You’ll probably be hard-pressed to find anyone who will pass up a homemade gift of food, especially at Christmas. So, why not take advantage of that. If you love to bake, not only will you enjoy whipping up a variety of yummy treats, you’ll generally save money in the process too. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Hot Chocolate Jars
Who doesn’t love a cup of hot chocolate during the cold winter months? Putting these together takes no time at all, and is every bit as thoughtful as other homemade goodies. There are many variations of this classic treat to choose from, some of which include adding ground cinnamon, chili powder or even crushed candy cane pieces. If you want a creamier hot chocolate, try adding a scoop of non-dairy creamer.
Mini Sweet Breads
Sweet breads are a nice change of pace from the usual Christmas favorites, and you can really go as simple or complex as you want. Try using mini loaf pans for a trio box, or make full-sized loaves and cut them into thick slices.
Jams and Jellies
Homemade jams are a great choice for a DIY gift because you can make a different flavor for everyone. There are all kinds of recipes out there that feature fruits, veggies, or even bacon. These jellies can be enjoyed on a simple cracker or even alone. You can also make a simple bread or cookie to give them as a complementary gift.
Assorted Cookie Box
Christmas cookies are a time-honored tradition for many families. But, Santa doesn’t have to be the only one who gets to enjoy them. Make a dozen of each of several kinds of cookies, and put a couple of each kind into gift boxes.
Bourbon Balls
These bite-sized treats need time to cool after you make them in order to tame the bold bourbon flavor. But, they are a great dessert for a holiday party, as well as a delicious stocking stuffer. If you’re looking for an alternative to the bourbon flavor, try making rum balls instead.
Chocolate Bark
Chocolate bark is a treat made by layering crushed candies (usually peppermint) onto chocolate. There are an endless amount of custom bark recipes to choose from, meaning that you could give out a different delicious bark every year.
Biscotti
There’s nothing better than hand-made biscotti. These twice-baked Italian biscuits are typically made with almond extract, making it easy to pair with a wide variety of dried fruits, nuts and chocolate. The end result is a delicately sweet, almost too-pretty-to-eat dessert that everyone will enjoy. Make them a few days before handing them out so the flavors have time to meld.
As you might guess, this is just a teeny-tiny part of all the homemade Christmas food gift ideas available. Pinterest is a fantastic option if you’re interested in coming up with additional ideas. In the end, whatever recipes you decide on, it’s almost a sure bet that your thoughtfulness (and baking talent) will be remembered for weeks or months to come. Just one last thing. Don’t forget cookies for Santa!
