DIY holiday gifts

Every year my holiday wish list gets smaller but my holiday treats list grows. I love making cookies, candies, pickles, condiments, and other handmade items for friends and family. I am not alone in this sentiment – for avid cooks and bakers, creating unique and delicious food is cathartic and rewarding in itself, but sharing these treats with others is the proverbial icing on the cake (or cookies, as the case may be).

While I have my go-to recipes including English toffee, it’s fun to try new things as well. Last year I made homemade Irish cream liqueur using the Smitten Kitchen recipe shown above. I’m still looking for new ideas to round out this year’s gifts (yes, I’m behind schedule). Yotam Ottolenghi just published a handful of homemade food gift recipes featuring peanut brittle, spoon sweets and advocaat. Martha Stewart Living assembled an impressive list of 40 different DIY food gifts. Most of them are sweet treats but there are some simple yet elegant savory items as well including citrus salt.

There must be something magical about having at least 40 items, because Food Network offers 45 edible gifts to make at home including chocolates, salty snacks, spice rubs, infused vinegars, and a variety of crackers to pair with a great cheese. Meanwhile Olive Magazine has 41 homemade food gifts with items like fudge, infused gin, and DIY sriracha. Serious Eats offers 48 holiday food gifts including DIY raisins, chili crisp, and a number of sauces. I am currently eyeing the Homemade hot chocolate mix that I can pair with a batch of strawberry marshmallows.

Don’t forget about Eat Your Books’ Pinterest pages like Preserving, Candies & Sweets, and Cookies if you are searching for inspiration as well. You may also find some great recipes this month in the Eat Your Books Cookbook Club where we will be sharing holiday bakes.