Nobake Holiday Candy Assortment Four Festive Treats
Table of Contents
Recipe Introduction
No-Bake Holiday Candies are my go-to for frantic December evenings. They taste like childhood and feel like kindness.
Want a quick festive win? Try this easy Recipe For Christmas trays. The mix is creamy chocolate, bright peppermint, crunchy pretzel toffee, and coconut chew.
A quick story. My first tray melted in my car once. Honestly, I still laugh about it.
Origin and meaning matter. These treats borrow from classic Holiday Candies traditions. Think of cookie swaps and Christmas Candies shared at family tables.
Difficulty is tiny. This is truly easy. Active prep is about 25 minutes , with 1– 2 hours chilling .
Yields about 36 candies total. That makes a solid Cookies Box gift. Or a neat Chocolate Bark Christmas alternative.
Top benefit? They save oven time. These are perfect No-Bake Christmas Treats for busy hosts. Also, they store well as make-ahead Holiday Sweets.
Nutrition highlight here. You get satisfying fat and quick carbs. They are little bites for celebratory moments.
Perfect occasion? Gift tins and cookie exchanges. These are classic Homemade Candy Gift Ideas. Friends always ask for seconds.
What makes them special? Texture and variety. Each candy has its own personality. Peppermint chocolate, salty toffee, nutty clusters, and snowy coconut.
I love the Peppermint Chocolate Truffle Recipe twist. Adding crushed candy canes ups the sparkle. That pop of mint is addictive.
A fun stat from my kitchen: hand labeled boxes get the loudest "oohs." Presentation matters. Small paper cups do wonders.
Challenges I faced were simple. Melting chocolate unevenly once taught me patience. Stir in short bursts and it smooths out.
These are also great Easy Holiday Candy Recipes for beginners. No tempering needed. Just melt, mix, chill, and roll.
Ready to make them? Grab your trays and tools. Next up, the ingredient lists and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients & Equipment for No-Bake Holiday Candies
Oh my gosh, I still remember the first time I made these. The kitchen looked like a candy storm. But guests loved it.
Homemade gifts feel personal. Nothing says holiday more than a tin of Homemade Candy Gift Ideas .
Main Ingredients grouped by candy
A Chocolate Peanut-Butter Clusters (makes ~9)
- 8 oz (225 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup (130 g) creamy peanut butter, smooth
- 1 1/2 cups (45 g) cornflakes or rice cereal, crushed
- 1/4 tsp (1.5 g) fine salt
B Peppermint Chocolate Truffles (makes ~9)
- 8 oz (225 g) dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp (14 g) unsalted butter, optional
- 1/4 1/2 tsp (1 2.5 ml) peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup (60 g) crushed candy canes
C Salted Caramel Pretzel Toffee Bites (makes ~9)
- 1 1/2 cups (85 g) bite-size pretzels
- 8 oz (225 g) caramels or 1 cup (225 g) soft caramels
- 2 3 tbsp (30 45 ml) heavy cream
- 6 oz (170 g) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 3/4 tsp (3 4 g) flaky sea salt
D Coconut-Almond Snowballs (makes ~9)
- 1 1/4 cups (95 g) shredded coconut, plus more
- 1/2 cup (120 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup (90 g) toasted chopped almonds
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Quality notes: Use good chocolate. Dark chocolate at 60 70% cacao tastes cleaner. Pick creamy, fresh peanut butter. For caramels, choose soft ones. Fresh coconut and toasted almonds add depth.
Seasoning Notes
Essential spice combos: peppermint pairs with dark chocolate. Sea salt balances caramel. Vanilla boosts coconut treats. Flavor enhancers: a splash of espresso lifts chocolate.
A little butter adds shine to ganache. Quick swaps: no peanut butter? Use sunflower seed butter. No dairy? Try canned coconut condensed milk.
Need a short cut? Use store-bought dulce de leche for caramel.
Equipment Needed
Essentials only: parchment paper, baking sheets, microwave-safe bowls, small saucepan, rubber spatula, small scoop, small bowls for coatings. Household alternatives: no scoop? Use a tablespoon.
No double boiler? Nest a heatproof bowl over a saucepan. No silicone mat? Use parchment.
These are perfect for Holiday Candies and Christmas Candies. They fit a Recipe For Christmas or a Chocolate Bark Christmas table.
They are genuine No-Bake Christmas Treats and Easy Holiday Candy Recipes. Want me to expand one? I’m happy to do the Peppermint Chocolate Truffle Recipe next.
Cooking Method
“Oh my gosh, these are the best.” That’s what I hear every holiday. My grandmother used to say, sweets make a house a home .
These No-Bake Holiday Candies save time. They also let you create a lovely Recipe For Christmas platter without an oven.
Prep Steps
- Do mise en place. Measure chocolate, creams, and toppings first.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment. Have small bowls ready.
- Save time: melt chocolates together in one bowl. Work on truffles while clusters cool.
- Safety: watch hot caramel. Use oven mitts and keep kids away. Note nut allergies for gift tins and Cookies Box swaps.
step-by-step Process
- Melt chocolate and mix peanut butter. Fold in cereal and drop rounds. Chill 30– 45 minutes until firm. Visual cue: glossy chocolate becomes matte and solid.
- Heat cream to just simmering ( ~ 180° F / 82° C ). Pour over chopped chocolate. Stir into ganache. Chill 45– 60 minutes until scoopable.
- Scoop ganache, roll, then coat in cocoa or crushed candy. Chill 15– 30 minutes to firm. Look for a thick, gloss free surface.
- Melt caramels with 2 3 tbsp cream over low heat. Spoon over pretzels. Top with chips, spread after 1– 2 minutes . Sprinkle flaky salt. Chill 45 60 minutes then break.
- Mix coconut, condensed milk, and almonds. Roll into balls. Coat in extra coconut. Chill 30 minutes so they hold shape.
- Arrange on platter or pack in liners. Store in airtight container. Chill or freeze for longer keeping.
Key cues: glossy melt becomes dull when set. Ganache should hold its shape when scooped.
Pro Tips
- Use good chocolate. It matters.
- Quick set hack: use the freezer for 10– 15 minutes then finish in the fridge.
- Avoid overheating cream. Don’t boil it. That ruins texture.
- Common mistake: skipping parchment. Candies stick.
- make-ahead: these are perfect make-ahead Holiday Sweets. Freeze in layers. Thaw in fridge.
I love gifting these as Homemade Candy Gift Ideas. Honestly, once you try the Peppermint Chocolate Truffle Recipe, you’ll never buy store truffles again. Which candy should I expand next?
Recipe Notes Quick guide for No-Bake Holiday Candies
Oh my gosh, these are lifesavers. I call them my holiday shortcut. No oven, no drama. Perfect for last minute gifting. Fun fact: homemade sweets often feel more personal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve on a rustic board. Use small paper cups for neat bites. Pair Chocolate Peanut-Butter Clusters with espresso. Peppermint truffles love rich hot chocolate.
For a contrast, add citrus slices. I once paired these with a simple cheese board. People were oddly obsessed. Pop them in a Cookies Box for gift swaps.
Or layer with Chocolate Bark Christmas on a pretty platter.
Storage Tips
Keep candies airtight in the fridge. Chill for 30 60 minutes until fully set. For longer storage, freeze carefully.
Freeze in a single layer first. Then stack with parchment between layers. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat? Don’t microwave whole batches.
Warm a few seconds only. For ganache, let return to room temp before serving.
Variations
Want nut-free? Try sunflower seed butter. Need vegan? Use dairy-free chocolate and coconut condensed milk. Swap flavors seasonally. Orange zest brightens Peppermint Chocolate Truffle Recipe nicely.
Add chopped pistachios in winter. Swap pretzels for ginger snaps in December. These are perfect as make-ahead Holiday Sweets. I once swapped almonds for hazelnuts by mistake.
It was delicious, honestly.
Nutrition Basics
Roughly 140 calories per piece. Fat is the main macronutrient. Sugar varies by candy type. These are treats, not daily staples.
But cocoa adds antioxidants. Nuts bring protein and healthy fats. Coconut and almonds give fiber too. If you need lower sugar, cut coatings.
Use dark chocolate for more satiety.
Final thoughts
These Easy Holiday Candy Recipes are stress free. They make lovely Homemade Candy Gift Ideas. I promise anyone can pull these off.
Try one batch tonight. You’ll feel proud handing them out. Want a full Recipe For Christmas printable? Say the word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are No-Bake Holiday Candies and how hard are they to make?
No-Bake Holiday Candies is a fun assortment of four simple treats peanut-butter clusters, peppermint truffles, pretzel-caramel bites, and coconut-almond snowballs that require no oven, just melting and chilling.
They’re rated easy: basic melting, mixing and chilling steps make them friendly for beginners, while more experienced cooks can tweak coatings, add extracts or swap chocolates for a gourmet twist.
Active time is about 25 minutes with 1 2 hours of chilling, so they’re perfect for last-minute gift tins or a relaxed baking afternoon.
How should I store the candies so they stay fresh and look good for gifting?
Store finished candies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze for up to two months, using parchment between layers to prevent sticking. To avoid condensation (which can dull chocolate), let frozen candies thaw in the fridge and bring to room temperature just before serving think of it like defrosting a Christmas cake slowly rather than blasting it on the windowsill.
Can I make these candies nut-free or vegan without losing texture or flavour?
Yes swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free cluster, and use dairy-free chocolate plus canned coconut condensed milk for vegan snowballs and truffle ganache.
Texture may vary slightly (vegan ganache can be a touch softer), so adjust by adding a little more chocolate to firm things up or chilling a bit longer.
My peppermint truffle ganache is too soft how do I firm it up and prevent it melting in warm kitchens?
If ganache is too soft, chill it until scoopable and, if needed, stir in a few more tablespoons of chopped chocolate to increase the chocolate:cream ratio for a firmer set. Keep truffles cool during rolling (work in a cool room or briefly chill scoops between batches) and store finished truffles in the fridge or a cool box if your kitchen is warm, much like keeping mince pies out of a summer sunbeam.
How can I scale the No-Bake Holiday Candy Assortment for a party or make it ahead?
Double or triple ingredient quantities and assemble in batches prep stations (melting, scooping, coating) keep the line moving and let helpers chip in. Use the freezer for quick setting between stages, then store in the fridge or freezer until the event; nutrient and calorie counts will scale with portion size, so expect each piece to be roughly 120 160 kcal depending on ingredients and coatings.
Nobake Holiday Candy Assortment Four Festive Tre
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 65 mg |