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 easy and delicious recipe is the perfect way to create treats for any occasion, including Fourth of July festivities. The best part? You can customize it to your specific tastes or dietary needs.
Make Your Candy Colors Pop
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 and puffy marshmallows all encased in a beautiful white vanilla candy coating. And don’t forget to add some holiday sprinkles for an even more festive and colorful look. Just be sure to read ingredient labels carefully for any allergens you need to avoid.
Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why)
Vanilla Candy Coating: vanilla melting wafers, or vanilla candy coating, is ideal for highlighting the red, white and blue food components. Milk chocolate can be used, if preferred.
Colorful Dried Fruit: adding dried fruits, such as cranberries, blueberries or even raisins adds flavorful pops of color to the candy.
Holiday Sprinkles: add patriotic sprinkles for a pop of color and a festive touch.
Marshmallows: allergy-friendly mini marshmallows or dehydrated marshmallows add sweetness and texture.
Helpful Baking Tools
Cookie Sheet: line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for a flat surface to spread out the candy.
Mixing Bowls: you’ll need a microwave-safe mixing bowl to melt the candy coating.
Spatula: a silicone spatula is great for scraping all the melted candy out of the bowl and for spreading the melted chocolate evenly. Or, use an offset spatula for spreading out the chocolate.
Boxes/Containers: if gifting your candy creations, you package candy in cute bakery boxes. Otherwise, store candy in an airtight food storage container for freshness.
Making Holiday Candy
Whipping up a batch of this festive, no-bake candy is easy. What’s more, this recipe is easy to customize. Think of it as a blank canvas for your candy cravings. Be sure to check the recipe card for detailed instructions and exact ingredient measurements.
1. Melt candy coating and pour onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
2. Using an offset spatula, smooth the melted candy coating.
3. Add dried fruit, sprinkles and marshmallows to the top of the melted candy.
4. Allow candy to firm up before breaking into pieces.
How to Keep Holiday Candy Fresh
This festive candy is best stored at room temperature away from heat to keep your candy from melting. Moisture is the enemy of this type of candy, so storing it in the refrigerator is not advised. Follow these tips to keep your candy fresh for up to two weeks.
At Room Temperature. Place candy in an airtight container and keep it in a cool and dry place is best. Candy will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. To store your candy, layer pieces between parchment paper to prevent candy from sticking together.
Box Candy 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. Add a note explaining how to store candy at room temperature.
More No-Bake Treats
If you’re looking to keep the oven off but have a 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.
Easy Holiday Candy
Ingredients
- 1/2 package vanilla candy coating or candy wafers
- 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 or dehydrated marshmallows
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Place the vanilla candy coating or wafers into a microwave-safe bowl. Melt slowly 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. Continue to microwave in 15-30 second increments, stirring until smooth and completely melted.
- Once smooth, pour melted candy coating onto your cookie sheet. With your spatula, smooth the candy coating out.
- Add the dried fruit, holiday sprinkles, marshmallows and any additional toppings to the top of the melted chocolate.
- Allow the candy to harden for about 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. Package into a cute box for gift giving or store in a covered container.
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