Homemade Food Gifts for the Holidays

Well_Preserved

Do you mean just things like cakes? (cos most chutneys, for instance, are better if kept for a couple of months & also things like sloe gin)

Off the top of my head I know that some recipes for ginger Parkin say it's better if kept for a while as it goes a bit sticky - very nice!

u751904

I was thinking of cakes and sweets, I've done my pickling, pickles etc.

I like the idea of the parkin..

Well_Preserved

What about candied peel? Savoury biscuits to go with cheese? Shortbread?

zippychick

ive m,erged this with our HM food gifts thread

This ginger cake ages - its recommended to leave it a few days

thanks
Zip

Rebob

Hi

I have a couple of family members that are really hard to buy for so have bought a couple of lovely christmas lidded tubs to fill with home baked goods. It is many years since I made mince pies but will attempt them using the half priced mincemeat I got from aldi.

What else can I make that is easy, cheap, looks good and travels well?

Thanks in advance.
xxx

scaredy_cat

how about biscotti? you could make orange chocolate ones, chocolate cinnamon. white choc and cranberry.

Chris25

biscotti, good idea scaredycat

or mincemeat cookies? http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/mince-pie-cookies

or truffles http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/2011/12/17/christmas-truffles/

DawnW

shortbread is easy and Christmassy. I can provide a recipe if needed, but I am sure there are loads online if you google

Or chocolate refrigerator cake? I make this instead of buying chocolate biscuits etc for Xmas.

krlyr

Gingerbread is quite a Christmassy recipe and you could get some cheap Christmas themed cutters. This recipe is really simple but has been a huge with everyone who's tried it.
http://studentrecipes.com/recipes/desserts/ginger-bread-biscuits/

It looks too dry at first, especially if you're using a mixer, but once everything is blended give the mix a good knead with your hands and the warmth softens the butter and brings it all into the perfect dough.

If you want to make them a little more personal, royal icing is easy to make
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/8340412/Royal-icing-for-piping-recipe.html

You can 'draw' an outline with the icing at toothpaste consistancy and then water it down a little to a pourable consistancy and use these to 'fill' inside your outline. Much like how these snowmen have been done (a fab idea of the only cutters you have to hand are circular, too!)
http://www.bakerella.com/gingerbreads-heads/

Floozie

Anzac biscuits -they keep well, are easy to make and are nice with a cup of tea!