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Easy Edible DIY Gifts

Easy edible DIY gifts

When you can’t think of a suitable gift for someone with unorthodox tastes, customized edible gifts are a great option. Chances are that whatever you can whip up at home will taste a lot better than anything store-bought. Indulge someone’s sweet tooth or savory cravings with homemade treats.

The beauty of homemade edible gifts is that you can customize each gift depending on what the receiver enjoys consuming. That minor detail makes all the difference and leaves your friends and loved ones feeling special and cared for.

Here are some easy-to-prepare edible gifts that will get your creative juices flowing:

1. Cinnamon Sugar

Cinnamon sugar for gifting.

Ingredients

  • White caster sugar – ½ cup
  • Cinnamon – ½ tbsp, powdered

Method

  1. Combine cinnamon and sugar and mix till you see one uniform color.
  2. Put it in an airtight bottle and keep for 2 weeks before gifting it in a glass jar of your choosing.

2. Lavender Sugar

Lavender sugar as gifts.

Ingredients

  • White caster sugar – 1 kg
  • Culinary lavender florets – 3 tsp

Method

  1. Crush the lavender using a mortar and pestle to bring out the full flavor.
  2. Add the crushed lavender to the sugar and mix well.
  3. Place in an airtight box or jar for at least 2 weeks
  4. Gift the sugar in little bags tied with ribbons or in mason jars.

3. Easy Chocolate Fudge using the Microwave

Chocolate fudge recipe.

Ingredients

  • Dark chocolate chips – 3 cups
  • Condensed milk – 400g
  • Butter – 50g
  • Roasted almonds/walnuts – 1 cup (optional)

Method

  1. Grease a 20cm x 20cm square dish.
  2. Combine the chocolate chips, butter and condensed milk in a glass bowl.
  3. Microwave the ingredients on high for 3-5 minutes, stirring every 15-30 seconds.
  4. Add nuts, if using.
  5. Once smooth, add the fudge lava to the prepared dish.
  6. Cut into squares once cool.
  7. Gift the fudge in printed cellophane bags tied with ribbon or in round/square tins using little paper liners under each piece.

4. Microwave Caramel Popcorn

Caramel popcorn recipe.

Ingredients

  • Microwave popcorn kernels – 1 cup
  • Golden syrup – ¼ cup
  • Butter – 120 g
  • Brown sugar – 1 cup
  • Vanilla extract/essence – 1 tsp
  • Baking soda – ¼ tsp

Method

  1. Pop the corn in the microwave following the instructions on the pack.
  2. Place the popcorn in a large metal bowl.
  3. Combine syrup, butter and sugar in a microwave bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the baking soda and vanilla and stir.
  5. The mixture will bubble.
  6. Stir into the popcorn in 3 batches and toss till the popcorn is well coated.
  7. Gift this treat in 1-liter jars or in tins.

5. Caramelized Onions and Bacon Jam

Bacon and onion jam recipe.

Ingredients

  • Bacon rashers – 600g, chopped
  • Onions – 6, chopped
  • Brown sugar – 2 tbsp
  • Balsamic vinegar – 2 tbsp
  • Coffee – ½ cup
  • Garlic – 6 cloves, minced
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. Fry bacon in a skillet on medium heat. Remove from heat just as the bacon is starting to brown.
  2. Place the bacon on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
  3. Add onions to the fat in the pan from the bacon and fry till they soften.
  4. Add the garlic.
  5. Sauté for 3 minutes.
  6. On low heat, add the bacon, sugar and, coffee and simmer for 30-40 minutes or till the mixture has reduced to a jam-like consistency.
  7. Add the balsamic vinegar.
  8. In a grinder or food processor, pulse the jam mixture a few times to break down the pieces of bacon into smaller pieces.
  9. Transfer into jars.
  10. Print a label with the name of the jam and use a pretty, small square piece of cloth to cover the lid. Secure with a rubber band.
  11. Mention the date of manufacture and mention that the jam needs to be refrigerated and has a shelf-life of 3-4 weeks.

6. Homemade Baileys Liqueur

Homemade bailey's liqueur recipe.

Ingredients

  • Fresh cream – 250g
  • Condensed milk – 400g
  • Good quality whisky – 400ml
  • Chocolate syrup – 4 tbsp
  • Coffee, instant – 3 tsp
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

Method

  • Put all the ingredients in a blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds on high speed till smooth.
  • Transfer into whisky bottles or milk bottles.
  • Make gift labels and attach to the bottles.
  • Refrigerate for a maximum of 2 months.

7. Easy Granola

Easy granola recipe for gifting.

Ingredients

  • Oats – 6 cups
  • Honey – 1/3 cup
  • Sunflower oil – ½ cup
  • Brown sugar – ¼ cup
  • Vanilla extract – 1½ tsp
  • Pumpkin seeds – ½ cup
  • Sunflower seeds – ¼ cup
  • Sesame seeds – ¼ cup
  • Cranberries – ½ cup
  • Almonds – 1 cup, chopped

Method

  1. Preheat oven at 160 degrees C.
  2. Prepare tray by greasing it.
  3. Mix oats, sugar, seeds and nuts in a bowl.
  4. Whisk together honey, oil and vanilla and pour over the dry mix.
  5. Stir till well coated.
  6. Spread on the prepared tray and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Stir the granola every 5 minutes.
  8. Once cooled on a wire rack, store the granola cluster in an airtight container.
  9. Gift the granola in colored cellophane or tins.