Giftworthy Christmas Candy
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recipe: Buttermilk-Pecan Pralines
Simultaneously crunchy, creamy, fudgy, and sweet, these nutty pralines are a holiday staple.
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Mississippi Mud Medallions
Recipe: Mississippi Mud Medallions
You can substitute mini marshmallows for espresso beans.
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Potato Candy
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
Recipe: Citrus Mints
Use powdered sugar to keep the dough from sticking to your hands.
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Salty Chocolate-Pecan Candy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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By Southern Living Southern Living