Best 18 Homemade Candy Recipes

OLD-FASHIONED HOMEMADE HARD CANDY

Steps:

• In a heavy 2 quart saucepan, combine the sugar, water and corn syrup. Cook, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved; then cook without stirring, lowering the heat and cooking more slowly during the last few minutes, to the hard crack stage (300 degrees F), If sugar crystals form on sides of pan, wipe them off with a damp brush.
• Remove from heat, add oil flavoring and enough food coloring to color; stir only to mix. Pour into 2 well buttered 9 inch pans. Set one pan of candy over a sauce pan containing hot water (unless you have a helper to help cut the candy). As soon as the other pan of candy is cool enough to handle, cut it with scissors into 1-inch strips. Then snip the strips into pieces. Work fast. Drop the pieces onto a buttered baking sheet. If the candy cools too quickly, set it on a saucepan over hot water to soften it, but if it gets sticky, return at once to the work counter.
• Toss in a small amount of powdered sugar to keep from sticking together. Repeat with the second pan of candy.

JACQUES' HOMEMADE COTTON CANDY

Steps:

• To make this recipe at home, you will need a pair of wire cutters and an old inexpensive whisk. Cut the round ends off an inexpensive whisk. Arrange the tines so they are evenly spaced. You will also need an open space to make the cotton candy. At home, slit open a garbage bag and cover the floor area. Wedge 2 long wooden spoons under something heavy so they extend off the edge of the counter.
• Place the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Insert a candy thermometer and cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 320 degrees F, what is known as the hard crack stage (the sugar becomes brittle when it comes in contact with a cooler surface). Remove from the heat and carefully pour into a medium-size microwaveable glass bowl. If you leave the sugar in the pan, the sugar will continue to cook and turn dark brown. A glass bowl will hold the temperature of the sugar. I put a towel under the bowl to keep the bowl from tipping over and to protect my hands from the heat of the glass. (The sugar will stay liquid enough to work with easily for about 10 minutes; after that it will start to thicken. If this happens before you are finished, just pop the bowl in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the sugar is liquid enough to work with once again.) If you are going to color and/or flavor the sugar, add those drops now.
• Dip the tines into the hot sugar. Allow the sugar to drain off for 1 to 2 seconds until the draining sugar strands are relatively the same consistency. Then wave the whisk over the extended wooden spoons and allow the sugar strands to gently drift until they are resting on top of the spoons. Make sure you are about 12 to 18 inches above the spoons. Use broad long strokes and work quickly. Gather the cotton candy and roll onto paper that you've rolled into a long, thin cone, like cotton candy is served in at the carnival or serve as is. If you need to store the cotton candy for a few hours, place it in an airtight container. The delicate sugar will melt in a humid environment.

HOMEMADE CANDY CANES

Steps:

• Grease two baking sheets with butter; set aside. In a large saucepan, bring the sugar, water, corn syrup and cream of tartar to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 280° (soft-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in extract and food coloring. Immediately pour onto prepared pans in eight 8-in. strips. Let stand just until cool enough to handle, about 1-2 minutes., Working quickly, roll each strip into a 10-in. log. Cut each into two 5-in. lengths. Curve the top of each to form the handle of a cane. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

HOMEMADE WHOPPER CANDY -- MALTED

Steps:

• Melt white chocolate and mix in malted milk powder.
• Shape into 1" balls.
• If your balls turn into patties, add more malt.
• Dip in melted chocolate and allow to set.
• Note: Sometimes these turn out as malt patties rather than perfect balls.
• Don't worry.
• They still taste like Whoppers.

HOMEMADE CANDY CANES

Steps:

• 1. In heavy-bottomed large saucepan or small pot, combine first 4 ingredients and stir until sugar dissolves. Cook, without stirring to hard-ball stage. (265 degrees.) Remove from heat and add peppermint extract. Divide into 2 portions, and add coloring to one part. Pour out onto buttered cookie sheets. (Pour half onto one sheet, then add coloring to the rest and then pour onto second sheet.) when it's cool enough to handle, start pulling each part seperately. (Best done with 2 people, but if doing alone, go back and forth pulling each.) When you feel like you just can't pull anymore, form into ropes and twist them together. Cut into 8" lengths, form into the shape of candy canes, and place on lightly buttered platter til fully hardened.

HOMEMADE MILKY WAY CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Combine marshmallow cream and melted chocolate chips in a mixing bowl.
• Gently fold until thoroughly incorporated.
• Let stand, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• With your hands, form mixture into bars of desired size and place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
• (If mixture is too sticky to handle, it needs more melted chocolate.) Melt dipping chocolate or remaining chocolate chips in microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring every thirty seconds to prevent scorching.
• Dip bars into melted chocolate, and place back on cookie sheet.
• Put in freezer for about 10 minutes, or until chocolate sets.
• Variation: for Snickers bars, soften some caramels and flatten onto on bars before dipping in chocolate.
• Press peanuts into caramel, then harden bars in freezer for 5 minutes.
• Dip in chocolate according to the above instructions.

HOMEMADE HONEY CANDY

Steps:

• Combine the first 3 ingredients and cook slowly on medium heat until it forms a hard ball when you drop it into ice water. It took me about an hour. As the mixture gets close to being done, the bubbles from the boil will get a lot smaller and closer together. Pour the mixture onto a buttered cooking sheet. When cooled, pull with buttered hands. Stretch, twist and pull until firm (this is the fun part! ;)) and then form into long ropes and place on waxed paper. Cut into bite size pieces. If you want, you can roll them in powdered sugar and wrap them in wax paper.

HOMEMADE BUTTERCRUNCH CANDY

Steps:

• Butter a baking sheet, and set aside.
• Melt margarine in 2 quart saucepan. Add sugar, and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Stir in water and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, to 270 degrees F (132 degrees C).
• Remove from heat, and quickly stir in 1/2 of the chopped nuts. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle chocolate over hot candy; when it begins to melt, spread evenly over the top.
• Finely chop remaining almonds and sprinkle over candy. Refrigerate until firm. Break into small pieces to serve.

NANA'S HOMEMADE HARD CANDY

Steps:

• 1. Sprinkle cookie sheet with powdered sugar and set aside
• 2. Combine sugar syrup and water in a saucepan and continuously stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
• 3. Continue to cook without stirring until a candy thermometer reaches 290 degrees. (Between 34 and 45 minutes)
• 4. Remove from heat and add food color and oil or extract. (if using oils do NOT inhale over the pot while adding the oil. it is very strong and can take your breathe away)
• 5. Pour mixture onto prepared cookie sheet and allow to cool completely. Once completely cooled lay a clean towel over top of sheet and break candy into pieces by taping with a hammer. Sprinkle candy again with powdered sugar
• 6. If you are making several flavors and colors like we did, after all the flavors are broken into pieces mix them together and put into candy dishes or bowls for a tasty beautiful stained glass effect.
• 7. These make beautiful favors for parties and showers.

HOMEMADE CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Place a third of the crackers (about 25) in the bottom of an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. pan. , In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add the milk, graham cracker crumbs and sugars; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 5 minutes. Pour half of the mixture over crackers, carefully spreading to cover. Place half of the remaining crackers (about 25) on top. Spread with remaining sugar mixture. Top with remaining crackers. , In a small saucepan over low heat, stir peanut butter and chips until melted and smooth. Spread over crackers. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. Cut into small squares.

HOMEMADE CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the flour and cocoa powder. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove from the oven and sprinkle the almonds and coconut over the crust. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the whole pan. Return to the oven.
• Bake for 15 additional minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Allow to cool completely before frosting with the prepared frosting and cutting into squares.

HOMEMADE CANDY CANE HOT COCOA MIX

Steps:

• Put the chocolate bars in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This will help you grind them in the food processor without the chocolate melting.
• In a very large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, and kosher salt.
• Break the dark chocolate and white chocolate bars into the food processor and pulse until the chocolate is ground into small crumb-size bits. Add to the cocoa powder mixture.
• Break the candy canes into pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse until they are ground. Add to the cocoa powder mixture and chocolate.
• Stir everything together, then add to the food processor in batches and grind until the mixture is a fine powder consistency.
• Add to mason jars and gift away!
• To make the cocoa, add two heaping tablespoons cocoa mix to one cup (8 ounces) warm milk and add a candy cane stir stick.

HOMEMADE BIG HUNK CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Grease a large cookie sheet with butter or shortening. Then spread the peanuts all over the greased cookie sheet.
• In a large mixing bowl put the marshmallow creme, and then set aside.
• In a large saucepan combine the corn syrup and sugar over medium high heat and stir constantly using a wooden spoon until it comes to a boil. Clip the candy thermometer on the side of the pan and heat it to 290 degrees F (soft crack stage). Do Not Stir During The Time It Reaches 290 degrees! (Trust me on this - do not stir while it's reaching the 290 degrees)
• Then remove from heat and let stand for 2 minutes (do not stir during this time - let it set undisturbed).
• Without scraping sides of the pan, pour into the marshmallow cream bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Then add in the butter, vanilla, and salt and stir with wooden spoon until the butter is incorporated.
• Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly over the peanuts.
• Let it set at room temperature until set, about 3 hours. You can put it in the fridge to set up faster. You can cut them up and wrap in waxed paper. After cutting them in squares we turned them upside down so you could see the side with the peanuts.

HOMEMADE SWEDISH FISH CANDY

Steps:

• Combine the dry ingredients. Stir the flavored and unflavored gelatin in a saucepan until well incorporated.
• Add 1/2 cup cold water to the gelatin mixture and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula. The gelatin should clump up into a large, messy ball.
• Move the saucepan to the stove set heat to medium or medium-low heat. Stir the mixture until it has melted back into liquid form. Be sure to constantly stir the mixture so that it does not burn.
• As soon as the mixture has completely liquefied, remove it from the heat. Using a small spoon, scoop the mixture into the molds, gently tapping the mold each time on the counter top to get the mixture to into each crack of the fish mold.
• Put the filled mold into the freezer for about 15 minutes. This will freeze the mixture enough for you to easily remove the fish from their molds.
• Remove the Swedish fish and enjoy. Take the fish mold out of the freezer and remove the fish before they have had a chance to thaw. If you wait too long, the fish will be harder to remove. Let the fish sit at room temperature for a little while to defrost, and then enjoy.

HOMEMADE BUTTERFINGERS CANDY BARS

Steps:

• Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring after each interval. Stir in peanut butter. Spread mixture in a 9x9" pan lined with wax paper.
• Let cool completely (put in the fridge if you want it to set up more quickly). Cut into bite-size squares or bars.
• Melt chocolate as directed on package. Dip peanut butter bars in melted chocolate candy coating. Lay on waxed paper to set.

HOMEMADE GINGER ALE AND ITS CANDY

Steps:

• Mix ginger, sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a slow simmer. Reduce mixture by 50 percent until a syrupy consistency is reached. Keep in mind that the syrup will thicken as it cools. Strain warm syrup. Allow to cool.
• While syrup is cooling, make ginger candy. Take ginger slices that have been drained out of the syrup and completely coat in sugar. Spread on sheet pan and slowly dry out in a 225-degree oven for 3 hours. Ginger slices should be dried but still chewy.
• In a tall glass of ice, add mint sprig and a ratio of 1 part ginger syrup to 7 parts soda water. Squeeze lime wedge and add to drink. Use more syrup if desired. Stir and enjoy. Can also make drink with chilled soda water and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a tasty Ginger Ale Float.

HOMEMADE PAYDAY CANDY BARS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare an 8" square pan by misting it with cooking spray, lining it with parchment paper (extending over 1 inch on all sides), then misting the parchment paper with cooking spray.
• 2. Chop up half of the peanuts and spread over the bottom of the prepared pan. Chop up the rest of the peanuts & set aside for later.
• 3. In a medium pan, melt the unwrapped caramels, water, and mini marshmallows together over LOW-MEDIUM heat, stirring constantly off the bottom to keep the caramels from scorching. This will take about 8 minutes, so you might want to check out your newest cookbook or a few pages of Dogzilla with your sous chef...
• 4. ...until the caramel mixture looks like this.
• 5. Pour the melted caramel mixture over the chopped nuts...
• 6. ...and smooth out.
• 7. Top with the rest of the nuts, pressing them firmly into the caramel mixture like this. (If you use your fingers, just don't touch the hot caramel mixture! Don't ask me how I know this.)
• 8. It should look like this when you're done. Set aside for about 2 hours to cool.
• 9. Remove the candy from the pan, using the edges of the parchment paper.
• 10. Cut into bars or pieces with a really sharp knife.
• 11. Store in an airtight container, IF you have any leftovers after you share with your sous chef & any other kitchen helpers who wander in. =^..^=

HOMEMADE FERRERO ROCHER CANDY

Steps:

• Cut off about 1 inch of the base of each ice cream cone. Spread a layer of Nutella on top of the cut side of the cone. Press about 1 tsp of the coarsley chopped nuts in the slots on the inside of each ice cream cone.
• Spread a thin layer of Nutella completely around each cone. Set the cones on parchment paper and place them in the freezer.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between. Stir in the finely chopped nuts.
• Remove the cones from the freezer. Carefully and quickly roll each piece around with a spoon in the melted chocolate mixture, shaking off any excess. Place them back on the parchment paper and put them in the freezer until the chocolate sets.
• Enjoy!