Festive Holiday Candy Recipe: Sweet Joy in Minutes

Sweet aromas of nostalgia dance through the kitchen when you whip up this irresistible holiday delight candy recipe that captures childhood memories.

Festive gatherings sparkle with joy when this delectable treat arrives.

Generations have cherished these delightful morsels, passing down their magical recipe.

Every bite holds a whisper of celebration and warmth.

Chocolate and sugar weave together in a symphony of pure indulgence.

Crafted with love, these candies promise to become your newest seasonal tradition.

Dive into this sweet adventure and create moments of pure happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 204 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Holiday Candy

• Saltine Crackers: Crispy foundation that provides a delightful salty crunch and creates the perfect textural base for the candy.
• Nonstick Aluminum Foil: Essential for easy removal and preventing the candy from sticking to the pan during baking.
• Baking Spray: Optional helper to ensure smooth release if using standard foil.

• Dark Brown Sugar: Delivers rich, deep sweetness with molasses undertones that amplify the candy's complexity.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, luxurious texture and adds a silky richness to the caramel sauce.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the caramel.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth and rounds out the caramel's flavor.

• Chocolate: Provides a luscious, velvety finish that complements the crunchy base and sweet caramel layer; choose high-quality chocolate for best results.

Tools to Prep and Package Holiday Candy

• Jelly Roll Pan (10×15 inch): Large, flat baking sheet with raised edges perfect for this recipe.
• Nonstick Aluminum Foil: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Medium Saucepan: Essential for preparing smooth caramel sauce.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Used for melting chocolate smoothly.
• Spatula: Helps spread chocolate evenly across caramel layer.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for cutting candy into neat pieces after setting.

Candy Making Steps for Holiday Candy

• Baking Pan Preparation

Line a jelly roll pan with nonstick foil, covering edges completely. This creates a smooth surface for easy candy removal.

• Cracker Foundation

Create a tight, single layer of saltine crackers across the pan bottom. Each cracker should touch its neighbor without gaps.

• Caramel Magic

Combine brown sugar, butter, and salt in a saucepan. Heat until mixture transforms into a rich, glossy caramel with bubbling edges. Stir in vanilla for extra warmth.

• Chocolate Transformation

Drizzle molten caramel over cracker base and bake until mixture becomes wonderfully bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

• Smooth Chocolate Layer

Melt chocolate thoroughly, creating a silky blanket to pour over caramel. Spread evenly with gentle sweeping motions.

• Cooling and Cutting

Allow candy to rest at room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. Slice into delightful bite-sized pieces when completely set.

Tips for Sweetness and Crunch Balance

• Cracker Candy Cooking Tips & Variations
• Chocolate Swap Sensation: Experiment with milk, dark, or white chocolate to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences or holiday theme.
• Nutty Crunch Upgrade: Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or sea salt on top of melted chocolate for added texture and gourmet flair before the chocolate sets.
• Flavor Infusion Magic: Add a dash of peppermint extract to the caramel or drizzle crushed candy canes over the chocolate for a festive winter twist.
• Storage Smart Trick: Keep these sweet treats in an airtight container between parchment paper layers in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, ensuring maximum freshness and deliciousness.

Serving Holiday Candy at Events or as Gifts

• Sweet Holiday Party Platter: Arrange the cut candy pieces on a festive serving tray with small decorative holiday picks, creating an elegant dessert display perfect for gatherings.
• Gifting Gourmet Treat: Package individual pieces in clear cellophane bags tied with seasonal ribbons, making delightful homemade gifts for friends, neighbors, and colleagues during holiday celebrations.
• Coffee Companion Crunch: Serve small squares alongside hot cocoa, espresso, or coffee as a delectable sweet complement that enhances the warm beverage experience with rich caramel and chocolate flavors.
• Ice Cream Topping Sensation: Crumble the candy pieces over vanilla or chocolate ice cream, transforming a simple dessert into a decadent treat with added crunch and sweet caramel notes.

Storing Holiday Candy Without Melting

• Chilled Treat Strategy: Keep the Holiday Delight Candy refrigerated in an airtight container for maximum freshness, lasting up to 2 weeks without losing its delightful crunch and flavor.
• Temperature Tip: Store between 40-45°F to maintain the perfect texture and prevent chocolate from melting or developing unwanted white spots.
• Portion Control Trick: Stack layers of candy between parchment paper sheets when storing to prevent pieces from sticking together and preserve their individual shapes.
• Freezing Option: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, allowing you to prepare batches in advance for spontaneous sweet moments or unexpected gatherings.

Sweet Holiday Candy Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive candy cane truffles blend rich chocolate with peppermint’s cool essence. Smooth ganache and crushed candy canes create a luxurious winter treat you’ll savor with pure holiday joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup / 225 g / 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 2 cups / 10-12 oz chopped good-quality semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 cup / 220 g firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 28–35 saltine crackers (about one sleeve)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 400°F (204°C). Line a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan with aluminum foil, ensuring complete coverage and creating a non-stick surface.
2. Cracker Base: Meticulously arrange saltine crackers in an uninterrupted, precise layer across the pan’s bottom, eliminating any spacing between crackers.
3. Caramel Creation: In a medium saucepan, combine dark brown sugar, unsalted butter, and kosher salt over medium heat. Stir consistently until the mixture transforms into a smooth, bubbling liquid. Briefly boil to dissolve sugar completely, then swiftly incorporate vanilla extract and remove from heat.
4. Baking and Chocolate Layer: Pour caramel evenly over cracker base, transfer to preheated oven, and bake for 5 minutes until caramel vigorously bubbles. Simultaneously, melt chocolate in microwave using 30-second intervals, stirring between each burst until achieving a completely smooth consistency.
5. Finishing and Setting: Once base slightly cools, spread liquefied chocolate across caramel layer using a spatula to create a flawless, even coating. Allow confection to settle at room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. After complete solidification, carefully extract candy slab, remove foil, and slice into elegant, bite-sized pieces.

Notes

• Cracker Placement Precision: Arrange saltines tightly without gaps to create a sturdy, uniform base that ensures even caramel coverage and a consistent texture.
• Caramel Cooking Technique: Watch closely during sugar and butter melting; consistent stirring prevents burning and guarantees a smooth, glossy caramel sauce with perfect consistency.
• Chocolate Melting Strategy: Use short microwave intervals and stir between each to prevent chocolate scorching, ensuring a silky, glossy chocolate layer without burning.
• Cooling and Setting Secrets: Refrigerate overnight for complete solidification, allowing flavors to meld and creating a crisp, clean break when cutting into pieces.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 204
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 73 mg
• Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg