Skip the oven and “bake” up some fun with this easy no-bake candy recipe that’s perfect for any celebration, including the 4th of July. This recipe is the perfect way to create treats for your Fourth of July festivities (or any occasion) that are both easy and delicious. The best part? You can customize it to your specific tastes. The beauty of this recipe is its customization. Think of it as a blank canvas for your candy cravings.
Make it Pop – All About the Colors
The 4th of July screams for red, white, and blue treats, and this recipe delivers. Imagine a candy canvas splashed with pops of color from juicy red cranberries, plump raisins (or dried blueberries), puffy marshmallows all encased in a beautiful white vanilla coating. And don’t forget the holiday sprinkles to make your candy even more festive and colorful!
Ingredient Line-Up
Colorful Dried Fruit – adding dried fruits, such as cranberries, blueberries or even raisins adds flavorful pops of color to the candy.
Holiday Sprinkles – patriotic sprinkles add a pop of color and a festive touch.
Marshmallows – use either white or colored mini marshmallows for added fun and flavor.
Vanilla Candy Coating – vanilla melting wafers, or vanilla almond bark, is ideal for highlighting the red, white, and blue food components of this candy theme. Milk chocolate can also be used, if preferred.
Tools Needed
Boxes (optional) – if gifting your candy creations, package candy into cute bakery boxes for gifting.
Candy Molds (optional) – if you want to create fun shapes for your candy, silicone candy molds are a great option. Just be sure they are heat-resistant for handling the melted chocolate.
Cookie Sheet – lining a cookie sheet with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat provides a flat surface to spread out the candy.
Mixing Bowls – you’ll use two mixing bowls: one to hold all the ingredients that will be added to the candy, and another microwave-safe mixing bowl to melt the candy coating (almond bark).
Spatula – a silicone spatula is great for scraping all the melted candy out of the bowl, and can be used for spreading the melted chocolate out evenly on the cookie sheet. An offset spatula can be used for spreading out chocolate, too.
Storage Container – use an airtight food storage container to store candy for freshness.
Ignite Your Sweet Tooth and Let’s Make Candy
Let’s whip up a batch of this festive, no-bake candy that’s as easy as red, white, and blue. This candy recipe is so simple, the hardest part will be waiting for your masterpiece to cool down. If sharing the candy with others or bringing some to a party, consider placing the candy in cute decorative boxes.
Fourth of July Candy
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried fruit, chopped into small pieces ex: dried cranberries, blueberries, raisins
- 2 tbsp holiday sprinkles use more or less, as desired
- 1/4 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 package vanilla candy coating
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. You will pour out your candy mixture onto this. Or, use silicone candy bar molds; place onto a cookie sheet for a flat surface.
- Mix dried fruit, sprinkles and marshmallows into a small bowl and set aside.
- Break up the almond bark and place into a microwave-safe bowl. The almond bark needs to melt slowly, so warm it up in the microwave in short bursts, about 30 seconds at a time, to prevent burning. Use a heat-resistant spatula to stir the melted candy coating, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.
- Start melting the chocolate for 30 seconds. Using a spatula, stir the chocolate to see if it is melted smooth. If not, continue to microwave in 15-30 second increments, stirring until smooth.
- Once chocolate is smooth, pour it onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Use your spatula to smooth it out. If using a candy mold, pour a little at a time until the entire mold cavity is filled.
- Add the dried fruit, holiday sprinkles and marshmallows (or any additional toppings) on top of the melted chocolate.
- Allow the candy to harden (about 15-30 minutes). You can speed up the process by placing the cookie sheet into the refrigerator.
- Once the candy has set, break it into smaller pieces. If using a candy mold, carefully remove from the mold.
- Package into a cute box for gift giving or store in a covered container (keep away from heat).
How to Keep Festive Candy Fresh
This festive candy is best stored at room temperature in an airtight container. By following these tips, your candy will stay fresh for up to two weeks, if it even lasts that long!
Room Temperature – heat can cause the candy coating to melt, so avoid storing candy anywhere too warm. Keeping candy at room temperature, away from the sun in a cool and dry place is best. This will keep them fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Storage Containers – moisture is the enemy of this type of candy, so storing it in the refrigerator is not advised. Use an airtight container to store candy at room temperature. This will prevent the candy from absorbing moisture from the air.
Layer and Separate – when storing your candy, consider layering pieces between parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Boxed for Gifting – if gifting your candy creations, package them in cute decorative boxes lined with wax paper or parchment paper. This will add a festive touch and provide an extra layer of protection for the candy.
Looking For More?
If you’re looking to keep the oven off but need to satisfy that sweet tooth, then consider these other no-bake treat options. These Fruit Parfaits are a perfect treat for any day of the week, including the Fourth of July holiday. Or, try these Cookie Butter and Banana Popsicles on any hot day. These can be made as-is, or tailored to any festive event or holiday by making a few ingredient swaps.
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