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Best Homemade Food Gifts

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.

a box of rum balls in a gift box

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.

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Homemade Food Gifts

Gingerbread For One

So easy to make and is a treat for the holidays or anyday. A small batch of sweet, perfectly spiced old fashioned gingerbread. This gingerbread cake is baked in a small baking dish and is the right amount for one or two people.
Check out this recipe
A square slice of gingerbread on a small plate with the baking dish in the background

Small Batch Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is so easy to make! This delicious treat is made with semi-sweet chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint extract, and a crushed candy cane.
Check out this recipe
chocolate candies cut into wedges topped with crushed peppermint candy.

Small Batch Rum Balls

A small batch of rich and boozy rum balls are perfect for gift-giving or portion control. An easy no-bake recipe perfect for any time of the year!
Check out this recipe
6 rum balls rolled in sprinkles and powdered sugar on a white plate next to a gold napkin and leaves from a tree

Half Batch Cowboy Cookies

Cowboy Cookies, also known as Texas Governor's Mansion Cookies - these famous jumbo cookies are filled with oats, chocolate chips, pecans, and coconut and are spectacular! You'll love this half batch recipe for these soft and chewy cookies.
Check out this recipe
a silver tray filled with big cowboy cookies next to an orange napkin

Small Batch Carrot Cake Cupcakes

A small batch of moist carrot cake cupcakes made completely from scratch with grated carrots and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe
one frosted carrot cake cupcake on a white plate next to three cupcakes

Small Batch Microwave Fudge

Microwave Fudge For One - a single serving recipe for rich, smooth, incredibly delicious homemade chocolate fudge. One bowl and a microwave is all you need to make this small batch of fudge!
Check out this recipe
six pieces of fudge on a wooden table next to a red and white napkin

Small Batch Peanut Butter Fudge

This incredibly easy small batch peanut butter fudge only requires 4 ingredients. It's rich, creamy, and comes together in minutes.
Check out this recipe
a plate filled with peanut butter fudge on a silver tray

Small Batch Apple Cinnamon Scones

Buttery Apple Cinnamon Scones filled with bits of sweet apples and toasted pecans and topped with a delightful maple glaze. This wonderful small batch recipe will yield 4 tender scones.
Check out this recipe
an apple cinnamon scone topped with a glaze and chopped pecans on a baking sheet

Small Batch Brownies

The best brownie recipe! This small batch brownie recipe delivers rich, chewy, chocolatey brownies baked in a small baking dish. Ready in minutes!
Check out this recipe
two brownies with nuts stacked on top of each other on a plate

Small Batch Oatmeal Cookies

This is the best oatmeal cookies recipe! This small batch of soft oatmeal cookies are ones you'll want to keep in your cookie jar. Filled with plenty of oats, these cookies are buttery and crisp around the edges and soft and chewy in the centers. Better than Grandma's!
Check out this recipe
a stack of oatmeal cookies on a plate next to a stick of butter and a jar of oats

Small Batch Taco Seasoning

This small batch homemade taco seasoning recipe is easy to mix together and works great on tacos, vegetables, meats, seafood, rice, beans, and more. You'll never want to buy taco seasoning from the store again!
Check out this recipe
a spoonful of taco seasoning held over an open jar of the seasoning next to a cream colored lace scarf

Small Batch Chocolate Truffles

These chocolate truffles are a chocolate lovers' dream. They're rich, creamy, and will melt in your mouth. This small batch Chocolate Truffles recipe is made using only 3 ingredients and will yield 4-5 chocolate truffles.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Truffles ( A Small Batch Recipe ) | One Dish Kitchen | Game Day Recipes

Cranberry Orange Scones

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Cranberry Orange Scones are perfect to enjoy with coffee or tea. This small batch recipe yields 4 perfect scones.
Check out this recipe
a cranberry orange scone on a clear plate.

Small Batch Pancake Mix

This homemade pancake mix is a real lifesaver. Make a container and when you want to make a small batch of fluffy, delicious pancakes, just mix in an egg, milk, and melted butter. Serve with the syrup of your choice.
Check out this recipe
three pancakes on a white plate with blueberries on top and scattered around the plate.

Chocolate Coffee Creamer

All-natural, Healthy Chocolate Coffee Creamer made with coconut milk, sweetened with honey and flavored with cocoa powder and vanilla extract. This small batch coffee creamer is a delicious way to sweeten your coffee.
Check out this recipe
coffee creamer next to a blue coffee mug and a plate of cookies

Small Batch Lemon Curd Recipe

Lemon curd is so easy to make and this incredible small batch lemon curd recipe requires just 5 ingredients! Enjoy this sweet, tart, velvety smooth cream on just about everything - from desserts to pancakes to baked goods. Ready in minutes!
Check out this recipe
lemon curd in a jar

How To Make Two Vanilla Cupcakes

Satisfy a cupcake craving with this small batch recipe for TWO vanilla cupcakes. These delicious cupcakes have a lovely melt-in-your-mouth texture and are topped with a rich, indulgent buttercream frosting. One bowl and no fancy equipment needed and can be made in a toaster oven or conventional oven.
Check out this recipe
Vanilla Cupcakes | One Dish Kitchen | Game Day Recipes

Easy Small Batch Refrigerator Jam (Blueberry or Strawberry)

Easy small batch refrigerator jam made with just two ingredients. Use blueberries or strawberries and sugar in this quick stovetop recipe.
Check out this recipe
jar of blueberry jam

Small Batch Apple Butter

This homemade apple butter is made in a slow cooker. It's perfectly spiced and so easy to make. This small batch apple butter recipe comes with step-by-step instructions. It's wonderful to spread on toast, to use in a recipe, or to give a jar as a gift.
Check out this recipe
apple butter | one dish kitchen

Small Batch Sugar Cookies Recipe

The best small batch sugar cookies recipe! These soft, lofthouse style sugar cookies melt in your mouth and are topped with a rich buttercream frosting. 
Check out this recipe
a soft frosted sugar cookie on a white plate next to a white napkin

French Bread Recipe | Small Loaf

This easy homemade french bread recipe makes one small loaf of soft and tender bread. Perfect for sandwiches, browned toast, or simply with butter and jam.
Check out this recipe
a loaf of french bread on a dark counter.

Small Batch Cucumber Salsa

A fresh, flavorful small batch of cucumber salsa made with a tangy vinaigrette. Perfect for scooping with tortilla chips or adding to chicken, fish, or shrimp.
Check out this recipe
a bowl of cucumber salsa next to tortilla chips

Cherry Pie Filling - A Small Batch Recipe

Small Batch Cherry Pie Filling Recipe - this wonderful recipe yields the perfect amount of cherry pie filling for a mini cherry pie. Cooks in minutes and can be made with fresh or frozen cherries. Enjoy as a pie filling, over pancakes, or even as a yogurt or ice cream topping.
Check out this recipe

Small Batch Flourless Chocolate Cookies

These Small Batch Flourless Chocolate Pecan Cookies are THE BEST chocolate cookies! No flour, no butter, no oil needed. They're fudge-like, rich, chewy and easy to make too! Made with cocoa powder, powdered sugar and chopped pecans. This small batch recipe yields 5-6 delicious chocolate pecan cookies. The perfect amount for one or two people!
Check out this recipe
two flourless chocolate cookies on a green plate

Mini Cherry Dump Cake

This Cherry Dump Cake recipe is the easiest dessert recipe in the world! Made with cherry pie filling, Maraschino cherries, and boxed cake mix. Quick, easy to make, and incredibly delicious. Enjoy this mini cherry dump cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an amazing dessert!
Check out this recipe
Double Cherry Dump Cake for One

Vanilla Ice Cream For One

Easy small batch vanilla ice cream recipe! Made in one bowl with just three ingredients, this rich and creamy ice cream is made without an ice cream maker. The recipe yields just the right amount for a large bowl for yourself, or two small bowls if you feel like sharing.
Check out this recipe
a white bowl filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with blue sprinkles and one maraschino cherry

Small Batch Pumpkin Bars

This is a wonderful small batch pumpkin bars recipe. Tender pumpkin cake topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting and sliced into squares. No need to make a big batch, this small batch pumpkin bar recipe gives you the perfect amount to satisfy a sweet craving.
Check out this recipe
a small square pumpkin bar topped with cream cheese frosting and yellow sprinkles on a yellow plate

Small Batch Butter Pecan Granola

This homemade Butter Pecan Granola recipe is the only granola recipe you need! Perfectly sweet, crunchy and full of so much flavor. This butter pecan granola can be ready in minutes and tastes so good!
Check out this recipe
a mason jar filled with a small batch of butter pecan granola next to a green napkin

Mini Orange Oatmeal Cake

This Mini Orange Oat Breakfast Cake is a dream, it's tender crumb perfumed with oranges makes it ideal for breakfast, an addition to your brunch table or as an afternoon snack or dessert. Made with oats, orange juice and a few other ingredients. Bake in a small baking dish or use the batter to make 2 muffins.
Check out this recipe
Mini Orange Oat Breakfast Cake | One Dish Kitchen

Easy Two Ingredient Chocolate Candies | Small Batch

Just two ingredients needed to make these delightful Chocolate Candy Clusters. Melt chocolate chips and add in nuts or trail mix. No oven necessary.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Candy Clusters | One Dish Kitchen

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

If Shipping Your Gift, How Perishable Is It?

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.

What Is The Best Way To Ship Cookies?

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!

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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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  1. 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. 🎄🧧🎉

    Reply

  2. Kristin H Payne says

    I loved these small batch recipes. Do you have any more??

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  3. 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.

    Reply