12 Christmas Barks and Brittles to Bake All Season Long

By Mary Shannon Wells
October 17, 2019
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Holiday baking is full of sentimental moments and nostalgic recipes. Some families bake the same chocolate chip cookie recipe for Santa every year. Others faithfully recreate the gorgeous white cake that graced that December’s cover of Southern Living. And plenty can’t imagine a holiday season without the slice-n-bake Christmas cookies from the grocery store (even the best Southern bakers are guilty of this, and we can relate). For decades, Christmas barks and brittles have been part of Southern holiday traditions, and it’s easy to see the allure of these simple desserts. Christmas barks and brittles are giftable, easy to make, and absolutely delicious. With as little as three or four ingredients and often no baking required, Christmas bark is attainable for even the most novice bakers, and it makes it a great dessert to create with the kids while they’re out of school. A few pieces of Christmas bark wrapped thoughtfully make for the cutest gifts, too. Since Christmas barks and brittles keep well, you can make several large batches and hold onto them until you need a last-minute teacher, neighbor, hostess, or drop-by guest gift throughout the season. If making Christmas bark with your family isn’t already part of your holiday schedule, this year should be the year you add it.
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Milk Chocolate-Peppermint Bark

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Bark

This Christmas classic is so simple to make for all your neighbors and friends this season.

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Classic Peanut Brittle

Credit: Charles Walton

Recipe: Classic Peanut Brittle

No Southerner has ever been unhappy to receive a tin of classic homemade peanut brittle around the holidays.

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Fruitcake Bark

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Fruitcake Bark

Fruitcake and peppermint bark are both Southern holiday staples, so we combined the two for an original recipe that everyone on your list will love.

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Salty-Sweet Nut Brittle

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Salty-Sweet Nut Brittle

This perfectly salty and sweet treat travels well, so you can bring some to every relative you visit on your Christmas road trip.

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Cracker Toffee

Credit: Abbi Wilt

Recipe: Cracker Toffee

Would you believe this delicious snack starts with a sleeve of saltine crackers?

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Southern Pecan Pralines

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Southern Pecan Pralines

One of the South’s most iconic candies, pecan pralines are easy to make, but be sure you have a candy thermometer for guaranteed success.

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Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy

Credit: Ralph Anderson, Charles Walton IV / Styling Mindi Shapiro Levine, Rose Nguyen / Food Styling Marian Cooper Cairns, Angela Sellers

Recipe: Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy

With just four ingredients, this homemade candy manages to hit the just-right spot of salty and sweet.

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Triple-Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters

This sweet treat is made in your slow cooker for total hands-off ease, and it makes about 60 clusters (60!), so no one on your Christmas list will get a skimpy portion.

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Pecan Toffee

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pecan Toffee

Don’t waste your money on store-bought treats this Christmas. This recipe only takes four ingredients to make a homemade impression on your friends.

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Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines

Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines

This New Orleans favorite is always a must-bake during the holidays.

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Mississippi Mud Medallions

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Medallions

These four-ingredient bites are an easy snack to make with the kids while they’re out of school this season.

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Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

A simple shortbread base separates this festive toffee recipe from its counterparts.

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By Mary Shannon Wells