Handmade Holidays!

It's that time of the year, we're scrounging around for the perfect Christmas present and if you're anything like me, you want it to be something just right.

What is better than a handmade gift? Something that you put your heart and effort into?

With that in mind, I decided that the next few weeks before Christmas, I'll be posting about easy and inexpensive holiday gifts that you can sew, crochet, knit or make right in your own kitchen.

Gifts from the Kitchen

Christmas Cranberry Bread

Yield: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 08 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:

* 2 Tbsp soft butter or margarine
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 tsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 3/4 cup orange juice
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten
* 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Grease 8 X 4-inch loaf pan.

2. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt. Add orange juice and egg and stir until flour is wet. Fold in chopped cranberries and walnuts. Scrape batter into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before turning out. Let loaf cool on rack.

Carrot Walnut Bread

Yield: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 2 Tbsp shortening
* 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2-1/2 tsp baking powder
* 1 tsp baking soda
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 cup milk
* 2 med. eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 cup grated carrot, about 1 large carrot
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees F. Grease 9 X 5-inch loaf pan.

2. In large bowl, cream brown sugar and shortening. Mix in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add milk and eggs and stir until flour is wet. mix in grated carrot and walnuts. Scrape batter into greased loaf pan and bake at 375 degrees F for 1 hour or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before turning out. Let loaf cool on rack.

The idea is to keep it simple, there's no need to go completely overboard.

For the kids teachers, I'm doing both a Lemon Drizzle Loaf and some Snickerdoodles.

I'm also including Single Serving Pies in a Jar. I've been wanting to try these for a while and I think this is the perfect opportunity.

You need half-pint jars and I find those at my base commissary but if you can't locate them at a store near you, here's a link to where you can get them at Amazon, they're pretty inexpensive.

Our Best Bites has the perfect recipe, go on over and take a look.

Credit: ourbestbites

Try to keep in mind any food allergies or dislikes for the gift recipient.

Why not try putting a few pieces of Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread in a large coffee mug and wrap it in cellophane?

These are just a few ideas, I am using them for the teachers, friends and family.