Fifteen Delicious Gifts of Food and Love From Your Kitchen!

Gifts from the heart, often start in the kitchen.

And I have learned the hard way that the holidays or any other gift giving celebration, is probably not the time to try something new in the kitchen. Which is why I am offering twelve of our tested and time honored recipes that also make absolutely delicious gifts! Any time of the year. While Christmas may be coming upon us, fortunately gift giving happens the year round!

What will you need to do, to make it a great gift?

Not much really. Gather up some festive wrapping paper, a spool of ribbon for bows. And maybe a few gift tins or baskets of different sized. And how about a few different styles of jars and a serving tray or two? You will have all the supplies needed for the delicious food gifts coming out of your kitchen. And do remember this, any gift you make and give with pride, is really the giving of two gifts. The food gift itself, plus all the thoughtful caring, worked in along the way.

This is also a fun time to customize the containers and wrapping paper to fit a theme or a fun hobby the person you are gifting to, enjoys. Such as, an antique jar to hold candy or cookies for the antique lover on your list. Or a fishing creel to hold a batch of brownies, for your favorite fisherman. Matching up the person, the food gift along with the container to hold it, is quite a bit of fun! And makes the gift personalized, which is also a compliment!

Flat trays and baskets, colorful acrylic bowls, coffee cups, deep baskets and mini wooden crates along with antique jars and unique one of a kind bowls and holders will make wonderful containers for food gifts!

My guess is you are looking for easy AND delicious food gift ideas?

Great, none of these recipes are hard (because seriously that would take all the fun out!) but they are all delicious. And please, don't let any of the humble photos below stop you from making any one of these for gifts. Because food doesn't get any better, then when it is created with love...and put in a pretty container!

Each recipe offered makes a lovely gift by itself, but two or three in a basket make the occasion even more festive. And a gift basket made up to surprise and delight a family on your gift list, is a fun way to show how much you care. So why not come and take a look at some of these food gift ideas...

Let's get started.

This is the easiest toffee you will ever make. Trust me, if I can make it, so can you! And for those with nut allergies, simply substitute pretzels for the walnuts, or make a batch both ways, one with nuts and one with pretzels!

Gift packaging idea: Break into bite sized pieces and pack into a wide mouth jar, attach the ring and flat lid and tie it up with a ribbon on top.

Easy to Make Toffee.

This is a seasonal jam, but the season is now! Persimmons have hit the marketplace and this jam is worth the effort. Ladle and seal into small jam jars and give with a smile on your face, because it is that good...

Gift packaging idea: Place small jars of jam in a basket with a couple of fresh persimmons and simply add a bow.

Persimmon Jam.

This recipe for Whole Wheat Cream Cheese Banana Bread, actually makes two loaves. So you have a choice, use both loaves for a gift that will make your gift-ee smile for a long time, or use this recipe to save a bit of time and be able to make two gifts for the time of one...decisions, decisions.

Gift packaging idea: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and place on a tray, and don't forget to add a bow!

Whole Wheat Cream Cheese Banana Bread.

These cookies are so good. Don't even worry about the whole wheat flour, because with the browned butter and crispy nuts (and let's not forget the chocolate chips!) no one will realize they are eating a whole grain cookie.

Git packaging idea: Pack a dozen or two into a cookie tin or on a tray with a couple of coffee cups, and wait for the compliments!

Whole Wheat Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This Cranberry Honey Mustard is not only lovely it is delicious! Plus it starts with a jar of high quality mustard from the market, and you add the essentials, dried cranberries and a bit of honey. We have gifted this mustard on many occasions and with confidence because we know how delicious it is!

PS you will want to make a couple of weeks before gifting, so the flavors can marry together.

Gift packaging idea: Pack it into a hasp-top style jar and top with a bow. Also perfect in a food basket with other savory items to enjoy.

Cranberry Honey Mustard.

This cake is spectacular and would make a wonderful gift for a larger family. You can also find a small bather version here. Because I assure you, smaller families will love this cake just as much!

Gift packaging idea: Offer the cake displayed on a covered cake plate, along with a gift tag.

Whole Grain Applesauce and Spice Chocolate Chip Cake.

We cannot go without a jar of this Chocolate Sugar, for mochas and cocoa. My husband enjoys this everyday in his ~~coffee~~ morning mocha! A gift from the heart doesn't get much easier than this one!

Gift packing idea: package in a jar and offer in a basket with a coffee cup or two.

Chocolate Sugar for Mochas and Cocoa.

Conveniently Tangerines are in the marketplace during the holidays. This is a no canning required recipe. You may store in the refrigerator or freeze for a longer period of time.

Gift packaging idea: place in a clear glass condiment bowl with a matching lid, such a lovely way to present this gift.

Fresh Tangerine Marmalade.

Not all gifts given need to be sweet. Some folks have a savory tooth in place of a sweet one. If you have a friend like that, this is the food gift for them!

Gift packaging idea: press the cheese spread into a small crock or glass jar with a lid, offer in a basket with one or two types of crackers.

Gouda Cheese Spread.

Quick bread doesn't get any better than this! And it doesn't get any more delicious either! You can't go wrong with dried cherries and real white chocolate chunks.

Gift packaging idea: Wrap the bread in clear plastic wrap then place on a cutting board and tie the two together with a bright red ribbon.

Brandied Cherry and White Chocolate Quick Bread.

Brownies are always a hit! These easy and delicious brownies are no different. Containing lots of Nutella, they disappear fast!

Gift packaging idea: cut and place in a cookie tin to keep them moist and chewy.

Three Ingredient Nutella Brownies.

This is the gift for that one person, and we all have one, the one you have a hard time finding or even making a gift for. Why this food gift? Because I have never heard anyone say they don't like this peanut butter...

Gift packaging idea: place in a hasp top jar and offer with a wooden spreading knife.

White Chocolate Peanut Butter.

When you hand a fresh baked pie to the gift-ee, you are their friend for life! But just to drive the message home, take this pie while still warm, the aroma is soooo good.

Gift packaging idea: knock on their door, smile and say "for you" and hand them this pie!

Pear Creme Pie.

Simple, delicious, and homemade. Do we need to say any more? A simple but delicious nut bread that everyone loves.

Gift packaging idea: Wrap the brad in clear plastic wrap, place on a cutting board and tie the two together with their favorite colored ribbon, or a red one!

Simple Nut Bread.

This last one is another one for the savory tooth friend! Our Favorite Rub is just right, not too hot, and not too sweet.

Gift packaging idea: you may package in a screw top jar or a heavy duty freezer bag. This is a great gift to include in a food basket gift for families, along with one or two additional items.