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Ten Make-and-Bake Holiday Gifts!

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | December 9, 2014 21 Comments

Last updated on December 14th, 2014

What do I want for Christmas? Well, I want world peace, of course. I also want civil rights for all. And then…I’d like something delicious to eat! Here are ten baked goods that make fine holiday gifts for grown-ups:

Organic Cinnamon-Maple Granola. As I’ve mentioned in the past, I wouldn’t hesitate to pour this healthful cereal into attractive glass jars, and offer it as Christmas gifts to my foodie friends. It’s the kind of unique-boutique gift they would actually use. The recipe.

English Cream Scones. Who wouldn’t want these for Afternoon Tea? Make and form the scones, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Put the frozen disks in a plastic bag, and put the bag in something a little more presentable (i.e., a colorful gift bag). Be sure to include baking directions, as indicated in this recipe. 

Heavenly Challah. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t swoon over a gift of beautifully braided Challah. It’s delicious either warm or room temperature, and it travels well. You’ll find my easy braiding-directions in this recipe:

Snowshoe Naan. A big stack of naan — some sprinkled with herbs, some not, can be frozen and reheated. Delicious! My step-by-step recipe.

 

Kale Pesto. Everybody loves this serene, green sauce. Kale Pesto is a cinch to make, too, and it goes with everything.  I make it this way:

Earl Grey Cookies. These not-too-sweet biscuits are a snap to produce, and of course they smell terrific. Your tea-drinking friends will love ’em. My recipe:

Pumpkin-Spiced Cinnamon Rolls. Light, fluffy, and fragrant. Deliver them on Christmas Eve, and you can bet the rolls will enjoyed on Christmas morning. They reheat perfectly. Here’s the how-to:

My Very Serious Brownies. The only danger is that you might decide to keep these for yourself. Otherwise, they make the perfect gift. The recipe:

Limoncello Cookies. These are delicious to eat, and as beautiful to behold as a well-decorated Christmas tree. The recipe:

Marmalade Cake. My version of this British classic tastes exactly like sunshine. It’s easy to make, too. All you need is a bowl, a whisk, and a loaf pan.  The recipe:

The Best Lemon Tart in the World.  The crust is pate brisee sucree, and the filling is made with an entire lemon — peel, pith, and all.  The tart refrigerates well, so you can make it a day or two in advance of delivering.  Here’s the step-by-step:

Have a friend or relative who might appreciate something from your kitchen for Christmas? You can let me know by leaving a comment. Meanwhile, if you find, at the outlet mall,  a bright, yellow sweater with red, horizontal stripes, you might not wish to purchase it. I received that very item one year, and had to summon all the acting skill I could muster in order to convince the giver that I really, really, liked it.

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Comments

  1. 1

    Priscilla aka Cilla! says

    December 9, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    These all look lovely! I need help though, broke my right arm Friday in a fall. I need easy something to take to potlucks! Any ideas? Easy one handed ideas! 🙂

  2. 2

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    December 9, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Cilla – Sorry to hear about your fall. You are hereby excused from all potluck requirements for the next 6-8 weeks!

  3. 3

    Brenda says

    December 9, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Those all look so good, my mouth is watering!

    For gifts: I make a big batch of cookie dough, make little “dough balls” with a small ice cream scoop, and freeze them on a parchment lined sheet pan. Once frozen, I put them in Ziploc bags with instructions on the front and hand them out. I don’t have to bake, but recipients get homemade cookies hot from the oven. A win-win in my book!

  4. 4

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    December 9, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Hi Brenda – What a terrific idea!

  5. 5

    gina gillispie says

    December 9, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    pass out those biscuits and they will cause world peace! butter for civil rights!

  6. 6

    Bobbi says

    December 9, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    YIKES!! I just gained 5 lbs drooling over your delicious recipes, Kevin!
    But a big kiss & hug & a hardy thanks for all the great ideas for gift giving.
    I really needed that push in the right direction for that special something to give to friends & family.
    Again you have come to my rescue!
    Love,
    Bobbi

  7. 7

    Tracy says

    December 9, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    Oh for God’s sake. Marry me.

  8. 8

    Eliza J says

    December 11, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    ALL of those ideas look wonderful! I don’t know where to begin,
    so I’ll start by printing off the recipes…
    Thanks Kevin ~

  9. 9

    Sarah says

    December 14, 2014 at 8:32 am

    Good Morning Kevin. It’s always a pleasure to get up Sunday morning for our little chat. Someday, I think you need to discourse on fruitcake. I happen to love my homemade fruitcake. It is moist, dark and oozing with rummy yumminess. I never give it away though, because ‘fruitcake’ is the butt of so many nasty jokes. Why share with ignorant cretans, is my opinion. I share many other holiday goodies, including our homemade maple syrup. How do you stand on the fruitcake issue? I would share, if you dare…..

  10. 10

    Gloria says

    December 14, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Those all look scrumptious. I go to an Amish market in the fall and buy a bunch of grains. I make my own mixes out of them, waffle, cornbread, cake etc and put them in jars to give to my friends. They all look forward to it, some even bring me my jars back! I also give them grape, raspberry, blackberry,cherry, strawberry or gooseberry jelly and jam as all of those grow in my yard. I don’t even go to the mall once.

  11. 11

    Alice says

    December 14, 2014 at 9:49 am

    We make a Shaker Lemon pie that strikes me as the country cousin of your lemon tart. I’ve seen whole pies disappear in a wink–it is that good! However, it is much harder to make since the lemons have to be sliced paper thin. Slicing to a quarter inch would be a breeze. I’m going to try your tart and I bet it will be as, if not more, popular.

  12. 12

    Constance says

    December 14, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    Groan! Looking at these I gained the 25+ lbs I lost over the last 2 months!

  13. 13

    Caitilin Weber says

    December 14, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Because of your maple-cinnamon granola post (yes, I blame it on you!), I am caught in an endless round of making granola for my son and husband every weekend! The recipe has morphed over the past month, but has never failed to please. Really great gift idea!

  14. 14

    Wallace & Nancy Braud says

    December 14, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    You are absolutely TOO kind to share all this wealth of knowledge and culinary goodness! HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours!

  15. 15

    Joy says

    December 14, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Is it just me or have you not been posting lately. Hope all is well with you/yours. Happy Holidays and, as always, thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes.

  16. 16

    Clytie says

    December 14, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    Thank you Kevin for a wonderful insight into your life. I live in Noosa, Australia and look forward to your email and have made several of your yummy recipes and your tips on cleaning etc have been most helpful. Wishing you and yours happy holidays and a healthy, safe 2015.

  17. 17

    Cynthia says

    December 15, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Or…we could all just wrap up copies of your new cookbook! Is it / when will it be available? Happy Holidays, Kevin!

  18. 18

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    December 15, 2014 at 10:10 am

    Hi Cynthia – My cookbook should be available by this time next year. Thanks for asking!

  19. 19

    Robin says

    December 15, 2014 at 11:17 am

    Kevin,
    If you haven’t gifted the scones my home would be happy to receive them : ) Have a blessed Christmas!
    Robin

  20. 20

    Sally says

    December 21, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Kevin, I so admire your organization skills. Not only do you garden, decorate and cook with consummate ability, you have time to write about them!

  21. 21

    Naomi S. says

    December 20, 2015 at 9:30 pm

    Kevin, these recipes sound and look yummy to the max! Now, if only I had a cook to manifest them for me. I resist cooking much of anything. I do bake a bit. And if someone gifts me with something edible and delicious, I express extreme gratitude. My point, however, is: when can we expect some more decorating and housekeeping ideas? Is the house completely done? Have I missed something? I love your foodie posts, but I love your decorating and garden posts more!

    Have a wonderful Christmas and New Years! Many blessings to you and your family and friends!

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