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Whether you’re looking for last-minute holiday gift ideas, holiday gifts to make with kids, or affordable DIY holiday gift ideas, homemade holiday treats are one of the best gifting options around. After all, only the Grinch himself would turn up his nose at a homemade holiday sweet treat, and thanks to the abundance of recipes online, you can find an edible holiday gift for any taste.
A few things to consider? If you’re shipping your edible holiday treats, you’ll want to choose something low-moisture, and something that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Homemade jarred baking mixes and spice blends are perfect for this, as are cookies that are meant to be crispy rather than chewy or soft. Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind is dietary restrictions, and luckily, we’ve included several vegan edible holiday gifts and gluten-free holiday treats for gifting, too.
Take a look at the holiday recipes for gifting in our slide show, stock up on a few inexpensive cookie tins from the dollar store, and get ready to make your friends and loved ones smile this holiday season.
White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn (Christmas Crunch)
Colorful, crunchy, and sweet, this White Chocolate Christmas Popcorn is great for gifting. Make sure it’s fully cool, then package in air-tight containers and gift to your friends and loved ones.
Get the recipe from Fun Family Meals.
Holiday Cake Batter Cookies
Chewy centers, crisp edges, and plenty of sprinkles — what’s not to love about these simple holiday cookies, which are made with cake mix and instant pudding mix?
Get the recipe from Chef Elizabeth Reese.
Christmas Oreo Ornament Balls
These giftable Christmas Oreo Ornament Balls look fancy, but they’re actually really easy to make. Package in a cute box, each truffle sitting in a paper mini muffin tin liner, and you’ve got an elegant sweet treat to give away.
Get the recipe from Fun Family Meals.
Biscoff Apple Cider Cookies
When thinking of what to make as an edible treat to give to others, we like to choose a recipe most people probably don’t make on a regular basis. Case in point? These chewy, gooey Biscoff apple cider cookies, which are loaded with Biscoff cookie pieces and cookie butter.
Get the recipe from Chef Elizabeth Reese.
DIY Brownies in a Jar
If you need a gift that won’t spoil, then you can try putting together a few of these Brownies in a Jar. Ship them to your giftees, and they can quickly whip up a batch of warm, gooey brownies at home to enjoy, minus the fuss and muss of measuring all of the ingredients or searching for a recipe.
Get the recipe from Farm & Table.
Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
It can feel challenging to come up with edible gift ideas that are vegan and gluten-free, but these sweet, spiced, and chewy almond flour-based thumbprint cookies take the decision making work out of the equation — they’re a must-try.
Get the recipe from Any Reason Vegans.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
DIY spice blends are one of our favorite edible holiday gifts. If you know someone who loves winter baking, or who can’t help but order a fancy seasonal latte a couple of times a week, then put together a custom pumpkin pie spice blend for them to sprinkle in their coffee, banana bread, and desserts all winter.
Get the recipe from Farm & Table.
Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men Cookies
If you know someone who is vegan, gluten-free, or both, they’ll appreciate the effort you put into making sure they could enjoy this classic holiday treat. Best of all? These gingerbread men cookies are tasty enough for everyone to enjoy, even if they don’t have any dietary restrictions.
Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker.
Hot Cocoa Cookies
Topped with gooey marshmallows and loaded with gooey dark chocolate flavor, these hot cocoa cookies will put a smile on the face of anyone lucky enough to receive them as a gift.
Get the recipe from Little Chef Within.
Three-Ingredient Dulce De Leche Cookies
These three-ingredient no-bake cookies are the sweetest last-minute holiday gift. You’ll just need melting chocolate, graham crackers, and dulce de leche.
Get the recipe from Cocinando Rico.
Slice and Bake Cranberry Orange Cookies
Slice and bake cookies always look so fancy, like something you would get from a bakery. But the truth is they’re simple to make, and this recipe, made with cranberries and orange zest, feels extra festive and giftable.
Get the recipe from Foodtasia.
Chinese Sesame Candy
Nutty toasted black and white sesame seeds and peanuts join forces to make this sweet and crunchy Chinese candy, which is a delicious alternative to peanut brittle. You’ll need to pick up some maltose for the caramelized sugar syrup, but you can find it online.
Get the recipe from Sassy Chopsticks.
DIY Cocoa Spoons
Here’s another edible holiday gift you can make a big batch of, then distribute to lots of people. These DIY hot cocoa spoons are perfect for giving to teachers, office mates, casual friends, and chocolate-lovers.
Get the recipe from Marie Bostwick.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Dates
Nut butter gives a protein boost to these simple chocolate-covered, peanut butter-stuffed dates. And we always love a no-bake holiday treat!
Get the recipe from Any Reason Vegans.
Gingerbread Spiced Nuts
Spiced nuts travel well, making them a great edible holiday gift you can mail to loved ones far away. These ones are toasted, sweetened, and flavored with a blend of spices that make them taste like gingerbread.
Get the recipe from Fraiche Living.
Salted Honey & Vanilla Bean Caramels
Homemade caramels are so much more delicious than store-bought, it’s not even funny. Best of all, they’re not as difficult to make as you might think. Just keep your candy thermometer handy, and you’ll feel like a pro candy maker in no time.
Get the recipe from Emily Laurae.
Holiday Granola
Made with oats, dried fruit, and a warming blend of holiday spices, this granola can be made in a big batch, then packed into small jars to gift to several lucky people in your life.
Get the recipe from 31 Daily.
17 Holiday Treats You Can Make & Give as Gifts
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