Santa’s Coal Candy

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This easy Santa’s Coal Candy is a fun and easy treat that you can make with only three ingredients. Not only does it look authentic, but it tastes great too!  And, because you really don’t need to be precise in how you form the lumps of coal, it’s a great recipe to have the kids help with.

A stack of the coal candy.

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More about Santa’s Coal Candy

The Santa’s Coal Candy is perfect for your Elf on the Shelf or for a treat for trays. This year have your loved ones been naughty or nice?  This super easy candy coal that can be made in under 15 minutes!

Why This Christmas Lump of Coal Recipe is a Keeper

No candy thermometer or equipment needed. This recipe is truly so easy and so good. It is not a punishment to make this delightful candy recipe.

  • 10 Minutes: So quick and easy to make this holiday recipe for family or friends.
  • Easy Ingredients: Only three simple ingredients. Fun to make for kids and adults.
  • Family Friendly: Easy to make with kids and great for them to give as gifts for stockings.
  • Makes a Great Gift: Wonderful to give to teachers or add to cookie trays etc. It is a great gag gift, no bad behavior necessary. Serve with a little hammer.

If you’re looking for more fun candy inspired recipes, try these Easy Peppermint Oreo Truffles, White Trash Candy and No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge.

Where does the tradition of giving kids coal come from?

A side view of the finished candy.

In ancient German and Dutch folklore, Saint Nicholas, also known as Sinterklaas, would leave gifts in shoes and socks left out for him by children.

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Ingredient Notes for Christmas Coal Candy

The cookies and chocolate to make the treat.

This coal candy only takes three easy ingredients but the candy makes a lot so it is perfect gift for the holiday season.

  • Cookies: Oreos or other chocolate sandwich cookies can be great for this recipe.
  • Butter: Salted butter for this candy coal. Can use right out of the fridge.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for Santa Naughty Candy Coal

  • Oreos: A package of low calorie or gluten-free dark chocolate can be used for this recipe. You can also use a mint flavor cookie for holiday cheer.
  • Butter: Can use a non dairy alternative.

Special Equipment Needed for this Holiday Christmas Candy

You will need a few things to make this fun and festive coal candy recipe.

  • Food Processor: Makes this naughty candy easily and quickly with the food processor.
  • Burlap Bags: Placing your candy in cute little burlap bags with drawstrings and tie with red ribbons or licorice.

How to Make Gag Gift Christmas Lump of Coal for Stocking

You can make santa’s coal candy only takes minutes to make and it so much fun for Christmas parties. You will be on the nice list and anyone would love a pouch of these flavored candies.

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These are the basic steps for making naughty list Christmas Candy. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions and nutritional information.

First, place cookies in food processor and pulse until they resemble fine crumbs, like wet sand.

STEP 2: Melt

Then place marshmallows and butter in a large, microwave safe bowl; microwave for 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed. Remove marshmallows from microwave and whisk in cookie crumbs. You can also use a saucepan on medium heat if you prefer to melt the candy and stir to melt.

STEP 3: Allow to Firm and Set and place in burlap bags or place on trays

Next, break off pieces of the mixture and form into lumps that resemble coal. Finally, place on a prepared pan or baking sheet lined with parchment paper, piece of aluminum foil or wax paper. Allow to set until firm.

Recipe FAQs for Coal for Christmas Stocking Stuffer

Store this coal candy in an airtight container or wrap well in plastic wrap at room temperature. No need to place in the refrigerator. The candy can be frozen for up to two months in the freezer.

Of course, try adding any flavor that you like. If you use a lighter cookie try tinting by adding black gel food coloring to make it look like coal.

Place the cookies in a large plastic bag and use a clean wooden spoon or kitchen mallet to crush the chunks until they are all in crumbles.

Santa's Coal Candy in a bag.

You can use different flavor cookies and add black food coloring to make a deep black color of the anthracite coal. Add a little tag for gifts like a local candy maker Mootz candies does, they serve with a little chisel.

  • Add Flavor: Peppermint extract, anise or pure vanilla extract can be added to the candy.
  • Chips: White chocolate or dark chocolate chips can add a sweeter taste.
  • Variation tip: Feel free to add rice krispies or nuts to the coal candy.
  • Alternate ingredients: Sprinkles or edible glitter can be a great addition to the coal.
A stack of the coal candy.
5 from 4 votes

Santa’s Coal Candy

Yield: 24 pieces
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
This easy Santa’s coal candy is a fun and easy treat that you can make with only three ingredients. Not only does it look authentic, but it tastes great too!  And, because you really don’t need to be precise in how you form the lumps of coal, it’s a great recipe to have the kids help with.
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Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounces Chocolate sandwich cookies , (such as Oreos)
  • 5 cups Mini marshmallows
  • 4 tablespoons Butter

Instructions

  • Place cookies in food processor and pulse until they resemble fine crumbs.
  • Place marshmallows and butter in a large, microwave safe bowl; microwave for 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed.
  • Remove marshmallows from microwave and stir in cookie crumbs.
  • Break off pieces of the mixture and form into lumps that resemble coal.
  • Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Allow to set until firm.

Expert Tips

 
  • Add Flavor: Peppermint extract or pure vanilla extract can be added to the candy.
  • Chips: White chocolate or dark chocolate chips can be added.
  • Variation tip: Feel free to add rice krispies or nuts to the coal candy.
  • Alternate ingredients: Sprinkles or edible glitter can be a great addition to the coal.
  • Gift of Coal: Place the coal in little bags with cute gift tags.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

10 thoughts on “Santa’s Coal Candy”

  1. At the end of the recipe you have Expert Tips saying extract flavoring can be added or chocolate chips or rice crispy. How much would I add in each of these examples? Could I add 2 flavors?

    Reply
    • You could add the extract as you mix the ingredients together. You could add more than one extract but split the mixture into two different boels first.

      Reply
  2. Yes I have a question…in your tips on making recipes you state you can change the amount but I see no place on this recipe to do that…Am I missing it?

    Reply
  3. Click on the big, black “JUMP TO RECIPE” button at the top of the page and it will take you right to the recipe. Or you can scroll down to the bottom of the post to get the recipe. 🙂

    Reply
  4. This treat is adorable! Print and pin! Fun fag gift or conversation starter at a party! Thanks for the recipe and Happy Holidays!

    Reply

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