Looking for a personal touch for your holiday gifts? Give a gift that everyone loves….food! Here are 3 great recipes for holiday baked gifts. Show your family and friends your love with these baked treats.
Honestly, I started giving baked goods when I really couldn’t afford gifts for everyone on my list. However, you are investing something way more valuable than money, your time. If you are strapped for cash, baked goods are a great idea for a gift without breaking the bank. These recipes are simple but delicious. You can knock out several gifts with one baking session resulting in delicious holiday baked gift packages everyone will enjoy.
Blueberry Bread
The first recipe is one of my go-to gifts for any occasion, Aunt Sue’s Blueberry Bread. This was one of my most memorable treats to receive when I was young. It has been a favorite among friends and family. I doubled the recipe so I was able to make 6 mini loaves. Blueberries can be a bit pricey but I do think it is worth the small splurge to make this bread. I usually have some frozen from the summer harvest that I keep solely to make this bread. Click here to get the recipe.
Sugar Cookies
The second recipe is Sugar Cookies. You can also find this recipe on my blog by clicking here. I found this recipe in one of my mom’s very, very old Betty Crocker cookbooks. It is a very simple recipe that produces soft, fluffy sugar cookies. I chose this particular cookie recipe for my holiday baking package because I often get requests for them. By doubling this recipe which makes 4 dozen cookies, I had plenty of cookies both for the gifts and my kids. I often make fun, creative Christmas shaped cookies with my kids that we decorate with icing. However, I decided to stay simple and classic for the gift packages in order to save some time. Feel free to be adventurous though.
Roasted Pecans
The last item in this holiday baked gift package is Roasted Pecans. I am not a big nut person, but I do love these pecans. I love the sweet buttery flavor of the pecans but I also love the aroma while they are roasting. The smell of the cinnamon roasted pecans really puts me in the Christmas spirit. My dad actually has a pecan orchard; however as a time saver, I bought a 2 pounds of pecan halves at Sam’s Club. If anyone has any helpful tips to quickly shell pecans, please feel free to share. The pecans made approximately 5 to 6 bags of pecans. Below you will find my recipe for Cinnamon Roasted Pecans, it is a basic recipe with a few additions to add my own spin on a classic. I adapted it from All Recipes’ Old-Fashioned Roasted Pecan Recipe.
Cinnamon Roasted Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pecan halves
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Lightly spray a large rimmed cookie sheet.
- Whisk together egg whites and water in a large bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne.
- Add pecans to egg whites and water mixture and thoroughly coat. Add coated pecans to spice mixture and thoroughly coat.
- Spread pecans in one layer on large greased cookie sheet. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Roast pecans in oven for 1 hour, turning occasionally.
These three recipes are a few of my most requested baked goods. They are easy to prepare making them a great option for holiday baked gifts. There are great options for gift packages for baked goods. I found these packages at Walmart and Dollar General. I bought the packaging for the cookies, pecans, bread, and the box for all under $5. Creating you own holiday baked gifts? Please feel free to share your ideas. Enjoy!
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