8 Recipes to Give as Christmas Gifts

Homemade gifts can be a wonderfully thoughtful option for many people on your shopping list this holiday season. If you love to bake, use your passion to create delicious recipes to give as Christmas gifts this year! Let’s go over which bakes make the best gifts…

 

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A Few Guidelines

 

If you’re making recipes to give as Christmas gifts, you generally want to shoot for a bake that will package well, has a decent shelf life, and you can easily make. 

You might also want to consider which of your bakes showcase your skills in the kitchen. It’s not about showing off, but rather showing someone you took the time to make them a unique recipe that they might not be able to make themselves. 

 

 

Recipes to Give as Christmas Gifts

 

Now that we’ve got some parameters, let’s narrow down this search and get inspired! Here are the recipes that I would give as Christmas gifts…

 

1. Bakes & Books

 

What could be better than a new book and a tasty treat? If you’re shopping for someone who not only appreciates good food, but also lives for their next book, this is a slam dunk!

Pair a book that you love, or that you think they’d love, with a recipe that somehow ties into the story. I’ve got a whole list of books and recipe pairings in case you need a starting point.

 

2. Fudge

 

A quintessential holiday treat. Not only is fudge super easy to make, it also lasts for at least a week or two at room temperature. You won’t have to worry about your recipe going all gross before you get a chance to gift it.

I’ve got my family’s Fudge Special recipe, with a video tutorial, on the blog. But if you’re looking for more fudge options, you’ll find recipes for Double Decker Fudge, Marshmallow Cream Fudge, and Peanut Butter Fudge in my Desserts for Days cookbook.

 

 

3. Macarons

 

While macarons don’t have a super duper long shelf life, they make very heartfelt gifts. These pesky cookies take skill, patience, and time to make. If you give someone macarons, hopefully they’ll understand how much effort and care you put into their homemade gift.

There are tons of macaron recipes on Bakes & Blunders, so poke around and find something fun! Personally, my top three choices would be Turmeric Latte Macarons, Green Tea Macarons, and Almond Joy Macarons.

 

Related Reading: 5 Steps to Prep for Perfect Macarons

 

4. Rice Krispie Treats

 

When thinking of recipes to give as Christmas gifts, rice krispie treats might not be top of your list. But hear me out. They’re fairly easy to make and can last up to a week when properly stored at room temperature. Those two reasons make them a prime candidate.

If you give rice krispie treats as a gift, go the extra mile and jazz them up with a drizzle, edible gold or silver leaf, maybe throw sprinkles into the mix, or consider going with a unique flavor like these brown butter caramel rice krispie treats.

 

5. Meringue Cookies

 

With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a batch of meringue cookies and have a ton of these sweet treats to hand out as gifts! If stored properly, they can last for weeks at room temperature.

Play around with different flavor extracts, piping styles, and sprinkles. You could even turn them into meringue lollipops. Have fun with it!

 

 

6. Christmas Cookie Platter

 

A classic choice is a Christmas cookie platter. Go crazy and gift your pal a beautiful tray or tin to package your favorite Christmas cookies. It might not be the most inventive choice on this list, but it’s in the holiday spirit and still shows how much you care.

You probably have your own list of Christmas cookies, but if you need more options, I’ve got you. Check out my list of 10 Christmas Cookies!

 

7. Biscotti

 

Most people don’t make, or eat, biscotti on the regular. So if you whip up a batch to give as Christmas gifts this year, it’ll feel like an extra special treat! Biscotti can last for up to two weeks at room temperature when stored properly.

I have several biscotti recipes to choose from, but my top picks would be Brown Butter Pistachio Biscotti or Hazelnut Mocha Biscotti. Go the extra mile and gift them inside a cute new mug! Throw in some tea, coffee, or hot chocolate to really up the ante on this gift.

 

 

8. Muffins

 

The holiday season is laden with sweets and treats for days. As much as I love dessert, a hearty homemade muffin would be a welcome gift in my household. To really add pizzazz, package them up in a cute basket.

My top picks this time of year would be Cranberry Ginger Bran Muffins, or my Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. Check out all of my muffin recipes for more choices.

 

Related Reading: Molasses Brown Bread Rolls

 

Bonus: Printed Recipe + Baking Gift

 

Not all homemade baking gifts need to actually require baking. Another great option is to print off a fancy recipe card and pair that with a baking gift. Get creative with the recipe by using a design program like Canva or Shutterfly to make it look professional.

My aunt gave me copies of my great grandmother’s handwritten pie recipe with a pie plate, baking beads, and a pie shield. Get creative and personal with this gift giving option.

 

Baking Spreads Joy

 

As much as I love opening presents on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve after dinner, but I digress…), the holidays are about spreading joy and love to those around you. Baking is one of the best ways to pull this off!

Happy holidays and I hope you get to share your love of baking with those that you hold dear.