Agar-Agar, Gelatin, and Pectin Walk into a Candy Shop…

If you've ever dabbled in gummy candy-making, you know that getting the right texture is like playing a high-stakes game of science and sorcery. And at the heart of it all? The great trio of gelling agents: agar-agar, gelatin, and pectin. They may all turn liquids into wobbly delights, but their personalities—and the candies they create—are wildly different. So let’s break it down.

Is there anything more magical than turning sugar, water, and gelatin into a big, bouncy cloud of sweetness? Making marshmallows at home feels like pulling off a kitchen magic trick. But if you've ever ended up with a sticky mess or something that could double as packing foam… you’re not alone.

I’ll break down for you the marshmallow-making process, common issues, and how to know when you've nailed it—without the stress.

If you grew up snacking on those crunchy, honey-sweetened sesame snaps, you already know how addictive they can be. But what if I told you that making them at home is even easier than you think—and they taste way better? Enter these Toasted Coconut & Sesame Snaps, a delicious twist on the classic treat!

With the nutty crunch of sesame seeds, the rich flavor of toasted coconut, and a perfectly crisp caramelized coating, these homemade snaps are everything you love about the original—only fresher, more flavorful, and completely customizable. No weird additives, no hard-to-find ingredients—just pure, golden, crunchy goodness made in your own kitchen.

If you thought all lollipops were created equal, think again! While they might both be sweet, colorful, and delicious, poured lollipops and pulled lollipops are as different as a drizzle of honey and a stretch of taffy. Let’s break down the differences in a fun (and tasty) way!

If you’ve never had a brigadeiro, I need you to pause whatever you’re doing and take a moment to reconsider your life choices. These Brazilian chocolate truffles are what happens when fudge and caramel have a baby, and that baby grows up to be the life of every party. They’re rich, chewy, and dangerously easy to eat—seriously, you’ll pop one in your mouth and suddenly realize you’ve inhaled six.

Why make them? Because they only take a few ingredients, require zero candy making skills, and will instantly make people like you more. Plus, rolling them in sprinkles is oddly therapeutic. Whether you’re craving something sweet or just want an excuse to eat condensed milk straight from the can (no judgment), brigadeiros have got you covered.

Let’s be real—sometimes, you just want to snack on something that makes your taste buds question their life choices. Enter these candied citrus peels, lovingly coated in sugar and citric acid to give them that “Whooo! That’s sour!” punch, followed by a sweet, chewy reward. It’s like if nature made Sour Patch Kids but forgot to add the artificial colors and questionable ingredients.

We’re taking citrus rinds—yes, the part you usually throw away—and turning them into something that will make your mouth pucker and your inner child do a happy dance. Plus, making these means you get to tell people, “Oh, I just casually make my own gourmet sour candy at home.” Fancy, right?

Just a good old fashioned sugar rebellion.

While going through my Grandma’s recipe collection, I found a simple yet delightful one for sugared peanuts. It relies on nothing more than sugar doing what it does best.

Sugared peanuts are made by boiling peanuts with sugar and water until the sugar crystallizes around each nut. The result? A crunchy, sweet treat that tastes remarkably like a peanut butter cookie. Normally, we go to great lengths to avoid sugar crystallization in candy making—but with this recipe, we embrace it. So go ahead and stir that boiling sugar, you rebel, you.

Let’s talk about dulce de leche—a rich, creamy, caramelized milk that’s basically what happens when regular milk decides to live its best life. It’s sweet, it’s smooth, and it’s the flavor equivalent of a warm hug from someone who smells like cookies. Now imagine taking that magical stuff and turning it into a soft caramel. Are you drooling yet? Because you should be.

Did I mention these are made in the microwave? I am usually not a huge fan of microwave caramels because the caramel just isn’t that… caramel-y. The sugar just doesn’t have time to do it’s thing and it tastes that way too. I said what I said. BUT, when you use dulce de leche, a caramelized milk to start with, then that caramel flavour is already there. So let’s get zapping our way to these chewy and buttery delights!

If you're looking for a simple, fun, and delicious treat that kids can make, Jello Marshmallow Jigglers are the perfect choice! With just two ingredients—Jello mix and marshmallows—you can create colorful, wobbly, and fluffy treats that are as fun to eat as they are to make.

Jello Marshmallow Jigglers are a delightful twist on classic Jello jigglers. By combining Jello with melted marshmallows, you get a soft, bouncy treat with a unique, foamy texture on top and a firmer, jiggly layer on the bottom. These treats are perfect for parties, playdates, or just a fun kitchen activity with the kids.

This honey candy is a bit of a stretch, but worth it.

When life gives you honey, why not turn it into candy? That’s exactly what inspired this recipe for chocolate honey taffy! After trading some lollipops for a jar of golden, local honey at a market, I wanted to create something special that would showcase its natural sweetness—and what’s more fun (and delicious) than pulling taffy?

This recipe is a twist on classic taffy-making, swapping out corn syrup for honey to create a soft, chewy treat with a deep chocolatey flavor and a touch of natural sweetness. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the idea of homemade candy with wholesome ingredients—or just wants an excuse to play with their food. Ready to dive in? Let’s turn that honey into a sweet, stretchy masterpiece!

Crafting the perfect confection is as much a science as it is an art. Achieving the ideal texture, taste, and consistency often hinges on hitting the exact temperature. Whether you're making smooth caramels, crisp brittles, or fluffy marshmallows, precise temperature control is non-negotiable. That’s where your trusty thermometer comes into play—but only if it's accurate.

Pure decadence.

Dulce de leche, which literally means “sweet milk” in Spanish, is a heavenly caramel-like sauce beloved across Latin America. Made by slowly cooking sweetened milk until it transforms into a thick, golden delight, it’s a little creamier and not as sweet than your classic caramel but just as dreamy. Think of it as caramel’s sophisticated cousin who always brings dessert to the party. Here’s the great news: dulce de leche is very easy to make, using only one ingredient! Yes, just one.

This golden, creamy delight is like a warm hug in dessert form. Whether you’re swirling it into ice cream, slathering it on toast, or eating it straight from the spoon (hey, no shame here), dulce de leche is pure magic in a jar.

This buttery, chocolatey, almond-studded treat is easy to make and even easier to eat.

But what exactly is Almond Roca? At its core, it’s a delicious combination of crunchy toffee made from butter and sugar, coated in smooth chocolate, and topped with a generous sprinkle of roasted almonds. It’s the perfect mix of rich, sweet, and nutty flavors with a texture that snaps in the most satisfying way.

The Sweet Science: Mastering the Stages of Cooking Sugar for Perfect Candy

Making candy is a fun (yet sometimes stressful) mix of art and science. Whether you're whipping up silky caramels, crunchy brittles, or fluffy marshmallows, knowing the different stages of cooking sugar is the key to nailing the perfect texture and flavor every time. So let’s dive in! I’ll explain each sugar stage, the temperatures you need to hit, and the delicious candies that match. Plus, I’ll share my favorite candy thermometers to help make your sweet treats a success.

Tempering chocolate is a special way of melting and cooling chocolate so it ends up shiny, snappy, and smooth—just like the kind you see on fancy chocolate bars or truffles. It also helps the chocolate set properly and not melt all over your hands.

The elusive marshmallow seems like a daunting candy to make, but if you follow a few specific steps and are ready to get a little sticky, you will be rewarded with soft, pillowy marshmallows that you can proudly say that you made yourself. Homemade marshmallows are not only delicious, they have this amazing melting quality to them. They become so luscious and gooey when warmed up, you will rethink the store bought version. Ready to try making marshmallows? Sure you are!

These little butter mints melt right in your mouth, I dare you to eat just one! I have adjusted this recipe so you don’t have to haul out the mixer, just melt the butter instead and mix together the ingredients in one bowl. A fun dough that resembles play dough starts to form and from there, you choose the colours and shapes for these mints. These are great to have on hand when you are hosting, or they make a beautiful gift when presented in a jar or box. Either way, these will be appreciated as a sweet little minty treat.

If you enjoy peanut butter cups, you will love this fudge! A rich, smooth layer of peanut butter fudge, topped with salted chocolate ganache will make this decadent treat a favourite. This type of fudge is using sweetened condensed milk, so it is incredibly creamy and no-fail!!

These homemade turtles will be the hit of any gathering you bring these to! With three delicious components, this is an easy, Christmas candy that the kids will love to help make and enjoy.

There is nothing quite like that cool, smooth pepperminty inside with semi sweet chocolate on the outside. These peppermint patties are super simple to make and even better than the store bought version!