50 Best Homemade Food Gifts to Make for Christmas
Wrap them up for family, friends, and neighbors.
It can be tough to shop for Christmas gifts! The holiday season is always busy, and then you have those massive crowds to deal with and the most popular items seem to sell out so quickly! For Ree Drummond, her answer is making food gifts for Christmas instead, and now it's an annual tradition. "I love edible gifts," she says, "I usually make a few batches of cinnamon rolls or lasagna in disposable tins and deliver them to friends!"
So if you're looking for an easy way to check off everyone on your list, why not try a one of the best homemade Christmas food gifts, too? You can package up homemade Christmas candy in pretty boxes, make a flavorful jar of syrup in gingerbread flavor, or simply create a Christmas cookie plate that's worthy of gifting. These ideas for homemade Christmas gifts will have everyone on your list covered, whether you need something thoughtful to give a teacher, a thoughtful DIY gift for your mom, or a sweet treat for the kids.
And while most of these ideas are on the sweeter side including seasonal truffles, fruitcakes, and fudge recipes ('tis the season for a sweet tooth, after all), there are a few items on the savory side like candied jalapeños and spicy Chex mix. Remember: If Ree can gift lasagna, you can, too! So read on for the most delicious ideas to gift this year. Any one of them is sure to be a hit.
Bourbon Balls
You can lift someone's spirits this holiday season with spiked bourbon balls―well, the adults anyway. They're rich and decadent and yet are super easy to make thanks to a box of vanilla wafers.
Get Ree's Bourbon Balls recipe.
Oreo Fudge
Fudge is a classic holiday treat that makes an ideal food gift because it stays good for at least a week. But if you're intimidated by a candy thermometer, don't fret! This version doesn't require one.
Get Ree's Oreo Fudge recipe.
Spicy Chex Mix
If you're gifting to a person who doesn't like sweets, you can still give them a treat. Go for snackable Check mix. It's easy to pack and lasts for about a week. This version has a spicy kick to it, too!
Get the Spicy Chex Mix recipe.
Cornflake Wreaths
These cute Christmas sweets are both great to give out and fun to make with the kiddos. All it takes is marshmallows and cereal colored with green food coloring and topped with red cinnamon candies.
Get Ree's Cornflake Wreaths recipe.
Christmas Bark
Here's a scrumptious holiday treat that you can prepare in a matter of minutes. Buttery club crackers get covered in bubbling caramel to create something similar to toffee. It's then smothered in rich white chocolate, sprinkles, and peppermints.
Get Ree's Christmas Bark recipe.
Holiday Haystacks
No-bake goodies are a no-brainer! These holiday haystacks involve melting chocolate, then tossing in crunchy bits like chow mein noodles, salted almonds and pistachios. Decorate with festive sprinkles for a finishing touch.
Get Ree's Holiday Haystacks recipe.
Gingerbread Truffles
Gingerbread is one of the best holiday flavors—which is why it's wonderful that these have their warm flavor in the soft texture of a truffle that melts in your mouth. A white chocolate glaze and fun sprinkles finishes them off.
Get Ree's Gingerbread Truffles recipe.
Jeweled Divinity Candy
Stunning and so seasonal, this old-fashioned treat will delight anyone who takes a bite. It tastes like the best combination of meringue, nougat, and marshmallow with gummy candies mixed in.
Get Ree's Jeweled Divinity Candy recipe.
Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Make these cute cowboy boot and star cookies to dole out this Christmas season. They'll make your loved ones smile, even before they take a bite! Decorating with royal icing is easier than you think.
Get Ree's Cut-Out Sugar Cookies recipe.
Sugar Cookie Biscotti
How merry and bright are these colorful bites? They'll pair perfectly with a warm cup of coffee or tea this holiday season. Just don't forget the sweet glaze for dipping and drizzling.
Get the Sugar Cookie Biscotti recipe.
Christmas Cracker Candy
This classic treat combines crisp saltine crackers with homemade toffee and a chocolate-Nutella topping. It's all finished with festive sprinkles and candies to make it look and taste completely irresistible!
Get the Christmas Cracker Candy recipe.
Gingerbread Syrup
This sweet syrup has just the right amount of holiday spice! It can be used for shaking up a seasonal cocktail, stirred into a cup of coffee, or even drizzled over a stack of pancakes instead of syrup for a festive twist.
Get the Gingerbread Syrup recipe.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Imagine your recipient's face when they open the container to find these snowy, chocolatey cookies. Use a cookie cutter to get the shape, then decorate them with white icing and sanding sugar.
Get Ree's Chocolate Sugar Cookies recipe.
Pecan Pralines
These classic Southern candies are quite literally the sweetest gift of them all! They pack really well in airtight tins filled with tissue paper and can stay fresh for up to a week―assuming they last that long. 😉
Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.
Potato Candy
If you've never made this unique retro candy, you and your recipient are (literally) in for a treat. Yes, it's actually made from a potato but all you'll taste is a peanut butter-filled sweet.
Get the Potato Candy recipe.
Scotcheroos
This simple crunchy peanut butter treat is always a hit no matter what time of year it is! The sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top to balances out the sweetness.
Get the Scotcheroos recipe.
Sugar Cookie Fudge
This fun twist on sugar cookies doesn't even require you to turn on the oven. The homemade fudge is so simple to make—and it looks cute, too!
Get the Sugar Cookie Fudge recipe.
Rum Balls
Warning: Adults only for this sweet treat! These festive bites certainly pack a punch and they will definitely be a hit. You can be really creative with the toppings to make them unique to the recipient, too.
Get the Rum Balls recipe.
Pizzelle
This classic Italian cookie looks so impressive thanks to the heated decorative iron that cooks them. Don't they look just like pretty snowflakes? Once they cool, they can stack really well in packaging.
Get the Pizzelle recipe.
Brittle
This homemade brittle uses four types of nuts (cashews, pecans, peanuts, and almonds) for the ultimate wow factor. Pack it up in a pretty tin for gifting.
Get the Brittle recipe.
Kara Zauberman is the Senior Editor of Content Strategy at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, lifestyle, news, and more. When she’s not writing and editing, you can find her seeking out new restaurants or cooking for friends and family.
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