My fave tips and recipes

Hey, I’m Kim!

After a lot of practice (and a few sticky disasters), I’ve crafted a delicious selection of lollies and mastered a ton of candy making tips to share with you—lump free. (You’re welcome.)

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Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin

Crispy Peanut Butter Truffles

Get ready to fall in love.

Got a chocolate peanut butter lover in your house? Get ready to be the hero of snack time! These crispy peanut butter truffles are the easiest no-bake treat ever—and yes, they’re just as yummy as they sound. Think: creamy peanut butter, crunchy cereal bits, and a chocolatey shell that’s basically magic. Kids can totally help make these (hello, messy hands and big smiles), and grown-ups will be sneaking bites too. Perfect for lunchbox treats, parties, or anytime you need a quick sweet fix!

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More Than You’ll Ever Want To Know About Corn Syrup

When it comes to making candy, there’s one ingredient that shows up in recipe after recipe — corn syrup. But why is it such a staple in the candy world? Is it just sugar in disguise, or is there some sweet science behind it? Let’s unwrap the mystery of corn syrup and talk about what it actually does, the different types you might come across, and why high fructose corn syrup gets a bad rap.

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Candy Coated Gummy Bears

Chewy gummy bears take a dip in a shimmering coat of hard candy.

These hard candy-coated gummy bears are like tiny, jewel-toned treats with a satisfying crunch on the outside and that familiar gummy goodness inside. They’re part science experiment, part candy shop fantasy—and totally irresistible. Whether you're making them for a party, gifting them in cute jars, or just treating yourself, this recipe is as fun to make as it is to munch. Get ready to channel your inner candy maker—gummy bears are about to get a serious upgrade!

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Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin

Copycat Eatmore Bars

There’s something nostalgic and comforting about the foods we loved as kids.

For me, the Eatmore bar is right at the top of that list of childhood favourites. Growing up, it was my go-to treat whenever we’d head out fishing for the day. Packed with peanuts and chewy goodness, it gave just the right boost of energy but also felt like a special treat.

What I’ve always loved about the Eatmore bar is that it somehow feels a little healthier than your average chocolate bar—less sugar rush, more satisfying chew. It’s loaded with protein-rich peanuts and has that deep, molassesy flavor that really sticks with you (in the best way). This homemade version brings all that nostalgic taste back, with simple ingredients you can feel good about.

Let’s make this chewy classic together—because some treats are too good to be forgotten.

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Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin

Almond Bark

It doesn’t get much easier than this.

If you're looking for a quick, foolproof treat that looks fancy but takes hardly any effort, almond bark is the answer. This recipe is as easy as it gets—melt, spread, sprinkle and you're done. I usually make mine with white and semi sweet chocolate because I love how it pairs with the toasted almonds, but honestly, use whatever chocolate you like best. White, dark, milk, semi-sweet—they all work beautifully. Whether you're whipping up a last-minute holiday gift or just craving something sweet and crunchy, this almond bark hits the spot every time.

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Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin Chocolate, Easy, Kid-friendly Kim Gladwin

Cookies & Cream Truffles

Oreos, but make them fancy.

Want an up-scale little sweet and zero desire to haul out your candy thermometer? Same. These no-bake cookies & cream truffles are about to become your new favorite treat. We’re talking creamy, dreamy bites of Oreo goodness that come together with just a few ingredients and barely any effort. No oven, no fuss—just mix, roll, chill, and try not to eat them all at once (good luck with that). Plus they look fancy so set these out at your next party for a crowd pleaser. No need to mention they were super easy to make, just remember to raise those pinkies when you eat them.

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Cooking With Sugar: Interfering Agents Explained

Ah, candy making. That magical time when you pretend you're a kitchen wizard, wielding sugar and heat like some Willy Wonka/chemist hybrid. Everything’s going great—you’re boiling syrup, envisioning silky caramels—until BAM. Suddenly your sugar is throwing a tantrum, crystallizing into a sad, gritty mess. What happened? Who hurt you, sugar?

Spoiler alert: You needed to invite the interfering agents to the party.

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Sponge Toffee

There’s something downright magical about sponge toffee. It starts as a humble pot of bubbling syrup, then suddenly—boom!—it erupts into a golden, airy slab of crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth candy. It’s equal parts kitchen science experiment and sweet, crackly nostalgia.

This old-school treat goes by a few names—honeycomb, cinder toffee, hokey pokey—but no matter what you call it, the key to that rich, nostalgic flavour is golden syrup. It gives the toffee its deep caramel notes and that unmistakable melt-in-your-mouth crunch.

Whether you grew up cracking pieces off a big chunk or are tasting sponge toffee for the first time, this recipe will bring the wonder right into your kitchen (with a satisfying whoosh of baking soda drama at the end).

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Crystallized Ginger

Making crystallized ginger at home is ridiculously simple, yet it somehow makes you feel like a kitchen guru. The process involves slicing fresh ginger, simmering it in sugar syrup, and then coating it in even more sugar. The result? A chewy, zesty, slightly fiery treat that somehow manages to soothe a sore throat, settle an upset stomach, and trick you into eating multiple pieces even though you swore you'd stop after one.

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Gummies 101: Gelatin, Agar Agar and Pectin Explained

Agar-Agar, Gelatin, and Pectin Walk into a Candy Shop…

If you've ever dabbled in gummy candy-making, you know that getting the right texture is like playing a high-stakes game of science and sorcery. And at the heart of it all? The great trio of gelling agents: agar-agar, gelatin, and pectin. They may all turn liquids into wobbly delights, but their personalities—and the candies they create—are wildly different. So let’s break it down.

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Marshmallows 101: Tips & Troubleshooting

Is there anything more magical than turning sugar, water, and gelatin into a big, bouncy cloud of sweetness? Making marshmallows at home feels like pulling off a kitchen magic trick. But if you've ever ended up with a sticky mess or something that could double as packing foam… you’re not alone.

I’ll break down for you the marshmallow-making process, common issues, and how to know when you've nailed it—without the stress.

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Coconut Sesame Snaps

If you grew up snacking on those crunchy, honey-sweetened sesame snaps, you already know how addictive they can be. But what if I told you that making them at home is even easier than you think—and they taste way better? Enter these Toasted Coconut & Sesame Snaps, a delicious twist on the classic treat!

With the nutty crunch of sesame seeds, the rich flavor of toasted coconut, and a perfectly crisp caramelized coating, these homemade snaps are everything you love about the original—only fresher, more flavorful, and completely customizable. No weird additives, no hard-to-find ingredients—just pure, golden, crunchy goodness made in your own kitchen.

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Brigadeiros

If you’ve never had a brigadeiro, I need you to pause whatever you’re doing and take a moment to reconsider your life choices. These Brazilian chocolate truffles are what happens when fudge and caramel have a baby, and that baby grows up to be the life of every party. They’re rich, chewy, and dangerously easy to eat—seriously, you’ll pop one in your mouth and suddenly realize you’ve inhaled six.

Why make them? Because they only take a few ingredients, require zero candy making skills, and will instantly make people like you more. Plus, rolling them in sprinkles is oddly therapeutic. Whether you’re craving something sweet or just want an excuse to eat condensed milk straight from the can (no judgment), brigadeiros have got you covered.

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Citrus Patch Sours

Let’s be real—sometimes, you just want to snack on something that makes your taste buds question their life choices. Enter these candied citrus peels, lovingly coated in sugar and citric acid to give them that “Whooo! That’s sour!” punch, followed by a sweet, chewy reward. It’s like if nature made Sour Patch Kids but forgot to add the artificial colors and questionable ingredients.

We’re taking citrus rinds—yes, the part you usually throw away—and turning them into something that will make your mouth pucker and your inner child do a happy dance. Plus, making these means you get to tell people, “Oh, I just casually make my own gourmet sour candy at home.” Fancy, right?

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Grandma’s Sugared Peanuts

Just a good old fashioned sugar rebellion.

While going through my Grandma’s recipe collection, I found a simple yet delightful one for sugared peanuts. It relies on nothing more than sugar doing what it does best.

Sugared peanuts are made by boiling peanuts with sugar and water until the sugar crystallizes around each nut. The result? A crunchy, sweet treat that tastes remarkably like a peanut butter cookie. Normally, we go to great lengths to avoid sugar crystallization in candy making—but with this recipe, we embrace it. So go ahead and stir that boiling sugar, you rebel, you.

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Microwave Dulce de Leche Caramels

Let’s talk about dulce de leche—a rich, creamy, caramelized milk that’s basically what happens when regular milk decides to live its best life. It’s sweet, it’s smooth, and it’s the flavor equivalent of a warm hug from someone who smells like cookies. Now imagine taking that magical stuff and turning it into a soft caramel. Are you drooling yet? Because you should be.

Did I mention these are made in the microwave? I am usually not a huge fan of microwave caramels because the caramel just isn’t that… caramel-y. The sugar just doesn’t have time to do it’s thing and it tastes that way too. I said what I said. BUT, when you use dulce de leche, a caramelized milk to start with, then that caramel flavour is already there. So let’s get zapping our way to these chewy and buttery delights!

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Jello Marshmallow Jigglers

If you're looking for a simple, fun, and delicious treat that kids can make, Jello Marshmallow Jigglers are the perfect choice! With just two ingredients—Jello mix and marshmallows—you can create colorful, wobbly, and fluffy treats that are as fun to eat as they are to make.

Jello Marshmallow Jigglers are a delightful twist on classic Jello jigglers. By combining Jello with melted marshmallows, you get a soft, bouncy treat with a unique, foamy texture on top and a firmer, jiggly layer on the bottom. These treats are perfect for parties, playdates, or just a fun kitchen activity with the kids.

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Chocolate Honey Taffy

This honey candy is a bit of a stretch, but worth it.

When life gives you honey, why not turn it into candy? That’s exactly what inspired this recipe for chocolate honey taffy! After trading some lollipops for a jar of golden, local honey at a market, I wanted to create something special that would showcase its natural sweetness—and what’s more fun (and delicious) than pulling taffy?

This recipe is a twist on classic taffy-making, swapping out corn syrup for honey to create a soft, chewy treat with a deep chocolatey flavor and a touch of natural sweetness. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the idea of homemade candy with wholesome ingredients—or just wants an excuse to play with their food. Ready to dive in? Let’s turn that honey into a sweet, stretchy masterpiece!

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