Your budget will appreciate these ideas just as much as your loved ones will! Here's a list of my top 20 favorite edible gifts: cookies that ship well, easy to make spice blends and sauces that I promise will not break the bank! They can be made in small jars, and shipped with ribbons and handwritten notes for a personal touch. For gifts that your friends and family will actually love, give these ideas a shot!
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1) Gingerbread Biscotti
All the warm spices of gingerbread in a crunchy cookie made for dunking and perfect for mailing!
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Gingerbread Biscotti
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, and baking powder.
- Beat the eggs, sugar, and molasses, then stir in the dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Shape into two logs on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
- Cool slightly, then slice each log on the diagonal.
- Lay the slices cut-side down and bake another 15 minutes until crisp.
- Cool completely before packing.
Notes
2) Peppermint Bark Fudge
This fudge combines two holiday classics by blending smooth chocolate and refreshing peppermint pieces.
Peppermint Bark Fudge
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the semisweet chips with the condensed milk over low heat until smooth.
- Spread the mixture into a lined 8-inch pan.
- Melt the white chocolate with the peppermint extract and drizzle over the top.
- Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and press gently.
- Chill until firm, then cut into squares.
3) Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
They not only have a buttery, crunchy feast goodness but the red and green bits look like Christmas.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the flour, sugar, and baking powder together.
- Beat in the eggs until a dough forms, then fold in the cranberries and pistachios.
- Shape into two logs on a lined sheet and bake at 350F for 25 minutes.
- Cool briefly, then slice on the diagonal.
- Lay cut-side down and bake another 15 minutes until crisp.
- Cool completely on a rack.
Notes
4) Homemade Toffee
You can taste the magic in that buttery snap, and after making your own toffee, you’ll never want to buy it again.
Homemade Toffee
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the butter, sugar, and water over medium heat, stirring, until it reaches 300F.
- Quickly pour the hot toffee onto the parchment and spread thin.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let them melt, then spread smooth.
- Scatter the chopped almonds over the chocolate.
- Cool completely, then break into pieces.
Notes
5) Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
A jar of this keeps the whole family cozy for the rest of the winter!
Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Spoon into a clean jar and seal tightly.
- To serve, stir three tablespoons into a mug of hot milk.
- Attach a tag with the serving instructions for gifting.
Notes
6) Chai Spice Blend
This tiny jar makes any cup of tea or bowl of oatmeal smell like a warm hug!
Chai Spice Blend
Ingredients
Method
- Measure all the spices into a small bowl.
- Whisk together until evenly blended.
- Spoon into a small spice jar and seal.
- Add a tag suggesting a teaspoon stirred into warm milk or tea.
Notes
7) Lemon Lavender Shortbread
With a buttery and floral flavor that has just a hint of elegance, these cookies melt in your mouth and offer the experience of a cookie from a tea shop.
Lemon Lavender Shortbread
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and powdered sugar until light.
- Mix in the lemon zest and lavender.
- Stir in the flour until a soft dough forms.
- Roll out and cut into shapes, or slice from a chilled log.
- Bake at 325F for 16 to 18 minutes until the edges are pale gold.
- Cool completely before packing.
Notes
8) Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
While they roast, they fill the house with the delightful aroma of holidays.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the egg white and vanilla until frothy.
- Toss the pecans in the egg white until coated.
- Mix the sugar and cinnamon, then toss with the pecans.
- Spread on a lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake at 250F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Cool completely so they crisp up.
Notes
9) Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
It is a gift to be able to enjoy marshmallows at home. Each mug of cocoa instantly becomes gift worthy.
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Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
Ingredients
Method
- Sprinkle the gelatin over half a cup of cold water and let it bloom.
- Boil the sugar, corn syrup, and remaining water until it reaches 240F.
- With the mixer running, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin.
- Add the scraped vanilla bean and whip until thick and glossy, about 10 minutes.
- Spread into a powdered-sugar-dusted pan and let set 4 hours.
- Cut into cubes and dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
10) Chocolate Covered Pretzels
These gifts are sweet, salty, and super easy to personalize, which makes them the perfect present for everyone.
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Dip each pretzel halfway into the melted chocolate.
- Let the excess drip off, then place on the parchment.
- Sprinkle with sprinkles or crushed nuts before the chocolate sets.
- Chill for 10 minutes until firm.
Notes
11) Raspberry Jam Thumbprints
These happy cookies that have a dollop of jam in the center always disappear quickly from the cookie tray.
Raspberry Jam Thumbprints
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg yolk.
- Stir in the flour to form a soft dough.
- Roll into balls and press a well into the center of each with your thumb.
- Spoon a little raspberry jam into each well.
- Bake at 350F for 12 to 14 minutes until set.
- Cool on the pan before moving.
Notes
12) Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
A foodie friend will really appreciate a bottle of herbal infused oil as a gift.
Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the olive oil gently over low heat until just barely steaming, not bubbling.
- Add the rosemary, garlic, and peppercorns and warm for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the oil cool completely with the herbs in it.
- Strain into a clean bottle, adding one fresh rosemary sprig for looks.
- Seal and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
13) Pumpkin Spice Granola
It has the right amount of crunch, cluster, and cozy spices to make breakfast feel like a special occasion!
Pumpkin Spice Granola
Ingredients
Method
- Stir together the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, oil, and spice.
- Toss the oats and pecans in the wet mixture until coated.
- Spread evenly on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 325F for 35 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Cool completely without stirring to keep the clusters intact.
- Pack into jars once cool.
Notes
14) Dark Chocolate Truffles
They look nice & are simple, and a little box of these shows I thought about your gift.
Ingredients
Method
- Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
- Heat the cream until just simmering and pour it over the chocolate.
- Let it sit two minutes, then whisk smooth and stir in the vanilla.
- Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
- Scoop and roll into balls, then roll in cocoa powder.
- Keep chilled until you're ready to box them up.
Notes
15) Classic Fruitcake Cookies
These chewy cookies win people over and have all of the charm of fruitcake without any of the doorstop reputation!
Classic Fruitcake Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the egg.
- Mix in the flour and cinnamon until combined.
- Fold in the candied fruit and walnuts.
- Drop spoonfuls onto a lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350F for 12 to 14 minutes until set.
- Cool on the pan for five minutes.
16) Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
The combination of the red cookie with the cracked, powdered sugar top looks amazing and is very festive.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs and food coloring.
- Mix in the flour and cocoa to form a dough.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Roll into balls, then roll generously in powdered sugar.
- Place on a lined sheet and bake at 350F for 11 to 12 minutes.
- Cool on the pan before moving.
Notes
17) Maple Walnut Fudge
Maple and walnuts give this fudge the most amazing New England winter feel.
Maple Walnut Fudge
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the white chocolate chips with the condensed milk and maple syrup over low heat.
- Stir until smooth, then remove from the heat.
- Stir in the maple extract and toasted walnuts.
- Spread into a lined 8-inch pan.
- Chill until firm, about 2 hours.
- Cut into small squares.
Notes
18) Salted Caramel Sauce
Your standard coffee or ice cream treat can be elevated with just a simple jar of smooth caramel.
Salted Caramel Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Melt the sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, swirling until it turns amber.
- Carefully whisk in the butter until melted.
- Slowly pour in the cream while whisking; it will bubble up.
- Cook one more minute, then stir in the salt.
- Cool slightly and pour into a clean jar.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
19) Zesty Orange Marmalade
Homemade marmalade is mesmerizing and glowing in the jar. It's an enchanting gift from a different time.
Ingredients
Method
- Thinly slice the oranges and remove any seeds.
- Combine the orange slices, lemon juice, and water in a large pot.
- Simmer for 20 minutes until the peels are tender.
- Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Boil until the mixture reaches setting point, about 25 minutes.
- Ladle into sterilized jars and seal.
Notes
20) Honey Cinnamon Butter
Make this in five minutes and see how quickly it will be spread on all the warm rolls at the table.
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the honey, cinnamon, and salt.
- Whip again until smooth and well combined.
- Spoon into a small jar or shape into a log in parchment.
- Chill until firm enough to gift.