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
⏰ 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
Crush the Oreos
Set aside ¼ cup for topping and mix the rest into the melted white chocolate.
Prepare Popcorn
Place the popcorn in a large mixing bowl.
Mix
Pour the chocolate mixture over the popcorn and stir well to coat.
Add Toppings
Sprinkle with salt and reserved crushed Oreos.
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:
Mix Ingredients
Combine all ingredients (except chocolate and wax) in a large bowl
Shape
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls
Prepare Coating
Melt chocolate and wax together until smooth
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
Mix Base
Combine condensed milk, butter, coconut, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a large bowl
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.
Prepare Coating
Melt cooking wax in a pot, add chocolate morsels and stir until smooth
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
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.
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.
First Bake
Pour butter-sugar mixture over crackers and bake for 5 minutes at 350°F.
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.
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
Prep Ingredients
- Crumble the sausage first before adding other ingredients.
- Grate cheese if it is not already shredded.
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.
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.
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
- 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.) 2.
- Let the mixture sit for 2 hours, stirring often. 3.
👩🍳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
Toast the Nuts
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread almonds evenly and toast for 10 minutes.
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).
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.
Add Final Touches
Spread melted chocolate evenly, then sprinkle with pecans. Let cool completely for 2 hours.
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
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).
Add Flavoring & Mix
- Remove from heat and quickly add peanut butter and vanilla.
- Beat the mixture until it loses its gloss.
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
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.
Melt & Coat
- Melt chocolate chips and wax together.
- Insert a toothpick into each ball and dip in the melted chocolate mixture.
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.
Christmas Candy