Giftworthy Christmas Candy

By Southern Living

People love delicious food gifts for the holidays, and these Christmas candy recipes make it easy to be sweet. Of course pecans are one of the great nuts grown in the South, and they add a delicious crunch to sweet candy. You will love their flavors in the Christmas candy recipes for our Praline Pecans, Pecan Toffee, and Roasted Pecan Fudge. For even more Southern food gifts you can’t match Mrs. Floyd’s Divinity, Mississippi Mud Medallions, or Potato Candy. Grab some beautiful containers, decorate them with ribbons and bows, fill them with the delights you’ve made with these fantastic Christmas candy recipes, and share the joy of food gifts from your kitchen this holiday season. 

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Peppermint Divinity

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

Recipe: Peppermint Divinity

We restored this delightful turn-of-the-century heirloom, adding a delicious peppermint-flavored twist. 

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Salty-Sweet Nut Brittle

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

Recipe: Salty-Sweet Nut Brittle

This isn't your basic peanut brittle. Studded with peanuts, pecans, pistachios, and almonds, this recipe might be our best-ever nut brittle. 

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Ginger Bourbon Balls

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

Recipe: Ginger Bourbon Balls

This fresh take on the classic boozy confection features gingersnaps, crystallized ginger, and melted chocolate. 

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Fruitcake Bark

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

Recipe: Fruitcake Bark

Forget peppermint bark—we're going all in with fruitcake bark that's layered with candied fruit, nuts, and white chocolate. 

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Christmas Buttermints

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

Recipe: Christmas Buttermints

Traditionally colored in a rainbow of pastel hues, these homemade candies have a crisp, buttery richness and a refreshing minty flavor.

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Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines

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

Recipe: Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines

Simultaneously crunchy, creamy, fudgy, and sweet, these nutty pralines are a holiday staple. 

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Mississippi Mud Medallions

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mississippi Mud Medallions

You can substitute mini marshmallows for espresso beans.

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Potato Candy

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Potato Candy

This old-school candy reminds us of divinity and other traditional homemade Southern sweets. The recipe is a testament to the genius of thrifty cooks who based the confection on leftover mashed potatoes.

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Citrus Mints

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Citrus Mints

Use powdered sugar to keep the dough from sticking to your hands.

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Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy

The hardest part about making Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy is waiting for the chocolate to firm up before devouring it.

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Milk Chocolate-Peppermint Bark

Photo: Jennifer Davick/Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Milk Chocolate-Peppermint Bark

As if milk chocolate morsels and peppermint candies weren't perfect enough a mixture, we added rich cream-and-mint-filled chocolate sandwich cookies and salty pretzel sticks to our peppermint bark. This recipe is great for giving as gifts, but be sure to save a few pieces as a holiday treat for yourself.

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Red-and-Green Pistachio Bark

Recipe: Red-and-Green Pistachio Bark

Sometimes a rich, bite-sized nibble does the trick, whether enjoyed as a pampering pick-me-up or given as a special holiday gift.

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Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Shortbread serves as a base for this chocolaty pecan toffee. Pecan-Toffee Shortbread makes excellent food gifts, but make extra because it'll be hard to give this sweet treat away.

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Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels

A good Southerner doesn't let guests leave empty-handed. Give them a sweet sendoff with these addicting salty-sweet nibbles.

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Whole Grain Marshmallow Crispy Bars

Recipe: Whole Grain Marshmallow Crispy Bars

Crunchy, chewy, and full of cranberries - these bars are everything you crave during the holidays.

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Pecan Toffee

Recipe: Pecan Toffee

The tender-crisp texture of this rich toffee will quickly make it your holiday guilty pleasure.

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Easy Swirled Fudge

Jennifer Davick / Styling Buffy Harget

Recipe: Easy Swirled Fudge

Stack Easy Swirled Fudge between layers of colored card stock and parchment paper for a simple look.

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Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

Photo: Jennifer Davick / Styling Buffy Harget

Recipe: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

Fill inexpensive metal containers from crafts stores with Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies for a gift your neighbors and friends will love.

Video: Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies

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Velvety Pecan Candy

Jennifer Davick / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling Angela Sellers

Recipe: Velvety Pecan Candy

Make two batches of Velvety Pecan Candy, one each of chocolate and vanilla. Then prepare to see them disappear.

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Praline Pecans

Recipe: Praline Pecans

No matter how you make pralines–with brown sugar or white sugar, evaporated milk or buttermilk–they are one of the paramount Southern treats.

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Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Great things come in small packages! These pecan pie bites are small but full of flavor and just the right size for pass-along party desserts.

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Roasted Pecan Fudge

Jennifer Davick / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling Angela Sellers

Recipe: Roasted Pecan Fudge

This delectable holiday treat received our Test Kitchen's highest rating.

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Mrs. Floyd's Divinity

Recipe: Mrs. Floyd's Divinity

What better way to show your appreciation of friends and family than by giving packages of these delicious holiday confections.

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