I am going to make candy for Christmas this weekend

[DawnM]

and some over Thanksgiving break.

 

I need EASY, EASY candy ideas. 

[gardenmom5]

Do you have a candy thermometer?

Fudge

Peppermint bark

Peanut brittle

[Jen500]

My kids love this-

 

melt 1 cup chocolate chips in microwave

stir in 2 cups total-- broken pretzel sticks, nuts (I use peanuts and/or walnuts)

put spoonfuls on parchment lined cooking sheet and let cool , refrigerate if needed

 

I make variations by adding caramel bits or pecans

[theelfqueen]

Take 1 bag of butterscotch chips and 1 bag of chocolate chips and melt together in a double boiler. Add 16oz of nuts (peanuts are good) spoon into batches on a parchment paper and let set... delicious nut clusters.

 

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[6packofun]

These applesauce gumdrops are a favorite here.  We made them when I was growing up, too!

 

http://hoosierhomemade.com/gumdrops-recipe/  (There are lots of versions, this is close to the one I use and you can adjust sugar in later batches if you want.  They are more like fruit gels than chewy gumdrops but we love them.  Experiment with flavors!!)

[Pippen]

Coffee Shop Fudge

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/coffee-shop-fudge

 

Butterscotch Square's 

https://www.crazyforcrust.com/butterscotch-squares-copycat-recipe/

 

Crystallized Orange Nuts

 1/4 cup orange juice

 1 cup sugar

 2 cups pecan halves

 

Combine orange juice and sugar in a 2 quart (12x7") glass baking dish;  mix well.  Stir in pecans. Microwave for 6 minutes on 70 or 80% power.  Stir and continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes on same power or until syrup crystallizes. Spread, separate and cool glazed nuts on buttered cookie sheet.

                

Makes about 3 cups of nuts.

 

Christmas Caramels

Line a jelly roll pan with foil and butter well. 

 

Combine ingredients in large heavy pan:

1 lb butter (use real butter)

1 pint light Karo Syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 lb light brown sugar

1 Tablespoon good quality vanilla

 

Cook on medium-low heat and stir occasionally until the mixture is melty, then wipe any remaining sugar from sides of the pan with a damp paper towel.  Stir often on medium heat and gradually bring up to 244 degrees on a candy thermometer. Quickly remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon vanilla.  Pour into a well buttered jelly roll pan. Cover with chopped nuts if desired (toasted pecans are good). 

 

While lukewarm but set, turn onto a large cutting board and cut into small squares. Wrap with wax paper.  Store in cool place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mothersweets]

This was easy and so good! I've made it 3 times in the past 2 months and it came out every time. 

 

How to Make the Best Salted Caramels at Home  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216243219592233640/

[Annie G]

Buckeyes.  Delicous. 

[Carol in Cal.]

I think peppermint bark is challenging, with lots of steps.  Not so easy.

 

Seafoam is easy and good.

 

So is divinity.

 

Fudge can be tricky.

 

If you want something that will improve with age, maybe try springele cookies.

[Chris in VA]

We "made" lollies by melting peppermint candies (the round red and white ones) set on parchment paper in a circle,in a slow oven. When the begin to soften and spread, put a lolly stick on them and move a little over the stick.

[ErinE]

Fantasy fudge, seems complicated but doesn't require you monitoring a thermometer. I use the recipe on the jar of marshmallow fluff.

Edited November 18, 2017 by ErinE

[theelfqueen]

This is like the world's easiest fudge ... no thermometers

https://www.eaglebrand.com/recipe-detail/foolproofchocolatefudge-3968

 

 

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[DawnM]

Buckeyes.  Delicous. 

 

 

I am SO BAD at making these.  The chocolate is always gloppy or I drop the ball of PB into the chocolate.

[Annie G]

I am SO BAD at making these.  The chocolate is always gloppy or I drop the ball of PB into the chocolate.

 

I think my family would prefer them totally dipped in chocolate!

[umsami]

There's candy made with both saltine crackers and graham crackers that are both yummy.

 

http://www.pauladeen.com/crack-candy

 

https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-graham-cracker-toffee/

 

 

Oreo Truffles are also super easy.  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx

 

 

Edited November 18, 2017 by umsami

[Alessandra]

These applesauce gumdrops are a favorite here. We made them when I was growing up, too!

 

http://hoosierhomemade.com/gumdrops-recipe/ (There are lots of versions, this is close to the one I use and you can adjust sugar in later batches if you want. They are more like fruit gels than chewy gumdrops but we love them. Experiment with flavors!!)

Omg, I will have to try these. They remind me of pate de fruits, which is one of my all time favorite sweets.

[Alessandra]

I have done crystallized (pink) grapefruit peel. It's pretty and you don't see it everywhere.

[KatieJ]

I am SO BAD at making these. The chocolate is always gloppy or I drop the ball of PB into the chocolate.

Make small balls and drop into a cupcake mini paper. Drizzle chocolate over it.

 

Done.

[KatieJ]

Almond bark pretzel rods

[trulycrabby]

These salted caramels are so easy to make and do not require a thermometer:

 

https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/easy-soft-caramels-no-candy-thermometer-required/

[BarbecueMom]

I make cinnamon rock candy every year. I'm assuming it's good. DH usually shoves the whole container in his lunch box and I never see it again.

[HS Mom in NC]

5 Minute Fudge Wreath http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/five-minute-fudge-wreath-recipe-2013658

[PeterPan]

I am SO BAD at making these.  The chocolate is always gloppy or I drop the ball of PB into the chocolate.

 

You're not making them big enough. :D  I came to Ohio (the Buckeye State, hello) and made them like my family (Hoosiers) make them. People laughed me outta town! Apparently real buckeyes are small (who knew!) but my family likes 'em BIG. So there you go, make 'em bigger.  :drool5: 

[gardenmom5]

Coffee Shop Fudge

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/coffee-shop-fudge

 

Butterscotch Square's 

https://www.crazyforcrust.com/butterscotch-squares-copycat-recipe/

 

Crystallized Orange Nuts

 1/4 cup orange juice

 1 cup sugar

 2 cups pecan halves

 

Combine orange juice and sugar in a 2 quart (12x7") glass baking dish;  mix well.  Stir in pecans. Microwave for 6 minutes on 70 or 80% power.  Stir and continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes on same power or until syrup crystallizes. Spread, separate and cool glazed nuts on buttered cookie sheet.

                

Makes about 3 cups of nuts.

 

Christmas Caramels

Line a jelly roll pan with foil and butter well. 

 

Combine ingredients in large heavy pan:

1 lb butter (use real butter)

1 pint light Karo Syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 lb light brown sugar

1 Tablespoon good quality vanilla

 

Cook on medium-low heat and stir occasionally until the mixture is melty, then wipe any remaining sugar from sides of the pan with a damp paper towel.  Stir often on medium heat and gradually bring up to 244 degrees on a candy thermometer. Quickly remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon vanilla.  Pour into a well buttered jelly roll pan. Cover with chopped nuts if desired (toasted pecans are good). 

 

While lukewarm but set, turn onto a large cutting board and cut into small squares. Wrap with wax paper.  Store in cool place.

 

I love caramel.

I will try your caramel recipe.

 

 

 

FUDGE - I have an easy recipe.  almost fool proof with out the icky marshmallow creme.  I really hate the stuff.

 

4 1/2 cups sugar

1 can evap milk

1/2 lb butter

medium boil for approx. seven minutes/ 240 degrees on a candy thermometer (I need the thermometer - it's not a big deal.  my sil never uses a thermometer.  my doens't cook 2ds has taken over making fudge - and make it to take to others all the time. turns out fabulously.)

stir constantly with wooden spoon

 

 

take off heat.

add

1 tsp vanilla

1 12oz pkg/2 cups chocolate chips

 

eta: if you want to add 1/2 chop nuts, do it after removed from heat.

 

mix with rotary beater for 2-3 minutes (longer causes crystallization).  pour into foil lined (it makes it easier) 8x8 sq pan and allow to cool.

turn out onto cutting board and cut into desired pieces.

 

Edited November 18, 2017 by gardenmom5

[vmsurbat]

I have done crystallized (pink) grapefruit peel. It's pretty and you don't see it everywhere.

I agree!

 

And for a change of pace, instead of rolling in sugar, it is delicious if one end is stuck into dark melted chocolate and allowed to set.  Very, very good!

[DawnM]

You're not making them big enough. :D  I came to Ohio (the Buckeye State, hello) and made them like my family (Hoosiers) make them. People laughed me outta town! Apparently real buckeyes are small (who knew!) but my family likes 'em BIG. So there you go, make 'em bigger.  :drool5: 

 

That won't help the chocolate glopping 

[DawnM]

There's candy made with both saltine crackers and graham crackers that are both yummy.

 

http://www.pauladeen.com/crack-candy

 

https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/easy-graham-cracker-toffee/

 

 

Oreo Truffles are also super easy.  http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx

 

I was thinking of making oreo truffles with Peppermint Joe Joe's, with chocolate on one side and white bark on the other, with crushed candy canes on top.

[DawnM]

Make small balls and drop into a cupcake mini paper. Drizzle chocolate over it.

 

Done.

 

That's what I did last year, but it looked really bad anyway.  People weren't eating them.

[DawnM]

I make cinnamon rock candy every year. I'm assuming it's good. DH usually shoves the whole container in his lunch box and I never see it again.

 

I don't know what that is.

[DawnM]

I think my family would prefer them totally dipped in chocolate!

 

Digging them out is not pretty.

[aaplank]

When I make buckeyes I freeze the peanut butter balls first. That way they are hard enough to keep from slipping, but soft enough to stick a toothpick in to use for dipping.

[DawnM]

When I make buckeyes I freeze the peanut butter balls first. That way they are hard enough to keep from slipping, but soft enough to stick a toothpick in to use for dipping.

 

Sigh.....I did that too.

 

Really, I am a mess. 

 

I may try again anyway, but I am just not successful.

[Pippen]

Omg, I will have to try these. They remind me of pate de fruits, which is one of my all time favorite sweets.

 

That recipe looks like a sure thing. Genuine pate de fruits are really tricky to get right. 

[Pippen]

That won't help the chocolate glopping 

 

For dipping chocolate we've had better results with Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers, than other options we've tried.

[Annie G]

Digging them out is not pretty.

 

I have a dipping fork (two different styles, actually) that make dipping things in chocolate super easy.  Well worth the couple of bucks they cost. 

[Kassia]

You're not making them big enough. :D  I came to Ohio (the Buckeye State, hello) and made them like my family (Hoosiers) make them. People laughed me outta town! Apparently real buckeyes are small (who knew!) but my family likes 'em BIG. So there you go, make 'em bigger.  :drool5: 

 

I've seen them both ways - tiny and huge.  I love them so much and can't stop eating them.  

 

Funny/embarrassing buckeye story.  We live in OH and my sons all attended OSU.  For the campus tours, they had a bowl of wrapped buckeye candies one year.  When my twins went for orientation, they handed out small wrapped buckeyes - I thought they were the candy and I put mine in my purse planning on enjoying it that evening in the hotel.  That night, I took my buckeye out of my purse, unwrapped it and popped it in my mouth and tried to chew on an actual buckeye from the tree!  I was so lucky that I didn't crack a tooth!  My family loves this story.  I couldn't be the only one who tried to eat it, right?  

 

Anyway, I love buckeye candy but never made them because they do seem hard to do and I wouldn't be able to resist eating the entire batch.

[PeterPan]

That won't help the chocolate glopping 

 

How are you melting it? Are you getting moisture in and it's seizing? Some kinds need to be thinned a little. 

[PeterPan]

I've seen them both ways - tiny and huge.  I love them so much and can't stop eating them.  

 

Funny/embarrassing buckeye story.  We live in OH and my sons all attended OSU.  For the campus tours, they had a bowl of wrapped buckeye candies one year.  When my twins went for orientation, they handed out small wrapped buckeyes - I thought they were the candy and I put mine in my purse planning on enjoying it that evening in the hotel.  That night, I took my buckeye out of my purse, unwrapped it and popped it in my mouth and tried to chew on an actual buckeye from the tree!  I was so lucky that I didn't crack a tooth!  My family loves this story.  I couldn't be the only one who tried to eat it, right?  

 

Anyway, I love buckeye candy but never made them because they do seem hard to do and I wouldn't be able to resist eating the entire batch.

 

Oh that is funny! Well if you make them with really healthy peanut butter, I'm pretty sure it's ok to eat most of the batch. :D

[DawnM]

How are you melting it? Are you getting moisture in and it's seizing? Some kinds need to be thinned a little. 

 

How could you get it to try to coat if you didn't melt it?  

[Jaybee]

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/227982/tiger-butter-chocolates/ 

 

This is so good, and very easy. It's great for gifts, as well. I swirl it rather than do stripes. Make sure you do both chocolate meltings close together, so that the white one doesn't get too firm before you pour the other one on top. I like to use chunky peanut butter so that you have the added texture of the nuts in it. This always gets raves.

[Pippen]

I have a dipping fork (two different styles, actually) that make dipping things in chocolate super easy.  Well worth the couple of bucks they cost. 

 

A disposable plastic fork with the center tines broken off works well for a dipping fork. 

Edited November 18, 2017 by Pippen

[wonderchica]

I am SO BAD at making these. The chocolate is always gloppy or I drop the ball of PB into the chocolate.

Make them into bars. Press peanut butter mixture into a square pan and top with chocolate. You can also make a shortbread crust if you want.

[MeaganS]

Peppermint marshmallows. Seems difficult but isn't. We put these on the goodies plates we give out the last few years and got tons of good feedback about them.

[alisoncooks]

We make homemade Reese's bars. Super easy, but maybe not really candy.

We also dip pretzel rods (the big ones) in chocolate and sprinkle with nuts/peppermint/sprinkles.

Edited November 18, 2017 by alisoncooks

[PeterPan]

How could you get it to try to coat if you didn't melt it?  

 

I'm not following you. I melt my chocolate in a double boiler set-up, and if the moisture gets in or it gets too whatever, it will seize. If it's not warm enough, that will be glumpy. Usually you need to add a little of a flavorless oil like coconut or vegetable. Or the wafers have enough of the oil pre-added that they melt just right.

[flyingaway]

I make hordes of slow cooker peanut clusters every December. Super easy and I can keep them in the freezer and dole them out as needed.

 

We also like the saltine cracker toffee that was mentioned earlier. It's easy, too.

[LifeLovePassion]

Now, this could be the best thread ever if everyone would post their recipes!

[Alessandra]

That recipe looks like a sure thing. Genuine pate de fruits are really tricky to get right.

I've only eaten them, not made them. Can you tell me what is tricky? I do know that the place I used to buy them made them fresh every day.

[DawnM]

Make them into bars. Press peanut butter mixture into a square pan and top with chocolate. You can also make a shortbread crust if you want.

 

Interesting.  That sounds right up my "easy" alley.

[kbutton]

Cream cheese mints (or other flavors): https://www.momontimeout.com/best-cream-cheese-mints/