60+ Homemade Edible Gift Ideas
Homemade holiday gifts are thoughtful and budget-friendly. And these DIY holiday baking gifts can also be completely earth-friendly. No batteries to replace, and – as long as they’re yummy – they’ll never end up crowding a landfill!
One of the hardest parts of moving away from our old Kentucky home was leaving family, friends, and our neighbor Beth’s amazing cinnamon rolls. The week of Christmas, her adorable sons would show up at the door with a pan of warm, ooey-gooey, cinnamon goodness. Within minutes I’d get texts from the other neighbors saying things like, “Is it wrong to moan when you eat them?”
If you’re on a budget, DIY holiday baking gifts are the perfect way to save money but still show someone how much you care. They also make a nice solution for those people on your list who already have everything.
DIY Holiday Baking Gifts
Here are some edible gift ideas and recipes we’ve made and given as edible gifts.
And speaking from experience, it’s always better to take a practice run at making something new. Waiting until the last minute can stress you out. It can lead to a last-minute run to the bakery or shops to buy a gift when your homemade option doesn’t look presentable.
Sweet Treats & Snacks
From decadent fudge to festive cookies, sweet treats are always a holiday favorite. These indulgent goodies are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth and spreading joy with every bite.
White Chocolate Blueberry Snowmen from FoodBites are ready in 30 minutes and liven up any holiday cookie and treat tray.
Gingerbread Bites made with this recipe are vegan and require no cook time. The sweetness come from dates and spices, putting them near the top of our list of healthy homemade gift ideas.
Vegan Peppermint Bark from What Great Grandma Ate uses coconut oil and coconut butter (some peppermint bark recipes call for canola oil).
Allergy Friendly Holiday Buckeyes : Super Healthy Kids
Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows from Bakerita are absolutely beautiful. They make a great gift or addition to your Holiday Charcuterie Board.
Coconut Praline Gluten-Free Caramel Corn is fun to munch on during the holidays. This recipe from Against All Grain is well worth the effort of making at home.
Chocolate Turmeric Caramel Cups from The Food Babe are anti-inflammatory and tasty!
Pistachio Brittle from The Kitchn offers a great way to gift a protein rich snack to your loved ones.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles are another beautiful homemade gift. These from Sally’s Baking Addiction are rich and delicious!
Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti : we’ve had these biscotti from Tasty Kitchen on this roundup since 2011 and they still stand the test of time as a tasty gift or holiday treat to make for yourself.
Homemade Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Sticks are loved by kids especially.
Alton Brown’s Candied Ginger can be a lifesaver during the overindulgence of the holidays. Ginger is great for bloating and stomach troubles.
Candied Orange Peels from A Spicy Perspective add vibrance and flavor to Christmas cocktails and desserts.
Vegan Mini Mint Cookies are another yummy holiday treat that presents well as a gift.
Paleo Gingerbread Cookies from Paleo Running Mama really have some substance to them.
Christmas Saltine Toffee Bark fills the sweet and salty cravings. You can make a big batch to give as gifts and save some for your family.
Snowball Cookies are one of Susan Lucci’s favorite desserts she made when her daughter Liza Huber was a child.
Vegan / Paleo Raw Fudge from Detoxinista includes no refined sugar, making it the perfect healthy holiday baking gift.
After making these Homemade Healthy Kit Kat Bars by Bake it Paleo, it’s very tempting to keep them all for yourself. But if you make a big batch, you can gift some and save some – preferably in the freezer – so you don’t eat them all at once!
Peppermint Brownies from Tastes Better from Scratch are one of many desserts you can choose to give. Lauren makes her recipes pretty much fool-proof.
Lemon Cookies from Culinary Hill offer some lively yellow color to a cookie platter.
Breads & Baked Goods
Few things say “made with love” like freshly baked bread or pastries. These comforting gifts bring the warmth and aroma of the holidays straight to your loved ones.
I haven’t added a full recipe post for this focaccia bread recipe yet because I never get a chance to photograph it at my house. It’s always cut into or covered in pizza toppings as soon as it comes out of the oven. That said – focaccia is my current favorite baked good gift or easy to bring item for a dinner party. The toppings I included in the unbaked photo above are cherry tomatoes, rosemary, and olives as the centers of the flowers.
Gluten Free Apple Spice Coffee Cake from Against All Grain is Paleo friendly and delicious.
Sticky Pecan Mini Buns : The Pioneer Woman
Almond Twists: Love, Cake
Kippi at Home’s Cranberry Nut Bread is another of our favorite DIY holiday baking gifts. It presents so beautifully and most people love homemade bread.
Gluten Free Granola : Well Plated
North Pole Cupcakes : Green Child
Cranberry Orange Bread : Feel Good Foodie
As I mentioned above, cinnamon rolls, like these from Vegan Richa, are one of my favorite gifts – especially to receive. Bonus points if there’s a way you can deliver them fresh from the oven like my neighbor always did! She used this recipe: Clone of a Cinnabon.
Flourless Banana Bread is something I’ve been baking for a decade now. My mom made it for my birthday this year, and we all enjoyed it.
Cranberry Orange Scones from Tastes Better From Scratch are easy enough for first-time scone bakers.
Healthy Vegan Baklava – this one has an oil-free option too.
Chai-Spiced Tea Loaves from Delish are a great way to bring Chai flavor into a holiday baked good gift.
Snickerdoodle Bread doesn’t use yeast and definitely fits the bill for a sweet bread.
Gifts in a Jar
Simple, charming, and endlessly customizable, gifts in a jar make a thoughtful choice. From cookie mixes to soups, they’re an easy way to share a homemade touch with minimal effort.
Vegetarian 5 Bean Soup Mix : Back to Her Roots
For a thoughtful and different gift in a jar idea, go for Martha Stewart’s Citrus Salt.
If you already have your own sourdough starter, why not share it with your loved ones? If you’re new to baking cultured and gut friendly foods, you can follow these instructions for a Sourdough Starter from The Frugal Girls.
Jovial makes an Einkorn Flour Starter kit for beginners that includes starter, a scale, their Einkorn flour, and a copy of their Einkorn Cookbook.
Gingerbread Cookie Ingredients in a Jar so they can make cookies whenever they want.
Homemade Pancake Mix Jar takes some of the trouble out of Christmas morning breakfast for your recipient.
Cherry Pistachio Granola Clusters are versatile, so your loved ones can eat them plain or add to their favorite yogurt.
Alton Brown’s Hot Cocoa is our favorite recipe to make for ourselves.
Grapefruit & Pomegranate Marmalade is a sweet gift on so many levels.
Homemade Vanilla Extract is another of my favorite gifts to both give and receive. It’s especially nice if your recipient does a lot of baking.
Homemade Cornbread Mix can help make busy dinner nights easier for your loved one.
Apple Butter never gets old, especially around the holidays.
Whiskey Caramel Sauce is another unique and thoughtful gift.
Homemade Brownie Mix Jar – here’s an easy recipe but you can find tons of them to suit dietary needs online.
Savory Gifts
For the friend who prefers salty over sweet, savory snacks are the way to go. These tasty and unique options are perfect for munching, gifting, or pairing with holiday spreads.
Rosemary Parmesan Crackers are another savory food that belongs on your holiday charcuterie board and they also make a great gift!
Ina Garten’s Chipotle & Rosemary Spiced Nuts are easy to make and fun to give.
Homemade Fajita Seasoning is always a hit on taco Tuesday.
Sweet & Smoky Popcorn & Nut Mix – another option for holiday snacking your recipient will love.
Flavored Mustard makes a unique and tasty gift.
Herb Infused Olive Oil is another gift I love to give and receive.
DIY Bread Herbs from Sense and Edibility are the perfect companions to your homemade bread gifts and infused olive oils.
How to Wrap Holiday Baking Gifts
Presentation is part of the charm when it comes to DIY holiday baking gifts. You can use reusable jars, tins, or fabric wraps to package your creations beautifully while keeping things eco-friendly. Mason jars tied with twine and a sprig of rosemary make a rustic statement, while beeswax wraps or cloth napkins can double as part of the gift.
For more ideas on keeping your holiday wrapping sustainable, check out our guide: How to Wrap Gifts Sustainably.
Homemade edible gifts are more than just thoughtful and budget-friendly — they’re an expression of love and creativity. Whether you’re sharing sweets, freshly baked breads, or savory treats, these gifts bring a personal touch that store-bought items can’t match.
They also offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with your kids or loved ones in the kitchen, making memories as you mix, bake, and package your creations. So, as you plan your holiday giving, consider the warmth and joy that come from sharing something delicious and made with love.
More Holiday Fun Ideas
Holiday Snack Boards
Eco-Friendly Gifts for Kids
Simple Tips for Holiday Hosting
