50-Plus Edible Holiday Gifts That Are As Fun To Make As They Are To Give

Ready or not, the holiday season is here in full force — even if it's celebrated over Zoom this year instead of in person. We may not be able to gather with friends and loved ones, but gifts from the kitchen — and the heart — are a tangible and delicious way to show you care. Whether your purse strings are tight and you're looking for affordable gifts or you just don't know what to give your grandpa who buys everything he could ever need (or want) for himself, these 50-plus edible holiday gifts are here to save the day.

What can make decadent chocolate pecan fudge even more scrumptious? An ooey, gooey layer of caramel sitting right on top. Serve on a platter and wrap up with a bow for a thoughtful gift.

For the Caramel Pecan Fudge recipe, click here.

Vanilla extract is an essential ingredient for loads of popular homemade desserts. Give the baker in your life some vanilla extract you made yourself in a pretty brown bottle. Just note you need three weeks to make this extract.

For the Vanilla Extract recipe, click here.

Few flavors encompass the holiday season quite like peppermint, which is infused in this festive  and colorful white chocolate popcorn recipe. Package it in a pretty tin for a budget-friendly holiday gift.

For the Peppermint Crunch Popcorn recipe, click here.

Want to bring some sunshine to your loved ones in the middle of the winter? Gift them some homemade limoncello. This classic Italian liqueur will make even the grayest days feel bright.

For the Homemade Limoncello recipe, click here.

Have a pepperhead in your family? Make them a batch of these quick pickled garlic jalapeños, which they'll surely add to everything from the best bowls of chili to Mexican food.

For the Quick Pickled Garlic Jalapeños recipe, click here.

Mint and chocolate are a classic holiday-time combination, making this festive fudge a perfect edible gift for the gourmand in your life. Tint it green for an extra dose of holiday spirit.

For the Mint Chocolate Chip Fudge recipe, click here.

Winter is stew season. These Italian fennel and garlic crackers are the perfect crunchy addition to any hearty bowl of soup.

For the Fennel and Garlic Taralli recipe, click here.

A traditional German Christmas recipe, stollen is a bread chock full of dried fruit and nuts. A generous dusting of powdered sugar on top completes the treat.

For the Stollen recipe, click here.

Cranberry is a classic holiday flavor, and it shines alongside punchy candied ginger in this nut-free granola. It's a great gift for the healthy eater in your life. 

For the Cranberry Ginger Granola recipe, click here

Festive green pistachios and red cranberries make this white chocolate fudge picture-perfect for the holiday season. You won't even need a bow to dress up the presentation.

For the Vanilla White Chocolate Pistachio Fudge recipe, click here.

With just four ingredients, a basic chocolate truffle recipe is a great thing to have in your back pocket for the holidays. Roll these in cocoa powder, crushed nuts, powdered sugar or sprinkles to make a box of chocolates fit for royalty.

For the Chocolate Truffles recipe, click here.

No winter is complete without hot chocolate. Give the gift of coziness with this homemade hot chocolate gift mix. Pair it with some adorable holiday mugs to complete the present.

For the Mexican Hot Chocolate Gift Mix recipe, click here.

Nuts are great for snacking between big holiday meals. Here, the warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg are countered by a kick of pepper and seasoned salt for a zippy anytime bite.

For the Sweet and Spicy Nuts recipe, click here.

Struggling with what to give the vegan in your life? This plant-based peanut butter fudge uses tons of peanut butter, giving this easy holiday treat a dreamy, creamy texture.

For the Plant-Made Peanut Butter Fudge recipe, click here.

Need a last-minute gift? This honeycomb candy uses four pantry staple ingredients (ironically none of which are honey) and is ready in under 30 minutes.

For the Homemade Honeycomb Candy recipe, click here.

Cookies for breakfast? Here, the oatmeal raisin cookie — a classic childhood dessert — is transformed into a delicious granola, perfect for the hiker in your life or that uncle who really, really loves his morning yogurt.

For the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Granola recipe, click here.

Truffles and cookies each make excellent gifts; here, the two combine to create one unforgettable treat. A simple peppermint-flavored chocolate cookie dough envelopes a chocolate kiss so that once they are baked, there is a sweet surprise inside each one. Roll the cookies in red, green and gold sanding sugar for a stunning holiday presentation. 

For the Peppermint Truffle Cookies recipe, click here.

Red velvet cake is a classic dessert, and this rich chocolate fudge translates those flavors well. The dark red fudge and white chocolate on top also mimic the colors of Santa's signature coat.

For the Red Velvet Truffle Fudge recipe, click here.

Who says trail mix has to be eaten on a hike? This holiday-flavored mashup is chock-full of nuts, cereal and pretzels, so it's perfect for snacking on while watching your favorite Christmas movies at home.

For the Cinnamon Trail Mix recipe, click here.

Wanting to jazz up that adorable mug you found for your cousin? Add in the ingredients to make fruitcake in said mug. After all, microwavable mug desserts are vastly underrated.

For the Fruitcake Mug Mix recipe, click here.

Vanilla fudge is far from boring, as this recipe with cream cheese and toasted almonds proves. A perfectly placed almond in the center of each piece of candy creates a pretty presentation for any platter.

For the Vanilla Fudge With Almonds recipe, click here.

Granola is a fun and simple gift to make and looks pretty in a cheery jar. While this recipe calls for dried cherries and almonds, it's totally customizable — so feel free to adjust to the preference of your giftee.

For the Almond Cherry Granola recipe, click here.

While called muddy buddies (or puppy chow), this chocolate and peanut butter treat is covered in powdered sugar, making it look like Christmas Day snow.

For the Muddy Buddies recipe, click here.

Toffee may seem like a particularly difficult treat to make, but with a candy thermometer, it's surprisingly simple and will delight any sweetie in your life.

For the Dark Chocolate Butter Toffee recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a big batch treat you can portion out and drop off on friends' doorsteps, then check out this sweet and nutty treat. 

For the Caramel Almond Popcorn recipe, click here.

Homemade jams and jellies don't cost a lot of money, but the effort behind them makes them a thoughtful and welcome gift. 

For the Mixed Berry Jam recipe, click here.

Looking for a stocking stuffer? Homemade vanilla caramels are a great choice. Experiment by adding spices or other flavors to the molten caramel like cinnamon, cayenne or a bit of bourbon.

For the Chewy Salted Vanilla Caramels recipe, click here.

'90s kids will remember Fruit by the Foot. Channel that childhood nostalgia with a homemade fruit leather made from delicious fresh mangoes.

For the Mango Fruit Leather recipe, click here.

Biscotti goes wonderfully with a giant cup of homemade espresso drinks. Gift the caffeine fiend in your life these treats along with a bag of their favorite java and a giant new mug.

For the Peppermint Biscotti recipe, click here.

Also known as Mexican milk fudge, jamoncillo de leche is one of the best Mexican recipes you didn't know about but need to start making.

For the Jamoncillo de Leche recipe, click here.

A simple no-bake recipe, these raspberry chocolate truffles feature crumbled cookies and another family-favorite holiday ingredient: marshmallow creme.

For the Easy Chocolate Raspberry Cookie Truffles recipe, click here.

Gingerbread is a classic holiday flavor, but you don't need to bake cookie people to get the signature taste. Instead, use cinnamon, cloves and ground ginger to coat these candied pecans.

For the Gingerbread Pecans recipe, click here.

Eggnog is a classic holiday cocktail, but the flavor is great in sweet treats, too, like these easy eggnog and marshmallow popcorn balls.

For the Eggnog Popcorn Balls recipe, click here.

Ice cream may be a summertime snack, but if there's someone in your life who loves sundaes all year round, they'll truly appreciate this homemade caramel sauce, which comes together in just 20 minutes.

For the Homemade Caramel recipe, click here.

Cranberries are seriously underappreciated. Jazz up this wintery fruit with some orange and ginger and decorate your jar with festive ribbons for a beautiful yet practical present.

For the Orange-Ginger Cranberry Sauce recipe, click here.

A combination of two favorite flavors, white chocolate and strawberry, this sweet fudge recipe is sure to make anyone smile, especially when wrapped on a pretty Christmas platter.

For the Strawberry White Chocolate Fudge recipe, click here.

Delicate pears in ginger syrup look so sweet in a decorated jar and taste even sweeter when spooned over a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For the Pears in Ginger Syrup recipe, click here.

Whether you make your own dried berries or just want to use some store-bought ones, your family will love this granola, reminiscent of a favorite cereal.

For the Strawberry Maple Granola recipe, click here.

If someone in your life is following a vegan or paleo diet and you're not sure how they can still enjoy holiday sweets, then whip up a batch of these truffles, which use coconut cream, vegan chocolate and maple syrup.

For the Three Ingredient Paleo Chocolate Truffles recipe, click here.

Looking for something sweet to give the honey in your life? Well, this vanilla honey fudge has two favorite flavors in one bite.

For the Vanilla Honey Fudge recipe, click here.

This sweet and spicy jelly is a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys a good charcuterie board — it pairs perfectly with cheese and cured meat.

For the Apricot-Jalapeno Jelly recipe, click here.

Who doesn't love candy canes around Christmastime? This peppermint-infused puppy chow is ridiculously festive and just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth.

For the Peppermint Christmas Puppy Chow recipe, click here.

Tootsie Rolls in a tiny bank are an iconic stocking stuffer. Recreate the timeless candy with this recipe and put them in a ceramic piggy bank for a thoughtful twist on a classic.

For the Homemade Tootsie Rolls recipe, click here.

Chai, with its notes of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, is one of the coziest cold-weather beverages. Add those flavors to some homemade toffee for a satisfying snack.

For the Chai Spiced Toffee recipe, click here.

Butter pecan ice cream is a favorite ice cream flavor, and anyone who can't get enough of that treat in the summer will adore this fudge in the winter.

For the Butter Pecan Fudge recipe, click here.

If you're sick of baking cookies and holiday pies but still want to give a handmade treat to someone you love, these cherry granola bars are pretty and practical.

For the No-Bake Cherry Granola Bars recipe, click here.

If you're a whiz in the kitchen, your family and friends will surely be impressed when you give them these holiday-colored coconut macarons in a Christmassy cardboard box.

For the Coconut Macarons recipe, click here.

Made with high-quality dark chocolate and a strongly brewed cup of coffee, these cocoa-coated truffles are rich and decadent — perfect for the holiday season.

For the Cocoa-coated Chocolate Truffles recipe, click here.

Chocolate and cherries are a dynamic duo, and those complementary flavors are highlighted in this crowd-pleasing fudge recipe.

For the Chocolate Cherry Fudge recipe, click here.

This chocolate-drizzled popcorn is easily customizable for any occasion. For Christmas, use red and green M&M's, spiced gumdrops, peppermints or your kid's favorite seasonal treat.

For the Chocolate-Drizzled Popcorn recipe, click here.

Red currants are a fun, tart fruit that make for a phenomenal jelly. Keep one jar and give another away as a gift.

For the Red Currant Jelly recipe, click here.

Looking for a healthy snack to make for the kids in your family? This strawberry mango fruit leather is made from pure fruit but tastes like pure candy.

For the Strawberry Mango Fruit Leather recipe, click here.

Why make normal peppermint bark when you can class up the recipe with this dark chocolate bark, which is sprinkled with dried fruit and mixed nuts?

For the Fruit and Nut Dark Chocolate Bark recipe, click here.

Somewhere between fudge and caramel, penoche is a classic Christmas candy. Anyone will enjoy it, but it may be extra special for the older people in your life. 

For the Penoche Candy recipe, click here.

Filled with nuts and oats, these gingerbread biscotti are the perfect thing to go with a wintertime cup of hot cocoa.

For the Gingerbread Biscotti recipe, click here.

Edible cookie dough is one of the biggest food trends of the past 10 years. Show your family you keep up with the times by gifting them this homemade chocolate chip cookie dough-inspired fudge. And if this recipe has you feeling more traditional, consider pairing this fudge with some of our best cookie recipes for the holidays.

For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge recipe, click here.

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