Give the Gift of Candy

Giving this classic candy is now even easier with our microwave instructions.

Add holiday flair to these salty-sweet treats with crushed peppermint candies.

This yummy caramel recipe comes from an old family recipe and straight from a grandmother's heart.

Christmas gift recipes are best when they offer flavor beyond the ordinary. The slightly salty addition of fleur de sel, added just before chilling, highlights the sweet toffee and rich chocolate.

Recipe: Salted Chocolate Pecan Toffee

Give yourself an extra day when making these beautiful sugared cranberries since they need to soak in a sugar syrup for eight hours. But beware, once you pass these around to party guests there's no going back. You, and they, will be hooked for life.

Recipe: Sugared Cranberries

This crispy almond brittle takes a walk on the light side since it's free of traditional staple candy ingredients, butter and cream. Even better, you won't need a candy thermometer or any special equipment to make the treat.

Recipe: Croquant

These addictively sweet candied pecans are a great gift for the holidays. The recipe makes 8 cups so there's plenty to share with others as well as enjoy for yourself. Place small bowls of pecans around your house during a party and watch how fast they'll be gobbled up.

Recipe: Praline Pecans

A beautiful salute to Christmas, this peppermint bark is a perfect hostess gift. Wrap it in clear plastic bags and tie with red and green raffia or ribbon.

Learn how to make Peppermint Bark.

Recipe: Peppermint Bark

This rich chocolate fudge can be made and frozen for up to two months so it is ideal for gift giving. Make one batch and divide into six equal parts. Place the fudge in airtight containers and decorate with festive ribbon.

Learn how to make fudge.

Recipe: Mocha Almond Fudge

This crunchy brittle is made with walnuts instead of peanuts to make it a touch more special. Make it a few weeks in advance and wrap parchment lined holiday tins. Or try stuffing the sweet treat into clear jelly jars and tie with fabric ribbon.

Recipe: Walnut Brittle

This super simple holiday bark from Southern Living is made by melting dark and white chocolates in the oven and then swirling the finished product. Chopped pecans and coarse salt are sprinkled over the top to offer contrast. Pack them in tins and ship in padded holiday envelopes.

Recipe: Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy

For adults with a refined sweet tooth, these chocolate dipped dried apricots hit the spot. Rolled in crushed pistachio nuts, they're a sweet, creamy, crunchy treat. Try dried figs, papaya slices, or pineapple to replace the apricots.

Recipe: Chocolate-Pistachio Apricots

These homemade butterscotch caramels are a rare treat to be shared with those special friends that you can't thank enough for all they do throughout the year. Give yourself a few hours to make the candy and another two hours to cool the caramels.

Recipe: Butterscotch Caramels

Let the kids assist you with the preparation of this decadent confection. They can help scoop the chocolate into balls then roll them in cocoa.

Learn how to make truffles.

Recipe: Chocolate Truffles

These no-bake coconut snow balls are laced with key lime juice and fresh crumbled graham crackers. Sweetened with condensed milk and powdered sugar, they're a pretty little holiday confection. Wrap them in plastic bags and tie with lime green ribbon and a cranberry sprig.

Recipe: Key Lime Coconut Snowballs

Discerning candy lovers will like the tart-sweet flavor of these candied fresh orange slices, but pack them with a crock of deep dark chocolate ganache for dipping to make them holiday special. Substitute lemons or small red grapefruit for the oranges if you like.

Recipe: Candied Orange Slices with Ganache Dipping Sauce

This classic pecan candy from Louisiana is an ideal gift and an easy candy to make. If you really want to splurge, try one of the variations: Chocolate-Pecan Pralines or Bourbon-Pecan Pralines.