Skip to Content

75 Homemade Food Ideas For Year-Round Gift Giving

Homemade is always better than store-bought.

By
chocolate truffles topped with candy canes, sea salt, and cocoa powder
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Without a doubt, food is the way to everyone’s heart. So when it comes to gift giving, we think there’s nothing better than gifting something homemade and delicious to boot. Sure, we’ve got tons of great guides for everyone from tea drinkers to dog lovers to stoners to grandmas, but when you’re looking to go above and beyond, a homemade food gift is the way to go. These 75 recipes are extra-thoughtful, budget-friendly (the BEST when you’ve got lots of people on your list), and to top it all off, fun to make and to gift. Next time a birthday or holiday rolls around, consult this list for the best homemade food gifts to send—they're the perfect way to let someone know you care.

There’s no one in the world who won’t appreciate an adorable container of freshly baked treats, so we’ve included a number of our favorite recipes here, like our best-ever banana bread, our classic sourdough, our holiday-worthy kringle, our M&M cookie bars, and more.

Not a baker? No worries! We’ve got lots of options for a wide variety of skill sets, from simple spice mixes like everything bagel seasoning or curry powder; to easy homemade candies like halva, chocolate-covered cherries, or bourbon balls; to slightly more involved projects like lemon curd, kimchi, and orange marmalade. We’ve even got a few beverages on this list—our homemade apple pie moonshine, Irish cream, and limoncello will delight anyone who receives them.

Our greatest tip—start early, and check your recipes. Some of these can come together in a few hours, but others (looking at you, fermented hot sauce and preserved lemons) can take up to a month. Second greatest tip? Make extra to save for yourself! 😉

1

Chocolate Truffles

chocolate truffles topped with candy canes, sea salt, and cocoa powder
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Dessert truffles are not only a chocolate lover's dream, but they're also completely customizable and so easy to make. Set them out at your holiday dinner, or make them for the sweetest homemade gift to give to loved ones and neighbors. Top these with even more chocolate, or even Christmas toppings like candy canes or festive sprinkles to add some holiday cheer to any celebration.

Get the Chocolate Truffles recipe.

2

Homemade Granola

homemade granola with dried fruit and nuts
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Why spend all that money on packaged granola when it's so easy to make at home with all of your favorite ingredients? Follow this super-easy step-by-step recipe and you'll never buy it from the store again. Need something grain free? Try our paleo granola next!

Get the Homemade Granola recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Crème Brûlée Banana Bread

banana bread with a bruleed sugar topping
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Why have just a classic banana bread when you can have one with caramelized sugar on top? This quick bread gets frosted with a simple cream cheese frosting to slightly mimic the custard of a crème brûlée, then topped with sugar so that it can be torched into a beautiful crackly top. It’s less temperamental than a custard, and it’s another fun use for your kitchen torch you bought when you thought you’d make crème brûlée all the time.

Get the Crème Brûlée Banana Bread recipe.

4

Puppy Chow

chex mix tossed in peanut butter and powdered sugar
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Puppy chow (aka muddy buddies) is one of the easiest and most delicious sweet snacks EVER, and it's super-kid-friendly to make and gift too.

Get the Puppy Chow recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Bacon Jam

bacon jam in a jar and spread on toast
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Making jam doesn't always involve cooking down seasonal fruit. Sometimes it involves caramelizing onions and shallots in bacon fat, maple syrup, and brown sugar for a sweet and savory spread that tastes incredible with cheese 🤤.

Get the Bacon Jam recipe.

6

Reindeer Tracks Fudge

chocolate fudge with marshmallows, nuts, candy, and peanut butter cups
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Don’t get us wrong, we love Christmas cookies of all shapes and flavors, but when our sweet tooth is in overdrive, it’s creamy, chocolaty fudge we need. Fudge is super-versatile, and we’ll take it in any form, but crammed full of sweet and salty nuts and candies, it's next-level spectacular.As a no-bake treat, fudge can be an easy addition to your holiday dessert line-up, especially using this shortcut method that doesn’t require boiling sugar or a candy thermometer.

Get the Reindeer Tracks Fudge recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Hot Chocolate Bombs

hot chocolate bombs
Andrew bui

These are essentially molds of chocolate filled with homemade hot cocoa mix and marshmallows that explode after being dropped into hot milk. The melted chocolate, along with the hot chocolate mix, makes the creamiest, best hot chocolate we've had in a long time.

Get the Hot Chocolate Bombs recipe.

8

Limoncello

lemon sugar and vodka
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Homemade limoncello is sweet and strong with a lasting, delightful lemon flavor. It's the basis for one of our favorite cocktails—the lemon drop martini—and is perfect for gifting during the holidays. Hot tip for gifting: Make sure you’re working at least 1 week in advance to allow the liquor to take on the lemon flavor.

Get the Limoncello recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Reese's Rudolph Bites

reeses candy stuck together with pretzels to make mini reindeers
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you’re looking for the perfect holiday craft-meets-snack activity to do with the whole family, look no further. True to form, these Reese’s Rudolph bites are bringing home the holiday cheer this year. The only special ingredient you'll need is candy eyes to build these jolly reindeer, which can be purchased online, but the rest comes together in a snap and makes for an adorably edible gift.

Get the Reese's Rudolph Bites recipe.

10

Preserved Lemons

preserved lemons
PHOTO; ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLIST; BROOKE CAISON

Preserved lemons are commonly used in the cuisines of North African countries. There’s something bright and beautiful about the use of briny-salty lemons in rich stews like a Moroccan tagine, and they're especially nice for gifting! Hot tip: Start early—these take 3+ weeks to ferment.

Get the Preserved Lemons recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Tiramisu Truffles

tiramisu truffles
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Craving a sweet pick-me-up at the end of a meal? These tiramisu truffles are for you. Luscious espresso and mascarpone white chocolate ganache is coated in a crisp chocolate shell for a dreamy bite-sized dessert that’s sure to delight every coffee lover.

Get the Tiramisu Truffles recipe.

12

Gingerbread Cookie Bark

white chocolate bark with gingerbread cookies and sprinkles
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

If you’re a gingerbread head like us, congratulations, you’ve stumbled upon the perfect recipe for your holiday season. This bark blends white chocolate with all your favorite holiday spices and is topped with gingerbread cookies to create a simple yet delightfully cute holiday treat.

Get the Gingerbread Cookie Bark recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Fantasy Fudge

closeup of pieces of fantasy fudge topped with pecans and crushed oreos
Joel goldberg

Fantasy fudge is a shortcut fudge that is just as good as the real thing. Our two favorite things about it are that 1) it's quick to make and 2) it's totally customizable! Not only can you use any chocolate you like, but you can also choose whatever mix-ins you want.

Get the Fantasy Fudge recipe.

14

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

chocolate covered pretzels
Parker Feierbach

Dipping pretzels in chocolate is nothing revolutionary, but boy, are they good. Here's how to do it perfectly every time. Full disclaimer: This recipe yields A LOT. Feel free to halve the recipe, but we've never had a problem eating and gifting them all.

Get the Chocolate-Covered Pretzels recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Candied Orange Peel

sliced orange peel with a candy coating
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Only requiring two ingredients, this is the finishing touch you should make when you really want your dessert to stand out. Plus, it's more than just a special garnish; this can also be a sweet, sugary snack to reach for anytime (trust us—it's better than candy). Make it for your next movie night, as a garnish for an easy dessert (cupcakes, anyone?), or to top of your showstopping holiday treat.

Get the Candied Orange Peel recipe.

16

Cookie Butter Snowflake Crisp

cookie butter snowflake crisp
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

For fans of Rice Krispies treats, meet snowflake crisp, a popular Taiwanese confection. Think of this as a lighter version of nougat, but much easier to make at home with just a few ingredients. For our take, we use crunchy Biscoff cookies, which lend subtle sweet notes of caramel and malt. The rest of the filings are a tried and true combination of roasted pistachios, dried cranberries, and white chocolate. The key ingredient here is milk powder, which provides chewiness and extra bounciness to the marshmallow base, plus it provides the “snowflake” topping.

Get the Cookie Butter Snowflake Crisp recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Hot Honey

hot honey with biscuits
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

This version is a smart cheat: 3 ingredients, 1 clean jar, and a few seconds of stirring, and you are done. A little tart, substantially spicy, and sufficiently sweet—just like honey should be.

Get the Hot Honey recipe.

18

Buckeyes

buckeyes
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER

Loaded with peanut butter and dipped in chocolate, these buckeyes are basically a homemade Reese’s peanut butter cup in truffle form. They’re easy to make and great for taking to parties—although if you do, you should probably attach a warning label to the plate. You won’t be able to have just one.

Get the Buckeyes recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Mango Chutney

mango chutney
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

In India, where chutneys hail from, the word can refer to many different spiced dishes. This mango version, which is spiced with fennel, mustard, cumin, and coriander seeds, plus a kick from fresh ginger, is similar to a jam or jelly, and will add flavor to nearly anything you pair it with.

Get the Mango Chutney recipe.

20

No-Bake Cereal Milk Truffles

truffles coated in cereal pieces
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

While drinking the milk at the bottom of your own cereal bowl is definitely a one-person treat, we wanted to find a way to share the cereal milk magic with others. Enter the cereal milk truffle: a honeyed white chocolate treat rolled in crushed cereal that everyone will fight over.

Get the No-Bake Cereal Milk Truffles recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below