11 Easy Recipes for Delicious, Homemade Holiday Gifts

By Betty Gold
Updated October 08, 2019
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There are few gifts you can give that are more thoughtful than something you made from scratch—and if it's edible, even better. The great thing about homemade presents is that they've got mass appeal. A sweet treat is perfect for parents, friends, teachers, and colleagues alike. And they check lots off your list at once: you can bake a big batch of biscotti or blondies, drop them in baggies, and seal them with bows in less time it would take you to find a parking spot at the mall during the holidays. Everyone gets taken care of with minimal money (and elbow grease) spent. 

Whether your loved one likes homemade granola and hot cocoa mix or springs for skillet cookie cake or spice rub, there's a delicious recipe here we know they'll devour.  

RELATED: The Top Trader Joe's Gifts You Can Grab While You're Getting Groceries 
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Chocolate-Date-Oat Bars

Greg DuPree

There are so many reasons to gift these sweet treats, but first and foremost, know that these bars can stand up to being shipped in the mail without breaking. The date center won't get soggy, either. Whatever you do, make sure to bake an extra batch for yourself—they're just that good!

Get the recipe: Chocolate-Date-Oat Bars

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Raspberry-Chia Jam

Victor Protasio

This sweet spread will taste delicious on Christmas morning. Can it ahead of time so you can drop a jar in everyone's stocking. And if strawberry is more their jam (get it?), go for it.

Get the recipe: Raspberry-Chia Jam

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Hot Cocoa Mix

Greg DuPree

Homemade hot cocoa mix is just the thing for sipping fireside. Your loved one can also stir this into coffee, sprinkle on top of ice cream, or mix with Irish Coffee.

Get the recipe: Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

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Cherry and Pistachio Bake-Once Biscotti

Romulo Yanes

These bake-once biscotti are studded with dried cranberries and pistachios, aka red and green, aka the perfect Christmas present cookie.

Get the recipe: Cherry and Pistachio Bake-Once Biscotti

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All-Purpose Spice Rub

Victor Protasio

For the pitmaster in your life, this is the perfect present. It's sweet, salty, smoky, and making it from scratch means no preservatives or additives.

Get the recipe: All-Purpose Spice Rub Recipe

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Cookie Butter Chocolate Chunk Blondies

Tutti Dolci

These spiced blondies are studded with chocolate chunks and baked until barely done. Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter (or other festive shape) to create the sweet bite-sized blondies, then enjoy the leftover scraps all to yourself. If your loved one prefers peanut butter to cookie butter, go ahead and make the swap.

Get the recipe: Cookie Butter Chocolate Chunk Blondies

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Buckwheat, Almond, and Coconut Granola

Greg DuPree

This easy-to-make recipe for Buckwheat, Almond, and Coconut Granola is delicious, nutritious, and only takes 10 minutes of hands-on time. Bake, let cool, then toss into baggies and tie with a bow for a sweet stocking stuffer.

Get the recipe: Buckwheat, Almond, and Coconut Granola

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Do-it-All Sugar Cookies

Romulo Yanes

The name says it. This sugar cookie dough recipe is the base for the best thumbprint cookies (fill them with fruit jam or chocolate), biscuits, slice and bake cookies, drop cookies, even cut-out cookies. Grab some festive frosting and go to town decorating!

Get the recipe: Do-it-All Sugar Cookies

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Sweet Cocoa Cereal Brittle

Max Kelly

Kids and adults alike will go gaga for this chocolatey treat. Warn your loved ones: the satisfying crunch (and super sweet flavor) of this brittle are seriously addictive.

Get the recipe: Sweet Cocoa Cereal Brittle

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Skillet Cookie Cake

Greg DuPree

This cookie cake is deliciously forgiving, which is to say, you can mix in any type of chocolate, caramel, nut, or confection your loved one likes. Customizing the candy to their personal preferences is a sweet way to show how much you care.

Get the recipe: Skillet cookie cake

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Honey Nut Popcorn

Victor Protasio

This sweet, salty honey nut popcorn's just the thing for holiday gifting. Serve as an appetizer, dessert, take-home treat, or all of the above.

Get the recipe: Honey Nut Popcorn

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