The holidays are a time for spending time with family and friends, enjoying the holiday spirit, and of course, eating lots of delicious food. While cookies are always popular, the holidays also are a time for delicious candies! 

And sure, you can buy some fantastic candies at the store or from your favorite candy shop, but making them at home can be so much fun! (It may even become a new holiday tradition!) Here are 13 candies that you’ve got to try this holiday season.

1. Easy Fudge: Yes, fudge is a popular candy all year round, but it is especially popular during the holidays. This Easy Fudge recipe is just five ingredients (and could be just four if you’re not a fan of nuts) and can be made on your stovetop or in your microwave.
2. Gingerbread Fudge: This is a fudge that you’ve got to try if you love the flavor of gingerbread! It tastes just like gingerbread cookie dough! It’s packed with all of your favorite spices, and the addition of some sprinkles makes it perfect for the holidays.
3. Chocolate Peanut Clusters: So simple, but so yummy! These Chocolate Peanut Clusters are sure to disappear quickly! And if peanuts aren’t your thing – consider swapping in cashews or almonds.
4. Homemade Turtles: Pecans, chocolate, and gooey caramel are an amazing combination – and if it’s one you like, then make these Homemade Turtles. They only have five ingredients and make for a wonderful gift for family or friends.
5. Peppermint Bark: Peppermint Bark is a holiday classic, and you can usually find it on the shelves at your local supermarket, but making it from scratch is so much better! Plus, when you make it yourself, you can decorate it however you like! 
6. Christmas Crack: This sweet treat may have a funny name, but it’s a fantastic combination of sweet and salty, and it’s hard to resist. This homemade toffee is made using: saltine crackers, salted butter, light brown sugar, chocolate chips, and some M&Ms or nuts to top it. 
7. Peanut Butter Snowballs: You’ve probably heard of “Buckeyes,” that iconic Ohio candy made of peanut butter and covered in chocolate. This recipe is a riff on that and uses vanilla candy coating to give them the appearance of a snowball. Definitely festive!
8. Red Holiday Oreo Cookie Balls: Oreo cookie balls are also popular during the holidays, and they’re super easy to make! This one is great because you can use food coloring to make your candy coating red – which is a great change from white or chocolate.
9. Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Truffles: Want to make a little boozy treat for the adults who stop by? Why not make these Bailey’s Irish Cream Chocolate Truffles? People will be grabbing more than one of these for sure!
10. Pralines: Pralines are a Southern treat, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make them! Butter, sugar, cream, toasted pecans, and vanilla are all you need to create these decadent little treats.
11. Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy Recipe: Divinity is another Southern staple at the holidays, and if you’ve never tried it, this might be the year to do so! It’s super unique and has lots of variations if you want to switch things up.
12. Christmas Gumdrop Nougat: This nougat is really colorful, and the kids will love it! 
13. Peanut Brittle: And have you really made holiday candy if you haven’t made peanut brittle? Cooking Classy has an easy recipe for you that’s buttery, salty, and scrumptious!

This year don’t let cookies be the only star of the show! Try your hand at making some holiday candies that everyone will love.