We share our favourite recipes for easy and affordable baked treats you can give to your family and friends. Whether they checked your mail while you were away or simply remained their wonderful selves, here are some thank you gifts they’ll love to receive!
Homemade gifts from the kitchen
Nothing says “Thanks,” “I love you” or “Welcome to the neighbourhood” like a freshly baked batch of home-made treats! Tuck your creations into a cute box or a gift bag and dress them up with tissue paper, a colourful ribbon and a sweet gift tag. Whether the giftee loves healthy treats or a chocolate fix, you can tick both boxes with these fail-safe recipes. (And be sure to keep a few for the baker!)
For the health fiend… Bran muffins
Makes 12
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1-1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 cups milk
- 2-1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 cups bran
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2-1/2 teaspoon bicarb soda
- Butter
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
- Cream the eggs and brown sugar in a bowl.
- Add the oil to the mixture and beat well.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk and vinegar.
- In a third bowl, sift the flour and add the raisins, bran, salt and bicarb soda.
- Alternately add the milk mixture and the flour mixture into the eggs and sugar batter, beating well between each addition.
- Grease a muffin tray with butter and pour the batter into the holes. Pop in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until cooked through and a skewer comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
- Pop the baked muffins into a box alongside fresh strawberries and blueberries.
For the sweet-tooth… choc-chip cookies
Ingredients:
- 225 g butter
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1-1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 2-3/4 cups plain flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- Dark choc chips
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C.
- Beat the butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Pour the two sugars in slowly, stirring continuously.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, sift the flour, salt and baking powder together into a bowl. Pour the mixture into the butter bowl and stir well to combine.
- Add the shredded coconut and choc chips, then stir well to form a thick cookie batter.
- Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper, then add large tablespoons of batter and shape into cookie shapes.
- Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until brown on top.
- Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Place in an airtight container or sealed bag, decorate with ribbon and add a smile to the recipient’s face!
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