I am super excited to bring you this post today filled with ideas for Easy Holiday Homemade Food Gifts! This weekend I will be baking and organizing the rest of my teacher and friend gifts and I thought this would be helpful if you are too! Some of these recipes are mine and others are taken from some of my favorite blogs. Holiday Homemade Food Gifts reminds people that they are loved and appreciated because of the time and effort that goes into making these gifts.
Many of these gifts you can gift in Mason Jars so I bought a case of them on amazon, but you can also find the jars in Michaels. You could also get a pack of clear cello bags from amazon, Michaels or Target and tie it with a festive ribbon. All of these recipes make a big batch (enough for multiple gifts) so you only have to choose 1 or 2 of them and you will be all set for this season!
Rosemary and Spiced Glazed Pecans
This recipe has half the sugar compared to traditional Glazed Pecans. I also added rosemary and spices to lighten up these yummy glazed pecans (original recipe). These are the perfect gift for someone who is gluten free or would like a less guilty indulgence. I also love to make these for nibbling when I am having company over.
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw pecans
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp all spice
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 egg white
- 4 tsp water
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 250 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat the egg in a bowl until frothy
- Whisk the water and vanilla into the egg
- Stir the sugar, spices, salt and rosemary into the egg mixture
- Add the pecans; stir to coat completely
- Spread the pecans onto the prepared baking sheet
- Roast the pecans in the preheated oven, stirring about every 15 minutes, until the coating forms a glaze, about 45 mins - 1 hour
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet at least 10 minutes before serving
Notes
- This recipe can be made with any raw nut. You can do 1lb of the same nut or a 1lb of a combination of nuts.
- I filled 3 16oz mason jars, but you can package these any way you would like.
Holiday Spiced Granola
My Simple Nutty Granola dressed up with molasses and holiday spices! A great gift for your healthy friend or teacher.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats I love the Trader Joes ones
- ¼ cup ground flax seed
- 1 TBS cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 2 tbs oil canola or avocado - you can also use coconut or olive oil but they will change the taste of the granola
- 2 TBS maple syrup or honey
- 2 TBS molasses
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chopped mixed nuts
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325
- Whisk oil, maple syrup, molasses and vanilla
- Mix together oats, flax, spices and nuts in a medium bowl
- Add wet ingredients and mix through
- Spread mixture on a lined 11x17 pan
- Bake for 20 mins – stir and rotate pan half way through baking time
- Let cool 5-10 minutes
Almondella
Brought to you from love and lemons! I love this idea and think it would be great for any friend you know who loves nut butters! I am going to send a jar of this to my nieces this year. Here’s a delicious, healthy version of nutella made with almonds. It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten free, and only three ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy almond butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate around 50% cacao
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine the almond butter, chocolate, and coconut oil in a medium glass bowl.
- Make a double boiler by placing the glass bowl over a smaller pot filled with simmering water.
- Stir often, as the chocolate slowly melts. Once the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, remove the bowl from heat.
- Let the spread cool and set (at room temp, or pop it in the fridge for a little bit).
- Store at room temperature in an airtight jar.
Healthy Dairy Free Dried Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti
These are perfect for dunking so ideal for a friend or teacher you know who loves coffee! I love to give these with a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts Gift card.
Healthy Dairy Free Biscotti with Dried Cranberries and Pistachios
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 8 oz pistachios
- 6-8 oz dried cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 egg
- 2 egg white
- 2 3/4 - 3 cups flour reserve a 1/4 cup of flour for when forming your logs
- 1 tbs baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven to 325
- Whisk egg, egg white, vanilla and sugar in a bowl
- Then Fold in dry Ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt)
- Last fold nuts and dried fruit
- Flour your hands really well (with the extra 1/4 cup of flouand divide dough into 4 logs on a parchment lined baking sheet (about 10-12 inches long and 2 inches wide)
- Bake 25 minutes - cool 15 minutes
- Slice logs diagonal about 3/4 inch thick -
- Place back on baking sheet and arrange sides up
- Bake 5-10 minutes minutes more
Notes
- Mini Chocolate Chips and Walnuts
- Just Almonds
- Almonds and Dried Cherries
- Almonds and Dried Apricots
- Pecans and Dried Cranberries
- Fig and Hazelnuts
Easy Pretzel Bark Bark
It is easy and so delicious! This pretzel bark comes together with 4 ingredients with no special tools necessary and you can customize it with your favorite toppings. I personally love crushed peppermints, but my children love the sprinkle version. You could also add chopped nuts or shredded coconut. Note this is also a great addition to a dessert table at a holiday party because it is easy to grab and chat. I like to make this as a nice treat for the UPS, Mailman and Fedex workers.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips dark, semi-sweet or a combination
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup topping peppermint pieces, sprinkles, chopped nuts, shredded coconut…
- 3 ounces pretzel twists
Instructions
- Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper
- Pour your chocolate and coconut oil into a medium glass bowl that can be placed in the microwave
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, take out and stir until there are no chunks and it is smooth. If it is not smooth, microwave in 10-20 second intervals. You can burn your chocolate so be careful to do it in short increments. Every microwave is different but it took mine just over a 1 minute.
- Spread chocolate out with a spatula into a thin layer which will cover almost the entire piece of parchment paper
- Cover the chocolate with pretzels
- Sprinkle on topping of choice
- Freeze for 15-20 minutes
- Break into pieces. Save for a holiday platter or portion into bags/jars for gifts.
- Store extra in a zip lock bag or container in a cool place.
Ranch Crackers
I find these to be a super fun hostess or friend gift. I often gift with a bottle of wine or some fun beer! They come together super fast and you can buy the crackers in bulk on amazon.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces of soup/oyster crackers can substitute saltines
- 1/4 cup oil canola, avocado or any neutral tasting oil
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning buy or make your own = 1 tsp dried dill weed, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Measure your spices if making your own seasoning.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the spices and oil and then add the crackers and mix until throughly combined.
- Pour onto sheet pan and spread into a single layer.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or a golden brown color. Mix halfway through the cooking time.
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and serve in a bowl or full jars as a fun savory gift.
Healthy Sweet Potato Gingerbread Loaf
I love making a big batch of little loaves for neighbors and friends for an easy breakfast during the crazy busy holiday season.
Sweet Potato Gingerbread
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 3 cups flour I used 2 1/4 whole wheat 3/4 oat - see notes for gluten free
- 1 teaspoon baking powder see notes for gluten free
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup neutral oil
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup honey or maple
- 2/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 15 ounce can sweet potato puree (you can also bake a sweet potato and use 1 1/2 cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium size bowl, mix flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and flaxseed.
- In a liquid measuring cup or bowl measure molasses, honey, oil and water and whisk together
- Next measure and whisk applesauce, eggs and pumpkin into the liquid measuring cup or bowl until thoroughly combined
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Pour into lined or lightly greased muffin tins or loaf pans
- Bake 12-15 minutes for mini muffins, 22 minutes for regular size muffins, 30 mins for smaller loaves (7x 2 1/2) 45 mins - 1 hour for large loaves(9x 3 1/2)
- When you touch them, they will bounce back and you will know its ready
Notes
Homemade Soup!
I love this idea from Naptime Kitchen. An easy, budget friendly Christmas gift for a friend or neighbor. People are going to inundated with sweets during the holidays season, and instead having a healthy lunch or meal they don’t have to think about could really be helpful. I am including her vegan black bean soup recipe as she does in her post but any healthy homemade soup is a great idea!
Ingredients
- 6 cans black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 12oz. jars of salsa (**this is where I used 1 jar salsa verde)
- 32 ounces vegetable broth can sub chicken broth if don’t need it to be vegan
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 red pepper diced
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tbs EVOO or any oil of choice
- S&P to taste
Instructions
- Start by sautéing the diced onion and red pepper in a little EVOO in the pot for about 5 minutes.
- Next, add everything else. Yep…all of it.
- Let this simmer on the stove at least 30 minutes (I let mine simmer for like 4 hours!).
- Once done simmering, use an immersion blender (here is the link for minto bring the soup to the desired consistency you want (I like to leave mine a little chunky).
- If you do not have an immersion blender, you could blend it in a blender or food processor. Just leave part out of the blender if you want a nice consistency of part chunky part creamy.
- Serve with sour cream and cheese for topping. And perhaps some raw red onion or avocado! I made cheese quesadillas to go with ours.
Mini Chocolate Cups
Easy Holiday Chocolate Cups come together with minimal ingredients and time and are a super fun holiday treat or gift! I love to pair them with a bottle of wine as a hostess gift. They are also great teacher gifts with a nice candle or tea towel.
Equipment
- Silicone Baking Cups or 24 Mini Paper Cups
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate - any type works I personally love dark but sometimes only have semi sweet on hand
- 1 tbsp coconut oil - or any neutral oil
Topping Options:
- Nut Butter Swirl - peanut butter almond butter, cashew butter (my personal favorite), sunbutter
- Sprinkles - any type
- Pretzels
- Crushed Candy Canes
- Chopped Nuts
- Chopped Toffee
- Mini M&M’s
Instructions
- Set up a mini muffin silicone baking pan or cups or mini paper cups onto a plate or small baking sheet
- Set out your toppings of choice
- Pour your chocolate and coconut oil into a medium glass bowl that can be placed in the microwave
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, take out and stir until there are no chunks and it is smooth. If it is not smooth, microwave in 10-20 second intervals. You can burn your chocolate so be careful to do it in short increments. Every microwave is different but it took mine 1 minute + 20 seconds.
- Using a mini scoop or small teaspoon portion chocolate into each mini muffin spaces or 24 cups
- If using a nut butter use about 1/2 tsp per cup. Place it in the middle of the chocolate and using a toothpick swirl it in.
- Next, add remaining toppings of choice to each of your chocolates.
- When done place tray or plate into the freezer for 10 minutes to harden
- Enjoy or give as gifts!
These are incredible! And so addictive! My team loves them. These will be a staple for gift-giving for me.
Thank you!! So glad you all enjoyed!