Sunday, December 06, 2009

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


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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.


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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.

8 comments:

Grandma Elsie said...

What wonderful gifts those cookies would make. I'll have to pass the idea on to my daughter.
I have to get some shopping done for grand children. daughter and i hope to get away one day this week if weather doesn't stop us.
It snowed about 3 inches Saturday . i posted pictires . Go on over to my blog and feast your eyes on iy.

Mari said...

Excellent gift ideas! I was just telling someone at church this morning about the little pies.

P. said...

Such wonderful ideas. I feel inspired.
Alfazema

Wendi said...

Love the single serving pie idea. Thanks for sharing.

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

I love the idea of the pies. We'll be decorating our presents with handmade gift bows this year. They are really easy, fun and frugal!

Anonymous said...

Will you share your snickerdoodle recipe??

Susanne said...

I'll be doing homemade baking for a lot of gifts this year too. The nice thing is I can make ahead and freeze if I need to.

Tracy said...

I made shortbread and gingerbread yesterday, for gifts. I'm dying to try that Pie in a Jar....just need to find the right sized jars. Need to find time to get a shop that sells them too LOL.