Still Stuck for Gift Ideas?! 45 Edible Gifts to Whip Up for Everyone on Your List
It’s hard to believe we’re already a few days away from Xmas. (Seriously, where did 2014 go?) With tree decorating, holiday parties and Christmas decor DIYs, it’s a miracle we can even tie our shoes. If you’re still struggling to think of gift ideas for your loved ones, we’re here to help. We’ve been curating holiday gift guides for a while now, and here’s one for all the foodies in your life. Cookies, caramels, hot cocoa mix and homemade hot sauce, Oh my! Check out these 45 edible gift ideas you can cook up in your kitchen this weekend.
1. Homemade Cookie Butter: Has anything ever sounded (or tasted) as delicious as cookie butter? The best part: You can make these using ANY type of cookie. (via A Beautiful Mess)
2. Holiday Bark: With no baking involved, bark has got to be the easiest treat to make. Try out this trio in classic holiday flavors like peppermint and s’mores. (via Brit + Co)
3. Hot Chocolate on a Stick: Nothing beats a steaming mug of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s day. Make the process more fun by gifting these little hot chocolates on a stick. Just stir it around in the warm milk and voila. (via Evermine)
4. Walnut Mushroom Cookies: Whether you like or hate mushrooms, you will love these cute-as-a-button mushroom cookies. The stems are made out of a walnut dough and filled with deliciousness like cookie crumbs and jam. (via Mitzy At Home)
5. Lavender Simple Syrup: This simple syrup is a simple way to add a sweet, aromatic taste to holiday cocktails and beverages. Extra points for the pretty lavender color that’s infused into it as well. (via Evermine)
6. Homemade Mincemeat: Don’t worry, this isn’t actual meat. Mincemeat is a delicious mix of dried fruit cooked with spices that’s used to make pies. Bake these and your kitchen will smell like the holidays. (via It’s Organised)
7. Imperial Stout Marshmallows: These stout marshmallows are just the toasty, smokey flavor your hot chocolate needs. Be sure to keep the kids away from ’em. (via Recipe Fiction)
8. Mozzarella Hostess Gifts: We tend to think of holiday foods as mostly sugary-sweet confections, but who would say no to a jar of fresh mozzarella cheese? (via Pretty Hungry)
9. Mini Strawberry Shortcake: Mason jars are a favorite here at Brit + Co, especially when they’re filled with decadent desserts. ‘Cause sometimes things just taste better when they’re tiny and fun to eat. (via Evermine)
10. Pie Pops: And speaking of mini desserts, what better way to gift your favorite homemade pie than in pie pop form? Wrap a ribbon around the stick to make it look extra festive. (via Celebrations at Home)
11. Infused Olive Oil: Olive oil may seem like a basic gift, but not when it’s infused with flavors like citrus, herb and chili. These cute lil’ bottles are the ideal size for gifting. (via Brit + Co)
12. Peppermint Meringues: So light and so pretty. Whip up a giant batch of these in one go and give them to everyone you know. (via Lady Ott)
13. Marshamallow Sandwich Cookies: Homemade marshmallows stuffed between cookies and rolled in sprinkles? Yes, please. We’ll take a few dozen. (via Sugar et al)
14. Pumpkin Spice Syrup: Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING hits us flat in the face every holiday season. And while you may be over the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, there’s a reason this flavor is so popular… it’s just plain delish. (via Evermine)
15. Chocolate Almond Nougat: Rich and decadent, nougat is made for indulgent holiday eating. The beautiful wrapping makes it even more special and festive. (via Butter Baking)
16. Caramel Sauce: Don’t you just want to lick a giant spoonful of that? And here’s the crazy awesome kicker: This caramel sauce is paleo and gluten-free. (via Meaningful Eats)
17. Hot Chocolate Mix: Hot Chocolate mix is one of the easiest things to make, but still a surefire way to please everyone. Don’t forget the mini ‘mallows. (via Kleinworth and Co)
18. Alphabet Cookies: Why make the usual Christmas tree and reindeer sugar cookies when you can make alphabet ones and customize it for each guest? Spell out their names or a holiday greeting for a truly unique gift. (via It’s Hannah Li)
19. Seasonal Fruit Leathers: Something as simple as fruit leather is instantly made holiday-worthy by some ingenious packaging. (via Whole Living)
20. DIY Hot Sauce: Add some to heat to the winter season with homemade bottled hot sauce. (via Just Putzing Around the Kitchen)
21. Candied Pecans: Infused with cinnamon and spices, these candied pecans are easy to make and taste so much better than the store-bought kind. Hand out jarfuls of them for a yummy holiday snack. (via Two of a Kind)
22. Toasted Coconut Butter: Just saying the words toasted coconut butter makes our mouths water. This may be rich and decadent, but not as bad for your health as you might think. (via Kleinworth and Co)
23. Butterfinger Fudge: How could we have a holiday food post without including fudge? This Butterfinger version is unlike any fudge you’ve had before. (via Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe)
24. Homemade Bitters: While food is obviously the major theme here, we can’t forget about holiday cocktails. These orange and cherry bitters will jazz up any drink and make it holiday-worthy. (via Evermine)
25. Boozy Bacon Jam: Here are two words that we love: Bacon and boozy. This might just be the best. idea. ever. (via Spoon Fork Bacon)
26. Lime and Coconut Crinkle Cookies: Traditional holiday flavors are great and all, but why not try something a little different this year? Add some tropical flair to your gifts with these lime and coconut cookies. (via My Kitchen Antics)
27. Citrus Olive Oil Cookies: These cookies are perfect for someone who doesn’t like cloyingly sweet desserts. The olive oil and citrus pack a whole lotta Mediterranean flavor. (via Juls’ Kitchen)
28. White and Dark Chocolate Truffles: A chocolate lover’s dream, these white-chocolate-wrapped dark chocolate truffles can be made into any shape by using candy molds. (via Wallflower Girl)
29. Kumquat and Honey Marmalade: Kumquats and honey sound like spring, but this is a treat that can be enjoyed all year round. Plus your home will smell ah-mazing after whipping it up. (via Nosh On It)
30. Mezcal Spiked Caramels: Salted caramel is a flavor that you can never go wrong with, and when you go and spike it with mezcal… well, you’re just going to have to try it to find out how incredible it is. (via Brit + Co)
31. DIY Cupcake in a Jar: You may be thinking: Red Velvet cupcakes? How blah. But sometimes a classic is a classic for a reason, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Layer frosting and cake into a jar for a treat that never gets old. (via Cakies)
32. Candied Red Grapefruit Peel: Sweet and tangy, these candied grapefruit peels taste great on their own or used as cocktail garnishes. Dip ’em in chocolate for an extra special gift. (via Daily Squeeze)
33. Homemade Ketchup: Ketchup is something we use without thinking about and never really notice the flavor of. Now is the time to elevate the most basic of condiments by combining it with flavors like apricot and cinnamon. Bring on the sweet potato fries. (via Nadel and Gabel)
34. Rosemary-Lemon Sea Salt: Skip the expensive, store-bought sea salt and make your own at home for a gift that’s gourmet yet affordable. (via As Easy as Apple Pie)
35. Pecan Spice Cookie Brittle: We love it when two favorites combine to make a new and delicious dessert, like this cookie brittle. They’re perfect for dunking in cold glasses of milk. (via Nibbles and Nosh)
36. Homemade Oregano Pesto: Pesto is quite the versatile food. You can make sandwiches with it, use it in pasta and smother it on eggs. Switch things up a little by making batches of oregano pesto instead of the usual basil variety. (via Evermine)
37. Chocolate Spiced Gingerbread: Make these in the traditional gingerbread man shape or other holiday-themed shapes (like snowflakes) for a gift everyone is guaranteed to love. (via Spicy Ice Cream)
38. Creamsicle Marshmallows: If there’s any candy recipe you should master for the holiday season, it’s marshmallows. They can be made in so many flavors and are the perfect addition to other gifts, like spicy hot cocoa. (via Savvy Eats)
39. Homemade Barbecue Sauce: Barbecue sauce isn’t the most festive of foods, but hey, if it’s delicious, why not? This is a gift your friends and family will love to use year-round. (via Alyssa and Carla)
40. Vanillekipferl: These vanilla crescent cookies are a classic Austrian Christmas cookie. Toss them in vanilla sugar while they’re warm to give them their distinct taste, and a snowy look. (via Strudel and Cream)
41. Mocha Dulce de Leche: Dulce de Leche is a thick caramel made with condensed milk (why isn’t everything made with condensed milk??), and the mocha flavor takes the whole thing to new, delicious levels. (via Kleinworth and Co)
42. No-Bake Bourbon Balls: There’s something about liquor in edible form that makes it so much more exciting than its drinkable form. Get creative and roll these balls in all your favorite flavors. (via Brit + Co)
43. Vanilla Caramel Liqueur: Rum, vanilla, condensed milk… that’s all you need to make this easy-peasy liqueur that’ll warm everyone’s bellies this winter season. (via Sabrina Sue)
44. Little Bear Buns: We can barely control our glee over these adorable buns. The only problem? You may not be able to convince yourself to eat these cute little guys. (via Lauren Conrad)
45. Edible Gift Tag Cookies: The holidays are about two things: Food and gifts. So why not combine the two and gift everyone edible gift tags? (via She Knows)
Which of these edible goodies will you be gifting this year? Do you have your own favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments below.