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Homemade food gifts are a thoughtful and personal way to show you care. Whether it’s for Christmas, a friend who’s feeling under the weather, or a new mom, these gifts bring warmth and joy to any occasion.
Easy to Follow: Clear instructions make these recipes simple for cooks of any skill level.
Adaptable: Easily modify many of these recipes to suit dietary needs or personal preferences.
Quick to Make: These recipes come together fast, perfect for busy schedules.
Thoughtful and Personal: Homemade gifts add a special touch that store-bought items just can’t match.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday celebration or a kind gesture, these recipes fit any event beautifully.
Thoughtful Tips for Giving Food Gifts
When sharing homemade food gifts, always keep the recipient’s dietary needs in mind. If you’re unsure about allergies or restrictions, attach a small tag listing potential allergens like nuts, dairy, or gluten. This thoughtful step ensures your gift can be enjoyed safely.
For packaging, choose reusable and practical options to add an eco-friendly touch. Canning jars, food storage containers, decorative boxes, or pretty bags not only make your gift look special but also offer a functional keepsake for the recipient. Sustainable packaging enhances the presentation and shows extra care for both the recipient and the environment.
Homemade Food Gifts
Mini Gingerbread Cake
4.74 from 45 votes
This mini gingerbread cake is a tender, richly spiced small loaf made with molasses and warm holiday spices. It delivers classic gingerbread flavor in a perfectly sized portion for one or two.
Make a small batch of delicious Chocolate Covered Oreos with just two ingredients. This quick, no-bake dessert features crunchy Oreos dipped in smooth, glossy chocolate, perfect for holidays, parties, or gifting.
Easy small batch rum balls made with crushed cookies, cocoa powder, nuts, and a splash of rum. This quick no-bake dessert is rich, flavorful, and perfect for gifting or holiday celebrations.
This small batch Cowboy Cookies recipe, inspired by the famous Laura Bush Cookies, delivers rich, chewy cookies packed with oats, chocolate chips, coconut, and pecans – the perfect treat!
These small batch carrot cake cupcakes are soft, moist, and filled with freshly grated carrots and warm cinnamon. Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, they’re a perfectly sized sweet treat.
Whip up rich and creamy fudge in just minutes with this easy microwave recipe! Perfectly portioned for a small batch, it’s ideal for sharing or enjoying as a quick treat. This simple recipe is sure to be a hit with friends and family.
Make rich and creamy small batch peanut butter fudge with just 4 simple ingredients! Quick to make and full of homemade flavor, this treat is perfect for any occasion.
These small batch apple cinnamon scones are tender, flaky, and filled with fresh apple pieces and toasted pecans. Topped with a light maple glaze, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
Rich and fudgy small batch brownies made with simple ingredients. Perfect for one or two people, these brownies are quick to make and packed with intense chocolate flavor.
Enjoy freshly baked cookies in no time with our perfect small batch oatmeal cookie recipe! These chewy, delicious treats are quick to make and full of homemade goodness.
This small batch chocolate truffles recipe makes smooth, rich homemade truffles with just chocolate and cream. An easy, elegant treat perfect for gifting or enjoying at home.
These cranberry orange scones are buttery, flaky, and filled with fresh orange zest and tart cranberries. Baked in about 15 minutes and finished with a sweet orange glaze, they’re a small batch treat that’s simple and delicious.
This small batch pancake mix is quick to make with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for one or two people, it creates light, fluffy pancakes anytime you want a homemade breakfast.
This small batch lemon curd is smooth, creamy, and packed with bright citrus flavor. Made with just one egg, it’s perfect for spreading on toast or spooning over desserts.
Small batch vanilla cupcakes that are soft, fluffy, and full of classic vanilla flavor. Made with simple ingredients and topped with creamy frosting, they’re perfect when you want just two cupcakes.
This small batch refrigerator jam is made with fresh fruit and no added pectin. It’s easy to make and perfect for a quick, flavorful jam without the need for canning.
This mini slow cooker apple butter is made with fresh apples, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness. Thick, smooth, and flavorful, it’s perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or enjoying straight from the jar.
Soft, buttery frosted sugar cookies topped with creamy buttercream frosting. This easy small batch sugar cookie recipe tastes just like classic Lofthouse cookies made at home.
This small batch French bread recipe makes a single loaf with a crisp crust and soft interior. Simple ingredients and easy steps yield bakery-quality results at home.
Whip up a fresh, flavorful small batch Cucumber Salsa for your next snack or meal. With crisp cucumbers, tangy vinaigrette, and versatile serving options!
These small batch pumpkin bars are soft, moist, and flavored with warm fall spices. Baked in a small dish and topped with rich cream cheese frosting, they’re the perfect dessert for one or two people.
This small batch chocolate candy recipe is easy to make with just two ingredients. Melted chocolate is mixed with nuts, dried fruit, or other add-ins, then chilled until firm for a delicious homemade treat.
How can I determine if a food gift is suitable for shipping?
When shipping homemade food gifts, consider their perishability. Choose items that can withstand transit without refrigeration, as refrigerated foods are best given in person. Make sure the shelf life of your gift matches the shipping timeframe to ensure it arrives fresh and ready to enjoy.
What’s the best way to ship cookies?
Some cookies, like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin, travel better than delicate ones like lace cookies. To keep cookies intact: Let them cool completely before packing. Place them in an airtight container. Line the shipping box with bubble wrap or packing paper and fill any empty spaces to prevent shifting. Label the box as “Fragile” to encourage careful handling, though it’s not always guaranteed.
How should I package baked goods for gifting in person?
Wrap baked goods individually or in small bundles, then place them in decorative boxes or jars. Add a ribbon or tag for a festive touch.
How can I personalize homemade food gifts?
Add handwritten notes, recipe cards, or custom labels to make your gift more personal. You can also package them in reusable or themed containers.
Homemade Food Gifts: A Thoughtful Touch
Homemade food gifts are a heartfelt way to show you care. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, these treats are more than food—they’re thoughtful gestures and lasting memories. This holiday season or whenever you want to spread joy, let these recipes inspire your creativity!
If you would like information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried any of these DIY food gifts or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Welcome!
I’m Joanie, chef, author of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, and creator of One Dish Kitchen. With 10+ years of experience developing single serving and small batch recipes, I’m passionate about making cooking for one simple and enjoyable. So glad you’re here!
Have you developed a small fruit cake recipe? I grew up with both a dark and white fruit cake around Xmas time. Would love your input on this. Every recipe in cookbooks gives a large fruitcake.
Thank you for reaching out! Currently, we don’t have a small fruit cake recipe on our site, but I love your suggestion. I’ll definitely add it to our list of potential recipes to develop in the future. Stay tuned!
Yes. We create only single serving and small batch recipes on our website, One Dish Kitchen. We have hundreds and hundreds of them here on our website.
I tried the half batch cowboy cookies! They are delicious
. I made them sugar free and gave some yo my diabetic sister and some to a friend who was having family in for Xmas tomorrow.
Love, love your recipes. As a Widow, it makes cooking more enjoyable, not so much guessing. Thank you.
Have you developed a small fruit cake recipe? I grew up with both a dark and white fruit cake around Xmas time. Would love your input on this. Every recipe in cookbooks gives a large fruitcake.
Thank you for reaching out! Currently, we don’t have a small fruit cake recipe on our site, but I love your suggestion. I’ll definitely add it to our list of potential recipes to develop in the future. Stay tuned!
You could make mini-loaves with the full recipe and freeze.
Thank you for such a wonderful idea. I love your smaller recipes and I’m sure my family and friends will too! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 🎄🧧🎉
I loved these small batch recipes. Do you have any more??
Yes. We create only single serving and small batch recipes on our website, One Dish Kitchen. We have hundreds and hundreds of them here on our website.
I tried the half batch cowboy cookies! They are delicious
. I made them sugar free and gave some yo my diabetic sister and some to a friend who was having family in for Xmas tomorrow.