Homemade Food Gifts for a Deliciously DIY Holiday Season
Homemade Food Gifts for a Deliciously DIY Holiday Season
[Photographs: Vicky Wasik, unless otherwise noted]
When it comes to holiday gifts, there's not much money can't buy...provided you have it in the first place. But if you're on a tight budget this season, a trip to the grocery store and a few hours in the kitchen can yield an impressive pile of presents for cheap. Homemade edible gifts aren't just easy on the wallet, though—they're heartwarming labors of love (or, at least, that's what your friends and family will think). If you have the right recipes in hand, they'll also be far more unique and delicious than their store-bought counterparts. And if you're the least bit crafty, a spool of ribbon and a session of hand-decorating labels can transform even the most ho-hum of condiments, like mayo or barbecue sauce, into charming packages.
Read on for our favorite easy-to-make, easy-to-gift crowd-pleasers, from rich chocolate truffles to creamy caramel to briny, punchy olive tapenade. For a more substantial presentation, just whip up a handful of these recipes in big batches, portion them out into Ball jars and cellophane bags, toss them in a tissue-paper-lined wicker basket, and let the gifting commence.
Sweet Gifts
Crisp Homemade Granola
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Homemade granola is an ideal food gift—easy on the eyes, designed to be made in giant batches, and shelf-stable for up to six weeks. But all too often, granola recipes create jagged, overly sweetened oats that taste like a sad and stale crumbled cookie. For a lighter, crisper blend, we soak the grain base—a flavorful mixture of oats and flax, nutty-sweet wheat germ, and faintly floral and crunchy chia seeds—in buttermilk and melted butter. Toasting it low and slow builds caramel notes, while pumpkin seeds, almonds, pecans, dried apricots, dried cherries, and dried blueberries add complexity and textural interest to the mixture.
Crisp Homemade Granola Recipe »
Cookie Butter
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
This stuff is bananas: a spread with the texture of peanut butter, but the flavor of a nutty-sweet speculoos cookie. For those of you who are addicted to Biscoff (or our DIY version of the Belgian classic), this one's a no-brainer. For that matter, it should be a no-brainer no matter who you are. Pack it up in jars, and keep it handy to spread on white bread, French toast, fresh fruit, or—gasp—MORE COOKIE.
Toasted Sugar
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
It doesn't get much more budget-friendly than a recipe that calls for literally nothing beyond granulated sugar and a stint in the oven. Load up a baking dish with a few pounds of sugar, and let it toast at a low 300°F (150°C) for anywhere from two to five hours, stirring occasionally. The result is a richly caramel-flavored sugar with a subdued, more subtle sweetness. Your recipient can use it as a one-to-one substitute for plain sugar—it's key to our Perfect Swiss Meringue, but it'll play just as well in coffee or in their favorite batch of cookies.
Fresh Lemon Syrup
[Photograph:VickyWasik[Photograph:VickyWasik
Stop chucking your lemon rinds and start saving them up for a big batch of this brightly tart-sweet syrup. We toss the used rinds with about half their weight in sugar for a deeply flavorful, colorful extract—no juice, added flavorings, or dyes required. The resulting syrup bottles beautifully and lasts in the fridge for up to three months. It can be used as a mixer in any cocktail where a hint of citrus would be welcome, or added to an addictive batch of whipped cream. Don't have any leftover rinds? The same principle, applied to freshly cut whole lemons, will yield an electrifying batch of lemonade (and it works wonders with limes as well).
Easy Caramel Sauce
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
It takes just 20 minutes and a remarkably short ingredient list to pull together a batch of this silky homemade caramel. A quick simmer of water, sugar, and salt will get you most of the way there, but a cup of cream, a dash of vanilla extract, and an empty vanilla pod give it a smooth texture and complex flavor. Stop when it reaches a pale, honey-colored hue for a simpler, more straightforward sweetness, or keep simmering until it's a toastier amber shade to coax out a pleasantly bitter edge. You'll want to jar the caramel promptly, as it will thicken and stiffen as it cools. Though your recipient should use it within a month, chances are it'll go a lot faster than that.
Cajeta Casera (Homemade Goat's Milk "Caramel")
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
For something a little more nuanced and, well, gooier than your standard caramel, we turn to this twist on dulce de leche. In place of boiled cow's milk, cajeta casera embraces the tangy-rich, faintly funky flavor of goat's milk. One benefit is that the unique cooking properties of goat's milk allow for a relatively quick stint on the stovetop. The result is a deeply concentrated, intensely flavored topping perfectly suited to drizzling over ice cream, spreading over cakes, adding to cookies, and binge-eating straight from the jar.
Cajeta Casera (Homemade Goat's Milk "Caramel") Recipe »
Chocolate Truffles
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
If you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty slathered in chocolate, chocolate truffles are a surprisingly low-effort undertaking, with serious visual (and gustatory) appeal. The process is simple: Whip piping-hot heavy cream into a bowl of finely chopped dark chocolate, then whisk in some butter and, if you like, a splash of your favorite booze. When the mixture has firmed up in the fridge, just roll it into bite-size balls and coat them in powdered cocoa, ground nuts, or tempered chocolate. Our recipe makes a sizable batch, enough for at least a few small gift sets.
Cookies
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Cookies are the OG of DIY gifts, and we have more than enough options for all your needs. From chewy chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons to the best chocolate chip cookies that science (and an insane level of obsessive passion) can produce, you'll find dozens of recipes on our holiday cookie page to get you started.
See all of our holiday cookie recipes »
Homemade Milk Duds
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
This recipe gets a tad messy, but the chewy, chocolaty, caramel-laden results are well worth it. Each caramel is hand-dipped in chocolate, for delicately thin shells with far greater complexity than those of the yellow-boxed originals.
Homemade Brownie Mix
[Photographs: Vicky Wasik]
Gifting a box of store-bought brownie mix would be unimpressive at best, but making your own is another story entirely. As long as your friends have a big jar of this on hand, they'll be able to make rich, fudgy brownies whenever they please. The mixture combines a blend of dark chocolate and Dutch cocoa, and a tiny pinch of espresso powder to keep the sweetness in check. In theory, it will be good for up to a year, but you can be sure it won't last that long.
The Best Applesauce
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Warm aromatics and a bit of apple cider vinegar set this applesauce apart from the ones that crowd grocery store shelves. Cinnamon, orange peel, and rose water impart a sweet, unmistakably floral flavor, while toasted sugar adds depth and complexity. You can be certain that what you end up jarring and giving to friends is no regular old applesauce.
BraveTart: Sweetened Condensed Milk
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Homemade sweetened condensed milk traditionally requires ultra-low heat and up to six hours of constant stirring, a project that might take up too much of your precious holiday gift-shopping time. But with a splash of heavy cream to prevent scorching, you can crank up the heat and be done in 45 minutes flat. The result is thicker, creamier, and more luscious than anything from a can, with a rich dairy flavor and subtle notes of toffee.
BraveTart: Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe »
Savory Gifts
Oven-Dried Grapes (a.k.a. Raisins)
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Okay, admittedly, "homemade raisins" may not sound like the most exciting of presents, but these plump, juicy specimens just might surprise you. Drying grapes in a very low oven preserves their fresh flavor and gives them a more tender texture—they'll be dry enough to store for several weeks, but far less hard and shriveled than their store-bought counterparts. Plus, this method allows you to mix and match grape varieties, for a more exciting range of color and flavor.
Oven-Dried Grapes (a.k.a. Raisins) Recipe »
Tomato Raisins (Oven-Dried Whole Cherry Tomatoes)
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
These homemade tomato raisins are dramatically better than any store-bought alternatives. They're juicy, plump, go with just about everything, and are undeniably special. A light glaze of salt, sugar, and olive oil seasons the tomatoes as they roast. A jar of raisins might not be the flashiest gift ever, but we guaranteed whoever gets them will be impressed once they get a taste.
Tomato Raisins (Oven-Dried Whole Cherry Tomatoes) Recipe »
Chaat-Spiced Chex Mix
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
There's something for everyone in a classic batch of Chex Mix. But tossing it with some chaat masala is a great way to transform the crowd-pleasing snack into an extra-special gift. The South Asian spice blend is traditionally used to season chaat, a popular street food (and an excellent, if somewhat more involved and less shelf-stable, DIY gift unto itself). You may have to hunt around a bit to find all the ingredients, but the salty, tart, spicy combo is worth the effort—you could even dole out batches of the spice blend alone.
Chaat-Spiced Chex Mix Recipe »
Marinated Goat Cheese
[Photograph: Emily and Matt Clifton]
If you're especially short on time, or lack much confidence in the kitchen, this is the project for you. Buy fresh goat cheese, slice it into portion sizes (or roll it into balls), and marinate it in jars with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, bay leaves, and thyme. In a matter of hours, that unassuming store-bought log will be infused with herbal, citrusy flavor—a major upgrade, with virtually no effort required. The cheese should be consumed within a week's time, so encourage your recipient to dig in sooner rather than later.
Marinated Goat Cheese Recipe »
Homemade Pickles
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Like marinated goat cheese, pickles are a low-effort, high-reward undertaking. But it's worth noting that one of the biggest factors here is time—you'll want to give yourself at least three weeks to let these babies ferment. Our Milwaukee-style cucumber pickles simmer with vinegar, sugar, and spices before they're packed up with garlic, onion, and dill to brine for several weeks. For a more sour pickle, try out some lacto-fermented dill pickles instead. A saltwater brine creates the ideal environment for lactobacillus bacteria. You can make half-sours in just three weeks' time, or commit to a longer fermentation period (about six weeks) if you'd prefer full-sours.
If your giftee isn't a fan of cukes, or if you're looking for a new project, homemade sauerkraut is a remarkably fun undertaking, and perfect for the sausage- or hot dog–lover in your life.
Salmon Rillettes
With their fancy French name and their fancy French flavor, salmon rillettes will make your recipient feel fancy—and think you're fancy, too. In fact, the only thing that isn't fancy about rillettes is that they're incredibly easy to make (not that anyone else needs to know that). The spreadable hors d'oeuvre is made from gently poached and shredded salmon, combined with fresh herbs, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Not a fan of salmon? A pork-based rendition offers up a slightly richer rillette. Both versions can be stored and gifted in small Ball jars, and make a perfect addition to a cheese and meat platter, accompanied by cornichons and toast or crackers.
Homemade Carr's-Style Crackers
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
These whole wheat crackers are incredibly versatile—thin enough to go with dainty hors d'oeuvres, but hearty enough to snack on by themselves, and equally well suited to both sweet and savory accompaniments. They'd make a wonderful gift on their own—perhaps packaged in some cellophane—but they're also a great way to round out any of the homemade spreads and dips on this list, like rillettes, olive tapenade, or even cookie butter.
Homemade Carr's-Style Crackers Recipe »
Spiced and Candied Nuts
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Seasoning nuts is a time-honored way of dressing up profoundly simple ingredients with fairly minimal effort. If you've made our lemon syrup and have some to spare, try using it in a batch of crispy citrus-candied pistachios. For something a bit less labor-intensive, though, we have a few easy combos to spice up the holiday season. Ground ginger and cayenne pepper add a savory kick to our Mexican Spiced Chocolate Pecans, bound in a light, crispy egg white coating. That same treatment gives our Smoky Candied Almonds their delicate shell, spiced with smoked paprika, cayenne, and punchy Old Bay. If you'd rather avoid the sweetness of candied nuts, our savory, briny, and herbal Olive-Rosemary Spiced Cashews should hit the spot.
Olive Tapenade
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Tapenade, as most of us know it, is an olive-heavy purée, typically spiked with garlic, anchovies, and fresh herbs. But traditional tapenade, created by a chef in Marseille back in 1880, takes its name from the Provençal word for capers, tapeno, and it's flavored accordingly. With equal parts olives, capers, and fish (in our case, anchovies and tuna), it's briny and intense, and it gets further flavor from fresh herbs, Dijon mustard, and a splash of cognac. It's not for everyone—which is why we have a recipe for the more commonplace variety as well—but it's the kind of gift that's guaranteed to please and surprise more adventurous palates.
Better-Than-Store-Bought Mayo
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
Sure, most people already have a jar of mayo sitting in their fridge, but true mayonnaise connoisseurs will appreciate the substantial flavor improvements you can get from homemade. The traditional method, which calls for hand-whisking a slow drizzle of oil into a mixture of egg and mustard, takes some serious elbow grease and has a tendency to go awry. But if you have a hand blender, the process couldn't be easier—simply combine your ingredients in a jar and blend. Two minutes later, you'll have a rich, creamy, complex bowl of mayo. If that doesn't sound quite exciting enough to gift, stir in some sriracha or garlic for added punch.
Better-Than-Store-Bought Mayo Recipe »
Homemade Garam Masala
[Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt]
The key to a truly nuanced, full-flavored spice blend is toasting fresh whole spices before grinding them—a step that most likely won't have gone into your average store-bought blend. With an aromatic mix of green cardamom pods, coriander seed, cumin, black peppercorns, cloves, fennel, cinnamon, anise, and nutmeg, garam masala is a bold, bright mix that can be used for a wide variety of curries, braises, and other Indian preparations...or just a soothing round of aromatherapy.
Homemade Garam Masala Recipe »
Great Barbecue Sauce
[Photograph: Daniel Gritzer]
Some traditional varieties of barbecue sauce can be pretty time-consuming to prepare. But these three variations take just minutes to complete. All start with a base of ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, but they quickly diverge from there. Our Coffee-Ginger Barbecue Sauce is smoky and rich thanks to a touch of paprika, a little dark chocolate, and a drizzle of molasses; it's great for pairing with pork shoulder or brisket. For something more acidic and hot, give our Buffalo Barbecue Sauce a shot—with Frank's RedHot and butter, it's the perfect vinegary topping for wings, smoked chicken, or pulled pork. Funk-lovers will revel in this Korean Kimchi Barbecue Sauce, packed with the intense, tangy heat of kimchi and gochujang (Korean chili paste). We love it on grilled chicken, pork, and shellfish.
DIY Cheez-Its
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Fans of Cheez-Its will get a kick out of these homemade crackers, which deliver the same buttery, cheesy, utterly addictive crunch of the snacktime classic, but elevated with higher-quality ingredients and some TLC. To replicate the Cheez-It look, you can slice them with a fluted pastry wheel and use a skewer to add the signature center dimple. Alternatively, just grab a cookie cutter and go to town, stamping them out in any shape you'd like.
Superior Sauces
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Whether it's an Easy Italian-American Red Sauce or The Best Slow-Cooked Bolognese, a homemade pasta sauce is virtually guaranteed to taste better than whatever you'll find in a supermarket jar. No matter which recipe you choose, though, take the time to properly can it, or be sure to tell the recipient to use the sauce within a week or so. We doubt they'll have much trouble following through.
See all our pasta sauce recipes »
Homemade Spicy Chili Crisp
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Chili crisp is good on just about everything. We've been known to dollop it on eggs, spread it over meat, and slather it all over pepperoni pizza. Sichuan peppercorns give the sauce their iconic numbing effect, while pieces of fried shallot and garlic chips, along with peanuts, bump up both the taste and texture. Your friends will be asking for another jar long before the next holiday comes around.
Homemade Spicy Chili Crisp Recipe »
Traditional Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
Toum is a little bit like mayonnaise, but we find ourselves using it way more often. It works equally well as a sauce, a condiment, and a dip. Raw garlic not only gives toum its kick; it also helps emulsify the mixture and keeps it stable for up to a month in the fridge. Even your friends and family who don’t like mayonnaise will get hooked on this bold, all-purpose garlic sauce.
Traditional Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce) Recipe »
Yeolmu Kimchi (Quick-Fermented Young Radish Greens)
[Photograph: Liz Clayman]
Giving a jar of this beautiful young radish kimchi will impress even your most hard-to-shop-for friends. The addition of a potato porridge speeds up fermentation while also counterbalancing the grassy flavors in the greens. In contrast to some kimchis that take much longer to ferment and become pungent, this one is ready to eat in as little as one day, though it develops maximum flavor after the first week. It’s perfect on rice, or eaten just as it is.
Yeolmu Kimchi (Quick-Fermented Young Radish Greens) Recipe »
Fresh (or Dried) Chili Harissa
[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]
This punchy North African chili paste can be made with either fresh or dried chilies. In one version, an assortment of fresh chilies are charred and blended together for smoke and spice. The peppers are then seasoned with the traditional additions of caraway and coriander, but they can be jazzed up with anything from diced preserved lemon to pungent raw shallots. The dried chili version, which takes even less time to make, is just as flavorful, and they both can be used in any number of ways.
Fresh (or Dried) Chili Harissa Recipe »
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