Our list of the best homemade food gifts for Christmas or for any time. These gifts from the kitchen make perfect gifts for coworkers, for a friend who is ill, and for new mothers. These edible gifts are ideal to use anytime you need to bring a little something special to someone you care about.

As I sat down to write this post, I had in my mind that I would be writing about the best homemade food gifts to gift at Christmas. Soon after I started writing, I quickly realized that any of these recipes make wonderful food gifts to give at any time of the year.
Why These Recipes Work
When we think of holiday baking we often think of a kitchen filled with baking trays and piles of Christmas cookies. If you enjoy baking, the holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to have some fun in the kitchen.
The reality is though, not everyone will be cooking and baking for large numbers of people. Sometimes you just want one very special food to gift someone.
If you find yourself in need of one or two gourmet food gifts, I hope you find this list a perfect one to turn to when you need gifts for people who love food.
I think you will also find this list beneficial if you are looking to take a small treat or small batch of baked goods to a sick neighbor, a friend who has just had a baby, or maybe a co-worker.
Homemade Food Gifts
Gingerbread For One
Small Batch Peppermint Bark
Small Batch Rum Balls
Half Batch Cowboy Cookies
Small Batch Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Small Batch Microwave Fudge
Small Batch Peanut Butter Fudge
Small Batch Apple Cinnamon Scones
Small Batch Brownies
Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies
Small Batch Taco Seasoning
Small Batch Chocolate Truffles
Cranberry Orange Scones
Small Batch Pancake Mix
Chocolate Coffee Creamer
Small Batch Lemon Curd Recipe
How To Make Two Vanilla Cupcakes
Easy Small Batch Refrigerator Jam (Blueberry or Strawberry)
Small Batch Apple Butter
Small Batch Sugar Cookies Recipe
French Bread Recipe | Small Loaf
Small Batch Cucumber Salsa
Cherry Pie Filling - A Small Batch Recipe
Small Batch Flourless Chocolate Cookies
Mini Cherry Dump Cake
Vanilla Ice Cream For One
Small Batch Pumpkin Bars
Small Batch Butter Pecan Granola
Mini Orange Oatmeal Cake
Easy Two Ingredient Chocolate Candies | Small Batch
How To Give A Gift Of Food
- Before delivering your goodies, make sure to note whether or not they have any allergies. If you're unsure if your family or friends have specific dietary sensitivities, tie a small tag on the outside of the package of goodies noting if the treat contains nuts, dairy, or gluten.
- Consider packaging your food gifts in reusable containers such as canning jars, food storage jars, pretty boxes, or decorative bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Food gifts are perishable items. Prior to shipping, factor in how long your gifts will last and mail them accordingly. Also, do not ship any food items that need refrigeration. Those are best given in person.
Certain cookies ship better than others. Drop cookies ship well, but thin and crispy cookies do not.
* Allow your cookies to cool to room temperature before packing.
* Use an airtight container for packing the cookies. Line the bottom of the shipping box with bubble wrap or sheets of packing paper.
* Place the container inside the shipping box and stuff packing paper into various corners of the box so that the container fits snugly inside.
* Write the word, "fragile" on the outside of the box. Sometimes the word will get noticed and may be handled with a little extra care.
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!
Evelyn Wallace says
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. 🎄🧧🎉
Kristin H Payne says
I loved these small batch recipes. Do you have any more??
Joanie Zisk says
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.
Peggy says
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.