20+ Homemade Candy Recipes (2024)

This complete list of over 20 candy recipes will convince you just how easy it is to make your favorite candies from the comfort of your kitchen. Each one is easy to make and comes together with wholesome ingredients.

20+ Homemade Candy Recipes (2)

We eat a lot of candy in my house, so any chance we get to make our own version of our favorite candies, I’m all for it. Not only is it better for my wallet, but it’s better for my waistline.

Now, I’ve developed plenty of dessert recipes, but not all of them qualify as “candy.” So, to make sense of all the sweet recipes I’ve come up with, I made a roundup of my (and your) favorite candy recipes.

Table of Contents
  1. Why make homemade candy
  2. Chocolate candy
  3. Copycat candy bars
  4. Fruity candy
  5. 20+ Candy Recipes (Recipe Card)

Why make homemade candy

  • Easier to enjoy in moderation. Just like any time of home cooking, making your own candy from scratch encourages you to be more thoughtful and savor each bite.
  • Healthier. Most store-bought candies have high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and other unnecessary ingredients. Making your own candy means you have the final say over your ingredients.
  • It’s fun! Who doesn’t enjoy making candy? Most of these recipes come together with just a few simple steps so you can get the whole family involved.

Chocolate candy

Chocolate is my go-to candy of choice, so any chance I get to make my own, I’m all about it! Especially when it’s this easy. Each of these recipes is full of chocolate flavor, and most double as being no-bake and lower carb.

  • English toffee– You don’t need to wait for the holidays to enjoy this crispy, sweet, chocolatey treat. Made with 4 ingredients and paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and keto-approved!
  • Coconut clusters– Refreshing 2-ingredient coconut clusters made with no added sugar and ready in 5 minutes.
  • Peppermint bark– If you’ve ever had the bark from William Sonoma, you’re going to love this easy no-bake version.
  • White chocolate peanut butter cups– Satisfy the white chocolate lover in your life with these easy no-bake white chocolate cups, plus endless flavor combinations.
  • Chocolate coconut cups– Rich dark chocolate with a creamy coconut filling. You won’t be able to stop with one!
20+ Homemade Candy Recipes (3)

Copycat candy bars

I’ve been making my own homemade candy bars for years, ever since I learned just how easy it is. I started off with Twix, and now as you can see, I’m hooked!

  • Kit Kat bars– These are seriously addictive and taste even better than traditional Kit Kats.
  • Healthy Snickers– Layers of chewy nougat with melted caramel and chopped nuts, all covered in melted chocolate.
  • Reese’s hearts– Loaded with peanut butter and ready in 5 minutes, these vegan chocolate peanut butter hearts taste exactly like Reese’s. Paleo and nut-free options included.
  • Crunch bars– This easy no-bake version of classic crunch bars pulls triple duty as dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
  • Peppermint Patties– Just 5 minutes and 3 ingredients are all you’ll need to make these refreshingly minty chocolate bites. They’re seriously addictive.
  • Creme eggs– If you wait all year for Easter just to get your hands on Cadbury creme eggs, consider this your lucky day.
  • Junior Mints– You won’t find any corn syrup, modified food starch, or artificial flavors in these bad boys. Just refreshing mint candies covered in melted dark chocolate.
  • Butterfinger bites– Turn your favorite peanut butter candy bars into no-bake bites, ready in minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
  • Almond Roca– I grew up eating Almond Rocas over the holidays, and when I found out just how simple they are, I was all too eager to create a copycat recipe.
  • Ferrero Rocher– Combine your love of chocolate and hazelnuts with these addictive bites. They’re crunchy on the outside, fudgy on the inside, and guaranteed to be a hit.
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Fruity candy

Fruity candies are great for sharing since they’re light, refreshing, and often full of nostalgic flavors. Plus, they adhere to a variety of diets, so you never have to worry about bringing them to a big get-together.

  • Turkish delight– Delicate rosewater-infused gummies covered in powdered sugar. These Turkish delights are almost as fun to make as they are to eat.
  • Tanghulu– Inspired by my childhood travels through China, these irresistible fruit candies are simple yet elegant and truly delicious.
  • Candy grapes– Embrace the viral TikTok trend with these sweet and sour sugar-coated grapes. A healthy treat adults and kids alike will love.
  • Low-calorie candy– These creative little gummy candies are fun to make and endlessly customizable.
  • Gummies– Once you learn how easy it is to make those classic gummy bears (without the sugar), you’ll probably become obsessed. I know I did!
20+ Homemade Candy Recipes (5)

20+ Homemade Candy Recipes (6)

20+ Candy Recipes

This complete list of over 20 candy recipes will convince you just how easy it is to make your favorite candies from the comfort of your kitchen. This simple peanut butter fudge is a great one to start!

Servings: 24 servings

Prep: 1 minute min

Cook: 1 minute min

Total: 2 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Line a 24-count mini muffin tin with muffin liners.

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, add the white chocolate chips and peanut butter and microwave in 20-second spurts until the white chocolate melts. Whisk together.

  • Evenly distribute the fudge mixture amongst the muffin liners. Place in the freezer.

  • Add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second increments until melted. Drizzle over the top of each muffin liner and freeze for another 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSodium: 50mgPotassium: 78mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 0.3mgNET CARBS: 13g

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Arman Liew

Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.

20+ Homemade Candy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Millionaire candy made of? ›

The rich combination of pecans, caramel, and chocolate is an enduring favorite, and the candy is fairly easy to replicate at home.

How do you make homemade candy last longer? ›

Protect truffles, caramels, and nougats from dampness by wrapping them individually in clear plastic wrap. Chocolate candies will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Caramels can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Store popcorn balls this way, too, but consume within one week for the best quality.

What are the most expensive candy in the world? ›

Highlights: Most Expensive Candies Statistics

"DeLafée's Gold Chocolate Box, which costs $508 for a box of 8, contains edible gold." "The Wispa Gold Wrapped Bar costs about $1628 per candy bar." "Le Chocolate Box by Knipschildt comes at $260 per ounce."

What candy has made the most money? ›

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are the No. 1 selling candy brand in the United States, consisting of white fudge, milk, or dark chocolate cups filled with peanut butter. They were invented by H.B. Reese after he founded the H. B. Reese Candy Company in 1923.

Why won't my homemade candy harden? ›

If the sugar mixture is not cooked to the proper temperature (the hard-crack stage 300-310° F {149-154° C.} or if you are working in a kitchen with high humidity, chances are your candy is retaining too much moisture.

What is the longest lasting candy? ›

Candy Shelf Life Guidelines:
  • Hard Candy: 12 months.
  • Jelly Beans: six months.
  • Jordan Almonds: two months.
  • Licorice: two months.
  • Lollipops: 12 months.
  • Milk or White Chocolate: three months.
  • Mints: 24 months.
  • Novelty Candy: 12 months.

What candy stays good the longest? ›

Hard candy like lollipops can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location. Gummies last for six to nine months from the date of purchase. Soft candies like caramel and jelly beans last six to nine months if the package has been opened and left at room temperature.

What is the hard crack stage in candy making? ›

Finally, if the candy forms hard, brittle strands that easily break, the candy is at the hard crack stage, between 300°—310°F. Butter toffee and peanut brittle are examples of candies cooked to this temperature.

Should you spray candy molds? ›

Make sure molds are clean, 100% dry, and are not dusty or scratched. Make sure the molds are at room temperature. We suggest wearing white cotton candy makers gloves when handling the molded chocolate so that you don't get fingerprints on the chocolate. Do not spray or grease the molds.

Can I melt chocolate chips for candy molds? ›

There are a variety of ways to do it. One of the easiest ways is to place it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high power until the chocolate is melted. Be very careful not to overheat it. The chocolate will not look as if it has melted because it retains its shape.

What is the unhealthiest candy? ›

The 5 Least Healthy Candy Options
  • Candy Corn. ...
  • Smarties. ...
  • 6 Foods Every Man Over 50 Should Avoid Eating — and Why. ...
  • Gummy Bears. ...
  • Jelly Beans. ...
  • Airheads.

What candy should kids not eat? ›

“You basically want to avoid anything round, chewy, or gummy if your child is three or younger. Candies that fit these criteria are more likely to cause a choking incident in young kids and should be avoided entirely.”

What is the most unhealthy candy for your teeth? ›

Chewy/sticky sweets: Gummy candies, taffy, and even dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay, particularly when they get stuck in the crevices between teeth and make it nearly impossible for saliva to wash away.

What is the pork product in candy? ›

Candy. Numerous foods contain gelatin, a protein derived from the collagen in cow or pig bones, skin and connective tissues. It's often used as a thickening or stabilizing agent and can be found in a variety of candies, including Altoids, gummy candies and Starburst chews, among others.

What is millions candy? ›

Millions – the tiny tasty chewy sweets invented by Golden Casket in 1991 are still growing in sales year on year. The product is an established favourite with children and adults alike.

What company makes millionaires candy? ›

Pangburn, which filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 1, 1999, has been a Fort Worth-based business since 1914 and manufactures the Millionaires brand candy. Pangburn's products now will be manufactured at Russell Stover's new Corsicana, TX plant, scheduled to open Friday, Apr.

What is Turtles candy made of? ›

Turtles are a candy made with pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate, with a shape resembling a turtle. The name is trademarked by DeMet's Candy Company.

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