This holiday season, give the gift of great food. Homemade edible gifts are fun, creative and delicious. Don’t forget the well known fact; those who cook also get to taste!
Mini loaves of banana bread
This homemade treat brings back fond memories. When my 13-year-old daughter was about 3-years-old, my friend and I made at least 2 dozen loaves of mini banana bread to give away as gifts. She had the pans, so we baked at her house while our two toddlers played together.
To make your own banana bread you will need the following supplies:
* Mini loaf pan
* Plastic wrap (to wrap each loaf in)
* Flour sifter
* A large mixing bowl
* A medium bowl
Ingredients for the best banana bread:
* 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
* 3/4 cup sugar in the raw
* 1 egg
* 2 tablespoons canola oil
* Nonstick cooking spray
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray the mini pans with nonstick cooking spray.
Sift the flour, salt, baking powder and soda.
Mash the bananas with a fork.
Combine the bananas, sugar, egg and oil in a large bowl.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix.
Use a large spoon to fill each bread pan 3/4 of the way full.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out dry.
Let the bread cool completely. Once each loaf is completely cool to the touch, gently remove the bread by turning the pan upside down and tapping on it. Wrap each individual loaf in plastic wrap.
If you are making this in advance, you can freeze the bread and take it out the day before giving it as a gift.
This is a very cost effective and healthy gift. If you have to purchase the pans, I suggest buying two pans that hold eight loaves each. This allows you to bake 16 loaves of bread at one time. Expect to spend about $50, including pans, to make between 16-32 mini loaves of bread.
This is a great gift for adults, children and even those who are health conscious.
Layered cookie gift jars
Layered cookie gift jars are a lot of fun for adults and children to make and receive. Anyone who likes cookies is a great recipient of this homemade gift. Children who are aspiring chefs will also appreciate this gift they get to create and eat.
This gift should cost about $20, depending upon the jar.
What you need to make beautiful layered gift jars:
* A glass jar large enough to hold the dry ingredients
* Canning funnel
* Card stock
* Ribbon
* Printer or pen
* Tape
* Dry ingredients from the recipe
Mint chocolate chip cookie ingredients:
* 2 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 sticks unsalted, softened butter
* 3/4 cup turbinado sugar
* 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 eggs
* 1 (10 ounce) package of Andes Crème De Menthe Baking Chips
You can substitute chocolate, white chocolate or peanut butter chips for the chocolate mint baking chips if desired; however, mint is a great flavor for the holiday season.
What to do:
– Use the canning funnel to layer the dry ingredients in the following order:
Mixture of flour, salt and baking soda
Brown sugar
Turbinado sugar
Mint chocolate baking chips
– Either write or print the entire recipe on a piece of card stock with the following directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Beat the butter, sugars and vanilla extract together until they are smooth; then, add the eggs and continue to beat.
Pour the dry ingredients from the jar into the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly with a spoon.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet lined with foil, and bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
– Place a ribbon around the top of the jar, and tape the recipe to the front of the jar.
Homemade bark candy
Bark candy is delicious and somewhat addictive. It takes will power to stop eating this homemade candy. This is a great gift for kids, candy lovers and those who love rich desserts. If you have someone on your list who Is dieting, they might not appreciate it quite as much. Still, the holidays are the perfect excuse to splurge just a little.
Head to the store for these ingredients:
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 sticks softened butter
* 1 bag (12 ounce) semisweet chocolate chips
Grab a cookie sheet and your ready to follow these instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the saltine crackers on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil.
Heat the sugar and butter until they boil for 3 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract and pour the creamy concoction over the crackers.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Immediately pour the chocolate chips over the top, spreading it evenly as it melts.
Refrigerate until set.
Break into pieces.
Wrap the candy in plastic wrap, adding a red or green ribbon for the final touch.
This is a basic recipe, so feel free to get creative by changing the extracts and chocolate. Extracts of almond or peppermint can replace the vanilla; likewise, white or dark chocolate can be substituted for the milk chocolate.
The total cost for several batches of this candy is about $15.
Happy holidays, and don’t forget to taste your treats!
More from Rebecca Bardelli:
The Many Facets of the Pumpkin
The Magical Avocado
Best Buttercream Frosting