Homemade Christmas Candy

Homemade Christmas candy makes a wonderful family tradition. There are certain tastes and smells that immediately bring back nostalgic memories of love, home, and family. 

I'm adding a great selection of Christmas candy ideas for you to choose from so that you can create the foundation of those precious memories for your own family.

You're more than welcome to steal a few to use this holiday season. But don't be a scrooge! If you've got an old favorite, add your own for others to enjoy.

This first recipe is a good one to get you started before you head off and explore for more. I 'discovered' it at Family Corner many years ago. They always have plenty of great ideas for food and fun.

Apparently, this particular homemade Christmas candy is very popular in Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada. It's a beautiful part of the world, so they deserve to be the home of a scrumptious chocolate dessert.

Nanaimo Bars Recipe

There are different versions of the Nanaimo Bars candy recipe. Sometimes it's made with vanilla pudding powder (or custard powder) added to the second layer for flavor.

Other recipes call for graham cracker crumbs instead of rolled oats. You can make adjustments and substitutions until you discover your own personal favorite version. I don't like coconut very much, so I'd leave that out.

Maybe this homemade Christmas candy recipe will become a new family tradition at your house!

Base:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, divided
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1-1/2 cups coconut
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• 2 cups powdered (icing) sugar
• 3 Tablespoons softened butter + 1 Tablespoon
• 2 1/2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate

1. Lightly butter a 9 inch square baking pan and set aside.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter and 4 ounces of the chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat.
3. Remove pan from the heat and add the white sugar, egg, oats, nuts, coconut and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla, stirring it well.
4. Press the mixture into the buttered pan and chill for about 1 hour.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, the 3 Tablespoons of softened butter, vanilla, and milk. Beat well until smooth.
6. Spread the icing over the base and chill another 30 minutes.
7. Melt the chocolate and the remaining 1 Tablespoon of butter over low heat, stirring until smooth. Spread the final layer on top and chill for at least 4 more hours.
8. Cut into squares and serve.

Variation: You can play around with different combinations like adding some green food coloring to the icing and using mint flavored chocolate chips, etc.

Potato Candy Recipe

Have you ever heard of potato candy? No? Well, as surprising as it sounds, it's worth trying. It's not difficult to make and you may fall in love with it.

Potato candy is not only known as a homemade Christmas candy, but also a traditional candy for St. Patrick's day, too.

Here's the recipe...

• 1 medium size Idaho
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature (don't use margarine)
• 2 pounds of powdered sugar
• cinnamon (in a small bowl for dipping)
• pinch of salt

1. Peel the potato and boil it in a pot of water until done, but not overcooked.
2. Place the potato in a bowl and mash it, adding the butter while mashing.
3. Stir in all of the powdered sugar until well combined. You may need to use your hands for this part after it starts to get stiff, kneading well.
4. Form balls or logs (whatever shapes you like) and dip into the cinnamon and roll to cover completely.
5. As quickly as possible, wrap the candy is clear wrap and/or place in an airtight jar. The potato candy hardens quickly so you want to work as fast as you can to keep it from getting hard, dry, and crumbly.

Sound interesting?

I thought so. Let me know what you think of the finished result.