By Julie Grice

8 Homemade Candy Recipes

1.  Homemade Rock Candy: Homemade rock candy is fun to make and simple enough that even the youngest of kids can help. Try a variety of flavors and colors when making this easy sweet treat.

2.  Homemade Candy Corn: Everyone’s favorite white, orange and yellow candy can be made at home. They’re a little flatter than the store-bought version, but just as delicious—if not better!

3.  Homemade Caramel Apple Lollipops: All the juicy flavor of a caramel apple packed into sweet-tart lollipops sure to please your taste buds. Tie them to a treat tree at a birthday or candy party and let guests pick and eat the lollipop “leaves” or take them home as favors.

4.  Homemade Gumdrops: Colorful homemade gumdrops make for excellent treats at a candy or Halloween party. Use a rainbow of colors, or stick with a seasonal theme: Red, orange, yellow, green and black are great for Halloween.

5.  Homemade Conversation Hearts: Though conversation hearts are traditionally given out at Valentine’s Day, our basic recipe can easily be tailored to any season. Try making orange pumpkins for fall, or cinnamon witch hats and almond ghosts for Halloween.

Tip: Put a Halloween twist on any homemade candy by packaging it in candy corn paper cones.

6.  Homemade Caramel: With our caramel-making tricks up your sleeve, making this classic confection is surprisingly simple. Send fall party guests home with bags of caramel candy or popcorn, or dip caramel apples.

7.  Milk Chocolate Lollipops: These melt-in-your-mouth treats are yummy anytime and especially perfect for outdoor fall parties. When it starts to get chilly, just heat up some mugs of milk and have everyone stir in their lollipops. Instant hot chocolate!

Tip: If you don’t have lollipop sticks, try chocolate-dipped spoons instead.

8.  Homemade Marshmallows: Top off hot chocolate and more with freshly made marshmallows. Instead of vanilla, experiment with other flavors: Substitute pure mint, orange, coconut or peppermint extract for the vanilla, or make spiced marshmallows by adding 1/4 teaspoon of spice like cinnamon, cardamom or pumpkin spice.

Do you have a favorite homemade candy recipe? Share it in the comments section below!

Julie Grice blogs at Savvy Eats, where she writes about recipes, gardening and appreciating the little things in life. She focuses on helping her blog readers make the most of their time, money and energy in the kitchen.