Put your baking skills to good use and treat your loved ones to some delicious edible gifts! The recipes below are all perfectly portable, keep fresh for days, and make truly scrumptious snacks that everyone will adore.
Homemade edible gifts are a wonderful way to share a little love from your kitchen. It shows that you've put time, thought, and effort into the gift, resulting in a delicious treat. They're great gifts for Christmas, birthdays, Valentine's, party favors, or letting someone know you're thinking of them.
Every recipe in this roundup is designed to be simple, reliable, and travel-friendly, so your bakes arrive looking as good as they taste. You'll also find handy tips for storing and packaging your treats to keep them fresh and gift-ready.
And if you want to take things up a notch, don't miss the bonus ideas to make your gifts look extra special - from gorgeous wrapping methods to cute ways to personalize each present. Just be warned: once you start gifting these, you might become everyone's new favorite baker!
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Homemade Treats For Gifting
We're starting this roundup off with a collection of tasty treats. There's nothing more thoughtful than some homemade goodies that your loved ones can snack on whenever they fancy something sweet. Choose from truffles and chocolate bites, to brownies and cakesicles!
These adorable cookie dough bites are the perfect edible gifts for Christmas and birthdays! Roll scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough into little balls, dip them in melted chocolate, and leave them to set. To make them Valentine's themed, you can pour the chocolate into heart molds and push in the cookie dough.
This viral Dubai chocolate bar will be loved by anyone who takes a bite. The shiny chocolate coating encases the crunchiest pistachio kataifi filling - made from shredded phyllo pastry and creamy pistachio cream. To achieve the glossiest finish, follow my simple tutorial on how to temper chocolate. It can even be done without a thermometer!
An oldie but a goodie! You can't go wrong with some classic squares of millionaire's shortbread. A buttery, melt-in-the-mouth shortbread base is topped with a thick layer of caramel and finished with shiny, dark chocolate. Each element is set in place beautifully, making these treats perfect for transporting.
These gooey chocolate marshmallow treats can be used in so many tasty ways! Enjoy them as they are, use them to bake with (like in my chocolate marshmallow cookies), stick them between some Graham crackers for a s'mores twist, or let them melt into a hot chocolate!
Indulge your loved ones with the gooiest red velvet brownies with cream cheese frosting. With their tangy chocolate flavor and striking red color, they make the perfect sweet gift for Valentine's Day, Christmas, or any special occasion.
Step into Scotland with these delightful chocolate truffles. These no-bake treats are so quick and easy to make, and the chocolate and coconut flavor combination is always a winner. I love to gift these treats around the holidays - the dusting of sugar makes them look like little snowballs!
For an easy but elegant gift, make some chocolate-covered strawberries - they always look impressive but are so simple to do. To make them extra special, sprinkle them with chopped nuts or edible glitter, or drizzle over some sweet white chocolate. Gift them in a box as they are, or slide them onto wooden sticks to make chocolate strawberry skewers.
Scones make wonderful gifts - they freeze really well, so you can make them whenever you have some free time, and warm them up on the day of gifting! To make them extra special, give them alongside a jar of homemade caramel sauce or strawberry coulis.
These little chocolate truffles are my go-to gift when I need to whip up something fast that still tastes divine. You'll only need 4 simple ingredients to make these bite-sized treats - feel free to change the toppings to suit special occasions like Christmas!
The cutest little brownie bites with a sweet n' silky salted caramel topping. Since they're so tiny, you can make a whole batch of these tasty treats and give them out to each of your friends and family.
I make these delicious cakesickles every Valentine's Day to show my hubby some love in the best way possible! I use the same reliable recipe as my red velvet cupcakes, and press it into a popsicle mould covered in the prettiest pink chocolate coating. Sprinkle with edible love hearts to make them extra special.
The BEST fudgy brownies with perfect shiny tops - rich, chewy, and irresistibly chocolatey. These brownies bake up with a gorgeous crackly top and a dense, gooey center that keeps every bite indulgent.
Best Cookies to Give as Gifts
Cookies make the perfect edible gifts! They are sturdy enough to stack up on top of one another and last for days. Plus, who doesn't love a good cookie? I've pulled together my super-easy cookie recipes that anyone can make and everyone will love - perfect for gifting and sharing.
You can't beat a classic batch of soft chocolate chip shortbread cookies. Using my authentic Scottish shortbread recipe, these buttery cookies are loaded with chocolate chips or chunks for a fun twist. Super quick, super easy, and super delicious!
Impress your besties with these gorgeous little cookies made with classic French meringue. They are wonderfully light and keep really well, making them perfect for gifting. Pipe the meringue batter into any pretty shapes you like - love hearts, roses, and kisses are my favorites!
What better treats to bring to your coffee morning than coffee cookies? These chewy yet crispy cookies are bursting with real espresso flavor and take just minutes to make! Simply mix the wet ingredients, then the dry ingredients, and roll the cookie dough into little balls. Bake in just 12 mins - it's really that easy!
Can you believe these babies can be made in just 15 minutes - including bake time! In just four simple steps, you'll have these delicate oaty cookies that taste incredible. They're great for a last-minute gift that everyone will love.
Keep things simple with my classic shortbread cookies, made by a real Scot! These yummy cookies are soft, buttery, and guaranteed to melt in your mouth. I love to sprinkle them with a generous coating of sugar to make them extra sweet and bring a crunchy contrast. Plus, I tell you the best techniques to make cut-out shortbread cookies for all the fun shapes!
Make these delightful heart-shaped sugar cookies your own with whatever cute design you like! Follow my 3-ingredient sugar cookies recipe for soft yet snappy cookies, and decorate them in vanilla icing, royal icing, or just some pretty sprinkles.
These classic almond cookies are the best way to spread some love and holiday cheer this Christmas! My recipe bakes up the softest sandwich cookies to go with a sweet raspberry jam filling that shines through the love heart windows. Cover in a dusting of icing sugar for that snowy feel.
Roll up balls of chocolate and powdered sugar cookie dough, and watch them spread into the coolest crinkle cookies. Loaded with chocolate chips, these cookies are incredibly gooey and delicious, and look super impressive - when really, it only took you 15 minutes to make them!
These are my personal favorite cookies to gift to people. Show your friends and family how much you love them with the best pistachio shortbread cookies. Loaded with chopped pistachios and coated in shiny melted chocolate, these buttery shortbread cookies are truly divine. They only last about a day in my house, so be sure to bake plenty to go around.
I tried and tested 36 iterations to create the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe so you can bake the best cookies with confidence. They are the perfect balance of crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and of course, are loaded with melty chocolate chips. Try my white chocolate chip cookies if you'd prefer!
Opening a box of homemade buttery shortbread is always a treat, especially when it is made from scratch. Bake up the perfect shortbread fingers that are guaranteed to melt in your mouth with every bite. The rectangular shape makes these biscuits great for gifting in boxes without the worry of anything cracking or breaking.
Gift-Worthy Cupcakes and Muffin Recipes
A box of cupcakes or muffins will brighten up anyone's day. The recipes below bake up to the fluffiest sponges that are bursting with flavor, all topped with smooth frosting, silky glaze, or crunchy crumb.
Spread the love with soft and fluffy vanilla cupcakes decorated with pretty pink buttercream and love-heart sprinkles. You can make them extra special by filling the centers with homemade strawberry coulis! These darling cupcakes make the cutest Valentine's gift for your loved one.
Deliver these spiced cinnamon swirl muffins to your besties on a cozy fall morning to brighten up their day. They're wonderfully fluffy, bursting with flavor, and so easy to make. Drizzle with vanilla glaze or cream cheese glaze for extra deliciousness.
Indulge everyone's chocolate craving with the best chocolate cupcakes. Using the two-bowl method, these cupcakes are incredibly easy to make and turn out super moist, letting the rich chocolate flavor shine. Top them with a swirl of my easy chocolate buttercream and a dusting of chocolate shavings.
What's better than regular blueberry muffins? That would be blueberry struesel muffins with a surprise cheesecake filling, of course! Adding a sprinkle of my crumble topping over these muffins gives them a nice crunch to contrast with the soft blueberries and smooth cream cheese filling. The perfect breakfast treat!
Every element of these darling strawberry cupcakes is infused with real strawberries - no artificial flavors or coloring whatsoever. Start by making the fluffy strawberry sponge, and fill it with a surprise strawberry coulis filling. Top with a swirl of homemade strawberry buttercream, and a fresh strawberry for a pretty finish.
For all the pistachio lovers - this one's for you! These babies are fluffy, flavorful, and made with an abundance of real pistachios. I love to take them to the next level with an unbelievably delicious pistachio crumble topping for tasty crunch in every bite. I am particularly proud of this recipe and could happily eat a whole batch to myself.
Bring some festive cheer with these striking red velvet cupcakes topped with silky cream cheese frosting for a tangy edge. Great for Christmas snacking or a Valentine's Day treat.
Bake these fluffy muffins all year round with fresh or frozen raspberries! The tart berries go so beautifully with my sweet crumble topping, adding crunch and toasty flavor. A hearty batch of these muffins always goes down well as a breakfast treat or afternoon snack!
Edible Gifts In Jars
I always think it's lovely when someone makes you a little jar of something sweet. Make your besties a delicious spread, sauce, or filling that they can enjoy again and again - until a refill is required!
Caramel gets a bad rep for being tricky to make from scratch if you're not a seasoned pastry chef. This recipe banishes those rumors with a foolproof wet caramel method that anyone can make! Gift your homemade caramel in a glass jar to be poured over cakes, desserts, and cookies.
A jar of homemade pistachio butter is perfect for your pistachio-obsessed loved ones. And all you need is a bag of pistachios! It's great for spreading on toast, spooning over yogurt and fruit, or incorporating into delicious desserts like my Pistachio Cheesecake and Pistachio Dacquoise Cake.
Bring some berrylicious sweetness into your loved ones' lives with this delightful strawberry coulis. Simply heat strawberries (fresh or frozen) and sugar in a saucepan until the strawberries have broken down a little, and strain to create a lump-free puree. It's perfect for mixing into cakes, pouring into drinks, filling cupcakes, and drizzling over desserts.
Indulge your friends and family with a jar of the tastiest maple butter. All you'll need is a good quality maple syrup, a saucepan, and a candy thermometer! This recipe transforms an already delicious pouring syrup into a thick, luscious spread that elevates anything it's added to.
Velvety, spiced, and bursting with autumn flavor, this pumpkin curd is a creamy dream in every spoonful. Perfect on toast, swirled into yogurt and granola, or dolloped on top of desserts - it brings the cozy taste of fall to everything. I use this as a surprise filling for my pumpkin spice cupcakes, and it is always a hit!
Give your loved ones the tastiest alternative to peanut butter with my yummy homemade pecan butter. It's rich, creamy, and perfect on toast, in smoothies, or straight from the spoon! I can't even make this at home anymore because I always end up eating the whole jar with a spoon within two days!
Pretty Ways to Package Homemade Treats
You want to make your edible gifts look as delightful as they taste, so some thoughtful packaging will make your baked goods extra special. The suggestions below are simple but effective ways to glow-up your gifts!
Packaging Ideas
- Boxes and tins - Paper boxes and patterned tins are ideal for packing up fragile and soft baked goods like cupcakes, brownies, cakes, and muffins. Be sure to line your box or tin with parchment paper to prevent any sticking.
- Paper gift bags - I love to use paper bags for my gifts, especially the ones with a little clear window so you can see the gorgeous treats! These are great for stackable goods like cookies and traybakes.
- Cellophane bags - Clear cellophane bags are the best way to show off all of your hard work! They're great for bite-sized treats like truffles, or for wrapping individual cupcakes and muffins. Seal the bag with a bow for a pop of color.
- Wrapping paper - Keep things simple with some good old wrapping paper. Sturdy bakes like cookies and traybakes will wrap up well - it is best to cover them in plastic wrap first to keep them fresh.
Decorative Touches
- Ribbon - A simple piece of ribbon or string will tie up your gifts beautifully. Tie it around boxes with a bow in the middle, or seal paper and cellophane bags by scrunching and tying ribbon around the top.
- Labels - Personalize your gifts by adding a cute little label detailing who they're for, what they are, and who made them (you!).
- Stickers - Design your own custom stickers if you plan on making lots of baking gifts for your loved ones - there are some great websites out there to do so. Or, find some cute pre-made ones that suit the occasion. I love to use them instead of cellotape to seal my packaging together.
- Personalized Card - It's always nice to write a little something special in a card when you're giving a gift. Tell your loved one a bit about what you've made and why you made it for that person - it will make their day.
More Individual Desserts
Keep the theme of mini desserts going with these delicious recipes:
DIY Food Gifts FAQs
During the holidays, festive treats like Linzer cookies, cinnamon roll muffins, red velvet cupcakes, and chocolate chip shortbread cookies are the perfect edible Christmas gifts. Pair them with a jar of maple butter for an extra something sweet.
Cookie dough bites, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate coconut balls, brigadeiro, and Dubai chocolate are all delicious no-bake gifts.
Baked goods like sugar cookies, traditional shortbread, meringue cookies, and chocolate strawberries all use just 3 main ingredients (except some vanilla extract!), making them super quick and easy to make.
There are many ways to assemble a gorgeous cupcake bouquet (a batch of cupcakes made to look like a flower bouquet). The best and easiest method I've used is by covering a polystyrene ball with skewers or toothpicks and pressing the cupcakes onto them. Wrap with some brown parchment and ribbon for an elegant finish.
Tips for Storing and Delivering Homemade Edible Gifts
It's important to keep your edible gifts as fresh and beautiful as the day you made them. With a little care and the right storage tricks, your baked goods will arrive in the best condition for the lucky recipients.
Storing Tips
- Airtight containers - As always, storing baked goods in an airtight container/package is essential for keeping them fresh. Try your best to seal your packaging up nice and tight with ribbon, tape, or plastic wrap if needed.
- Separate delicate goods - Place baking parchment paper between keep fragile goods to avoid sticking or smudging.
- Bake fresh or freeze - It's best to gift your baked goods on the day or the day after you made them, so that your loved ones can enjoy them at their tastiest. A lot of my recipes can be frozen for weeks and thawed out before gifting - if you know you won't have time on the day, think ahead and bake ahead!
Delivering Tips
- Sturdy packaging - For soft bakes like muffins, cupcakes, and cakes, it's important to use rigid packaging like boxes and tins that won't be crushed.
- Avoid long transits - The easiest way to gift your treats is in person, as it avoids the potential of smooshing or breaking, and means they're delivered at their freshest. Try to avoid long transits if possible (i.e, more than a few days or in the mail) - use next-day delivery where possible.
- Cushion with padding - Surround your baked goods with tissue paper, crumpled paper, or bubble wrap to keep them nice and secure.
Festive Tip
Add a sprig of rosemary, cinnamon stick, or dried orange slice to your packaging for a natural, fragrant finishing touch.
Come back to this tasty roundup anytime you need some homemade gift inspo for your besties and loved ones. Be sure to rate your favorite recipes in the comments below, and share any pictures with me - I'd love to see how you guys get creative with the pretty packaging.
Happy baking 🙂
Hi, I'm Jules!
I'm a Scottish ex-bakery owner sharing my tried and true dessert recipes and expert tips to help you whip up impressive desserts at home.
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Happy Baking!