Want to try your hand at making some homemade edible gifts this year? Or maybe you’re an old hand looking for new ideas for festive fun. Look no further, here are nearly fifty sweet and savoury vegan and vegetarian recipes for Christmas and beyond. It’s an advent extravaganza.
You’ll find plenty of ideas for cookies, sweets and chocolates as well as chutneys and other preserves. But there’s also a few surprises and some lovely gift ideas you might not have thought of.
You could make one recipe a day until your trousers burst. Or maybe share the love and treat your friends and family. They are meant to be gifts after all.
You may see a bit of a chilli theme going on here. Well most of us appreciate a bit of additional warmth and colour in the depths of winter. And cheerful red chillies are just the ticket, glowing as they do with captured summer sunshine.
Homemade Edible Gifts: Christmas Cookies
You can’t have a post about homemade festive gifts without a generous selection of Christmas cookies. They’re the stalwarts of festive gifting. Everyone loves a good biscuit.
Lebkuchen: German Spice Cookies
Half biscuit, half cake, lebkuchen are spicy German cookies synonymous with Christmas. They're soft and chewy with flavours of honey, festive spices and citrus. In this recipe, they're topped by a light lemony glaze. As they keep for ages, they make ideal foodie gifts.
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Christmas Butter Biscuits
Three differently coloured and flavoured biscuit doughs are used here to great effect. Simple to make, these vanilla, matcha and chocolate biscuits will delight all your friends and family.
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Wholemeal Clotted Cream Shortbread with Chestnut Flour and Cinnamon
Scrumptious cinnamon flavoured shortbread biscuits made with clotted cream, wholemeal flour and a little chestnut flour.
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Rich, dark and chewy cookies with enticing notes of roasted hazelnuts and a gorgeous fudgy centre. Perfect for edible Christmas gifts as they look good, taste delicious and keep remarkably well.
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Easy Christmas Cookies
These Christmas Cookies are made with an easy and delicious shortbread recipe that is bound to fill everyone with Christmas cheer.
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Pecan Snowball Cookies
Nutty, crumbly, not overly sweet and utterly delicious, these pecan snowball cookies are classic festive fare. And the best part? They're quick to prepare, egg-free and easy to make vegan. They also keep well and are ideal for gifting.
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Chilli Shortbread Biscuits
These biscuits are a sort of three in one or mix and match recipe. You can either make hanging decorations, cookies as gifts or biscuits sandwiched with orange buttercream. Or you can make all three. Perfect for Christmas, or just make different shapes for any other time of the year.
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Cinnamon & Honey Christmas Stars
Spiced festive biscuits that will stand up to being hung on the Christmas tree. These cookies are also delicious and make perfect gifts for friends and family.
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It’s really exciting to see the creativity of vegan baking that’s emerged in recent years. It’s now really easy to make vegan biscuits and here are some recipes you might not have thought of.
Pine Needle Shortbread Cookies
Melt in your mouth Pine Needle Shortbread Cookies. This twist on traditional shortbread is delicious with a hint of piney, citrusy flavor. Delicate, fragrant, and sure to impress!
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Vegan Amaretti
Crunchy on the outside, wonderfully chewy on the inside, these vegan amaretti are light but not insubstantial. They're naturally gluten-free and not overly sweet either. If you're looking to impress the almond lovers in your life, this is the recipe for you.
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Jammy Vegan Biscuits
These pretty vegan biscuits are simple to make but a real showstopper! They make a lovely gift or teatime treat. If you’ve already consumed your 99th mince pie of the season and just can’t face another, these would be a welcome treat for visiting friends and family in the run up to the big day.
Get the recipe Homemade Edible Gifts: Chocolates and Sweets
When I was little, Christmas was very much about the chocolate. I didn’t get much of it the rest of the year, so we all went a bit mad during the festive season. I know I’m not the only one who loves to receive delicious homemade chocolates and fudge, so here are a few recipes to inspire you.
Chilli Chocolate Fudge
Make your own edible gifts with this smooth and creamy fudge recipe. It combines the richness of dark chocolate with the unctuous mouthfeel of cream followed by a warm afterglow from the chilli.
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Easy Condensed Milk Fudge
Creamy condensed milk and gingerbread fudge recipe requires only 6 ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to make which makes it a great homemade gift.
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Mint Chocolates
Rich chocolate flavoured with mint is the perfect after dinner mouthful. But these mint chocolates are delicious at any time of day. They make lovely gifts too.
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Homemade Turkish Delight ( Lokum)
Unlike some jelly sweets Turkish delight is not usually made with gelatine, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Packed in a pretty box it makes a lovely festive gift.
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Whisky Truffles with Dark Chocolate and Fresh Cream
Sumptuous truffles flavoured with whisky make for a perfect after dinner treat or gift.
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Christmas Chocolate Bark
A layer of rich dark chocolate, followed by one of marbled sweet white chocolate flavoured with cranberries and matcha green tea. Break it into pieces and load into bags to make scrumptious festive gifts for loved ones.
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Kavey Eats » Microwave Magic | Easy Microwave Salted Caramels
These delicious old fashioned chewy salted caramels are so easy to make using a microwave.
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Sparkling Chocolate Mendiants
These traditional French giant chocolate buttons are studded with dried fruit and nuts. They're easy to prepare and make impressive gifts.
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There’s absolutely no need for vegans to miss out on Christmas chocolates and other sweet treats. Vegan chocolate is widely available these days, which means you can create all sorts of yuletide gorgeousness. Here are just a few ideas.
Vegan Gingerbread Chocolate Truffles
Luxurious dairy-free truffles that everyone can enjoy. They're really quite easy to make, if a bit on the messy side. It will certainly appeal to your inner child. Molasses and spices give a suggestion of gingerbread rather than using the actual biscuit itself.
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Chocolate Snowman Truffles (vegan) ~ The Baking Explorer
Super cute festive raw truffles, they taste indulgent but are full of nutrients like dates, almonds and coconut.
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Chocolate Covered Caramel Brazils
These Brazils are easier to make than you might expect. They're a definite step up from traditional chocolate Brazils and make an excellent homemade gift, especially at Christmas.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls (vegan) ~ A Baking Journey
Made with 4 ingredients only and no refined sugar, these Vegan and Gluten-Free friendly No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls are the most decadent bites you will ever try. They make great edible gifts the whole family will love for the Holidays.
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Christmas Bliss Balls
These are named bliss balls for a very good reason. They are easy to make, health (ish) and most importantly, delicious.
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Raw Chocolate Truffles
Healthy raw chocolate truffles with a chewy texture. They taste of chocolate and honey and are very quick and easy to make.
Get the recipe Homemade Edible Gifts: Nuts
Snacking is all part of the festive fun. And when it comes to snacking, nuts are the go to food. They’re nutritious, tasty and you can just have a small handful without ruining your appetite. Hand them out as homemade edible gifts and have a nut cracking Christmas.
Roasted Maple Rosemary Almonds
Looking for an easy snack? Perhaps for your next holiday party? Allow me to suggest these Roasted Maple Rosemary Almonds and Cashews.
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Honey Roasted Pecans
These honey glazed spiced pecans make a delicious snack or gift, and are wonderful as a topping for salads or desserts. Whip up a batch in under 20 minutes.
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Dad’s nuts ~ Quite Good Food
These crunchy candied peanuts are so moreish! Sweet and savoury with a toffee-like coating of sugar, salt, sesame and chilli, they’re a brilliant edible gift for Christmas.
Get the recipe Homemade Edible Gifts: Jams, Jellies & Chutneys
Preserves make excellent homemade edible gifts because you can prepare them well in advance and they generally have a long shelf life. They’re often just what you need for the Christmas table too.
Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables In Olive Oil – Larder Love
Roasted Mediterranean vegetables in olive oil are perfect for antipasti, on bruschetta and crostini, stirred into pasta and with salads. They are super easy to make too.
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Piccalilli ~ English-style Pickles with Mustard
Piccalilli, a British, mustard-based pickle that’s perfect with cheese, on sandwiches and more.
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Pineapple Chilli Jam ~ Farmersgirl Kitchen
Pineapple Chilli Jam is a sweet and spicy relish with a similar combination of flavours to mango chutney. The pineapple and chillies combine so well with ginger and garlic and an unusual ‘secret’ ingredient. It’s really delicious served with cheese and makes leftovers great again!
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Spiced Apple Chutney
A good way to use up any windfall or cooking apples, this easy to make spiced apple chutney recipe is neither too sweet, nor too sour. It's just delicious.
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Caramelised Onion Chutney
Sticky, sweet and delicious. This Caramelised Onion Chutney is the perfect addition to any cheese board or sandwich.
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Quince Jelly with Optional Apple and Chilli
Fragrant, sweet, tart quince jelly with an optional chilli kick. It’s one of the easiest jellies to make. Use just quinces or add apples to bulk them up if needed.
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Spicy Strawberry Jam
This spicy strawberry jam recipe takes just over an hour and is a perfect gift idea pairing with sweet and savoury dishes.
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Quick & Easy Cranberry Curd
A beautifully fruity and festive preserve, perfect for gifting or just enjoying as a spread at breakfast or tea-time, Also makes a great addition to desserts and bakes.
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Chilli Chocolate Mincemeat
A recipe for mincemeat that you can easily adapt to suit varying tastes and what you have available in the cupboard. The chilli and chocolate take homemade mincemeat up a level, giving extra depth and spice, without either being easily identifyable.
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Homemade Stem Ginger
Homemade Stem Ginger is so easy to make & so much better than shop bought. Chop finely and add to ginger cakes, puddings or biscuits for a real ginger hit.
Get the recipe Other Homemade Edible Gifts You Might Not Have Thought Of
Whether it’s something to perk up your Christmas morning breakfast, provide a warming flavoursome cuppa or some breadsticks to dip into festive starters, welcome to a Merry Miscellaneous Christmas.
Festive Cookies in a Jar
These pretty festive cookies in a jar make excellent gifts. They're easy to make and are bound to delight friends, family or work colleagues. Try one of these three versions or create your own instead. 1) cranberry and dark chocolate chip, 2) white chocolate chip and cranberry, 3) raisin and white chocolate chip.
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Instant Porridge Pots ~ Gluten Free Alchemist
These little layered porridge jars are not only eye-catching, but make perfect Christmas Breakfast stocking fillers
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Gingerbread Gluten Free Granola
Crunchy little clusters of holiday flavor with pecans, dried cranberries, crystalized ginger, and chocolate chips. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or gift giving. It’s a nice change from the usual cookies or fudge that is usually gifted this time of year.
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Easy Vegan Breadsticks Recipe with Lots of Toppings! | Thinly Spread
A simple recipe for crispy vegan breadsticks, sprinkled with flavourings. Wrapped in ribbons they make for perfect homemade gifts for family and friends.
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Homemade Chilli Sauce
The best chilli sauce you will ever taste. A medium hot chilli sauce, flavoured and sweetened with red peppers.
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Homemade Vanilla Extract – The Art of Food and Wine
Make homemade vanilla extract with two ingredients: Vanilla beans and Vodka. Makes a great holiday gift and only takes 5-minutes to prepare
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Easy Homemade Cassis
If you've got more blackcurrants than you know what to do with, this is a fabulous recipe to try. There’s no faffing about and you only need three ingredients. Time is all that’s needed to turn those blackcurrants into a smooth and delicious blackcurrant liqueur.
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Homemade Tea Masala ~ Mayuris Jikoni
Homemade Tea Masala or Chai Masala is an aromatic mixture of spices to add to your daily cuppa tea. Can also use the spice mixture for cakes, cookies, tea breads, latte.
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Homemade festive tea blend – a perfect gift! | Family-Friends-Food
This delicious festive tea blend has a spicy, minty, sweet rich flavour, and is a great homemade gift. Easy and quick to make.
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Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make any of these foodie gifts, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. What are your favourite foodie recipes to gift? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
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If you’d like more Christmas recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious, of course.
Choclette x
Homemade Edible Gifts. PIN IT.
All of these are perfect to give as gifts! I don’t know which one to make first. This will be such a fun activity to do with the kids and give to our friends and family.
Choices, choices! Hopefully you’ll find something you feel inspired to make. I love making and receiving homemade gifts.
Thanks for sharing, these are all great gifts to give, with share your pin 🙂
It’s always a tough decision as to what to make each year I find. So many delicious things.
Wow!!! Epic collection! I’m impressed.
So many fabulous ideas. Off to share and pin now xxx
Love your instant porridge in a jar Kate. What a very fun idea.
What a great collection of homemade gifts Choclette. I’m always looking for new ideas to add to my Christmas hampers, pinned! Thanks for including my Stem Ginger.
I’d so love one of your Christmas hampers Sarah, I bet they’re wonderful.
What a fabulous collection of homemade edible gifts for everyone on our list! Thanks for including my piccallili!
I so want a jar of your piccalilli Christina. I haven’t made any for years, but I do like it.
So many delicious ideas, I wouldn’t know where to start!
Well you know what they say, just start at the very beginning.
What a gorgeous Hamper one could make with these wonderful ideas! Thank you for including my curd
It would be wonderful indeed to receive a hamper of homemade goodies like these. I can but dream.
I love all these ideas! A great idea to put them all in one post! Xx
It’s useful to have a few things together when your looking for ideas. Scanning pages and pages of the internet is not generally very rewarding I find.
Wow what a fantastic and selection here! Ideas for everyone!
Trouble is, I have so much inspiration now, I’m not sure which ones to go for.
So many great recipes, thanks for this amazing round-up and for including my Pineapple Chilli Jam.
One day I will get around to making your pineapple chilli jam Janice, it sounds so good.
Some really great gifting ideas!
I love making and receiving homemade gifts – edible or otherwise.
Awesome collection of edible gifts. You’re so right Choclette, we could make one each day and gift it or even use it for ourselves.
Thank you for your contribution Mayuri. I think I might indeed be making one or two of these and gifting it to myself.