Holiday Treats

Looking for a personal gift for that special person? Try one of these yummy homemade holiday treats. Hard to put a price on ‘thoughtful’.

Holidays and special events are a great time to break out the baked goods and treats. They make perfect gifts, particularly for people who don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen but love delicious homemade foods. And, of course, they make popular host/hostess gifts and potluck contributions.

Yes, homemade holiday treats take a bit more effort than picking up or ordering  a gift, but you can be sure they will be well appreciated. A food gift is thoughtful, caring and special. And, there are lots of options that take very little effort if you’re short on time. Like…

Our easy holiday treats under 30 minutes

All the recipes below have clear step by step instructions so they are easy to follow. But these, specifically, are super easy. Most of them take much less than 30 minutes of hands on time. Some, of course, need chilling or cooling time. 

• • lime glazed easy shortbread cookies
  • cinnamon puff pastry rolls
  • 3 minute fudge
  • chocolate cranberry rice crispy squares 
  • crispy butter lace cookies
  • white chocolate bark (peppermint or almond)
  • cheese twists

How to package a food gift

There are many simple options. Here are a few: cellophane (or cellophane gift bags), pretty boxes, wine bags and paper or cloth gift bags. Line your container with wax paper, parchment or tissue paper. And don’t forget a little gift card. 

Other desserts you might like for the holidays

• Chocolate Mousse Dessert with Warm Caramel Sauce
• Orange Polenta Cake (gluten free)
• Puff Pastry Apple Tart (30 minutes)
• Microwave Brownie Recipe in 8 Minutes

14 Holiday treats to package as food gifts

Cinnamon Puff Pastry Rolls

Pop one of these mini cinnamon puff pastry rolls into your mouth for a buttery, flaky, sweet, cinnamon-y explosion. Easy, quick and yummy.

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Lime-Glazed Easy Shortbread Cookies

It's hard to believe these buttery, zesty melt-in-your-mouth Lime-Glazed Easy Shortbread Cookies are made in 30 minutes with just 6 ingredients. Perfect for a tea, shower, potluck, or holiday cookie-exchange. And the perfect gift.

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Chocolate Toffee With Hazelnuts

Chocolate Toffee - buttery, nutty, chocolate-y, crunchy and scrumptious. Like Skor bars, but way better. And much easier to make than you think. 

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Best Homemade Caramel Popcorn

No, you can't just eat a handful of this addictive homemade caramel popcorn. Crunchy popcorn and nuts with a mouth-watering buttery salted caramel coating. Perfect for gifts, picnics & parties.

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Cheese Twists

Puff pastry Cheese Twists are a great choice for your next get-together. Flaky, cheesy, crispy and easy to make ahead as an appetizer. And very popular!

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Chocolate Cranberry Rice Crispy Squares Recipe

Loaded with chocolate, nuts and sweet-tangy cranberries, these Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats  are rich, crunchy, chewy, nutty, chocolate-y deliciousness.

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Crispy Buttery Lace Cookies Recipe

These delicate, crispy, buttery Lace Cookies have been in our family for years. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for a tea, brunch, shower or dessert.

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3 Minute Creamy Chocolate Fudge Recipe

3 ingredients.  3 steps.  3 minutes.  That's what is takes to make this delicious, easy creamy chocolate fudge.  Mouth-watering.

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Skor Chocolate Chip Cookies

Crisp, delicate skor chocolate chip cookies have a caramel-chocolate taste that is pretty exceptional. Freeze the batter in balls and bake them as needed. Likely nightly!

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Chocolate Toffee Bars Recipe

Chocolate Toffee Bars are a twist on the popular toffee Graham cracker bars. Buttery and crunchy with chocolate, nuts, cranberries and salt. Crave-worthy!

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Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

"You ready?" said the ice cold glass of milk. "We are." said the soft, chewy chocolate chip cookie bars. "Because there was no rolling, no chilling, no mixer needed to make us" 🙂

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Elephant Ears Pastries (Palmiers)

Serve these elegant Elephant Ears Pastry (Palmiers) for dessert or tea. Or for Valentines Day! Buttery and flaky with a hit of orange-lemon zest.

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Hazelnut Cookies

These nutty, melt-in-your mouth Hazelnut Cookies are a treat for any tea, shower or holiday spread. Serve plain or with chocolate and more nuts.

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White Chocolate Bark (two kinds)