These Valentine’s day candy and candy ideas will have everyone falling in love with you! Over 20 EASY homemade recipes that taste incredible and perfect for that special someone…or yourself!
Why do we give out candy on Valentine’s day?
Although the Valentine’s date of February 14th has been around since the mid-1800’s, it wasn’t until 1860s that giving candy become associated with it. Cadbury, and its founder John Cadbury, cottoned on the connection between this date and giving chocolate and capitalized on it.
Since then, people around the world enjoy giving candy and boxed chocolate to their loved ones, friends, and family on Valentine’s day.
Who invented the first heart shaped candy box?
Not only did Cadbury jump start the ‘candy giving on Valentine’s day’ trend, they also were pioneers in the heart shaped candy boxes. In 1861, John Cadbury’s son Richard created the first ever box of chocolate in the shape of a heart.
What is a popular Valentine’s day candy?
Anything heart shaped is extremely popular on Valentine’s day, but nothing beats homemade white chocolate and peanut butter fudge. It’s sweet, slightly salty, and who can ever say no to homemade candy? Here is how to make it.
The Ingredients.
- Peanut butter– Smooth and creamy peanut butter, with no added sugar. You can substitute this for almond butter, cashew butter, or tahini.
- White chocolate chips– Standard, dairy free, or even sugar free white chocolate.
The Instructions.
In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips with peanut butter. Microwave in 20-second spurts, until the chocolate is mostly melted. Remove the bowl from the microwave and whisk together until smooth.
Now, transfer the fudge mixture into a lined pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm. Once firm, slice it up into pieces.
Storing and freezing instructions
- To store: Leftover candy can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to one month.
- To freeze: Place the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to six months.
What Valentine’s day candies are there?
These are the BEST Valentine’s day candy and recipe ideas that are all 100% homemade and SO easy to make. You’ll find chocolate candy, heart shaped candy, no bake candy, and more. Every recipe uses minimal ingredients and you’ll find some healthy options too. Don’t waste your money buying expensive boxed candy when these are so much better… both financially and emotionally!
Valentine’s day candy ideas
2 Ingredient peanut butter fudge
2 Ingredient fudge (3 ways!)
Keto fudge
3 Ingredient fudge
Caramel fudge
Bounty bars
Coconut bars
Peanut butter balls
Chocolate peanut butter balls
Snickers
Kit Kat
Chocolate bark
Coconut clusters
Almond Joy
Chocolate coconut bars
Peanut butter cups
White chocolate peanut butter cups
Almond roca
English toffee
Creme eggs
Crunch bars
Keto crunch bars
Rocky road
Frequently Asked Questions
Heart shaped candy drops are the most popular Valentine’s day candy, followed by chocolate hearts and dark chocolate roses.
Cadbury jumped on the candy giving trend since the 1860s, and since then, many people starting giving candy to their loved ones. This has recently become a phenomenon in some Asian countries like South Korea and Japan, where they have special days called ‘White day’ and ‘Black day’.
Chocolate is popular on Valentine’s day because it is sweet and considered romantic, especially the darker and richer varieties.
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30 Valentine’s Day Candy Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter * see notes
- 1 1/4 cups white chocolate chips sugar free or standard
Instructions
- Line a square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a microwave safe bowl or stovetop, add the peanut butter and white chocolate chips.
- Microwave in 20-second increments until the white chocolate has mostly melted and the peanut butter is liquid. Whisk the two together until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture into the lined pan and refrigerate for an hour, until firm.
- Slice the candy into 24 pieces.
Notes
Nutrition
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Whoa, that Vegan Cotton Candy Ice Cream Cake!! What a great line-up! I can’t wait to try your chocolate raspberry mug cake! Thank you including my mini bundt cakes!
Um, excuse me. Not a real holiday?!! Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays, so Imma disagree with you there. Bring on all the pink stuff! That raspberry bread looks awesome and may just inspire me to bake something for the office that day.
I knew I shouldn’t have opened this post when I’m craving sweets, especially chocolate. Le sigh.
Haha! Love the Ode to Valentine’s Day here, mate. It really is a holiday centered around sweets…and maybe a couple of roses thrown in for good luck. Love this roundup of deliciousness…and now I’m going to be craving Valentine’s Day sweets all day. That and singing Justin Timberlake songs. Thanks for that. 🙂