It’s no secret that we absolutely love Joanna Gaines. From her incredible biscuit recipe to her outstanding home renovations to her and Chip’s restaurant, Magnolia Table, we’re utterly obsessed.
You know what else we love? The holidays. There’s no better time for sweet treats—and so it makes sense that we’re going gaga over these simple Christmas candy recipes from Joanna Gaines.
Her Christmas Recipes Are “No-Fail”
Joanna shared three easy Christmas candy recipes on Instagram back in 2017. You’ll definitely want to add ’em to your holiday baking list! The simplest one is for dipped Ritz-peanut butter cookies. You spread creamy peanut butter between two Ritz crackers, then dip the sandwich in melted chocolate and decorate with Christmas sprinkles. It’s adorably festive—and you won’t even break a sweat. Here’s one of the Gaines kiddos with a full lineup of treats:
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Next up is a classic: Rolo pecan pretzels. For this simple treat, Joanna explains all you need to do is place one Rolo in the center of a pretzel, then melt it in the oven for a few moments until the chocolate and caramel soften. Then, remove the pretzels from the oven and press a pecan into the center. Voila! Finished.
What Is Chip’s FAVORITE Recipe?
The most exciting reveal from Joanna’s Instagram story was about Chip’s favorite holiday treat, and—drumroll, please—it’s chocolate peanut clusters! The peanut-and-chocolate combo is a classic, no matter what time of year it is.
Joanna explained how to make them, too: “[coat] dry-roasted peanuts in melted chocolate bark, and then scoop on wax paper and let cool.” You could do this in your sleep, and we’d love to customize with holiday M&M’s!
Easy Christmas Desserts to Share
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Chocolate Shortbread Trees
You can use this rollout chocolate cookie dough to create all kinds of shapes and sizes, but I like to make trees because they are so easy to decorate. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
I like using pretty mini muffin liners and topping these homemade peanut butter cups with colored sprinkles to coordinate with the holiday we're celebrating. People can't believe how simple it is to make this irresistible candy with gooey peanut butter centers. This is how to make homemade peanut butter cups. —LaVonne Hegland, St. Michael, Minnesota
No-Bake Christmas Wreath Treats
Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet no-bake Christmas cookies from our Test Kitchen. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they're a fun addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Heavenly Filled Strawberries
These luscious stuffed berries are the perfect bite-sized dessert. —Stephen Munro, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia
Gumdrop Fudge
Making candy is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. This sweet white fudge is as easy to put together as it is beautiful to serve. —Jennifer Short, Omaha, Nebraska
Chocolate Pretzel Rings
If you like chocolate-covered pretzels, you'll love these simple snacks. They're fun to make any time of year because you can color-coordinate the M&M's to each holiday. —Kim Scurio, Carol Stream, Illinois
Saltine Toffee Bark
These salty-sweet treasures make delightful gifts, and their flavor is simply irresistible. The bark is like brittle, but better. Get ready for a new family favorite! —Laura Cox, Brewster, Massachusetts
Peanut Butter Cookies
It is amazing how much flavor these simple peanut butter cookies without brown sugar have. I make them very often because I always have the ingredients on hand. —Maggie Schimmel, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Peanut Butter Snowballs
This recipe for peanut butter ball cookies is a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combo. It's also an easy one for children to help with. I've made them for a bake sale at my granddaughter's school and tucked them into holiday treat boxes for neighbors. These are easy peanut butter balls no baker should go without. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, Michigan
Cherry Crumb Dessert
This dessert is a sweet treat, especially when garnished with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream! The crust and crumb topping have a wonderful nutty flavor, and the smooth fruit filling looks beautiful when served. —Ann Eastman, Greenville, California
Eggnog Ladyfinger Dessert
The combination of cranberries and eggnog will bring a festive end to any holiday meal. Plus, it's super simple to prepare. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Swedish Creme
This thick and creamy dessert is my interpretation of my mother’s recipe for Swedish krem. It has just a hint of almond flavor and looks spectacular with bright red berries on top. Serve it in glasses to match the occasion. —Linda Nilsen, Anoka, Minnesota
Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
My sister shared the recipe for this unbelievably easy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow cream. I prefer using creamy peanut butter for this mouthwatering dessert, but the chunky style works just as well. —Mary Jane Rummel, Linglestown, Pennsylvania
Pecan Meltaways
This sweet, nutty pecan balls recipe is a tradition in our house at Christmastime, but the treats are great any time of the year. —Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Chocolate Swirl Delight
I made a few updates to a great recipe and ended up with an impressive dessert. Everyone loves its light texture and chocolaty flavor. —Lynne Bargar, Saegertown, Pennyslvania
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Baking peanut butter kiss cookies to share doesn't get much easier than this. Stir together four ingredients. Bake. Top with a kiss. Done! Your family will love this Hershey's peanut butter blossom cookie recipe. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona
Potato Chip Clusters
Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super-easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Cream Cheese Candies
These homemade mints make a perfect last-minute addition to holiday treat trays. Pretty much everyone in my neighborhood has this recipe now! —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
Fudgy Mint Cookies
Chocolate lovers will get a double dose when they bite into this cakelike cookie. The cookies are especially popular served alongside a big scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream! —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
Chocolate Lover's Pizza
I created this after my dad said that my graham cracker crust should be topped with dark chocolate and pecans. It's easy to customize by adding your favorite chocolate and toppers. Dad thinks the whole world should know about this pizza! —Kathy Rairigh, Milford, Indiana
Chewy Coconut Macaroons
These chewy cookies are my husband's favorite, so he requests them often. I like to make the macaroons on cold winter days and keep them in an airtight bowl on the kitchen counter. They never last long! —Peggy Key, Grant, Alabama
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
These treats are such a snap to make, I almost feel guilty serving them. But nobody seems to mind I didn't put in much effort—they just keep coming back for more. —Keslie Houser, Pasco, Washington
Chocolate Truffles
You may be tempted to save these chocolate truffles for a special occasion since these smooth, creamy chocolates are divine. But with just a few ingredients, this truffle recipe is easy to make anytime. —Darlene Wiese-Appleby, Creston, Ohio
Butterscotch Toffee Cookies
With its big butterscotch and chocolate flavor, my cookie stands out. I like to enjoy it with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. It’s my fallback recipe when I’m short on time and need something delicious fast. —Allie Blinder, Norcross, Georgia
Rudolph Treats
These adorable goodies are a fun treat for kids, neighbors and friends. Get the little ones involved and let them help you create a new holiday tradition. —Abigail Vandersaul, Saint Paul, Missouri
Nuts-About-You Cookie Sticks
These cookies make a fancy meal finale that couldn’t be quicker to whip up. Start with purchased Pirouette cookies, dip in a rich creamy chocolate and peanut-butter coating, and dust with nuts or sprinkles. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Layered Mint Candies
These incredible melt-in-your-mouth candies have the perfect amount of mint nestled between layers of mild chocolate. Even when I make a double batch for everyone to enjoy, the supply never lasts long at Christmas! —Rhonda Vauble, Sac City, Iowa
Quick & Easy Gumdrops
These homemade candies are softer than store-bought. They've got that classic, fun appeal that people really love. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tiger Butter Bark Candy
Fans of tiger butter fudge will revel in this version that's very similar to bark candy. The chocolate swirls are pleasing to the eye, and the creamy, peanut flavor is a treat for the taste buds.—Philip Jones, Lubbock, Texas
Coconut Creme Chocolates
I'm a proud wife, mom of three and grandma of many. I've cooked many things over the years, including these marshmallowy chocolates. —Dolores Wilder, Texas City, Texas
Cherry Swirl Fudge
For festive fudge with a new "twist," give this confection a whirl! We used vanilla chips instead of chocolate ones and added sweet cherry flavoring. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Turtle Tart with Caramel Sauce
Between the creamy filling, crispy crust and gooey caramel sauce, there's a lot to love about this tart. Plus, you can make it two to three days in advance. One of my daughters even asks for this instead of cake on her birthday. —Leah Davis, Morrow, Ohio
Mint Chocolate-Covered Cookies
At our house, everyone lends a hand to make these easy chocolate-covered cookies. They remind me of Thin Mints. Decorate them with sprinkles to match the occasion. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Texas Tumbleweeds
Tumbleweeds blow across the roads in some parts of Texas, and I think these cute stacks look like them. I've been making these sweets with my sister for years. —Karen Lemay, Seabrook, Texas
White Candy Bark
This speedy candy recipe can be varied depending on the type of fruit or nuts you have on hand. Since we have a walnut tree, I use walnuts, but pecans could also be substituted as well as dried cherries for the cranberries. —Marcia Snyder, Grand Junction, Colorado
Easy Cinnamon Thins
When a co-worker’s husband came home from Iraq, we had a potluck for him. These cookies with coarse red sugar matched our patriotic theme. —Janet Whittington, Heath, Ohio
Orange Caramel Ice Cream Sauce
We added a touch of orange extract to a creamy caramel sauce to make a rich homemade ice cream topping. Or try it as a dip for fruit or cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Buttery Lemon Sandwich Cookies
My grandson approves of these lemony sandwich cookies made with crackers and prepared frosting. Decorate them with whatever sprinkles you like. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, PennsylvaniaThe post This Is the Christmas Candy That Joanna Gaines Makes Every Year appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Hannemann