Break out the spatula and grab a tween (or, heck, a 6-year-old), because I’ve got nine of my absolute favorite homemade holiday food gifts that will wow your favorite teacher, aunt, or UPS delivery person. All of these food gifts are dead easy to make and package nicely. Figgy pudding, they are not.
Top: Peanut Brittle | King Arthur Flour
Related: Our fantastic Cool Mom Eats gift guides, all in one place!
8 of my favorite homemade holiday food gifts
Chocolate Turtles
My mom was a teacher and each holiday season my sister and I eagerly anticipated one her students giving her homemade chocolate turtles. They’re the best. I love the recipe for Homemade Chocolate Pecan Turtles at The Tasty Bite: just four ingredients and lots of tips.
Apple Butter
Grab a mix of apples and let your slow cooker do the work. The recipe for Slow Cooker Apple Butter at My Baking Addiction yields a heavenly scented treat that works equally well on a muffin as it does on a pork chop. Plus, it looks lovely in a simple mason jar with a pretty hand-tied bow.
Poundcake
Poundcake keeps surprisingly well and is just as good after the second or third day, making it an excellent holiday gift. Plus, so many varieties! The Pumpkin Poundcake with Chocolate by Sara Kieffer at The Vanilla Bean Blog has all that I love: rich spices, chocolate, and a beautiful presentation. Just be sure to really grease the pan!
Related: 9 more easy, delicious homemade food gifts for the holidays.
Infused Booze
Making flavored vodka for your happy-hour loving co-worker is surprisingly easy. Pop over to Martha Stewart for her tutorial on How to Make Flavored Vodka and see for yourself. While you’re at it, you may even want to make extra for yourself.
Spiced Nuts
I gift a variation of spiced bar nuts almost every year, and lately I’ve been loving the Bourbon Old Fashioned Glazed Pecans at Serious Eats. The bourbon adds a little somethin’ somethin’ to make them worthy of teachers. And, as always with nuts, keep a watchful eye on them so that they don’t burn.
Flavored Salt
If you’re short on time, I love the idea of a flavored salt like the Garden Herb Salt at Uproot Kitchen. With a quick dry in a low-temp oven, fresh herbs and coarse salt create a delicious seasoning for everything from fish to veggies. Make sure to package the combination in pretty little jars for gifting.
Related: Mouthwatering edible stocking stuffers for everyone on your list.
Candy Brittle
Brittle can often be tricky, which is why I like the Peanut Brittle recipe at King Arthur Flour. It’s made entirely in the microwave (doing away with the need for a candy thermometer) and requires only simple pantry ingredients. Salty and sweet, this brittle is as addictive as it is festive.
Allergy-Friendly Baked Goods
My kindergartener’s teacher is allergic to egg, so I’ve been on the lookout for recipes like these egg and dairy-free Homemade Brownies at Little House Living. These are delicious enough to give to everyone on your list, and safe for all eaters too. Also a plus: they’re so easy to make that my 5-year-old can help.
Homemade Granola
Kate found this awesome Gingerbread Granola at One Dish Kitchen for last year’s homemade holiday food gift guide and I still want it. A classic combination amped up with holiday spices, it’s the gift I may just make for myself this year.
