Do you have fond memories of old-fashioned Christmas candies boiling in the kitchen and filling the air with sweet smells?
There’s something special about making homemade candies during the holiday season. It’s a time of slowing down, getting cosy and enjoying time with loved ones.
Old-fashioned Christmas candies are so nostalgic and taste much better than any store-bought versions you can find!
They go great on charcuterie boards for dessert and make lovely, budget-friendly gifts, which is one of the tips I share for having a merry Christmas on a budget.
I’ve rounded up the best recipes for old-fashioned Christmas candies, which are perfect for giving as gifts, sharing with others, or simply enjoying yourself.
Tips for Candy-Making Success
Use a candy thermometer. Many old-fashioned candy recipes require boiling to a certain temperature, which can be tested using the soft ball, firm ball, or hard ball test. However, measuring the temperature is more accurate than relying on these tests.
Use a heavy-based saucepan. This helps the sugar to rise when it boils.
Don’t rush dissolving the sugar. Many candy recipes require you to dissolve sugar at the start. This is a slow process that must be done right. Otherwise, your final candy could turn out grainy.
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Candy Making Tools
Try adding these old-fashioned candies to one of these festive Christmas tree charcuterie boards.
20 Old-Fashioned Christmas Candies to Make This Season Extra Sweet
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Fudge Recipe
This classic old-fashioned chocolate fudge recipe is just like what grandma used to make!
It’s rich, creamy, and incredibly easy to make, using five ingredients, sugar, butter, cocoa powder, milk and vanilla.
Whip up a batch of this traditional candy for the holidays to enjoy with friends or as a gift.
Old-Fashioned Caramel Fudge
This creamy, sweet, old-fashioned caramel fudge is a true classic!
This is my mum’s fudge recipe, which we made almost every Christmas. I guarantee your friends and family will ask you for the recipe because it’s so delicious.
Making this caramel fudge involves boiling sugar and milk in a pot using traditional candy-making methods. Once the remaining ingredients are added, the mixture is boiled until it reaches the soft ball stage and then poured into a tray to set.
It is perfect for adding to a cookie board or Christmas tree charcuterie board or simply enjoying it as a sweet treat with a warm cup of tea.
Biscoff Truffles
Made with just three ingredients, these incredible Biscoff truffles are the perfect Holiday treat.
They are incredibly delicious, quick to make, and also look impressive!
Add some cookie butter for an extra fudgy texture and cookie flavour.
Coconut Ice
This sweet coconut dessert is a classic old-fashioned candy in my family’s household. My mum would make this and fudge every Christmas, so it’s very nostalgic!
This super simple recipe doesn’t require a candy thermometer or fancy tools.
You have two cooking options: stovetop or in the microwave!
Peppermint Bark
This super simple peppermint bark is a classic Christmas candy that is incredibly easy to make and doesn’t need to be baked or chilled.
Melt chocolate and pour it onto a sheet pan. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Let it sit at room temperature to harden before breaking into pieces.
This makes a beautiful gift when wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with a silk ribbon.
Pralines Recipe
These pralines are a classic Southern treat with a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and nuttiness.
Made with butter, brown sugar, and pecans, these candies are delicious and evoke nostalgia and tradition.
They are the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table, and their homemade charm will impress your friends and family.
Homemade Toffee Recipe
This mouth-watering homemade English toffee is rich and buttery.
The best part about this old-fashioned candy is that it looks impressive and tastes incredible but doesn’t require much work.
It only requires 4 ingredients: almonds, butter, chocolate, and sugar. You can omit the almonds if you want.
Divinity Candy
Divinity candy is a popular treat in the southern states of America. It used to be everywhere, but now it’s harder to find, which is why this recipe is gold!
This old-fashioned candy is simple to prepare at home and has a delightful, creamy maple syrup flavour that melts in your mouth.
Caramel Nut Brittle
This classic old-fashioned candy is a breeze to make and a real crowd-pleaser.
Caramel nut brittle is buttery, crunchy deliciousness with a rich caramel flavour and a whole bunch of nuts.
If you prefer, switch out the peanuts for almonds or pecans.
This simple candy recipe is great to keep on hand for when unexpected guests pop over.
Christmas Cookie Fudge
This simple Christmas cookie fudge is a fun holiday twist on traditional fudge.
Made with sugar cookie mix, this old-fashioned candy is a sweet mix of cookies and fudge—what more could you want?
Slice this candy into small squares and serve on a cookie platter to share with your family.
Dark Chocolate Maple Buttercream Candies
These maple buttercream old-fashioned candies are melt-in-your-mouth good.
The filling is like a soft, creamy buttercream frosting with hints of vanilla and sweet maple syrup.
They are covered in dark chocolate, which adds bitterness to the sweet filling.
Christmas Rocky Road
If you’re looking for a simple, no-bake recipe, this easy rocky road is perfect.
It can be made in less than 25 minutes by mixing together chocolate, nuts, marshmallows, and a few warm spices. Sprinkle with fresh pomegranate for a pop of Christmas colour.
This old-fashioned rocky road is the perfect holiday candy.
Easy Cornflake Candy
Who said old-fashioned Christmas candies had to be hard work? These cornflake candies are super quick and easy to throw together.
Mix corn syrup and peanut butter together, then combine them with the cornflakes.
Leave it to cool, then enjoy it as a sweet holiday treat or package it up to give as a gift to friends.
Eggnog Fudge
A twist on a traditional Christmas drink, this eggnog fudge is sweet, creamy, and worth trying!
Made with store-bought eggnog, this fudge is quick to mix together in 15 minutes and ready to eat in a few hours once set.
Serve on a cookie platter or with hot chocolate.
Christmas Caramels
Soft caramels are a popular old-fashioned candy that is loved by so many, including me!
They are often associated with the nostalgic charm of old-fashioned Christmas candies, creating memories of cosy holiday seasons.
These soft caramels are rich, have a lovely buttery flavour, and have a chewy texture, making them a delightful addition to any festive spread.
To give as gifts, simply wrap individual pieces in parchment paper and twist the ends closed.
Rum & Raisin Fudge With Condensed Milk
While not for everyone, this bold flavour combination is a Christmas classic for sure.
Made with just 4 ingredients, this no-bake fudge is incredibly easy to prepare. Simply melt the ingredients together and pour the mixture into a pan.
The combination of deep, indulgent chocolate, sweet condensed milk, and bold dark rum creates a flavour sensation that will have you craving this recipe time and time again!
Peanut Brittle
This Peanut Brittle recipe is incredibly simple. It requires only 7 ingredients and can be prepared on the stovetop in under 30 minutes.
The delicious blend of sweet and salty flavours will bring back memories of grandma’s homemade brittle.
It’s a delightful treat that’s perfect for gifting during the holidays, whether as a hostess gift or as an addition to Christmas cookie assortments.
Cream Cheese Mints
Cream Cheese Mints are a classic sweet treat perfect for enjoying at Christmas time.
These bite-sized old-fashioned candies are creamy, sweet, and minty, and they melt in your mouth.
This recipe is easy to make and vegan, but you can also use dairy cream cheese.
You can also customise it with different flavours and colours, like red and green!
Nut Nougat
This nougat recipe is a delightful treat, especially during the festive Christmas season.
Its irresistible chewy, sticky texture and delightful flavor make it a perfect gift that nobody can resist.
Try making this nougat with a mix of almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, or pecans.
Rocky Road Fudge
This chocolate rocky road fudge recipe is quick to make in just 5 minutes.
Mix together chocolate, condensed milk, butter, walnuts and marshmallows to create this delicious candy treat.
The beauty of this recipe is you can add in your favourite nuts or other tasty bits like gummy bears or chia seeds!
I hope you enjoyed these 20 old-fashioned Christmas candies to make this holiday season!