edible gifts

The adjective "spiced" doesn't do these pecans justice. A mix of sweet, citrus-y, salty, peppery, and aromatic, the flavor that coats every cranny of these pecans perfectly enhances the almost gooey but also crunchy texture. The cozy combo of spices is redolent of Winter and makes a delicious holiday snack for a party spread or just around the house.

These spiced pecans also make an easy but impressive edible gift: cook them up in batches on the stove, then package them in cute cellophane baggies tied with a bow. Get the recipe after the break.

While I do appreciate sugary gifts during the holiday season, I tend to prefer savory provisions filled with flavor. Things like marinated feta cheese get me all excited, which is why roasted red peppers with garlic make a wonderful present.

This edible gift is incredible easy to make, lasts up to a week in the refrigerator, and is a colorful and flavorful way to show somebody that you appreciate them. Roasted red peppers can be enjoyed on a fresh, crunchy baguette, in a sandwich, on a pizza — the possibilities are endless! Stuff your peppers into a pretty jar, label it, and decorate with raffia and sweet Christmas decorations. For the simple, savory recipe, keep on reading.

Strawberry-infused tequila, Irish cream, limoncello, and gin: if ever there's been a DIY spirit, we've made it. What, I pondered, could we tackle next?

When the Scandinavian food trend hit tables this year, the answer dawned on me: aquavit! This time-honored Norwegian spirit — infused with the flavors of spices such as coriander, caraway, fennel, and dill seed — seems oh-so-festive for the holidays. Make a batch for your friends, then hoard a bottle for yourself! For full effect, serve it chilled in shot glasses with smoked salmon with dill, rye crackers, and other Nordic fare. Skål!

Read ahead for an easy homemade aquavit recipe.

Salt is one of those essentials in any kitchen, and it can take any dish from OK to amazing with just a quick sprinkle! This holiday season, spend just a few hours making your very own flavored salts for an easy edible gift. The process is simple and the possibilities as to the flavorings are pretty endless. I made three different varieties including roasted garlic salt, meyer lemon salt, and shiitake salt.

The roasted garlic and meyer lemon salts both took a little longer to make, but the shiitake one's incredibly simple and would work with just about any dried herb, from dried mushrooms to chili flakes to rosemary. When combining a salt with a flavoring that is a little more moist like roasted garlic or citrus, you will need to dry it out in the oven for a short period.

I must admit out of my three, I fell in love with my roasted garlic salt; the flavor is more complex than your average garlic salt and is epic on french fries. The meyer lemon salt is more mild but perfect for fish, chicken, and basically anything that needs a hint of citrus. The shiitake version has a very distinct aroma and would be delicious sprinkled on a soup or any dish with mushrooms. Pick up a box of kosher salt at your local market and start concocting your very own flavored salts this holiday season.

Get these incredibly easy recipes when you read more.

Many people have the misconception that edible gifts have to be really involved, but the truth is, you don't necessarily need a whole day, obscure ingredients, or advanced kitchen skills to create your own signature holiday sundries. Peppermint fudge is a wonderful example of this: with just 15 minutes of prep, less than 10 basic ingredients, and no baking time whatsoever, you've got yourself an impressive batch of candy that's nearly big enough for all the friends on your gift list.

Since the holidays and peppermint go hand in hand, a peppermint-infused recipe is perfect this time of year. I love that this recipe's not too sweet, and it's just pepperminty enough; the key to its success is a high-quality chocolate (I used semisweet baking chips by See's, but any reputable brand will work). If you wanted to go the fancy route, you could individually wrap these adorable confections in colored tinfoil, but for even easier gifting, package them inside a tissue paper-lined tin. For the easy peppermint fudge recipe, keep reading.

Picture this: salty, creamy feta cheese, marinated in fruity olive oil, layered with onions, oregano, and peppercorns. It's basically a party in a jar. This feta cheese gift makes for the perfect unique hostess gift or holiday gift for a food-loving friend. The feta can be served with bread and olives as an appetizer or as a flavorful addition to salad. I brought a jar of this flavorful feta into the office with a fresh baguette, and it was all gone in less than 30 minutes. The bold flavors of the feta, oil, onions, and oregano complement each other deliciously.

Package your marinated feta in a small mason jar and tie a festive bow around it. Label your jar so people know what's inside and be prepared for them to ask for more next year. It's just that good. Do you want to know how to make it? Here's the recipe!

A cup of hot buttered rum tastes like the holidays, and the cozy, spiced flavors are warming in more ways than one. What better edible gift to lead us into the weekend than a batch of homemade hot buttered rum mix? This mix is super-easy to make en masse then divvy up into small jars for all your festive friends.

To make the gift even more special, buy the recipient a nice bottle of dark rum to complete the cocktail. Be sure to include a recipe card with instructions on how to mix up a cup (and maybe a reminder that the mix should be stored in the fridge.) Learn how to make this edible gift now.

It's nice to imagine a perfect world in which everyone's a meticulously detailed home cook, but the truth of the matter is, even a frequent kitchen dweller like myself is often simply looking to make the speediest dinner possible.

So when it comes to homemade edible gifts, I'm fond of gifting my friends what Thomas Keller has called "lifesavers" — those flavor-filled building blocks that add depth to what would be an otherwise-blasé meal. Eight-hour butter-braised onions may sound fancy, but in reality, all you need are three ingredients and a slow cooker.

I love to package these in quaint French terrine jars, with a little note that offers up easy serving suggestions. Some of my favorites? This fast French onion soup or a caramelized onion tart. These sweet, creamy-soft onions are wonderful as a crostini topping, too. Eager for the recipe yet? Then keep reading to make your own butter-braised onions.

Welcome back to the fourth annual 12 Days of Edible Gifts series. Today's treat: corn muffins with a seasonal twist of pear and candied ginger.

I'm crazy for corn muffins in general — I love the sweet, savory flavor and the hearty texture — but I especially love them as edible gifts because they're so versatile. Incorporating seasonal fruit and spiced with festive candied ginger, these muffins act as a sweet treat but aren't technically dessert. They'd make a yummy breakfast on Christmas morning or a grab-and-go snack for holiday house guests.

For a homey bakery vibe, pack a dozen or so muffins in a box lined with pretty napkins and tied with a bow. Get the corn muffin recipe now.

The holiday season is always a busy time, but preparing edible gifts for your friends is a great gesture. If you are short on time, don't worry: you can make plenty of this olive tapenade in just minutes.

Give the garlic and onions a rough chop, and with a couple pulses on the food processor, you will have a tasty olive tapenade in no time. To jazz up and add a wonderful richness to this traditional spread, add a splash of Cognac or, if you aren't ready to splurge on fancy French brandy, you can easily substitute Champagne vinegar. Package the olive tapenade in small jars with festive labels and deliver it with a baguette and your favorite brie for a savory edible gift.

Get this incredibly easy recipe when you read more.