Christmas cookies and pies aren’t the only desserts worth devouring during the holidays. Bite-size candy treats are the perfect addition to any tray of sweets, gifts for loved ones, or holiday parties. If you’re hosting guests this season, impress them with this mix of classic and unique homemade candies!
Sweet Butter Mints
Butter mints are a timeless treat the grandparents will love. These easy-to-make mints can be dyed red and green for all your Christmas care packages.
Instructions:
- Combine the butter and salt in a mixer for one minute
- Add the remaining ingredients until you get a crumbly mixture
- Roll the dough into small cylinders and cut with a knife to make each individual mint
- Once finished, store the mints in a container in the fridge
Chocolate Pretzel Buttons
If you’re pressed for time and you realize you still need to bring a gift to a holiday party you’re about to leave for in 20 minutes, then this is the recipe for you! These buttons are irresistible and won’t last long when placed on the counter. Plus, you only need three ingredients!
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees
- Put Hershey Kisses (or Hugs) on top of each square pretzel on an oven tray
- Bake for 4-6 minutes, when you remove them from the oven act fast and put an M&M on top of each Kiss (they will melt into the chocolate)
- Place in the fridge for a few minutes to solidify
Hot Chocolate Fudge
Delicious fudge that melts in your mouth without burning your tongue. There are so many holiday fudge recipes, but this one struck our eye for the hot cocoa flavor and adorable mini marshmallows sprinkled on top.
Instructions:
- Generously grease a square pan lined with parchment paper
- Microwave dark chocolate chips with condensed milk and once melted, pour into the pan
- Do the same thing with the white chocolate chips and condensed milk and pour it on top of the dark layer
- Sprinkle mini marshmallows on top
- Refrigerate for six hours
Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bark
Holiday bark is another classic we can’t get enough of! Peanut brittle, peppermint bark, millionaire’s bar, how do you choose just one?! We opted for this recipe because it caters to those who prefer fruits and nuts in their desserts. You can mix and match different ingredients depending on what you have in your cupboard. This recipe includes pistachios and cranberries, but almonds, pecans, and apricots also sound tasty!
Instructions:
- Spread melted dark chocolate on a baking sheet covered in foil
- Pour melted white chocolate on top and use a toothpick to create a marble effect with the two colors
- Sprinkle your choice of dried fruits and nuts on top
- Freeze for 30 minutes
Candy Cane Meringue Kisses
These little meringue drops are almost too cute to eat. If you want something vegan this is the recipe for you. The adorable Kisses shape will kick your dessert tray up a notch, and the classic peppermint taste will appeal to the masses.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 210 degrees
- Whisk chickpea liquid with an electric mixer until it makes peaks
- Slowly add icing, sugar, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract one at a time to the mixer
- Add the mixture to an icing bag with red food coloring and pipe into meringue shapes
- Add the candies to the oven and bake for two hours
