pretzel Reindeer
I swear these look more complicated than they really are!
Lay out some pretzel twists on parchment paper and put a dollop of melted chocolate on each.
Before it sets, stick on candy eyes, an M&M for a nose, and a twist broken in half (each half is an antler).
And that’s it!
Super cute and super easy.
31. Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Drain maraschino cherries and pat them dry with paper towels.
Melt semisweet or dark chocolate until smooth and glossy.
Dip each cherry by the stem and let the excess drip off before placing it on parchment paper.
Chill until the chocolate sets for a simple, elegant bite-sized dessert.
Sweet Holiday Treats That Everyone Will Love
There’s something fun about filling the kitchen with melted chocolate, crushed candy canes, and trays of colorful sweets.
Some of these recipes are great for gifting, others are perfect for movie nights or school parties.
Pick a few, grab the kids or a friend, and turn it into a treat-making afternoon!
