50 Best Homemade Food Gifts to Make for Friends and Family
Everyone loves candy, cookies, and mixes in a jar!
If there's one rule you should follow when deciding on a gift for friends or family, it's giving a gift from the heart. And nothing evokes that feeling quite like a DIY gift that's handmade with care. When you make it a homemade food gift, like a box of Christmas candy, it's even better! That's why we've rounded up the best food gifts for Christmas this year, including mixes, bottled syrups, and lots and lots of classic Christmas cookies.
Ree Drummond, for one, is a huge fan of edible food gifts. She's known for delivering batches of her famous cinnamon rolls every year to friends and family. "Growing up, my mom always made these for her good friends at Christmastime," she says. "I've carried on the tradition through the years and have won friends and influenced people just by delivering these rolls." And yes, of course we included those on the list!
These ideas will have everyone on your list covered, whether you need something thoughtful to give a teacher, a DIY gift for Mom, or a cute stocking stuffer for the kids. And while most of these ideas are on the sweeter side ('tis the season for a sweet tooth, after all!), we did include a few items on the savory side like candied jalapeños and garlic-ranch party mix. So read on for the most delicious ideas to gift this year. They’re all sure to be a hit!
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Headed to a Christmas brunch? Bring this moist and tender cake as a gift. It can be made a day ahead, so you don't have to worry about waking up at the crack of dawn!
Get the Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe.
Pumpkin Truffles
Want something impressive that can be made well in advance? Try these perfectly seasonal pumpkin truffles, which can store safely in the freezer for up to a month.
Get the Pumpkin Truffles recipe.
Peanut Butter Fudge
No doubt, fudge is a Christmas classic. Why not really impress someone who loves peanut butter with this recipe instead? It lasts up to a week and stacks really nicely in packaging.
Get the Peanut Butter Fudge recipe.
Rainbow Cookies
You have to make these for a cookie swap anyway, so make another batch to gift. Because they are sandwiched with jam, they stay moister for longer. Plus, they're just so pretty!
Get the Rainbow Cookies recipe.
Apple Cinnamon Bread
Here's a great idea for you: Buy a pretty loaf pan, bake this moist, delicious bread in it, let it cool, and then wrap in cellophane. It's two gifts in one!
Get Ree's Apple Cinnamon Bread recipe.
Pecan Pralines
These classic Southern candies are quite literally the sweetest gift of them all! They pack really well in airtight tins filled with tissue paper and last up to a week.
Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.
Rum Balls
Warning: Adults only for this sweet treat! These festive bites certainly pack a punch and they will definitely be a hit. You can be really creative with the toppings to make them unique to the recipient, too.
Get the Rum Balls recipe.
Garlic-Ranch Party Mix
Prefer something savory? Gift this party mix to the host if you're headed to a holiday party. You can attach the recipe for them to make in the future, because you know they're going to ask for it!
Get Ree's Garlic-Ranch Party Mix recipe.
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Many Christmas cookies remain classics because not only do they taste good, but they store well. Here's a perfect example. They'll last up to a week between layers of parchment in say, that decorative cookie tin that you gift them!
Get the Mexican Wedding Cookies recipe.
Pizzelle
This classic Italian cookie looks so impressive thanks to the heated decorative iron that cooks them. Don't they look just like pretty snowflakes? Once they cool, they can stack really well in packaging.
Get the Pizzelle recipe.
Oreo Truffles
Want an easy hack to making gloriously chocolatey truffles? Make them with a package of Oreos and save so much time. This recipe yields three dozen, so you can make a ton of gifts in about an hour!
Get Ree's Oreo Truffles recipe.
Pinwheel Cookies
Another classic cookie to try gifting are these swirled delights. Not only are they delicious, but the dough can be made a few days in advance. Then when you know you're ready to gift, just slice and bake!
Get the Pinwheel Cookies recipe.
Pumpkin Bread
One of the keys to successful holiday baking is making larger batches so you can fill as many tummies as possible. This pumpkin bread recipe is a perfect example! It makes two loaves, and you can switch up the toppings and filling so easily.
Get the Pumpkin Bread recipe.
Candy Cane Cookies
Not only are these some of the most festive cookies you can gift, but they last really long, too! Because they are a shortbread-type cookie, they can last up to two weeks in the fridge... if they last that long, that is.
Get the Candy Cane Cookies recipe.
Hot Chocolate Bombs
You can find this trendy treat in stores, but making it at home is easier than you might think! You don't need any special equipment or candy-making skills. And it would make an adorable gift when paired with a festive holiday mug.
Get the Hot Chocolate Bombs recipe.
Sourdough Pecan Granola
Granola is a great idea, because it stores so well in mason jars. And well, mason jars are the perfect vessels to decorate if you want to get crafty! Plus, you can include a note with all the fun things they sprinkle this on: yogurt, ice cream, right in their mouths...
Get the Sourdough Pecan Granola recipe.
Brittle
This homemade brittle uses four types of nuts (cashews, pecans, peanuts, and almonds) for the ultimate wow factor. Pack it up in a pretty tin for gifting.
Get the Brittle recipe.
Gingerbread Muffins
Hosting a Christmas Eve party? Give these muffins out for guests to take home and enjoy on Christmas Day. It'll make for a nice surprise and a tasty morning.
Get the Gingerbread Muffins recipe.
Candied Orange Peel
You don't have to shell out a ton of money for Christmas gifting this year. Save the peels from three oranges, add sugar, and you have yourself a homemade gift!
Get the Candied Orange Peel recipe.
Buckeyes
Anyone who's a fan of chocolate and peanut butter will appreciate this homemade candy recipe. The no-bake treat is a crowd-pleaser for Christmas and beyond!
Get the Buckeyes recipe.
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
AnnMarie Mattila is the Commerce Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering products ranging from home, fashion, beauty, and more.
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