Are you keen to DIY some edible Christmas gifts this year? Not only is making your own festive edible gifts a good way to spend less, but the thought and time that’s gone into making them will mean so much to the recipient. From jams to biscuits, White Christmas to rum balls, find great ideas for edible Christmas gifts below.
And when you’re planning, be sure to factor in gift packaging. Keep an eye out for vintage tins throughout the year, or pick up some clear plastic or cellophane bags or small cardboard boxes. Add a personal touch for the recipient with a festive tag and personal message.
Or head to Pinterest for more edible gift ideas and holiday inspiration.
Nutty choc-chip boiled fruit cakes
Make fruit cake even better.
Brought to you by Australian Macadamias
Festive walnut shortbread
It won’t take long to make these festive treats.
Spiced gingerbread biscuits
A homemade gift idea for loved ones to enjoy over the holiday season.
Lemon myrtle shortbread biscuits
Get creative with your festive baking.
Salted lemon shortbread
Known as lemon sable tiles, these delicately textured French-style shortbread biscuits are incredibly moreish.
Easy white Christmas
This recipe is quick, delicious and sure to be a festive season hit with the whole family.
Chocolate bonbons
These divine little chocolate bonbons, studded with turkish delight, pistachios and cranberries, are like a grown-up version of rocky road.
Rudolph the reindeer cookies
Get in the festive spirit.
Cinnamon eggnog macarons
What a delightful way to enjoy the flavour of eggnog. These macarons are the perfect, light accompaniment to Christmas dinner, and would make a unique and thoughtful gift for your host.
Stained glass biscotti
As pretty as they are delicious!
Shortbread fingers
Irresistibly crumbly and buttery, shortbread has been a year-round favourite biscuit for centuries.
Rocky road Christmas tree cakes
Let these edible treats take centre stage!
Christmas gingerbread biscuits
For bold icing colours, we used powdered food colourings, available from cake decorating shops and some health food stores. Mixing the powder with a small amount of hot water, before stirring into the icing, gives a better result; liquid colourings can be used for pale colours. Note
Coconut truffles
Using fresh coconut for sweet dishes like this will enhance the flavour immeasurably, and you’ll find many greengrocers and supermarkets now sell plastic bags of shredded or grated fresh coconut in the Asian ingredient section.
Coffee wreath (with chocolate sauce)
What’s better than a Christmas wreath? One you can eat!
Almond caramel bars
Crunchy and decadent, these amazing almond caramel bars make the perfect gift.
Sugar and spice almonds
The ideal edible gift this Christmas.
Mini gingerbread houses
These mini gingerbread houses are a kid friendly project that will get everyone into the Christmas spirit.
Tomato and chilli jam
Make this simple, spicy homemade chilli jam and package it up in jars to share with friends – or keep it all to yourself.
Christmas tree shortbreads
Create these gorgeous Christmas tree shaped shortbreads to leave out for Santa, gift to friends and family or just to get you into the festive spirit.
Giant Santa Claus Christmas cookies
Our Santa Claus Christmas cookies recipe is an adorable homemade Christmas food gift or delightful treat for your Christmas Day dessert spread.
Chocolate pistachio shortbread
Give your traditional shortbread a twist with this chocolate pistachio shortbread recipe from the Women’s Weekly! Delicious as an afternoon tea treat, or wrapped in cellophane for homemade Christmas food gift.
Salted caramels, five ways
Made with just 4 ingredients these sticky salted caramels pair perfectly with a scoop of ice-cream and make a lovely edible gift. Find four additional flavour variations below too.
Brandied cherry jam
Cherries and brandy are a dark, gorgeous and classy mix. It is the perfect gift to the person that has everything.
Real cherry jam
Make the most of cherry season and preserve the flavour to enjoy for months to come.
How to make preserved lemons
Is your lemon tree full to the brim?
Christmas angel biscuits
You could use any Christmas cookie cutter to make these biscuits, but angels and snowflakes work the best.
Traditional shortbread
The use of rice flour gives shortbread a more delicate texture.
Salted peanut caramels
Salted caramel took the world by storm a few years ago, and as a go-to sweet treat, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. These salted peanut caramels are perfectly sticky, chewy, nutty and salty.
Vanilla shortbread
So much to love about shortbread.
White choc-mint candy cane bark
Treats don’t get much more festive!
Christmas rocky road
The only Christmas rocky road recipe you’ll ever need – it’s simply irresistible!
Pistachio and cranberry nougat
A candy/sugar thermometer will reach 160°C when the syrup is ready. Note
Classic rum balls
A Christmas favourite. These can be stored in the fridge for up to one month.
Honey soy nuts
These nuts are great for snacking and add a crunchy burst of flavour to sprinkle over salads. They make great gifts too, packed up into jars or cellophane bags.
Chilli oil
Spice things up.
Fresh apricot jam
That’s my jam!
Salted caramel truffles
Teaming sweet flavours with salt is not a new discovery, but in recent years the combination of salt and caramel has worked its way from the culinary elite to mainstream tastes. And a good thing, too.
Vanilla cinnamon shortbread
Perfect as a festive season gift or special treat, these buttery shortbread rise to new heights with the pairing of vanilla and cinnamon.
Gluten-free mini gingerbread houses
How to make tiny gluten-free gingerbread houses, the easy way.
Jam shortbread snowflakes
The ideal homemade gift.
Spiced nuts
These smoky spiced macadamias are great for snacking and add a crunchy burst of flavour to sprinkle over salads. They make great gifts too, packed up into jars or cellophane bags.
White Christmas rocky road
Wouldn’t be the festive season without a plate of this!
White Christmas
This classic white Christmas recipe will have you celebrating Christmas in style with white chocolate, dried fruits and nuts, and crispy puffed rice.
Gingerbread gift boxes
These gingerbread gift boxes are an adorable (and edible) way to package up any sweet treat. Go all out this Christmas and whip up a bunch for dessert.
Cranberry, almond and cherry nougat
A sugar (candy) thermometer, from kitchenware stores, is essential for this recipe. Nougat can be made a week ahead. Store nougat in an airtight container between layers of baking paper in a cool, dry place. If the weather is humid, make close to serving. Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note
Gingerbread folk
Adorable festive treats.
Mango and strawberry jam
A jar filled with this mango and strawberry jam will make a delightful gift for family and friends. It also tastes delicious, so don’t forget to keep a jar or two for yourself
Gingerbread house cookies
The easiest way to make gingerbread houses.
Gourmet rocky road
We took the classic no-bake treat and made it fancy.
Spicy mango chutney
Spicy Indian mango chutney
Gingerbread biscuits
Run as fast as you can!
Pistachio and cranberry biscotti
Red and green for a little bit Christmasy!
Brandied apricot jam
For a more intense brandy flavour, stir up to two tablespoons of brandy into the jam mixture before pouring into the jars. Note
How to make edible angel gift tag cookies
Edible gift tag cookies are an adorable way to personalise your presents this Christmas – but perhaps wait until Christmas Day to attach them to your gifts.