Homemade treats make wonderful holiday gifts -- and wouldn't you rather spend time in your kitchen than brave the crowds at the mall?
Packed in a jar or pretty tin, homemade granola makes the perfect edible gift. This version, inspired by the granola served The Inn at Occidental in Sonoma County, CA, is packed with crispy clusters of old-fashioned oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, toasted coconut, honey and wheat germ. GET THE RECIPE
Advertisem*nt
Sweet, orange-scented and chock-full of cranberries and walnuts, this bread is perfect for the holidays. It also freezes well, so you can make several loaves and defrost as the season goes along. GET THE RECIPE
My husband calls these candied pecans "crack nuts" because they're madly addictive. They're perfect to keep around the house over the holidays or give as gifts. The best part? You only need four simple ingredients to make them -- and if you start right now, you'll be done in 15 minutes. GET THE RECIPE
Advertisem*nt
Biscotti are twice-baked, oblong shaped cookies made intentionally dry and crunchy -- and these are made with a double dose of chocolate. When you dunk them in coffee or tea, they soften, becoming rich, fudgy and decadent. They keep well for days, which makes them perfect for gift giving. GET THE RECIPE
Sweet, salty, spicy, and rosemary-infused, these nuts make the perfect hostess gift. I suggest making a double batch so you can keep some for yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you: they are highly addictive! GET THE RECIPE
Advertisem*nt
Chewy and moist on the inside, crispy and golden on the outside, these coconut macaroons are delicious plain but even more irresistible dipped in chocolate. They stay moist for up to a week, so they are ideal for holiday gift giving. GET THE RECIPE
A homemade bundt cake makes a lovely holiday gift -- especially when it is soaked in butter and rum! This recipe is a from-scratch version of the famous doctored-up Duncan Hines rum cake that my grandmother used to make. GET THE RECIPE
Mandel bread is a traditional Jewish cookie similar to biscotti. The difference is that it's made with more oil or butter, so the resulting cookie is a bit richer and softer. You don't need to dip it in coffee or tea to enjoy it -- it's delicious all on it's own! GET THE RECIPE
This is an old family recipe that's been passed down through the generations. I still remember baking the loaves with my mom and carting them off to every neighborhood potluck and holiday party. It's easy -- just a bit of mixing and stirring and, in about an hour, you'll have a house smelling of sweet autumn spices and two scrumptious, pumpkiny loaves. GET THE RECIPE
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circ*mstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
