How to Make Homemade Food Gifts

Learning how to make homemade food gifts from your kitchen can be the most priceless present you can give to a friend or family member. They are made with tender loving; they bear your own creativity and talents. A simple pound cake or loaf of bread says “welcome” to a new neighbor. Something beautiful with your (very best baking) in mind consoles a shut-in or a new widow.


Your specialty might be in canning garden relishes, jams, jellies or even homemade mincemeat. There is something wonderful about giving these presents to family and friends. Perhaps it is the wonderful smells that fill your kitchen while preparing these. Maybe it is your sense of pride and accomplishment when presenting these presents. When you have learned how to make homemade food gifts you will realize these items are extra special and cannot be purchased.

If someone close to you comes down with a bad cold, nothing is more appreciated than a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. You know many say this is a sure cure! When I had my restaurant, customers would come in just to get my homemade chicken noodle soup. One man came in when he was getting a cold, then the following days he came in to take the soup to his family who were sick. He swears the soup heals the cold! NOTE: Try replacing chicken with leftover turkey from Thanksgiving recipes.

A hearty pot of beef stew is one of the best homemade food gifts for someone returning from the hospital. The fresh homemade aroma says “welcome” after a stay in the hospital eating hospital food. With all the vegetables in most of the beef stew recipes it is so healthy. Beef stew is also very convenient to heat up and serve for several meals; a great factor for someone recovering.

As you are learning how to make homemade food gifts, use your imagination and creativity for special celebration foods. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas. I have given presents of cakes, pies, cookies, carved melons, relish trays and many others. Two presents I remember brought about great excitement and appreciation. One was for a birthday and I gave it to her on her way home from work. I baked a large circular loaf of bread; when it cooled, I stuffed it with meats, cheeses and vegetables. I wrapped in clear wrap with ribbon decorated for her birthday. As she said, it took care of her worries for her family’s dinner.

The other present was for an older woman for Easter. This nice lady was very good to me. She thought for days of some type of Easter bonnet she could make for an annual parade. After much thought she asked me; all I could think of was “food”. I shaped a wide brim hat from bread dough. When it cooled, I attached small butters, jellies and little plastic knife. It turned out so cute! I wrapped it securely in plastic wrap so it still would be edible if she wanted to eat it later. The lady wore the hat in the Easter bonnet parade and won first place.

Think of the presents that you have received. Do you remember anything more outstanding than homemade food gifts from the kitchen of a good cook? Every year I receive a pumpkin roll from a neighbor; it is always delicious. Believe me if she forgets me one year I will be at her door! Another present that I have received was a canning jar of “quick mix” to make pancakes from a family of small children. The pancakes were delicious! I was so impressed with the little girls who prepared the mix, which made the present extra special.

Packaging recipe ingredients in pretty jars for homemade food gifts is a great idea. Measure ingredients carefully and decorate them for the special occasions. You can put several of these packages in pretty baskets for larger gifts. These make great convenient presents for people who like to cook, but usually don’t have time and don’t keep everything in the kitchen. By using a little imagination you can come up with unique gifts. Often they are more economical and the receiver appreciates them more.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FOOD GIFTS

STRAWBERRY BREAD RECIPE 

  • 1 Pint fresh strawberries, washed and hulled
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 1/3 Cup softened butter
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • 1/3 Cup water
  • 1 ¾ Cups sifted flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ Teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ Cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Puree strawberries and pour into small saucepan; heat to boiling for 1 minute and cool.

Cream together until light and fluffy the butter, sugar and eggs.

Combine sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl.

Alternately add flour mixture and water to creamed mixture mixing on low speed.

Stir in strawberries and nuts; spread in greased and lightly floured loaf pan.

Bake for 1 hour or until pick comes out clean; cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

CARAMEL CORN RECIPE

Caramel Corn Recipe for a GiftCaramel Corn Recipe for a Gift
  • 7 to 8 Quarts popped corn
  • 2 Cups brown sugar
  • 1 Cup butter
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ Cups light corn syrup
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ Teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 250F degrees.

Place popped corn in a large roaster pan; set aside.

Combine in saucepan and bring to a boil the brown sugar, butter, salt and corn syrup.

Boil mixture for 5 minutes stirring frequently; remove from heat and add baking soda.

Quickly stir vanilla into mixture and pour over the popped corn; mix well.

Spread popcorn mixture over large flat pans; bake 1 hour stirring often.

Cooling Caramel CornCooling Caramel Corn

GRAPE JAM RECIPE

  • 8 Cups Concord grapes
  • 6 Cups sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon salt

Wash, drain, stem and measure grapes; press to separate pulp from skins.

Chop skins and boil 20 minutes in just enough water to prevent sticking.

Boil pulp without water until soft; press through sieve of food mill.

Mix pulp, skins, sugar and salt together; boil rapidly almost to jellying stage.

Pour mixture into hot sterilized pint canning jars; seal immediately.

NOTE: Decorate with lid covers or ribbons to give as gifts.

SPICY PEACH BUTTER RECIPE

  • 10 Cups ripe peaches
  • 2 ½ to 3 Cups water
  • 2 Teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 Teaspoon powdered cloves
  • 4 Cups honey

Bring peeled cut peaches with water to a boil; reduce heat.

Cook over low heat until smooth and turning brown about 4 to 5 hours stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add spices and honey to mixture; cool and press through sieve.

Sterilize small canning jars and lids in boiling water.

Fill jars with peach butter and seal with hot lids immediately.

HOW TO MAKE BEEF STEW

  • 1 Pound beef cut in 1 inch cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons cooking oil
  • 2 ½ Cups boiling water
  • 1 Large chopped onion
  • ½ Teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ Teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 Teaspoon allspice
  • 1 Teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ Cup tomato juice
  • 1 Cup sliced carrots
  • 1 Cup cubed potatoes
  • 1 Cup diced celery

Brown beef in hot oil; add hot water, onion, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, tomato juice, salt, pepper, paprika, allspice and sugar.

Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours; add more water if needed.

Add carrots, potatoes and celery and cook until vegetables are tender.

COOKIE MIX IN A JAR

This recipe of cookie mix in a jar is one of the nicest homemade food gifts. Package it in a nice container decorated for the occasion. Be sure to print out the recipes clearly; punch a hole in one corner of the cards and attach with a ribbon. This is very economical and will be greatly appreciated. You might want to give the entire mixture as a gift or you could divide it up and maybe give enough for two recipes.

  • 6 Cups flour
  • 2 Cups sugar
  • 1 ¾ Cups firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 Teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 Teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/3 Cups solid shortening

Spoon flour lightly into measuring cup and level off with a knife.
Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in a very large bowl
Add shortening and mix on medium speed until crumbly.
Place in pretty air tight container for a gift.
Makes about 11 cups of mix; use within 10 to 12 weeks.
NOTE: To mix dip measuring cup in mix and level off.

Making Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 2 ¾ Cup cookie mix
  • 1/3 Cup softened butter
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ Cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; lightly grease cookie sheet.
Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and nuts in a large bowl; mix well.
Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Makes 3 dozen cookies

Making Cereal Cookies

  • 2 ¾ Cups cookie mix
  • 1/3 Cup softened butter
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons milk
  • ½ Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 ½ Cups crushed cornflakes
  • ½ Cup coconut
  • ½ Cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350F degrees; lightly grease cookie sheet
Combine mix, butter, milk vanilla and egg in a large bowl; mix well.
Stir in cornflakes, coconut and nuts; shape mixture in 1 inch balls.
Place balls on prepared cookie sheet and flatten slightly with bottom of glass dipped in sugar.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown; cool 1 minute and remove from baking sheet.
Makes 3 dozen.

Making Peanut Butter Cookies

  • ½ Cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup softened butter
  • ½ Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 ¾ Cup cookie mix
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 375F degrees; lightly grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl combine the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and egg; beat on medium until blended.
Add cookie mix and milk; mix until blended.
Shape mixture into 1 inch balls; place on prepared cookie sheets.
In crisscross pattern flatten balls to about 2 inch diameter.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until set. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

How to Make Chocolate Bars

Base

  • 2 ¾ Cups cookie mix
  • 2 Tablespoons softened butter
  • 1 to 2 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 Egg

Topping

  • 1 Cup milk chocolate chips
  • ¼ Cup dark corn syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • 2 Cups blanched peanuts
  • 1 Cup butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
In large bowl combine mix, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 to 2 tablespoons milk and egg.
Blend mixture until crumbly; press in bottom of ungreased 9 X 13 inch baking pan.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.
Sprinkle hot crust with chocolate chips and spread as they melt.
In medium saucepan combine syrup, 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoons milk.
Bring mixture to a boil and boil 1 minute.
Stir butterscotch chips and peanuts into hot mixture; cool slightly.
Spread peanut mixture over base and melted chocolate chips; cool completely.
Cut into 36 bars.

CRANBERRY ORANGE POUND CAKE RECIPE

  • 2 ¾ Cups sugar
  • 1 ½ Cups softened butter
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 Teaspoon grated orange peel
  • 6 Eggs
  • 3 Cups flour
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Cup sour cream
  • 1 ½ Cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Butter rum sauce (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350F degree.

Grease and flour tube (or Bundt) cake pan.

In a large bowl beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy; add vanilla and orange peel.

Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition.

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup and level off; sift together flour, baking powder and salt.

Add flour mixture to creamed mixture alternating with sour cream beating well after each addition.

Add cranberries and gently stir to blend; pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 65 to 75 minutes or until pick comes out clean; cool 15 minutes and remove from pan.

Make butter rum sauce and serve with cake.


BUTTER RUM SAUCE

  • 1 Cup sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon flour
  • ½ Cup half and half
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 4 Teaspoons light rum (or ¼ teaspoon rum extract)

In a small saucepan combine sugar and flour; stir in half and half and butter.

Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in rum; serve warm sauce over cake.

NOTE: Above 3500 feet altitude reduce sugar in cake to 2 ½ cups; bake as directed.