DIY Candy Recipes: Make Your Favourite Sweets at Home

Making your own candy at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do you get to enjoy delicious treats, but you also have complete control over the ingredients, ensuring they are free from artificial additives and tailored to your taste preferences. At CandyCave, we’re excited to share some simple and delicious DIY candy recipes that you can easily make at home. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these recipes will help you create your favourite sweets with ease.

Why Make Your Own Candy?

There are several reasons why making your own candy is a great idea:

• Control Over Ingredients: You can choose high-quality, natural ingredients and avoid artificial additives and preservatives.
• Customisable Flavours: Tailor the flavours to your liking, whether you prefer something sweet, sour, or somewhere in between.
• Fun Activity: Making candy can be a fun and educational activity for kids and adults alike, perfect for family bonding or entertaining guests.
• Cost-Effective: Homemade candy can be more affordable than store-bought options, especially for gourmet or speciality varieties.

Simple and Delicious DIY Candy Recipes

Here are some easy-to-follow recipes for making your favourite candies at home:

1. Homemade Gummy Bears

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fruit juice (100% juice, any flavour)
• 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons of gelatin

Instructions:

1. Pour the fruit juice into a saucepan and heat over medium heat.
2. Add the honey or maple syrup and stir until dissolved.
3. Gradually sprinkle the gelatin into the mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
4. Continue heating and stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the mixture into gummy bear molds (or any silicone mold of your choice).
6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until the gummies are firm.
7. Pop the gummies out of the molds and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

2. Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of high-quality dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup of heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut for coating

Instructions:

1. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
2. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer.
3. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes to melt.
4. Stir the mixture until smooth and glossy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
5. Refrigerate the mixture for about 1 hour, or until it is firm enough to scoop.
6. Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out small portions of the chocolate mixture and roll them into balls.
7. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut to coat.
8. Store the truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

3. Caramel Chews

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup of light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Sea salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. In a large saucepan, combine the heavy cream, butter, corn syrup, and sugar.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Continue to cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 245°F (118°C) on a candy thermometer (firm ball stage).
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
6. Pour the caramel into the prepared baking dish and let it cool completely.
7. Once the caramel is set, use a sharp knife to cut it into small squares.
8. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired and wrap each caramel in wax paper.

4. Fruit Leather

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of ripe fruit (such as strawberries, mangoes, or apples), chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°F (80°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Blend the fruit, honey, and lemon juice in a blender until smooth.
3. Pour the fruit puree onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula, about 1/8 inch thick.
4. Bake for 4-6 hours, or until the fruit leather is no longer sticky and can be easily peeled off the parchment paper.
5. Let it cool completely, then cut it into strips and roll them up in parchment paper.
6. Store the fruit leather in an airtight container.

5. Peppermint Patties

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of water
• 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoon of shortening
• 10 ounces of dark chocolate, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, and shortening. Mix until well combined and smooth.
2. Roll the mixture into small balls and flatten them into discs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Refrigerate the discs for about 1 hour, or until firm.
4. Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler until smooth.
5. Dip each peppermint disc into the melted chocolate, coating it completely.
6. Place the coated discs back on the parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate is set.
7. Store the peppermint patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Making your own candy at home is a fun and rewarding way to enjoy your favourite sweets. With these simple recipes, you can create delicious treats using high-quality ingredients tailored to your taste. At CandyCave, we’re passionate about bringing you the best candy experiences, whether you’re enjoying store-bought favourites or creating your own masterpieces.

Visit CandyCave for more candy recipes, tips, and a wide selection of sweets to inspire your next culinary adventure. Happy candy-making!