Barks & Brittles Offer New Twist on Holiday Treats

Brittle, according to lore, was first made by mythical lumberjack Tony Beaver, who saved a town from flood by dumping peanuts and molasses in the stream. While that story is a bunch of poppycock, we agree that a good brittle — or bark — can perform miracles. Made of ingredients like chocolate, beer, chilé de arbol (a type of red chilé pepper), cashews, peppermint and more, our favorite barks and brittles are anything but run-of-the-mill.

And they’re perfect for gifting, holiday entertaining or late-night noshing. Forget sugar plums, these tasty treats are what holiday dreams are made of.

Check out eight of our favorite, locally-available, holiday treats.

1. BrittleBark: peanuts, pretzels, popcorn and caramel, drizzled with chocolate. • (Diane’s, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, (501) 224-2639)

3. Juanita’s Cashew Brittle • (Eggshells Kitchen Co., 5705 Kavanaugh Blvd., (501) 664-6900)

4. Candy Island Confections: chocolate peanut butter cream bark. • (Whole Foods Market, 10700 N. Rodney Parham Road, (501) 312-2326)

5. Brent’s Firey Beer Micro Brew Brittle: a beer-based brittle with a kick of chilé de arbol. • (Diane’s, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, (501) 224-2639)

6. Whole Foods Candy Island Confections English Toffee • (Whole Foods Market, 10700 N. Rodney Parham Road, (501) 312-2326)

7. Dufflet Small Indulgences Pure & Sweet Bittersweet Chocolate Crackle in toasted almond. • Diane’s, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, (501) 224-2639)
 
8. Andrews Peanut Brittle: made in Arkadelphia since 1955. • (Diane’s, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, (501) 224-2639)