11 Homemade edible Christmas gifts
9th Dec 2017 Recipes
Here are a few ideas for an afternoon of creativity—a couple of hours’ work, and all the presents are done. Perfect!
Christmas presents are a minefield. You want to give something that’s wanted, but knowing exactly what that is without asking can be tricky—and asking ruins the surprise. And if a present isn’t wanted, then it just joins the “piles of stuff” that seem to be taking over.
More and more friends and family are embracing minimalism and are saying that they don’t want anything unless they can eat or drink it—and what better way to show them you care than by making something?
1. Chocolate chip and cranberry snickerdoodle biscuits
Image via Fuss Free Flavours
A delicious, Christmassy cinnamon-flavoured biscuit as a starting point. These chocolate and cranberry snickerdoodles are thrice winners: chocolate and cranberries for Christmas flavours, crammed into the wonderfully named cinnamon coated snickerdoodle biscuits.
Get the recipe for chocolate chip and cranberry snickerdoodle biscuits
2. Brazilian brigadeiro chocolate bonbons
Image via Kavey Eats
Snickerdoodles might originate in the USA, but these brigadeiro chocolate bonbons originate a little further south: Brazil. Wonderfully decorated with bronzed sugar, or sprinkles, or hundreds and thousands, they’re little mouthfuls of easy-to-make chocolate deliciousness.
Get the recipe for Brazilian brigadeiro chocolate bonbons
3. Vegan mincemeat
Image via A Virtual Vegan
Mince pies are a Christmas treat that’s about as British as you can get, and this version of mincemeat is vegan, so suitable for all. One of the secrets of Christmas is making sure the mince pies don’t run out at the same time as the brandy butter—giving an excuse to keep making and enjoying these spiced treats well into January.
Get the recipe for vegan mincemeat
4. Christmas pudding toffee sauce
Image via The Veg Space
Plum pudding is another traditional treat, but rather than give a whole pudding, how about Christmas pudding toffee sauce? Perfect to serve with ice cream, or how about as a dip for some cinnamon-sugared churros?
Get the recipe for Christmas pudding toffee sauce
5. Polish Christmas cookies
Image via Recipes From A Pantry
From British to Polish: Pierniczki świąteczne—polish Christmas cookies.These spiced biscuits can be made with either rye or wheat flour, or a blend of the two, and are spiced with ginger, cinnamon and mixed spice; I’m sure that baking them would fill the house with delicious Christmas aromas.
Get the recipe for Polish Christmas cookies
6. Two-ingredient almond cookies
Image via Green Healthy Cooking
These biscuits, on the other hand, are about as simple as a biscuit can get. They’re made with only two ingredients: ground almonds and maple syrup. If you want to add to this, dip them in melted chocolate. Simple and moreish.
Get the recipe for two-ingredient almond cookies
7. Hot chocolate mix
Image via Happy and Harried
A delightful package containing all you want or need to make a warming mug of hot chocolate. I love the mason jar packaging, and the rustic brown card label. After making the chocolate, fill the mason jar with January’s marmalade!
Get the recipe for hot chocolate mix
8. Dark chocolate-covered clementine and grapefruit peel
Image via This Healthy Table
Chocolate-covered citrus peel always feels like a very sophisticated indulgence. And by making your own, you’re giving a gift with the ultimate personal touch. No difficult chocolate tempering required here: simply melt and dip in the sugar stewed rinds.
Get the recipe for dark chocolate-covered clementine and grapefruit peel
9. Lemon thyme mini Christmas cakes
Image via Happy and Harried
Something a bit different from the standard fruit Christmas cake. A lighter offering, flavoured with lemon and fresh thyme for a herby, zesty result.
Get the recipe for lemon thyme mini Christmas cakes
10. Gingerbread cookie truffles
Image via Easy Cooking with Molly
Here’s a great way to use up spare gingerbread or gingersnap cookies. Spare gingerbread, you ask? Well, yes, such a thing is possible if you’ve built a ginger palace! Turn some of them into these delicious chocolate truffles.
Get the recipe for gingerbread cookie truffles
11. Mince pie truffles
Image via Kitchen Sanctuary
We’re finishing with another recipe for homemade truffles: flavoured with mince pies this time. What could be more seasonal? I love the edible glitter and gold sprinkles for a truly magical result. In fact, it’s a shame to hand them over as a present—I might have to make double quantities, and keep some for myself!
Get the recipe for mince pie truffles
Helen Best-Shaw, is a freelance food & travel writer, recipe developer & photographer. She has been blogging at Fuss Free Flavours for over 10 years.