Last Updated on November 24, 2025 by Michelle Mundy
Brown Sugar Candy is a shortcut version to a recipe that is typically hours in the making. Chocolate covered or not, this old fashioned treat is amazing!
Crumbly, delicious and ridiculously decadent, Brown Sugar Candy is a favorite traditional holiday candy that has traditionally taken a long time to make (although the results have always been worth the wait).
This modern version of the old fashioned classic takes a fraction of the time, uses shelf stable pantry ingredients and makes more than enough to share. Even better when it is chocolate covered!
What Exactly is Brown Sugar Candy?
A beloved French Canadian holiday tradition is Sucre a la Creme, a brown sugar candy that involves butter, heavy cream, a wooden spoon and a process that can take hours.
My Grandmother made this and each of her children had learned how, but it was tricky and required just the right touch and timing to have it come out perfect. We have wonderful memories of the process, but very little success when trying to replicate the results.
This updated version of Brown Sugar Candy takes only 15 minutes. I can only imagine what my Grandmother would have to say about this, but the end result is so close to the original that we make it every holiday season!
While we did not grow up with our Brown Sugar Candy chocolate coated, See’s Candy covers their version in chocolate and it is probably one of the richest, most delightful things I have ever eaten so we have included instructions on how to do this as well.
How to make Brown Sugar Candy
Brown Sugar Candy is a shortcut version to a recipe that is typically hours in the making. Crumbly and ridiculously decadent, it is a traditional holiday favorite.
This version uses shelf stable pantry ingredients and is a quick and easy recipe that makes enough to share. Chocolate covered or not, this old fashioned treat is amazing!
Line a 9×9 square baking dish with parchment paper (or generously grease pan with butter).
This candy is made of butter and sugar and vanilla and more sugar so using parchment allows the candy to easily be removed from the pan to be cut. We highly recommend using parchment paper.
Stir milk, brown sugar and butter together in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring continuously. The consistency will change from thin liquid to a thick, bubbling syrup. It will noticeably thicken.
Remove from heat and using a hand mixer, beat in salt, vanilla extract and the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until combined and thickened.
Transfer mixture into prepared pan and cool until set. If planning to dip the brown sugar candy in chocolate, chill in refrigerator.
Once set, slice into squares to serve. Because this brown sugar candy is so rich, be sure to cut into smaller squares, an inch or less.
The Brown Sugar Candy is technically done at this point. It is absolutely delicious and it needs nothing else.
BUT…
As mentioned before, See’s Candy sells their version of this brown sugar candy chocolate covered. Ohhhemmmgeee.
When cutting up Brown Sugar Candy, sometimes the pieces don’t end up exactly perfect because it’s crumbly. Dipping the imperfect ones in candy melts makes them even better and technically gives you two different kinds of holiday treats.
To chocolate cover these, you can use chocolate melts or regular chocolate.
Melt the chocolate according to package directions and melting method (microwave oven, a double boiler or a melting pot) until it is smooth and ready for dipping.
Dip the brown sugar candy in the melted chocolate and remove. I use a little chocolate dipping tool or two forks for this. Place the dipped candy onto wax paper and sprinkle with festive baking sprinkles if desired.
Note: If you set the wax paper on a lipped baking sheet and you use sprinkles, they will not end up all over the counter!
Once dipped, they will need to cool so that the chocolate can set. The refrigerator helps to speed this process.
No matter if you chocolate cover it or just eat it plain – or both – this shortcut version of Brown Sugar Candy is definitely worth a shot. It might not be my Dad’s recipe but it is darned close. Happy Holidays! Enjoy!
Other Easy Holiday Treat Recipes You May Like
Rolo Turtles – these little bites of sweet and salty with a pecan half on top are perfection in one bite!
Classic Sponge Toffee – this light and airy vintage crunchy treat is addictive and fun to make!
Cookie Dough Truffles – chocolate covered, safe to eat cookie dough truffles!
Christmas Pretzel Candy – the perfect blend of sweet and salty for the holiday season!
Easy Peanut Butter Balls – Decadent, delicious and chocolate covered peanut butter balls.
Old Fashioned Brown Sugar Candy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Line a 9×9 square baking dish with parchment paper (or generously grease pan with butter).
- Stir milk, brown sugar and butter together in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring continuously. It will noticeably thicken.
- Remove from heat and using a hand mixer, beat in salt, vanilla extract and the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until combined and thickened.
- Transfer mixture into prepared pan and cool until set.
- Slice into squares to serve. (It is delicious if you stop here!) but…
- For an extra layer of awesome, if desired, coat each square using melted chocolate or candy melts. Decorate with sprinkles. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Sheila R Rhodes says
This will make a great Christmas gift. Can you add pecans to this? At what point can I add the pecans?
Michelle Mundy says
We have added peanuts in the past and have stirred them in just before pouring the mixture into the pan to set. I bet it would be delicious with pecans! Let us know how it works out if you try it! Happy Holidays! 🙂
govtjob says
“Your blog never disappoints! I love how you break down complex topics into easy-to-digest pieces.
Michelle Mundy says
Thank you so much for that HUGE compliment and for taking the time to let me know that you are enjoying it. You made my day! 🙂
Sue says
Thank you for sharing. I worked for that candy shop place during the holidays which chocolate dips them … that has gone up in price & I can’t afford now. So thank you! I love to cook.
The Bandit says
I love to cook as well and this recipe is an absolute family favorite. My mother in law keeps a container of it in her freezer and just takes out a piece every time she “wants something sweet”. I mainly make it over the holidays but I make a lot of it! Glad to hear that you will be able to make it at home and enjoy it as well!
Michele Vadnais says
Oh my, this sounds wonderful. I’ve never tried sugar candy…I can’t wait!
Kathleen Duffy says
Dipping your knife into boiling water before each cut helps reduce crumbling
The Bandit says
That is a FANTASTIC tip! I am just about to make a batch for the neighbors to go on my cookie trays. I am totally going to try it. Thanks Kathleen!
Mark Richards says
I have saved this recipe and plan to use it soon. It looks delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. Have a great day!
Catherine McGuinness says
Ooo this reminds me of Scottish tablet. I’ve been making Christmas sweets this week as well – mine are traditional English. 🙂
Angela Greven says
These look delish! What a great idea for Christmas gifts and they’re quick to boot. Thanks for sharing! ☺️
Tranda says
Sucre a la creme is my absolute favourite! I can’t believe my luck that you posted a shortcut version. I can’t wait to try it!
Looks amazingly delicious 🙂
Tracy Foster says
This looks amazing!! Oh my gosh. I am definitely going to try making this. I am not big on baking, but I am big on eating baked good. I’m looking forward to this. Just in time for Christmas!
Gemma says
Yum, this looks amazing! It reminds me of a similar Mexican candy. Love the story about your dad.
Sharilee says
That looks yummy, I love trying new recipes.