16 Candy Desserts That Taste Just Like Your Favorite Sweets (2024)

Home Recipes Meal Types Desserts

Updated: Nov. 10, 2023

Transform your favorite quick-fix sweet into a treat that dessert that deserves to be savored. These candy desserts take inspiration from your favorite candy bars but manage to taste even better.

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Tastes Like Almond Joy: Almond Joy Cake

This is a fantastic Almond Joy cake recipe—tastes just like the candy bar. —Daria Burcar, Rochester, Michigan

2/16

Tastes Like Sour Patch Kids: Sour Candy Cupcakes

If you love the pucker of sour candies, then these sour candy cupcakes will be right up your alley. The sour dust sprinkled on top gives you an instant pucker when you first take a bite, but the sweetness soon follows. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington

3/16

Tastes Like Reese's: Layered Peanut Butter Brownies

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter makes these layered brownies a real crowd pleaser. They’re so good that they won a ribbon at the fair. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee

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Tastes Like Payday: Caramel Peanut Fantasy

Packed with peanuts and gooey with caramel, this do-ahead treat is one sweet dream of a dessert to serve company. With an easy cookie crust and scrumptious candy bar layers, it goes together quickly—and will disappear just as fast! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Tastes Like Twix: Caramel Tassies

These buttery, smooth caramel tassies make a nice addition to a dessert tray. These are one of my family’s favorites. —Jane Bricker, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

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Tastes Like Take 5: Double-Chocolate Rolo Cookies with Pretzels

These chocolate Rolo cookies were a big hit with my father. The generous size makes them wonderful for gift-giving, and they’re always the first to go at parties. —Melissa Keenan, Larchmont, New York

7/16

Tastes Like Goo Goo Clusters: Peanut-Cashew Marshmallow Pie

This pie appeals to kids and adults! The chocolate crust and caramel topping make it all the more special. I like the nice contrast of the creamy mallow filling with the crunchy peanuts. An added bonus is that this pie can be made ahead of time. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas. Here are different types of Goo Goo Clusters.

8/16

Tastes Like Chocolate-Covered Cherries: Cherry Thumbprints

When I dig out my best cookie recipes, I’m reminded of baking with my children when they were little. These thumbprints with cherries elicit such sweet memories. –Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia

9/16

Tastes Like Whoppers: Malted Milk Bark

An old-time candy gets a fresh makeover. This is one of our favorite malted milk ball dessert recipes. The malted milk powder adds such a unique flavor to this bark so don’t be tempted to skip it. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

10/16

Tastes Like Andes Mints: Mint Chocolate Cheesecake

I created this mint chocolate cheesecake for our high school’s annual fundraiser. We were told that it brought a hefty price and was one of the first desserts to go! If desired, you can stir the cookie pieces into the batter instead of adding them in a layer. Keep the pieces fairly small or they have a tendency to rise to the top. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

11/16

Tastes Like Mounds: Coconut Chocolate Slices

These crispy cookies with a chewy coconut center travel really well. When my son was in the Army, I often sent boxes to him, and he told me they always arrived in perfect condition. —Cheri Booth, Gering, Nebraska

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13/16

Tastes Like Krackel Bar: Crispy Chocolate Squares

Folks will think you slaved away on these fast and fudgy treats. People often request the recipe and are surprised to find out how easy they are to make. Even kids can make ’em! —Karen Speidel, Wheeling, Illinois

14/16

Tastes Like York Peppermint Pattie: Peppermint Patty Sandwich Cookies

At my annual holiday party, these cookies are a big hit with everyone, especially when I mix festive food coloring or crushed candy canes into the filling. —Amy Martin, Vancouver, Washington

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Tastes Like 100 Grand: Salted Caramel Pretzel Rice Krispies Treats

Craving a snack that’s both salty and sweet? These salted caramel Rice Krispies treats can’t be beat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Tastes Like Mr. Goodbar: Chocolaty Peanut Clusters

I turn to my slow cooker to prepare these convenient chocolate treats. Making candies couldn’t be any easier! —Pam Posey, Waterloo, South Carolina

Originally Published: September 20, 2021