Figuring out holiday presents can be tough, but these homemade food gifts will be perfect for friends and family. From sweet brandied pears to savory pickled radish, there are tons of recipes that you can give to those you love this Christmas.
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Chocolate flapjacks
These oat chocolate flapjacks are the perfect sweet treat for the kids. They're healthy but delicious and flavorful, and dipping them in melted dark chocolate makes them even more delightful!
Dark chocolate flapjacks are easy to make, so bake them with family or friends for a fun activity.
Pecan Pralines
Pecan pralines are a classic Southern Christmas goodie that makes for some of the best edible gifts. One bite of these pralines is crunchy, crumbly, and will melt in your mouth.
Pecans have a lovely nutty taste that has just the right amount of sweet-saltiness from the butter and brown sugar. It has a subtle nutty, caramel flavor that will have all of your friends wanting more!
Sloe Port
A bottle of sloe part is the ideal food gift for all your friends! Cover fresh sloe berries with plenty of sugar, wine, and brandy to create a drink with an incredibly complex flavor. Fresh sloe is too tart to eat, so it's better for soaking in wine.
The port wine takes on a deep richness with a subtle prune-like taste. They can enjoy a glass of sloe port during the holidays to keep their spirits festive and warm.
Lemon Chutney
Lemon chutney is a tangy recipe that you have to include in this year's holiday gift box. Not only is it delicious, but a jar of this chutney has a long shelf life. The lemon zest gives the sauce its acidity, while the spices and onions add savory flavors.
It's the perfect blend of sweet and salty that pairs wonderfully with plenty of dishes. Use it in sandwiches, curries, or cheeseboards!
Malteser Rocky Road
If you're looking for a homemade gift for your friend with a sweet tooth, make them a big batch of Malteser Rocky Road. Stir crunchy Maltesers and marshmallows in melted chocolate for an incredibly decadent treat.
Christmas is the perfect time for decadence, so hand these out and see how much everyone will smile!
Amaretto Cherries
Store-bought amaretto cherries can cost a ton, so make these at home instead! It's much easier than you may think. You'll be able to make a few jars of these cherries in less than 30 minutes. Enjoy them fresh, or let them marinate for more flavor.
These boozy cherries are perfect for a winter cocktail or desserts like ice cream and cake.
Sloe Gin
If you enjoyed the taste of sloe port, try making this sloe gin as well. The gin gives the drink notes of cardamom and citrus, that blend beautifully with the sloe berries.
Pour it over a glass of ice, or turn it into a new drink! Negronis, gin fizz, or even a spiked hot chocolate will all work with this yummy food gift.
Dried Apricot Chutney
Chutneys are some of the best homemade food gifts to give during the holiday season! They last for a long time and can be used with many dishes. Dried apricots are soaked and their liquid is used in cooking the chutney, giving it a lovely, sweet flavor.
The cinnamon gives the chutney a warmth that brings out the fruitiness of dried fruit. A jar of this should be eaten with crackers, nuts, or pork.
Brandied Pears
Brandied pears are one of the classiest food gifts. Gently simmer pears in brandy and spices to make a warm and flavorful dessert. The fresh fruit takes on a tender texture and soaks up the complex flavor of brandy.
Pair the pears with ice cream and chopped nuts for the best results! You can make this dessert ahead of time to save prep time on Christmas day.
Mrs. Balls Chutney
Give a jar of this incredible South African chutney this year! Its unique flavor comes from cooking dried fruits in malt vinegar, onions, and cayenne pepper. It's deep and rich while having a bit of a kick.
Slather this savory chutney in a sandwich, curries, and a cheeseboard! It's a shelf-stable treat that is perfect to give out during Christmas dinner.
Sloe Vodka
If you love the taste of sloe berries, this is the drink to make! It has all the tartness of the sloe berries and the sweetness of the sugar. The alcohol used does not have as strong a flavor as brandy or wine, so you can taste the fruit inside.
Move over espresso martinis! Sloe is the best drink for Christmas, and it makes for wonderful gifts. I recommend enjoying a glass of sloe with dishes that have an earthy flavor. They really complement each other.
Peanut Butter Coconut Balls
If your guests aren't fans of chocolate, these peanut butter coconut balls will do just the trick. Shredded coconut and peanut butter give the Christmas treat its signature nutty taste.
These peanut butter balls make for great food gifts because they're delicious but are low in sugar. More people can enjoy them without worrying about diets!
If you want a crunchier treat, add in some chopped peanuts.
Malteser Tiffin
These Malteser tiffin snacks are a chocolate-packed delight! Crunchy Maltesers are covered in milk and dark chocolate for the ultimate treat. It's crispy, but the chocolate melts in your mouth.
Not only will the kids love it, but the adults will too! Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee to balance out all that sweetness.
Make these ahead of time and wrap them in cellophane for a cute present!
Pineapple Chutney
This tropical chutney is a wonderful one-pot recipe that is perfect for Christmas. With the help of ginger root, each bite is nice and warm. You can make plenty of jars of this chutney in one go, so it's an easy way to make many food gifts at once.
The vegan chutney brings a lot of brightness to dishes, so I recommend enjoying it with meats or tacos. You might enjoy its flavors so much, though, you'll simply enjoy them with crackers!
Caramel sauce
Did you know you could make a jar of homemade caramel sauce in just 10 minutes? Well, it's true! All you need is sugar, heavy cream, butter and salt. It may be simple, but caramel sauce adds so much to Christmas desserts.
Drizzle it on cake, pancakes, or ice cream for a touch of decadence.
Soft Sugar Cookies
It's not Christmas without sugar cookies! They're Santa's favorite treat at the end of the day. Classic cookies are already soft, but this recipe uses sour cream to make them extra delicate.
These cookies already melt in your mouth but sprinkle on some colorful decorations to take them to the next level. Everyone will snatch them up before your very eyes!
Chocolate Bark
Chocolate bark is such an amazing present to give others this year! A thin layer of chocolate is topped with nuts and pretzels for a crunchy snack.
There are many toppings you can add to this recipe. I like to add dried cherries as their tart taste pairs wonderfully with the nuts. To make things even better, it's so pretty! Wrap it in colorful cellophane before gifting it to others.
Hot Cocoa Mix
Move over coffee! Christmas is the time for the perfect hot cocoa. This recipe makes a big batch of hot cocoa mix, so you can enjoy this drink all winter long.
It has the classic ingredients like cocoa powder, but it also has the optional ingredient of cinnamon. Which I recommend adding in. The cinnamon adds a bit of heat and warmth that makes this hot cocoa stand out from the store-bought mix.
Pickled Daikon
The best thing about giving pickled veggies for Christmas is that they only get better with time. This recipe uses daikon radish, which is a great crunchy root vegetable that soaks up anything it's soaked in. With the help of red chilies, this recipe has a nice hint of spice.
The pickled radish is typically enjoyed on salads, meat dishes, or rice. I recommend adding it to smoky dishes as well because its acidity will balance out the meal.
Sesame Seed Crackers
Once you try these sesame seed candies, you'll never look at normal crackers the same way again. The sesame seeds and nuts give a wonderfully nutty taste while maltose adds a nice caramel-like sensation.
They have all the crunch of a typical cracker, but they're not so hard that they'll break a tooth! The candy is vegan and gluten-free, so everyone can have a bite!
Granola
Give your friends the best breakfast topping this year! This chocolatey granola is a crunchy, nutty addition to yogurt, fruit, or even waffles.
It's a healthy edible gift that you can tweak to everyone's liking. If you want to give it some more heat and warmth, cinnamon or ginger is a fantastic addition.
What food is good to give as a gift?
It's best to give food items that are shelf-stable and easy to store. You want to give them a snack that they don't have to consume immediately.
What is a great gift for a foodie?
Choose food gifts that relate to their favorite snacks. If they're a big fan of nuts, gift them something unique like Marcona almonds to add to their collection.
What is a food housewarming gift?
Pantry staples are the perfect housewarming gift. Moving is already expensive, so helping them save money by filling up their food staples will be greatly appreciated.
Can food be a birthday gift?
Absolutely! Homemade food gifts are a fun twist on typical birthday presents.
What does it mean to give food as a gift?
Giving food as a present has traditionally been a sign of friendship. It's a beautiful way to show platonic love to those you care for.
Why is food a good gift?
Food is an affordable present, but a homemade present also shows how much love and care you have for the other person.
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