Confession time. I had glorious plans for multiple posts this December with new cookie and treat recipes that I could photograph in perfect daylight and then package and send out as gifts. What is it they say about the best laid plans?
The good news is I had a fantastic plan B. Perhaps you need a gift that isn’t time intensive this week as well? Instead of tackling my ambitious list of brand new recipes, I spent just about an hour yesterday making five easy food gifts.
These are tested and true recipes that I’ve been making for years. Most of these recipes come together in just minutes. Like the Italian Cream Liqueur that we gifted last year, these are all recipes that everyone loves.
In contrast to many holidays in the past, this year I have spent more time out of the kitchen than in the kitchen. However, I still wanted to give homemade treats to friends and family.
Edible gifts will probably be my favorite things to give for as long as I am able, but the lesson I’ve learned over the years is that the gifts do not need to be fancy or time-consuming in order to be appreciated.
If you’re looking for a last minute gift idea, I hope that one of these will help you! These recipes are all favorites on the blog and each one requires just a few minutes hands on time.
With a quick grocery shopping trip and about an hour in the kitchen, I had enough goodies and treats for over a dozen food gifts.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix or Simple Hot Cocoa Mix – Stir together all the dry ingredients and pour it into a jar. I usually write the directions on the lid, ¼ mix for every cup of milk. If you are more crafty that I am, a cute tag and ribbon would be great too.
Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge – This is the best peanut butter fudge I’ve ever tasted, and it is beyond simple to make. Made on the stove or in the microwave, this is barely a five minute recipe.
Peppermint Bark – This classic holiday treat is perfect for any occasion and it is one of the easiest chocolate barks to make at home.
Dark Chocolate Almond Fudge – This is a melt in your mouth, smooth and creamy fudge; rich with dark chocolate and almonds. This microwave recipe takes less than five minutes to stir together.
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Toffee – Salty pretzels, buttery toffee and rich chocolate are layered in this easy to make candy. While it technically takes more than 5 minutes on the stove, the hands-on time is far less than that. If you’ve never made candy before, this toffee recipe or Classic Butter Toffee is a great place to start. Combine everything in a pan, simmer without stirring, and then pour it onto a tray. It really is that easy!
Sue/the view from great island says
I want them all…
Magnolia Verandah says
This is just what I needed. Thanks and Merry Christmas!