The Christmas season is well-known for its wide array of delicious baking, sweet treats, and indulgent foods. Canadians are no exception to this tradition – we all love Christmas treats!

If you’re looking for baking inspiration or something to bring to a holiday party, we’ve gathered a collection of Canadian favourites. With some traditional recipes and some beloved classics, this list has it all. 

Let’s take a look!

Nanaimo Bars

This first Christmas recipe comes from Western Canada, specifically British Columbia.

Nanaimo bars are rich, chocolatey three-layer bars that are quintessentially Canadian. The best part about this recipe? It’s no-bake.

If you’re looking for a fun twist on the classic, try adding crushed, Unsalted Peanuts to your Nanaimo Bar base. You can’t go wrong with peanuts and chocolate!

Fruit Cake

Fruit cake is a Christmas tradition in many parts of the world, including Canada. Cultures have been mixing their own versions of this holiday cake since the Middle Ages. In Canada, fruit cake typically includes candied fruits and nuts, and often has a sweet icing on top. 

During the holidays, fruit cake at most grocery stores and in many small shops, making it the perfect thank-you gift for a host. The best version of fruit cake, however, is usually homemade. This Canadian recipe uses a mix of warm spices and dried fruits to give the cake its signature aromatic taste. 

For a non-traditional Fruitcake, consider swapping a portion of the dried fruit in the recipe with Gumdrops for an extra pop of colour.

Gingerbread

When you think of holiday baking, gingerbread is probably one of the first desserts to come to mind. Whether it’s elaborate gingerbread houses or bite-sized gingerbread men, this traditional cookie recipe is full of Christmas cheer.

The gingerbread cookies we know in Canada today stem from Medieval European traditions, where they were often found at fairs. And, gingerbread houses are said to have been found as early as the 1500s in Germany!

The most fun part of creating gingerbread is usually decorating. Here are the best candies for fun and beautiful gingerbread decorations!

Gumdrop Cake

Outside of Canada, Gumdrop cake is essentially unheard of. However, for many families in Eastern Canada and the Maritimes, Gumdrop cake is a holiday essential.

Similar to fruitcake, this delicious baked good features festive mix-ins. Some recipes include nuts and dried fruit in addition to gumdrops. 

Where to Buy Baking Gums in Canada

Gumdrops, also known as Baking Gums, can be hard to find throughout Canada. To make holiday baking easy, Cottage Country offers baking gumdrops in both regular and bulk formats online, with shipping available across Canada.

What makes these gumdrop candies unique is that they are designed to withstand baking without bleeding colour or dissolving. Instead, they soften while baking and maintain their distinctive shape and colour.

Rocky Road Fudge

Rocky Road fudge isn’t an exclusively Canadian holiday treat, but it sounds like it should be. Maybe it should be renamed Rocky Mountain fudge?


This recipe is no-bake, making it a great option to prepare ahead of time. For fun mix-ins, try Unsalted Peanuts and Chocolate Rosebuds.

Gumdrop Cookies

Looking for an alternative to gumdrop cake that’s a bit quicker to whip up? Try this recipe for Gumdrop Cookies! 

Baking Gums are the best way to add some colour to these tasty cookies.

Holiday Baking with Cottage Country

Baking and creating sweet treats are among the best ways to get into the festive spirit. Plus, your home will be filled with delightful scents and even more delicious baked goods.

To simplify holiday baking and ensure it’s a joy-filled experience, Cottage Country offers a wide variety of baking essentials and candy treats. Grab a bag of your favourites and share with family and friends this Christmas!

Find everything you need for the holidays online at Cottage Country, or in stores across Canada. Merry Christmas from Cottage Country!