17 Homemade Candy Bars and Sweets to Try

From candy classics to seasonal cakes and frozen favorites, these homemade recipes bring out the fun in making your own sweets. They include everything from DIY candy bars to decadent desserts and fruity snacks, all made from scratch in your own kitchen. Skip the wrappers and boxed mixes; each of these treats is full of flavor and easier to make than you’d expect. Here are 18 homemade recipes for snacks, sweets, and desserts you’ll want to try.

Homemade Kit Kat Bars

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Crispy wafer layers are stacked and covered in chocolate to mimic the candy aisle favorite. Chill until firm and cut into fingers. Each bite is crunchy and smooth. Wrap them up or stack them on a dessert board.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Kit Kat Bars

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Several chocolate ice cream sandwiches with vanilla filling are arranged on brown parchment paper. — Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

Soft cookies sandwich a scoop of ice cream, then get frozen until firm. Roll the sides in mini chips, nuts, or sprinkles. Customize the flavors to match the season or your cravings. Great for summer treats or birthday parties.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

Homemade Vanilla Cupcakes

A vanilla cupcake with white frosting sits on a decorative white plate. — Homemade Vanilla Cupcakes. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

These cupcakes bake soft and fluffy with real vanilla flavor. Top with buttercream or chocolate frosting. Dress them up with sprinkles or fruit. A basic recipe that always delivers.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Vanilla Cupcakes

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Cake

This moist, warmly spiced cake uses pumpkin puree for softness. Bake it as a loaf, layer cake, or sheet cake. Add cream cheese frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar. Great for fall and easy to make ahead.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Cake

Homemade Cinnamon Twists

These golden twists are made with dough and cinnamon sugar, then baked until crisp at the edges. Glaze or dust them with sugar before serving. They’re fun to shape and smell amazing while baking. A sweet addition to brunch or dessert tables.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cinnamon Twists

Homemade Dried Strawberries

A pile of dried, sliced strawberries is spread out on a white wooden surface. — Homemade Dried Strawberries. Photo credit: Tiny Batch Cooking.

Slice strawberries thin and dry them in the oven or dehydrator until chewy. Store them in jars for snacking or topping yogurt and cereal. They’re naturally sweet and easy to make with just one ingredient.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Dried Strawberries

Homemade Cranberry Fruit Roll-Ups

Several rolled pieces of cranberry fruit leather are arranged on a wooden surface, with fresh cranberries and mint leaves scattered around a small dish. — xr:d:DAFbZunPAsE:115,j:1059883862994734689,t:23121210

These chewy, tart roll-ups use fresh cranberries and other fruits blended and dried into thin sheets. Roll them up in parchment and store airtight. A fun alternative to store-bought fruit snacks.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Fruit Roll-Ups

Homemade Andes Mints

Rectangular pieces of chocolate mint bars with a green mint layer in the center, surrounded by chocolate chips and fresh mint leaves. — Homemade Andes Mints. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Layers of chocolate and green mint create these cool, smooth squares. Let each layer set before adding the next. Chill until firm and slice into neat pieces. Store in the fridge for a refreshing bite.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Andes Mints

Homemade York Peppermint Patties

These candies have a creamy peppermint center coated in dark chocolate. They’re chilled until firm and melt in your mouth. Shape by hand or use small molds. Great for gifting or storing in the freezer.
Get the Recipe: Homemade York Peppermint Patties

Homemade Tiramisu

A close-up of a slice of tiramisu topped with cocoa powder, showing layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone filling. A forkful is placed beside the dessert. — Homemade Tiramisu. Photo credit: Quick Prep Recipes.

Coffee-soaked ladyfingers and fluffy mascarpone cream are layered and chilled in this no-bake dessert. Dust the top with cocoa powder before serving. Let it sit overnight for the best texture. A rich, classic Italian dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Tiramisu

Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream

This frozen treat mixes molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cream for a bold, spiced flavor. Churn it or use a no-churn method. It’s smooth and full of holiday warmth. Serve with gingersnaps or cake.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream

Homemade 3 Musketeers

Whipped chocolate nougat is coated in chocolate to recreate this soft, airy candy bar. Chill, slice, and dip in melted chocolate. The texture is light and fluffy inside with a rich shell outside.
Get the Recipe: Homemade 3 Musketeers

Homemade Twix Bites

Three chocolate-coated cookies are stacked, with the top one bitten to reveal a caramel and biscuit filling. Loose cookies and chocolate chips are scattered around. — Homemade Twix Bites. Photo credit: xoxo Bella.

A layer of shortbread is topped with chewy caramel and coated in chocolate. These bite-sized bars are crisp, gooey, and sweet all at once. Chill before slicing to keep the layers neat. A top-tier homemade candy.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Twix Bites

Homemade Cosmic Brownies

Fudgy brownies are topped with shiny chocolate glaze and dotted with rainbow chips. They bake thick and soft like the ones from childhood lunchboxes. Chill before slicing for cleaner edges.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cosmic Brownies

Homemade Butterfinger Bites

A stack of round chocolate-covered peanut butter balls, with one ball cut in half to show the crumbly peanut butter filling inside. Cornflakes and peanuts are scattered around. — Homemade Butterfinger Bites. Photo credit: Xoxo Bella.

These crunchy, flaky candies are made with peanut butter and candy corn, then coated in chocolate. Let them set and cut into squares. They’re sweet, salty, and full of texture.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Butterfinger Bites

Homemade Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

Classic cinnamon rolls get an upgrade with chocolate chips or cocoa powder in the filling. The dough bakes soft and gooey, perfect for icing or glaze. Great for breakfast or dessert.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls

Homemade Turtles

Pecan clusters topped with caramel and coated in chocolate, arranged on a surface with a bowl of pecans in the background. — Homemade Turtles. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Toasted pecans and gooey caramel are covered in melted chocolate to make these chewy candies. Let them set before moving or storing. Each bite is a mix of crunch, softness, and richness.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Turtles