Homemade Gifts For The Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner! Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa whatever you celebrate, the winter season of gift giving is here. People love to get, and gift, food gifts. One of the challenges with food gifts, however, is that many of the pre-made options come with ingredients that are not all that great for our health. 

Making homemade foodie treats is one great way around that issue.  When you make food you're the one in control of the ingredients. And there's really something special about a homemade gift that makes both the giver and the recipient happy. As a matter of fact it turns out that baking for other people is good for our mental health. 

If you're looking for last-minute gift ideas here are some great suggestions for tasty treats.  Packed up in a jar with a pretty ribbon, in a special tin, or simply in a basket covered with some decorative fabric these are gifts that allow you to share the love with a healthy and delicious treat.

Gift ideas

Granola in a Jar

Granola or Muesli are great choices.  Because you can flavor it any way you like you can make a wide variety based on just this simple recipe.  Put in a jar with a pretty ribbon or a decorative piece of fabric on top it can make a simple, healthy holiday treat.

There's still enough time to make a batch of vanilla.  While it won't be ready right away it will still be delicious and they'll think of you every time they use it all year long.

You can also make vanilla sugar by placing opened vanilla beans into evaporated cane juice crystals and letting it infuse for some time before removing the vanilla bean and packaging up the sugar.  And in a similar vein, but with a twist, why not make flavored salt.  I got the idea for this after seeing all the different bottles at the grocery store.  They're rather pricey and yet so simple to make at home.

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Ingredients

  

• 4 C. flaked grains – oats, quinoa, your preference
• 1 C. raw, unsalted nuts, chopped – my favorites are pecans or almonds
• 1/4 C. flax seed, ground
• 1/4 C. sesame seeds
• 1/4 C. raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1/4 C. raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds

Instructions

 

• Mix ingredients together well

Notes

Store in an airtight container

Tasty Seasoned Salt

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Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup coarse grind sea salt
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon dried onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• generous pinch dried thyme
• fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients into a mortar or a coffee grinder and pulse until blended. Delicious for soups, salads, and on the table as seasoned salt.

  note: I have a coffee grinder clearly marked Not For Coffee and use it for grinding all my herbs and seeds

Coffee Seasoned Salt

note: for this one I use the coffee grinder that actually IS for coffee

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Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup coarse grind sea salt
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• generous pinch vanilla powder

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients into a mortar or coffee grinder and pulse until blended.

Notes

Delicious on desserts, especially if they are chocolate (just a pinch though)

I don't drink coffee but for those who do this apparently is a delicious addition to your cup

Crockpot Nut Mix

When looking for tasty snack ideas you don't have to go any further than these Crockpot Nut Mixes.You can make any flavor combination you, or the person you're giving them to, likes.

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Ingredients

  

• 4 c. raw soaked nuts
• 1/2 C. melted coconut oil
• seasonings

Instructions

 

• Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, with the lid off
• When done turn off the crockpot and let the mixture cool completely in the crock before jarring up
• How you season them is up to you.  I have a couple of mixes that I like but feel free to go ahead and make up your own.

  1 T. Penzey's taco seasoning + 1/2 t. hot sauce or 1 t. red pepper flakes

  1 T. tamari sauce + 1/2 t. garlic powder + 1/4 t. sea salt

  1 T. curry powder + 1/2 t. ground cinnamon

  1 T. sucanat + 2 t. ground cinnamon + 1/4 t. nutmeg

  2 t. vanilla + 2 t. sucanat + 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice

Flourless Brownies

These Flourless Brownies are sure to be a hit.  You can either make them and gift them right away, or put together a gift box with all the ingredients and the instructions so your giftee can make them later after the holiday sugar overload has come and gone.

If you're really in a hurry, is to purchase mulling spices at the grocery store.  If you get them in the bulk food section they're very reasonably priced.  Placed into tea pockets, or into cut squares of cheesecloth tied up with kitchen twine, and delivered with a container of cider the recipient can easily make mulled cider whenever they wish.

I'm not the only one who has some fabulously delicious food gifts that are just right for the holidays. Here are some of my favorite recipes created by friends that are also wonderful tried and true options for gift giving.  

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Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ C. black beans
• 2 eggs
• 1 heaping T. ground flax seed
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 pinch sea salt
• ½ t. baking powder
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup evaporated cane juice crystals
• 2 t. instant espresso powder
• 1 C. dark Belgian chocolate w/almonds, chopped

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish
• Add remaining ingredients (except chocolate); blend until smooth; pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish
• Top with chopped chocolate
• Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes

  Enjoy!

Other recipes

I'm not the only one who has some fabulously delicious food gifts that are just right for the holidays. Here are some of my favorite recipes created by friends that are also wonderful tried and true options for gift giving.  

• Peanut Blossom Bites from Theresa Houghton – So delicous, they're fabulous any time of the year, not just for the holidays
• Pumpkin Mousse from Karen Brennan – A wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of the season 
• Creamy Turmeric Latte from Kirstin Nussgruber – This one is great to assemble as a gift in a basket, be sure to include the instructions so they can make it themselves
• Holiday Nut Mix from Margaret Floyd – Highly addictive.  You've been warned. 
• Avocado Chocolate Mousse from Kerry McClure – Because who doesn't love chocolate mousse?
• Grain Free Thumbprint Cookies by Julie Matthews – Everyone loves this holiday favorite and this is a wonderful way to enjoy them
• Quick and Easy Almond Butter Coconut Balls by Dr. Keesha Ewers – These things are seriously addictive

Whatever you celebrate, whatever your reason for the season, I hope that it is filled with warmth, laughter, love, and joy. Happy Holidays!