Christmas Candy
Celebrate the magic of the season with these delightful Christmas candy recipes, crafted with love to bring sweetness and joy to your holiday traditions.
Table of contents
  • Oreo Popcorn
Oreo Popcorn
Prep: 10 min | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Method: None
What You'll Need:
  • 15 crushed Oreos
  • 2 cups white chocolate
  • 6 cups popped popcorn
  • ¼ tsp salt

1

Crush the Oreos
Set aside ¼ cup for topping and mix the rest into the melted white chocolate.

2

Prepare Popcorn
Place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl.

3

Mix
Pour the chocolate mixture over the popcorn and stir well to coat.

4

Add Toppings
Sprinkle with salt and reserved crushed Oreos.

5

Set and Serve
Let it sit for 15 minutes or until the chocolate hardens. Break into chunks and enjoy!
👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | Originally entered December 2nd, 2020
Oreo Balls
Prep: 10 min | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Method: None
What You'll Need:
  • 16 oz white chocolate
  • 36 Oreos
  • 1 package of cream cheese
  • ½ block of cooking wax
Mix & Shape
Combine cream cheese with crushed Oreo crumbs until well blended, then form into ½–1-inch balls.
Freeze & Coat
Freeze balls for 10 minutes, then melt white chocolate with cooking wax. Dip frozen balls in the smooth chocolate mixture.
Finish & Serve
Place dipped balls on wax paper and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. Serve these delightful treats chilled!
👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | Originally entered December 2nd, 2020
German Chocolate Balls
Prep: 10 min | 🍳 Cook: 10-30 mins. | 🔥 Method: Stovetop
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 1 (16 oz) box powdered sugar
  • 1 cup chopped coconut
  • 2 ½ sticks melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 12 oz chocolate chips
  • Wax block (for melting with chocolate)
Steps:
1
Mix Ingredients
Combine all ingredients (except chocolate and wax) in a large bowl
2
Shape
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls
3
Prepare Coating
Melt chocolate and wax together until smooth
4
Dip & Set
Dip balls in melted chocolate and place on wax paper to set
👩‍🍳Recipe by Lillie Dean Moots, Mammy | Originally entered December 2nd, 2020
Tiger Bars
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 10 mins. | 🔥 Method: Microwave
What You'll Need
  • 1 lb. of white chocolate (2-⅔ cups)
  • 1 12oz jar of peanut butter (1 ½ cups)
  • 1 lb. of milk chocolate chips
Mix & Melt
Combine white chocolate and peanut butter, then microwave until melted (about 2 minutes). Make sure to stir really well! Pour into a wax lined pan or dish.
Create Tiger Swirls
Pour melted milk chocolate over the peanut butter mixture and create beautiful swirls with a knife for that classic tiger pattern.
Chill & Serve
Let it firm up in the fridge, then cut into squares and enjoy these delicious treats!
Advice to pass down: 1 lb. is equivalent to 2 small bags. If you spray your dish with butter spray, then place the wax paper on top it sticks better.
👩‍🍳Recipe by JD Peaden | December 2009
Almond Joy Truffles or Bars
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 10 mins. | 🔥 Method: Stovetop
What You'll Need
Base Mix
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 cups sweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 14 oz can sweeten condensed milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla
Coating
  • 16 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate morsels
  • ½ block of cooking wax
  • Almonds (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Mix Base
Combine condensed milk, butter, coconut, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a large bowl

2

Shape & Set
Form 1-inch balls, add optional almond on top, and refrigerate for 1 hour until firm. This is a long aggravating process…... so, I started adding the mixture to a sprayed pan or casserole dish to make Almond Joy bars.

3

Prepare Coating
Melt cooking wax in a pot, add chocolate morsels and stir until smooth

4

Finish
Dip each ball in melted chocolate, place on wax paper, and let harden for 5 minutes
Advice to pass down: To make the balls you are looking at 1-2 hours of rolling them and an additional 1+ hours to dip them. To make the bars, you are looking at however long it takes you to pour the mixture in the pan lol. I also make half this recipe most of the time because it makes a huge batch.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | October 9th, 2019
Christmas Crack
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 20 min | 🔥 Preheat: 350°F
What You'll Need
  • 1 cup butter
  • 40 saltine crackers
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 pkg. milk or semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1

Prep Your Station
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil, spray with non-stick spray, and arrange crackers in a single layer.

2

Make the Toffee
Melt butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for 5 minutes.

3

First Bake
Pour butter-sugar mixture over crackers and bake for 5 minutes at 350°F.

4

Add Chocolate
Sprinkle chocolate chips on top immediately after baking. Let sit 1-2 minutes until shiny. If needed, return to oven for 4 minutes to melt fully.

5

Finish & Set
Spread melted chocolate evenly, add optional toppings (nuts, M&M's), and refrigerate for 2 hours until set.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | December 20th, 2021
Sausage Balls
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 20 min | 🔥 Preheat: 375°F
What You'll Need
  • 1 lb. sausage
  • 2 cups Bisquick
  • 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 6–8 tsp water
1
Prep Ingredients
  • Crumble the sausage first before adding other ingredients.
  • Grate cheese if it is not already shredded.
2
Mix
  • Blend the cheese with the sausage.
  • Add Bisquick, using small amounts of water to start with, until the mixture gets sticky and holds together.
3
Form Balls
  • Once mixed well, roll the mixture into balls.
  • Tip: Wet your hands before rolling the balls to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
4
Bake
  • Bake in a sprayed pan for 15–20 minutes, depending on the size of your sausage balls.
Pro Tip: Can be frozen! When ready to serve, thaw and bake for 5 minutes at 300°F.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | December 1st, 2003
Cheese Straws
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 10-15 mins. | 🔥 Preheat: 350°F
Gather Ingredients
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 2 cups flour
  • ¼ - ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp. lemon juice
Mix the Dough
Combine all ingredients by hand until well mixed into a uniform dough
Shape and Bake
Roll into balls and press with fork or use cookie press. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until lightly set
Pro Tip: Don't cook until brown.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy, Lillie Dean Moots | October 8th, 2019
Finger Crackers
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Method: None
What You'll Need
  • 2 bags of oyster crackers
  • 2 packs of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix
  • ¼ tsp dill weed
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
Steps to Follow
  1. Add all ingredients into a large bowl.
  1. Stir until everything is well mixed and the oil is absorbed. (This takes a few hours. Set in a container that you can shake every 15 mins. or so.)
  1. Let the mixture sit for 2 hours, stirring often.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Sue Peaden | December 2008
Peanut Butter Balls
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Method: None
Ingredients
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 16 oz. chocolate morsels
  • ½ -1 block wax for coating
Prepare & Mix
  • Lay wax paper across the counter or the area where you plan to roll the balls.
  • Mix melted butter, peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a large bowl.
Form the Balls
  • Roll mixture into uniform balls and place on wax paper.
  • Use a consistent size for even coating
Dip and Cool
  • Melt the cooking wax over medium heat. Once melted, add the chocolate morsels and stir until smooth.
  • Dip each ball into the melted chocolate and place it back on the wax paper to cool.
Advice to pass down: You may need to reheat the chocolate occasionally during the process. Use a toothpick or spoon to dip the balls for ease.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Jessica Peaden | December 1st, 2003
Sugared Nuts
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 5-10 mins. | 🔥 Preheat: 400°F
What You'll Need
  • 2 cups raw peanuts, cashews, almonds, or a combination of them
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
Step 1: Initial Cooking
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
  • In a medium saucepan, bring all the ingredients to a boil.
  • Add the nuts and stir occasionally. About 2 minutes after adding the nuts, stir frequently as the water begins to crystalize on the nuts.
Step 2: Prepare for Baking
  • Once the water crystallizes (about 1 more minute), turn off the heat but continue stirring. The sugar will start to caramelize and turn brown.
  • Pour the nuts onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Bake the nuts for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar begins to melt.
Step 3: Final Product
  • Continue baking and stirring for another 2 minutes or until the nuts turn golden brown and form a lace-like caramel coating.
  • Remove from the oven and stir to distribute the caramel. Let the nuts cool for about an hour before serving or storing.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy, Lillie Dean Moots | December 1st, 2020
Homemade Toffee
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 30 mins. | 🔥 Preheat: 350°F
What You'll Need
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1½ cups chocolate chips
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup each:
  • almonds, pecans, raw almonds
  • ½ tsp vanilla

1

Toast the Nuts
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread almonds evenly and toast for 10 minutes.

2

Make the Caramel
Combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until mixture turns almond brown (10-15 minutes).

3

Layer the Toffee
Spread hot caramel mixture over the almonds. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and let sit for 1-2 minutes until chocolate begins to melt.

4

Add Final Touches
Spread melted chocolate evenly, then sprinkle with pecans. Let cool completely for 2 hours.

5

Finish
Break the cooled toffee into pieces and serve or store.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy, Lillie Dean Moots | December 1st, 2020
Ms. Sue's No Fail Fudge
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 20 mins. | 🔥 Method: Microwave
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks)
  • 3 cups sugar
  • ⅔ cup evaporated Carnation milk
  • 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate morsels
  • 1 jar marshmallow cream
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
The Process
  • Microwave butter in a large bowl until melted.
  • Add sugar and evaporated milk. Microwave for 3 minutes at a time, stirring after each interval. Repeat this process 4 times.
  • After the 4th microwave interval, add the chocolate morsels, marshmallow cream, and vanilla. Stir until fully combined.
  • If using pecans, fold them into the mixture.
The Result
  • Pour into a buttered pan and let it set.
  • And remember what they say - even if it's "no fail," don't feel bad if you're like Jessica and just can't make fudge! 😊
👩‍🍳Recipe by Sue Peaden | December 2008
Peanut Butter Fudge
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 20 - 30 mins. | 🔥 Method: Stovetop
What You'll Need
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tbsp syrup
  • ⅔ cup canned milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla

1

Mix & Heat Base Ingredients
  • Mix sugar, syrup, milk, and salt in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat.
  • Heat until the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped into a cup of cold water (or reaches 238–240°F on a candy thermometer).

2

Add Flavoring & Mix
  • Remove from heat and quickly add peanut butter and vanilla.
  • Beat the mixture until it loses its gloss.

3

Pour and Cool
  • Pour into a greased pan and let cool.
  • Once cooled, cut into squares and serve.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy, Lillie Dean Moots | December 1st, 2020
Mammy's Fudge
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: 20 - 30 mins. | 🔥 Method: Stovetop
Ingredients
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tbsp cocoa
  • ⅔ cup canned milk
  • 1 stick butter,
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ⅔ cup pecans or walnuts (optional)
Soft Ball Stage
Combine all ingredients (except vanilla and nuts) in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture reaches 238-240°F on candy thermometer or forms a soft ball in cold water.
Final Ingredients
Stir in vanilla and nuts (if using) until mixture loses its gloss. Pro tip: Try substituting ½ cup peanut butter for nuts!
Cool and Enjoy
Pour into a buttered dish and let cool completely before cutting into squares.
👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy, Lillie Dean Moots | December 2002
Chocolate Coconut Pecan Balls
Prep: 15 min | 🍳 Cook: None | 🔥 Method: Stovetop | 🍪 Yield: ~100 balls
What You'll Need
Dry Ingredients
  • 4 cups pecans, chopped
  • 2 boxes powdered sugar
  • 1 can coconut, chopped
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 can Eagle milk
Coating
  • 2 (6 oz) packages chocolate chips
  • 1 stick candy wax
Step-by-Step Process
1
Mix & Chill
  • Pour melted butter over mixed sifted powdered sugar, then add coconut and milk.
  • Mix thoroughly and let chill for about 10 minutes.
  • Roll into 1-inch balls.
2
Melt & Coat
  • Melt chocolate chips and wax together.
  • Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip in the melted chocolate mixture.
3
Set & Cool
  • Place the coated balls on wax paper to cool.
  • Makes approximately 100 balls.
💡 Pro Tip: When melting chocolate with wax, always melt the wax first, then add the chocolate. It makes it easier to melt. - Jessica
👩‍🍳Recipe by Mammy, Lillie Dean Moots | December 2019
You Are My Sunshine Family Recipes
You Are My Sunshine Recipes is a celebration of love, laughter, and the joy of cooking together. These recipes are crafted with heart and meant to be shared across generations.