Need a fun gift for friends and family that’s a bit different and comes from the heart? Here’s your ultimate guide for edible gifts, for everyone on your list!
PinChestnut Chocolate Truffles
Giving the gift of homemade gifts for the holidays, or any time you need a gift, for your family and friends, is a great way to show you care.
A gift certificate can be so impersonal. But giving someone something that you made, says that you were thinking about that individual, and made this gift specifically for them!
Do you have some spicy friends? Give them a jar of homemade salsa, or your own special, homemade chili powders! Have a chocoholic, on your friends list? There are plenty of chocolate treats here! How about a salt fiend? Yep, we have those too! Some truly unique gifts like smoked cheese are included, as well. And don’t forget your furry friends!
Give these gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day or use them as hostess gifts or as gifts for your company at your next holiday party. Make a beautiful food gift basket or just a decorative jar.
Pro tip: If you have any recipients with food allergies, or you’ve made something that includes common allergens, label your gift accordingly.
What are edible gifts?
Edible Gifts are technically anything that can be eaten or drunk, usually in festive, unique packaging. Edible gifts are both appealing to the eye and the taste buds. Read on to learn more about edible gifts, including unique packaging ideas, types of edibles and lots of different recipes to inspire you to get in your kitchen and treat your friends to a gift from your heart.
Types of edible gifts
The possibilities for edible gifts is really as endless as your imagination! Since there are so many types of edible gifts, we’ll break them down into a few major categories for you.
PinFermented Lemons
Jams and jellies
Jams and jellies are a delicious edible gift that the recipient can enjoy for months! Every time they slather some of that jam on a piece of toast, they will think of you kindly.
Not all jams and jellies need to be processed in a canning pot. If you didn’t can for shelf storage then just make sure you label your jars with “Keep Refrigerated”, for food safety reasons.
Lemon Marmalade
This easy Lemon Marmalade is a delicious addition to your pantry. Step by step canning and freezing instructions included.
Cranberry Pepper Jelly is an easy, sweet spicy jelly that is perfect as a glaze, as an addition to appetizers and is perfect for a unique gift for the holidays!
You can easily make your own homemade cherry jam in less than one hour. Start to finish! Once you make your own, it will be hard to go back to store bought! Fair warning!
This low sugar Blackberry Jam Recipe is far superior to anything you can buy at the store! This Blackberry Jam Recipe is tart, yet sweet, and just tastes like a summer day!
This easy recipe for canning blackberry pie filling only has 6 ingredients. It is incredibly easy. Make the filling and refrigerate or water bath can it for longer storage.
This easy recipe for canning blueberry pie filling only has 6 ingredients. It is incredibly easy. Make the sauce and refrigerate or water bath can it for longer storage.
This easy recipe for canning strawberry pie filling only has 5 ingredients. It is incredibly easy. Make the sauce and refrigerate or water bath can it for longer storage.
Canning your own cherry pie filling is a great way to enjoy peak cherry season all year long. Whether you use fresh-picked sour cherries or frozen ones, homemade pie filling beats anything you’ll find at the store.
Dehydrating garlic scapes is an easy way to preserve this delicious, early summer vegetable. Make garlic scape powder too. Great to add to so many dishes.
This magnificent and fruity Carrot, Tomato and Cardamom Chutney is sweet and mildly spiced – a bit of kick from the red chilli and flavoured with aromatic cardamom. A beautiful combination of flavours in a jar!
Good kimchi takes work, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. This simple homemade kimchi doesn’t go too heavy on the fishy flavor, but still packs in the taste you love.
This recipe is the epitome of fall to me and it couldn’t get easier, made in the Instant pot . This Instant Pot applesauce / apple butter recipe has no added sugar and can be made in under 30 minutes! You have an amazing spread for waffles, bagels, muffins, pancakes. So skip the store-bought stuff and make your own sweet, tart butter in just a few easy steps. Check out the video recipe.
This cookie spread (also known as cookie butter) uses your favourite variety of cookie, along with a few other ingredients to make one delicious treat! It comes together quickly so it’s great for a last minute homemade food gift. Keep one for yourself and another to give away to that special someone.
Speculaas spices are an absolute must-have in your kitchen, especially, if you are Dutch, from mid-November to December 5th. Speculaas spice mix is used in speculaas and pepernoten and is amazing in other recipes such as cake, cookies and stews!
Making your own spice blends is so easy and a great way to use up spices, so that you always have fresh in your pantry! This Homemade Pickling Spice is no exception!
Here is another easy, versatile spice mix to make at home! Making your Easy Taco Seasoning will save you a bunch of money and takes less than 5 minutes!
One of the easiest things to do is to make your own spice mixes. Not only will it save you a ton of money, but it is a great way to use up the spices in your pantry before they get stale. The Dry Rub for Pork Recipe, is one of the easiest in my recipe selection.
Do you have a spicy friend on your gift list? This list of all things spicy are not only easy, but delicious for all of those spice lovers. Put a nice bow on top and watch them smile!
This Strawberry Salsa is so versatile! You can literally use what you have in the pantry! One of the reasons I love Strawberry Salsa is that it’s so easy!
What do you do with all of the green tomatoes left on the vines in September, October? Why you make this amazingly delicious Green Tomato Salsa! Green Tomato Salsa couldn’t be easier, and it cans and freezes well!
This Chipotle Salsa has a wonderfully deep, smoky flavor that adds an irresistible flavor to each bite. It's one of my favorite salsas for canning, which means you can enjoy the bold taste of summer even when it's snowing outside!
This habanero recipe is an easy way to use up all of the habanero left on your plants in the fall! Hot Pepper flakes are a great habanero recipe to add to your pantry! Use a little bit of heat in all of your dishes throughout the year!
These Candied Jalapenos, otherwise known as Cowboy Candy, are such a great treat any time of the year. They're a great way to use up all of those jalapeños from your garden.
Sweet cranberry sauce combined with the flavors of salsa — green chiles, cilantro, onion, and lime juice — sounds weird, but trust me. This cranberry salsa will become your go-to holiday appetizer.
These Chestnut Chocolate Truffles are very easy to make. Chestnut Chocolate Truffles make a great edible gift for your friends and family! You can dress them for the holidays, or make them any time of year!
These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Stars are a festive cookie for the holidays! Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are an easy cutout cookie! The dough is wonderful to work with!
These Dutch Cocoa Cookies are simply amazing! Deep, dark and chocolaty! They are slice and bake, so they are very easy! The Cocoa powder gives them tons of chocolate flavor, without all of the fat!
Another super easy edible gift to give for the holidays is Chocolate Covered Peanuts. It's perfect for last minute gifting, they only take a couple minutes!
Pistachio Toffee Dark Chocolate Bark is an easy candy recipe that comes together in minutes. This rich bark is filled with salty and sweet flavor. You only need 3 ingredients and 20 minutes to make this chocolate confection.
Looking for a cute easy DIY gift for the kids. Check out this DIY Gift of Reindeer Hot Chocolate! This gift requires just a few ingredients and supplies which makes it very easy to make. It so simple to make that kids can easily make them themselves for friends. Just add ingredients and a tag and you are good to go with a simple but oh so cute gift!
Looking for a great easy DIY Gift In a Jar? How about Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar. This easy and yummy DIY gift is perfect for friends, teachers coaches and more. It is so easy to make and we even included some free printable labels to decorate your jar.
An easy no-bake recipe for peanut butter balls using healthy ingredients like dark chocolate, an unrefined sweetener, and coconut oil to create a delicious and satisfying treat with WAY less sugar than the traditional holiday recipe! It’s also gluten-free and vegan with an easy grain-free option.
These Chestnut Chocolate Truffles are very easy to make. Chestnut Chocolate Truffles make a great edible gift for your friends and family! You can dress them for the holidays, or make them any time of year!
Easy recipe for Baileys double chocolate bark! Made in a jiffy and budget friendly! Put a bowl of this pretty and delicious Bailey’s double chocolate bark on your coffee table or pack it in nice little sachets and offer it!
Homemade “Mounds” or “Bounty” Chocolates are bound to be a crowd pleaser over the holidays. They also make perfect gifts when wrapped up in small boxes!
Sugar cookie truffles are a four-ingredient no-bake recipe that uses sugar cookies, cream cheese, white chocolate and sprinkles. A recipe video, step-by-step photos and helpful tips are included
This Sugar Cookie Fudge Recipe is an easy treat that’s perfect for both kids and adults this holiday season! Featuring festive sprinkles and beautiful red and green swirls, this is sure to be a hit.
These little candied ginger treats are yummy. I have been messing with candied ginger for almost a year now and I thought it was about time to share my Candied Ginger recipe. If you like sweets with a kiss of ginger bite, this recipe is going to be for you. This is an easy recipe and you will make some delicious little treats, but be warned that they are going to disappear quickly.
Candy Cane Fudge is the perfect holiday dessert for gift-giving and serving! A rich chocolate layer is topped with candy cane studded white chocolate making this an easy to make dessert and the perfect foodie gift!
A cookie platter is a great gift to give for the holidays! Buy a cheap, festive plate from your local dollar store and then wrap it up with colorful plastic wrap and a nice bow! Put a few of each variety on each person’s plate so that everyone in their family can enjoy!
Ischler
Ischeler are a vintage Austrian Christmas Cookies are a family favorite! Almond shortbread filled with apricot jam and frosted or dipped in chocolate.
These Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Stars are a festive cookie for the holidays! Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are an easy cutout cookie! The dough is wonderful to work with!
These Apple Cookies are so delicious! Apple Cookies are drop cookies, the easiest cookie you can make! The inside is soft and chewy and the nuts and apples give them a nice, crispy crunch!
Buttery Shortbread Crust, topped with Salted Caramel, finished with chocolate and sprinkle of sea salt, this Salted Millionaire’s Shortbread Recipe is the Best! Perfect for a bake sale or your next party!
Cake Mix Christmas Crinkle Cookies are easy and delicious cookies to make for the holidays. Hence, these simple cookies make the perfect edible gift for those on your Christmas list, including good ole Saint Nick!
This easy cranberry orange quick bread recipe can be made three different ways. Recipe and tips for cranberry orange quick bread loaf, mini loaves (perfect as edible gifts) and muffins. This moist cranberry orange bread is made with fresh cranberries and orange peel; perfect for the holiday season.
As long as I can remember Crescent Cookies with Walnuts have always been an unquestionable part of our family’s Christmas. In other words, there is no Christmas without Walnut Crescent Cookies. The original recipe is handed down to generations. These cookies are definitely kid-favorites and the first ones to disappear, so we always make sure to bake enough.
Everyone loves a surprise, I know I do, and that is what you get with these tasty buttery-almond flavored Christmas Surprise Inside Cookies with a fudge middle layer. Rolled in red, green and white sprinkles these are the ultimate Christmas cookies and my family’s favorite. Seriously, who can resist cookie cuteness?
Holy Cannoli Cookies, an easy recipe for cannoli cookies with ricotta, chocolate chips, and pistachios! Fun Italian Christmas cookies, inspired by Italian cannolis, that will make a great addition to your Christmas cookie baskets and gifts this year!
Packed with a toasted pecans and dusted with confectioners’ sugar, these buttery Toasted Pecan Snowball Cookies are a family favorite at Christmas. They are the perfect edible gifts for your loved ones during the holiday season.
Everyone needs a great snack to munch on during that 3pm slump! Here is a festive list that can be wrapped pretty!
Peppermint Bark Granola
This festive recipe was created in-part by my toddler who, while I was making breakfast, boldly handed me two bags of chocolate she pilfered from the pantry.
Holiday Chex Mix is an Ooey Gooey Chex mix Snack filled with cashews, coconut, a sweet sauce and of course Chex Cereal. We love this Holiday Mix year around. Trust me, it won’t last long. It’s that delicious.
This Puppy Chow Recipe is made without peanut butter and is the BEST recipe I have tried! Made without powdered sugar, friends and family will love munching on this irresistible snack!
The only recipe for granola bars you’ll ever need. Easy, delicious and customizable portable snack or breakfast treat packed with nutrients and flavor! It makes a great homemade Christmas gift as well!
Do you have a holiday “thing” that you’re known for? My friend Nola makes gorgeous starched icicle ornaments for the tree and gifts them every year to friends and family. My cousin, Katrina makes hundreds of different kinds of cookies to give. My aunt was known for her potholders and handmade ornaments. And my claim to fame is spiced nuts. Every year.
These spicy candied pecans are sweet, spicy, salty and downright delish. Make them in the slow cooker for an easy, hands-off experience and fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas! They’re great for topping salads, party snacks, and even homemade gifts!
Then there always those folks who enjoy a delicious cocktail or grownup treat! These are great because there are such pretty containers to put them in!
Chocolate Fudge Recipe
This Chocolate Fudge Recipe is so easy! This particular Chocolate Fudge Recipe is chock full of pecans and has a lovely hint of Kentucky bourbon!
With a homemade Italian Limoncello is how we end our most lavish meals: citrusy, sweet and strong. No wonder we also call it digestive. Put it in a fancy bottle and you have a special edible gift for your friends.
Easy white chocolate liqueur recipe to prepare this classic creamy holiday liqueur at home. This chocolatey liqueur resembles the Mozart white chocolate vanilla cream liqueur from Salzburg in Austria.
This homemade orange liqueur is very similar to limoncello, it can be served cold at the end of a meal or used in recipes or cocktails that call for Curacao, Triple Sec or Cointreau. A perfect edible gift.
Making your own homemade coffee liqueur is a fun treat and an exercise in frugality. Get this delicious recipe and use it for all of your Kahlua needs.
This step by step guide will walk you through the entire process of smoking cheese. Learn how to use the cold smoke method for awesome smoked cheese – no smoker required!
Homemade vanilla extract is much cheaper than any store bought vanilla. This how-to guide will take you through vanilla extract ingredients, the process of making vanilla extract, lots of tips on extracting the best flavor and storing your homemade vanilla for long term use.
Learn how to make this amazing smoked salt recipe in your smoker. This recipe details the findings and preferences between 2 different methods and 2 different salts.
These Peppermint Marshmallows are soft, springy, fluffy as pillows and crazy delicious! They melt in your mouth, and have the perfect balance of sweetness and peppermint flavor.
A good seasoning salt should be littered with pungent herbs. A nice rough chop of something strong and fragrant like Rosemary or Thyme is preferable. Garlic is always a player and Sage is my furry new friend for faking a poultry presence, so let’s add that to the list too.
If you are looking for what to do with those garden herbs you have, this post is one you will want to take note of. I generally take my herbs indoors during the winter months, but that might not be possible for some of you. Why not put some of those herbs to good use by making Homemade Vinegar Infused with Herbs.
Don’t forget your very best friends in the world! They would enjoy a special treat for the holidays too! We used to wrap them in small scraps of wrapping paper and our girls would have so much fun ripping off the paper! (Makes for great video too!) 🙂 Here is fun list of treats for them too!
Homemade Dog Treats
These easy, 4-ingredient Homemade Dog Treats are the perfect way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey! (Or, try them any time of year with leftover chicken.) Even better, though? They freeze beautifully, and make darling DIY holiday gifts for all the beloved pups in your life!
I love to make homemade dog treats for my puppy. They are very similar to making cookies and a great way to spoil your fur-baby! One of his favorite versions are these Cranberry, Honey, and Oat Dog Treats.
Looking for a special holiday treat for your favorite dog? These Gingerbread Puppuccinos with Gingerbread Cookies for Dogs will give your dog something fun to sip on while you’re enjoying all those holiday cocktails!
These homemade dog training treats are sure to be a hit with your puppy! Easy homemade dog treats are the perfect way to spoil your beloved family pet.
Make your furbaby’s day extra special, whip up a batch of Celebration Peanut Butter Banana Pupcakes! Made with yummy, dog-friendly ingredients, they are a perfect way to show your fur-baby just how awesome they are!
Homemade peanut butter dog treats are the perfect Christmas gift for your fur baby! This four-ingredient recipe is easy to make and is healthy for your puppy.
One of the easiest ways you can keep your cat healthier is to offer them Cat Grass along with their food. I’m excited to share with you How to Grow Cat Grass without Dirt and why it’s important.
The first thing you need for your wildlife tree party is edible stuff for the wildlife in your area: bird seed, peanut butter, raisins, cranberries, popcorn, peanuts, etc.
PinPeanut Butter Dog Treats Photo Courtesy If you give a blonde a kitchen
How to package your edible gifts
Packaging your edible gifts in a unique way adds to the fun for you and for the recipient of your gift. Let your creative juices flow and use pretty ribbons, festive boxes or wraps, gift jars and handmade, customizable tags. Following is a list of suggestions, to help you get started!
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I hope this list gave you some great ideas and that you treat your friends and family to some unique gifts this holiday season. They will thank you for it! Thanks for stopping by today!
Enjoy! And have fun cooking!
Xoxo,
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Beth Neels is an entrepreneur, blogger, photographer, author, and recipe developer. She founded Binky’s Culinary Carnival in 2014, focusing on “Crafting delicious recipes with sustainable ingredients.” She has been featured in multiple online publications, including MSN, Reader’s Digest, AP news, and Parade.