There’s nothing quite like homemade treats at the holidays and usually there are no shortage of visitors and events during the festive season that require some merry sweets to add to the table. While we love the seasonal store bought candies that line the grocery shelves starting directly after Halloween each year (looking at you, chocolate oranges!) there’s something really special about making your own candies for Christmas. In the old days this was a way to use up what you had on hand, but it often saved money over expensive candies wrapped in foil. Today candy isn’t expensive, but these 6 candies are unlike anything you can buy at the supermarket – which makes them extra special if you ask me.
6) Old Fashioned Potato Candy
This type of candy was popular in the the Great Depression when cooks really got creative with their ingredients. You only need a few things to make this sweet candy and no- it doesn’t taste like potatoes! The soft, doughy texture melts in your mouth and you can fill the potato base with peanut filling as per the recipe or go off-script and use Nutella or jam instead for a custom taste experience. Get the recipe here.
5) Candied Orange Peel
Candied citrus peel is excellent to make before the holiday season really starts so that you can use the preserved fruit rind to add zing to your fruitcakes and other holiday baking recipes. Dipped in chocolate they are their own candy and they also fill the house with the sweet smell of oranges. Get the recipe here.
4) Oklahoma Nut Candy
Chewy, nutty, and packed with flavor- that’s this candy in a nutshell. Jokes aside this easy-to-make treat is rather like a vanilla caramel with nuts inside, a candy made for all the people in your family who love nuts. Make this one with either walnuts or pecans for a different flavor each time. Get the recipe here.
3) Christmas Pretzel Bark
Salty pretzels, rich chocolate, and a layer of toffee to bring them all together. What’s not to love about this candy? Instead of forming this one into smaller pieces all you have to do is spread out the ingredients on a lined baking sheet. Then once it’s been chilled in the fridge to harden simply cut it into pieces. It’s easy to make, but it’s a true crowd pleaser. Get the recipe here.
2) Old Fashioned Strawberry Candies
These soft, strawberry cream cheese candies bring back a lot of nostalgia for me, but even for those who never grew up eating them the colors of red and green certainly bring the Christmas spirit! The crunchy sugar crystals and almond “stems” add texture to these soft refrigerator candies. Get the recipe here.
1) Colombian Coconut Natilla
If you love a cup of creamy eggnog with nutmeg on top then you’ll probably enjoy this traditional Colombian Christmas treat of coconut natilla. These little squares are flavored with warming spices and pieces of dried coconut for a very tasty way to celebrate the season. Get the recipe here.