Do you aspire to be the kind of person who shows up at a holiday party with a pretty package of homemade cookies for the host? Or someone who can hand out custom-made jars of tasty snacks to neighbours without a second thought? Gifting a delicious homemade treat is easier than you might think. The secret is to use your freezer! Take an afternoon to stock the freezer with one—or all—of these delicious recipes. The good news? Each one tastes just as delicious coming out of the freezer as it does when it goes in.
Cherry & Almond Icebox Shortbread
These cookies are crisp and buttery, with a wonderful hint of almond. The secret to icebox cookies is an old-fashioned one: Roll the dough into long cylinders, then slice and bake from frozen. You get fresh, warm cookies in 10 minutes! Italian preserved cherries are exquisite in this recipe. If you can’t find them, substitute glacé cherries.
Click HERE for the Full Recipe
Date-Coconut Squares
A classic for a reason, date squares are like the devilled eggs of the sweet world: These squares are humble, yes, but also adored by all! Ours include coconut and a touch of lemon to cut the richness.
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Holiday Granola
Warm spices like cinnamon and ginger make these oats taste festive, and it’s so easy to make a huge batch, stash it in the freezer and pack it into jars to give as gifts throughout the season. Use red and orange fruits like dried cranberries and apricots for a jewel-like appearance.
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Crunchy Spiced Nuts
A magical mix of egg white and sugar give these nuts a very thin, crispy crust that makes them utterly addictive. Ginger, cinnamon and allspice make them taste like the holidays. I prefer pecans and walnuts, with all their nooks and crannies, but you can use any nuts you like.
Click HERE for the Full Recipe
Effortless Packaging
A pretty package takes these delicious gifts to the next level. Around the holidays, you’ll start to see jars, pots and tins at craft stores. Pick up some festive ribbon and tissue paper while you’re there for lining tins and adding final flourishes. Reusable bags, containers and glass jars are perfect for granola and nuts. In general, get the smallest size of jar, tin and bag—it’s better to give a small tin bursting with treats than one with lots of empty space.
