Tested & Trusted Candy Recipes: A Complete Collection
Inside: Making candy by hand feels almost rebellious. It’s so homemade it borders on weird, and it’s almost always made to give as gifts. Which also feels weird. But I hope you do it anyway. Here are all our favorite candy recipes to get you started.
Candy making isn’t hard. It really, really isn’t. The thing that trips most people up is buying a candy thermometer. Honestly, this is silly because they’re like seven dollars and you can buy them anywhere. Once you have one, the world opens up to you. Fudge needs to hit a certain number, chewy candies a little higher, hard candies higher still. Combine the right flavors, watch your temp, pour, and that’s it.
Our grandmothers made beautiful candies without any gadgets at all, and you don’t need them either. A copper pot (or copper-bottomed) is prized for candy making. because you can heat your syrup to high temps without scorching it. If you don’t have one, you’ll just need to stir more. No big deal. But as I’ve mentioned, the candy thermometer is a must.
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Peohud 16 Pack Rectangular Tin Boxes with Lids, Empty Hinged Tins, Metal Storage Organizer Tins for Candy, Treats, Gifts, Favors and Crafts
300 Pack Candy Wrappers, Chocolate and Caramel Wrappers Nonstick, Wax Paper Square Sheets,Candy Paper for Caramel,Taffy,Nougat,Treats,Lollipop
Homemade Fudge
Fudge is a great place to start. The ingredients are basic and the temperature is a little more forgiving… it can be slightly softer or harder without being incorrect.
- Classic Chocolate Fudge
- Classic Vanilla Fudge
- Maple Walnut Fudge
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Peppermint Fudge
Caramel Recipes
Caramels are my personal favorite. I have many, many more recipes that I make that I’ll be adding over time!
Candy Making for Holidays
Some holidays demand certain recipes. (You know, in a nice way!) These are my seasonal favorites.
Easy Candy Recipes
These are easy and don’t really count as homemade candy. But if it’s humid or you’re in a bad mood, they’re just what you need.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.