For the past few years, I’ve tried to save money by making homemade gift baskets It’s fun to spend a few weeks making different sweets in bulk, and it makes more sense to do everything yourself Here are a few examples of my creations so far jars of dulce de leche, maraschino cherries, limoncello, cured meats, candied pecans, bottles of balsamic reduction, and “Old FashionedManhattan Kits” not homemade, but they fit the theme I’m lacking inspiration this year Does anyone have any ideas for dishes that can be made in bulk
Chef hereI sometimes make scented oils in really pretty bottles for Christmas
Spicy nuts
Bottles of homemade limoncello and Irish cream, no one ever complained when they received a bottle
The candied bacon is fantastic The caramel The peanut brittle
I bought a bread maker a few months ago and this year I’m baking bread with sundried tomatoes and herbs
I always bake cookies and give them away
I once made muesli for Secret Santa and people were desperately waiting for the recipe
BBQ marinades and sauces, homemade salsa, recipe kits with shelfstable ingredients and a recipe card, and homemade spice blends are all things I’ve given for Christmas in the past
Fudge, bonus points for being able to make different varieties A basic recipe, to which you can add ingredients to make vanilla, chocolate, walnut, cranberry, spiced, peanut butter, orange, speculoos, coconut fudge Irish cream is always good, but I personally prefer it in smaller quantities Cookies although the ones with icing take a long time Jams and jellies Mince pies or cupcake filling for next year
A few years ago, I made a highquality homemade hot chocolate mix, and each jar contained its own pouch of homemade marshmallows The mix was a huge success, but I couldn’t afford to make homemade marshmallows again What a waste
Honeycomb, tiffin, millionaire’s shortbread, jam, chutney, mustard
Last year, my sister made flavored butters Some sweet, some savory She rolled them into cute little donuts, wrapped them in parchment paper, and tied a bow at the ends It looks like a giant candy
I make mustard, usually grain beer mustard and Dijon mustard My readytobake cinnamon rolls are a huge hit I also serve readytocut and bake biscuit rolls This saves me valuable time, and people eat them warm and fresh
Homemade granola makes a lovely gift I use an America’s Test Kitchen recipe with honey, oat flakes, walnuts, flaked almonds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, and sesame seeds I like to put it in a jar with a piece of holiday fabric between the lid and the ring
If you have a dehydrator, make soups, dried fruit watermelon is great Canned pineapple is great too, jerky, and zucchini chips Dehydrate jalapeos and then grind them in a spice grinder Make your own celery salt Do the same with dill pickles to enhance your popcorn Dehydrate mini marshmallowsthey’re like good luck charms