A holiday gift guide of over 50 dessert recipe ideas you can give for Christmas this year.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”
Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can officially listen to Christmas carols and not twitch. I was shopping shortly after Halloween, and the one store was blasting their holiday soundtrack. Normally I’d enjoy that since I was looking at Christmas decorations, but I wasn’t ready yet. Speaking of holiday shopping, I find that I give gifts more and more each year. Of course my wallet isn’t happy with that, so for the past few years I’ve been making homemade gifts from the kitchen, not only to lessen the stress of what to buy everyone but to help save money. It also makes giving much more fun because I can truly customize the treats. This person doesn’t like chocolate. This person is allergic to coconut. This person is crazy for caramel. Today I have a Gifts From The Kitchen recipe guide, ranging from desserts and mixes in jars to cookies and fudge. The idea is to list items that package well. Most don’t need to be refrigerated; however, there are a few that can’t sit out (such as cheesecake).
Mailing cookies is something I do quite often. You can also mail mixes and treats in jars (make sure to wrap in lots of bubble wrap and that nothing needs to be refrigerated). If you are going to mail goodies this year, I posted 8 tips on mailing cookies last year.
For even more recipe ideas, please follow my Christmas Pinterest board.
Gifts and Mixes In Jars*
Espresso Brownie Mix
Homemade Red Velvet Cake Mix from Treats and Trinkets
Hot Chocolate Mix from Chocolate, Chocolate and More
5 Minute Microwave Coffee Cake In A Jar from Juanita’s Cocina
Fudge, Popcorn, and Treats
Cookie Cutter Fudge
Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Spoons
Pretzel S’mores (using Christmas sprinkles)
Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat Truffles (using Christmas sprinkles)
Cookies
Award-Winning German Chocolate Cake Sandwich Cookies
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coconut Cookies
Caramel Kiss Cinnamon Spritz Cookies
Caramel-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cherry Cordial Blossom Cookies
Chocolate Cherry M&M Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cut Out Cookies (using Christmas sprinkles and shapes)
Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies
Mexican Hot Cocoa Sandwich Cookies
Nutty Oatmeal Ginger Sandwich Cookies
Peanut Butter Cup Sandwich Cookies
Peanut Butter Molasses Cookies
Peanut Butter Nutella Crinkles
Brownies, Blondies, and Bars
Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookie Bars
Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondies
One Pot Fudgy Raspberry Cocoa Brownies
Chocolate Caramel Twix Rice Crispy Treats
Cupcakes
Award-Winning Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes
Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Fudge Frosting
Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Debbie G says
Love these recipes. All of yours are amazing and wonderful! Thanks for such a great giveaway. :)
Janet T says
I am making hot chocolate powder for friends this Christmas.
Shelly says
I’ll definitely be baking cookies to give away!
Heather B says
I will be making and giving a homemade gift basket of goodies to my friends and family. It usually includes peppermint bark, buckeyes, sugar cookies, peppermint blossoms, snickerdoodles, Peppermint Vanilla Roll Cake, an assortment of fudge and homemade hot cocoa mix.
Annamarie Behring says
I love to make lemon tea cookies and give them as presents :)
Joan says
Sugar cookies, spritz, Chex mix, ranch oyster crackers, and several chocolate cookies and fudge.
[email protected] & Trinkets says
Thanks for including my mix, Carla. You’re encouraging my obsession. :P
Lauren says
I plan on making cookies as gifts this holiday season.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Great round up of giftable treats!
Julianne says
Lots and lots of Christmas cookies!!
Mandi says
This Christmas I’m going on a massive cookie-baking spree… My sister and mother are wanting to give out cookies but have quite a bit on their plate, so I’m making cookies for my neighbors & co-workers, AND theirs… Should be fun!
Wehaf says
I will give mulling spices, and I am now inspired to try the cookie cutter fudge as well.
Mona says
Making haystacks this year
Jamie says
Lots of chewy gingersnap cookies!
Lynnette says
I’ll be making cupcakes for coworkers and maybe taking a stab at some homemade peanut brittle!
Terri Hughes says
Cookies or cakes!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
pinnninggggg
Leah says
chocolate, peanut butter pretzels!
Barbara Bradford says
I have been collecting popcorn recipes. Now I just need to come up with a cute way to gift the little bags of different flavors.
Brenda E says
We’ll be giving some flavored popcorns that we make each year. Our friends, neighbors, and family all look forward to this and kind of expect it now. LOL! I’ll also give away some fresh loaves of bread. That is always a hit as well.
Karen - Cinnamon Freud says
I love making fruit cake (underrated dessert) as a gift- so good homemade
Megan says
Peppermint bark!
Brittany Ricciardi says
Red Velvet Cupcakes!
Ame says
So many ideas for holiday gifts!!
Gigi says
Love your recipes! Thanks for a fun giveaway.
Val says
I always made a cookies plate for local policeman and fireman – fudge, sugar cookies and what new recipes I find — it’s always a big hit.
Kelli says
I’m going to be making chex mix, chocolate covered pretzels, Ritz sandwiches w/different fillings & Tex Mex Pretzels.
Susan Christy says
Fudge & Reese’s temptations
Arlene says
I’m giving my family Christmas dinner from my kitchen this year. :-) I love the idea, and look, of the food gifts in a jar, so homey and artistic looking!
Teresa S says
I’ll probably make some cookie plates to give away, but I may also do some spiced nuts for special friends.
Heather Ross says
Mmmmmmmmm cookies, brownies, oh the possibilities. …
[email protected] is Love says
This was a Great Blog Post! Jam packed with Fantastic ideas! Wow!
The book must be Wonnderful!
SharonF says
Two things I will be making are peanut butter fudge and decorated sugar cookies with my daughter.