consumable gifts {part 2: handmade and edible - the sweet ones}

Hello and welcome to the 2nd part of this Consumable Gifts series.

In this post, I've compiled a list of consumable gifts ideas, focusing on (you probably guessed from the title) gifts that are both handmade and edible. I haven't included cookie and cake recipes because you can find those for yourselves. Also, think about when you're giving the gift: will the recipient have time to consume it before it's past its best? Maybe they already have a cupboard full of cake and one more would just be a burden. Unless it's freezable, maybe? This is why I've chosen things in these posts which will keep a bit longer.

We begin with homemade food gifts {the sweet ones}. I got quite hungry creating this post.

1. Fudge
Make batches of different flavours: peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, vanilla fudge, chocolate mint fudge, irish cream fudge, holiday fudge, or just plain and simple fudge (more ideas and recipes here). Slice it, wrap up in greaseproof paper, put it in a box and tie with ribbon or bakers' twine - more ideas for packaging here.

2. Mix in a Jar
Layer a simple mix for cookies/biscuits/brownies into a nice jar (the jar can be part of the gift too). All they then have to do is add the wet ingredients. Attach the recipe to a card and tie with ribbon.

(image from Fried Chillies)

[For ideas on how to decorate something in a jar, check back here later for a post on packaging ideas]

3. Cookie Dough
Wrap up a log of dough for them to keep in their freezer and bake with when ready. It doesn't go stale and is something a bit different. See here.

4. Brittle
Good old fashioned peanut brittle is my favourite. See here for more ideas and recipes. You could wrap it unbroken, with a mini hammer and ribbon, like this one.

5. Candied Citrus Peels
See here.

6. Gingerbread Caramels
I love the packaging for this.

7. Fleur de Sel Toffee
See here.

8. Cake in a Jar
It keeps! It can be stored for 6 months, possibly longer. No cooking required for the recipient: just open and eat. Find it here.

(image from The Kitchn)

9. Chocolate Drizzled Mints
Looks fun to make, too.

(image from Gimme Some Oven)

10. Truffles
Autumn Spice Truffles, Chocolate Truffles, Amaretto Truffles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles, Low-Fat Mint Truffles. Dip them in chocolate and sprinkle white chocolate shavings or nuts before the chocolate sets, top them with bubble wrap chocolate decorations, or just leave them as they are.

11. Peppermint Creams
From Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, no less.

12. Homemade Marshmallows
Candy-Cane Marshmallows and Marshmallow Snowflakes look great in hot chocolate.

13. Edible Glitter (aka Sanding Sugar)
You chefs may be wincing when I call this edible glitter but, to a novice, that's kind of what it looks like, don't you think? It's actually Sanding Sugar, though.

(image from Bake at 350)

14. Neapolitan Coconut Strips
They even have packaging tips here.

15. Caramel Bourbon Vanilla Sauce
Pour into a little jar and attach a spoon with garden twine. Beautiful.

16. Candy Bracelet/Necklace
A great gift for children who don't have a problem with E-numbers. Or just big kids who don't care about E-numbers.

(image from Paper&Cake)

17. Hot Fudge Sauce
This looks great. On profiteroles, perhaps?

18. Cinder Toffee/Honeycomb/Sponge Candy
As it is, or dipped in chocolate.

19. Buttermilk Syrup
Put it in a bottle and stick a label on. Maybe you could give waffles with it? I'd like that.

20. Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
Homemade tastes so much better than Nutella.

21. Gumdrop Pops
Not quite homemade, but they are home-assembled. It certainly makes sweets look even more exciting.

22. Pecan Clusters
These look great in their handmade packaging.

23. Vanilla Syrup
Great gift for a coffee lover. I prefer it in hot chocolate. This recipe is really simple.

(image from Craftzine)

24. Praline Ice-Cream Sauce
This one's made in the microwave - great!

25. Brandy Butter
This one looks especially pleasing with a spoon attached with bakers' twine.


Coming up next: homemade food gifts {the savoury ones}