Do you have memories of spending time with grandma making sweet treats? These old fashioned candy recipes will take you right back to those days! Candy is the perfect addition to aparty dessert table.
The holidays are a popular time for homemade candy recipes but, truth be told, I enjoy making it all year round!
Of course, you can just go to your favorite grocery store and buy candy treats but why not try making some easy homemade candy recipes instead?
They make great gift ideas and you will know exactly what is in them!
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Ideas of old fashioned candy
What does the term “old fashioned candy” actually mean? To me, the term refers to candy that reminds you of earlier days when life was simple and more things were made at home, instead of purchased at the store.
Think back to the days when mom gave you a nickel to head down to the candy store. Many of the offerings in the glass cases that we drooled over are what I think of as old fashioned candy.
- Peanut brittle
- Fudge
- Chocolate covered anything
- Bark
- Toffee
- Truffles
- Honeycomb
- Ribbon candy (a personal favorite)
- Gumdrop
- Taffy
All of these sweet treats can be made at home. It’s a great way to get kids interested in cooking, as well!
If you love to display candy in special jars, check out my Patriotic 4th of July candy jar project. You’ll be able to serve some of these candy recipes for Independence Day in a special way.
Tips for Making Homemade Candy
It’s not enough to have a yen for some homemade butter brickle. Making candy is an art. These tips will go a long way towards success in your candy making endeavor.
Have the right equipment on hand
Invest in a candy thermometer. Some candy is fast and easy to make, but many recipes require specific temperatures for the sugar.
The only way to know for sure that the temperature is correct is to use a special tool for testing it.
If you like to make truffles or rum balls, get a candy dipping set. It makes the process so much easier!
Wooden spoons are safer and won’t transfer the heat like metal ones will.
The weather matters!
Check the local weather. Believe it or not, this can matter when it comes to making candy.
Clear dry days are the best when it comes to candy-making.
Test the thermometer before starting
Test your thermometer each time you make candy. Just insert the thermometer into a pot or boiling water. It should say 212 degrees F.
Take special care when handling very hot melted sugar, especially around kids.
Gather your ingredients
Make sure you have all the ingredients. It is no good to get to the end of the recipe only to discover that the corn syrup you “know you had” has gone hard in the bottle.
Keep your equipment clean
Clean the thermometer after using it so it will be ready to use next time.
Work quickly
Measure out your ingredients before you start. Even though it takes a long time to reach 200 degrees, the temperature will rise quickly after that.
Having everything ready to go helps with the candy making procedure.
Deep pots are best
Use deep pots that won’t boil over when the sugar cooks. Double boilers are useful for melting chocolate.
Fudge making tips
If making fudge is your thing, be sure to also check out my post for the tips for making perfect fudge.
Pin these candy recipes for later
Would you like a reminder of these candy recipes? Just pin this image to one of your Candy Boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
Treat yourself to one of these Old Fashioned Candy Recipes
If you have a sweet tooth for candy pops, fudge or toffee recipes, one of these easy candy recipes is sure to hit the spot! Which is your favorite from my idea of best candy recipes?
Old Fashioned Candy Recipes - Simple Candy Ideas to Tempt Your Sweet Tooth
These nostalgic sweet treats will have you thinking of tasty days gone by.
Butterfinger Truffles - Chocolate Bites with Butterfinger Candy
Prep Time 45 minutes Calories 103.5
These Butterfinger truffles will be gone in a flash. The delicious chocolate bites are made with Butterfinger candy for a crunchy sweet treat that is sure to be a family favorite. If you are looking for easy candy to make, start with this recipe.
Pecan Fudge Recipe - Make This Easy Cranberry Pecan Fudge for Thanksgiving
Prep Time 2 hours Calories 88
This easy to make cranberrypecan fudgerecipe has loads of fall favor & a just a hint of sea salt.
It’s perfect for holiday entertaining and gift-giving.
English Toffee: Classic Holiday Candy
Photo Credit:www.shugarysweets.com
English Toffee is a classic holiday candy: buttery candy poured over almonds, topped with milk chocolate and walnuts. Make it in a brownie bite pan to get the cutest toffee bites – perfect for gifting!
Nutella And Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Fudge
Photo Credit:https://doughmesstic.com/2010/12/13/nutella-and-sea-salt-caramel-chocolate-fudge/
This fudge is 4 layers of confection. A top and bottom layer of Nutella based fudge, filled with a layer of homemade sea salt caramel and a layer of marshmallow creme fudgy goodness.
Grandma Utahna Felix's English Toffee
Photo Credit:www.redcouchrecipes.com
This is a take on one of my favorite candy bars - homemade style – a Heath chocolate bar. Get Grandma Utahna’s English Toffee recipe and savor the sweet taste.
Cake Batter & Sprinkles Fudge
Photo Credit:ashleemarie.com
This cake batter fudge is always a hit with it’s great rich cake batter flavor and the fun pops of color from the sprinkles! It reminds me of birthday parties gone past.
Home Made Almond Joy Candy Recipe
Photo Credit:thegardeningcook.com
Some times you feel like a nut…sometimes you don’t! Quick candy recipes like this homemade almond joy candy are perfect for busy moms and so much run to eat.
Samoa Truffles
Photo Credit:www.chef-in-training.com
Remember the day of the Girl Scouts coming door to door selling their cookies? Get the taste of Samoa cookies with these Samoa Truffles
Homemade Butterfingers
Photo Credit:www.plainchicken.com
Homemade Butterfingers - only 3 ingredients!! Candy corn, peanut butter and chocolate. You will be blown away with these homemade candies! They taste just like the real thing!!
Homemade Honeycomb Candy
Photo Credit:joythebaker.com
This honeycomb is crazy crunchy and melts in your mouth. It’s sweet like candy but the bittersweet chocolate and salt helps tone down the madness.
Homemade Snicker Bars
Photo Credit:laundryinlouboutins.wordpress.com
Just like mom's homemade snicker bars. I haven’t bought a Snicker bar… well pretty much ever. And this recipe is the reason why…
Chocolate Peppermint Bites
Photo Credit:mywholefoodlife.com
Another recipe reminiscent of Girl Scout Cookies. This time Thin Mint Style. Rounds of peppermint dipped in dark chocolate. What is not to like about this quick and easy candy recipe?
Candy Corn Cookie Bark
Photo Credit:www.graceandgoodeats.com
Just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving! this candy corn cookie bark is super easy (and forgiving). Best of all, it's no bake!
Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark...aka Heaven
Photo Credit:avocadopardo.blogspot.com
Cover the crunch of salty pretzels in brown sugar, butter and chocolate and you have a homemade old fashioned candy that will be a hit.
Chocolate Rum Balls
Photo Credit:www.foodnetwork.com
Always a hit with friends and family, these easy to make rum balls will get the party started.
4 Ingredient Chocolate Coconut No Bake Balls (Paleo, Vegan, Keto)
Photo Credit:thebigmansworld.com
Take a bite and relax knowing that this old fashioned candy recipe has been revamped to make it paleo, vegan and keto.
Microwave Peanut Brittle – Homemade Nut Brittle for the Holidays
Photo Credit:thegardeningcook.com
What could be more old fashioned than peanut brittle? Let's bring it into the modern world with a recipe that can be made in the microwave.
Old Fashioned Potato Candy
Photo Credit:bellyfull.net
It may be at the bottom of my candy round up, but it's at the top of my favorite tastes list. This old fashion potato candy is sweet and peanut buttery and it reminds me of home!
Homemade Gummy Candy--an easy and super healthy treat!
Photo Credit:wholenewmom.com
This healthy gummy candy is easy to make and much better for you than the store bought gummies. Full of good nutrition, plus they're gluten and sugar free! One of my grown daughter's favorite treats when she was little!
Traditional Chewy Butterscotch Candy
Photo Credit:pastrychefonline.com
Based on a recipe from 1848, this recipe for authentic butterscotch candy contains only 4 ingredients, is well-balanced and chewy, and is easy to make with an accurate candy thermometer.
Creamy Old Fashioned Caramel Candies
Photo Credit:anitalianinmykitchen.com
CREAMY OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL CANDIES, THE BEST CREAMIEST FIVE INGREDIENT CARAMEL CANDY. PERFECT PLAIN OR DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE.
