First, I have to tell you that I’m beyond excited about this post! I don’t think I’ve ever put so much time and effort into making one blogpost (in 5 1/2 years people!). Totally worth it though. I loved every second of it and I’ve been so excited to share this with you so you can go ahead and make your own gifts. I read somewhere that DIY gifts like these were for “lazy” people but I’m of a different opinion. To me, making a gift really shows that you care. That you put time and effort into making something unique for that special someone.
I made labels using photoshop, printed them on thick white paper which I then used double-sided-tape to stick to the jars. Instructions can be put on the back of each jar, or you can just print them on paper and hand them over to the person who receives the gift.
HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE SPREAD
ALSO KNOWN AS HOMEMADE NUTELLA
Makes 2 cups (500 ml)
I’m so excited about this recipe, I don’t even know where to begin! First of all, there are no strange ingredients in it. You could almost say it’s healthy, right? It’s a perfect spreadable consistency, straight from the fridge. How awesome is that?? And best of all, it tastes amazing! It’s a bit more grainy (from the hazelnuts) than store-bought but I actually like that.
INGREDIENTS
150 g hazelnuts
2-3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp vegetable oil, such as canola or rapeseed
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
150 g dark chocolate (70%), chopped
2/3 cup (150 ml) milk
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preaheat oven to 175°C (350F).
2. Spread hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for about 12-14 minutes or until slightly browned and fragrant (make sure to keep an eye on them as they burn quickly and when burnt they will have a very bitter taste).
3. Put the nuts in a clean kitchen towel and rub to remove skin. You probably won’t get all of it out but that’s ok! Just make sure to remove the excess.
4. Put the nuts in a food processor or blender while still warm and mix until as finely ground as possible. Add the honey, oil and salt and mix until it resembles a grainy marzipan-like paste.
5. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a bowl over a saucepan with simmering water. Remove bowl from heat and stir in the hazelnute paste. Stir until smooth.
6. Heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling, add to the chocolate mixture a little at a time and stir until completely smooth. Make sure to taste the nutella to see if you wish to add more salt or honey.
7. Pour into a jar and put in the fridge to cool. Keeps for about 1 week in the fridge (though I ate it all pretty quickly).
Herb salt with lemon
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup sea salt flakes (such as Maldon)
1/4 cup fresh herbs, tightly packed in the measuring spoon – I used basil, oregano and rosemary
zest from 1/2 lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put half of the salt and half of the herbs in a mortar and pestle (I’m sure a food processor would work as well).
2. Grind the mixture as finely as possible.
3. Add the rest of the salt, herbs and lemon zest and grind a bit more.
4. Spread mixture thinly onto a baking sheet and let dry overnight. Put salt in a small jar.
Double CHOCOLATE MUFFIN mix
makes 12 muffins
INGREDIENTS & TOOLS
One 5-cup (1,2 liter) jar
2 cups (300 g) all purpose flour
1 tbsp (tablespoon) baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cups + 1 1/2 tbsp (80 g) cocoa powder
1 cup + 2 tbsp (250 g) granulated sugar
150 g dark chocolate chips (or half milk chocolate, half dark chocolate)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a jar.
2. Layer in the following order, making sure to pack each layer down tight:
-Half of the flour mix
-Cocoa powder
-Rest of the flour mixture
-Sugar
-Chocolate
Enclose the following instructions and a set of muffin liners
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MUFFINS
makes 12
INGREDIENTS TO ADD
100 g (1 scant stick) butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 200°c (392F). Prepare a cupcake pan with 12 muffin liners.
2. Mix melted butter, buttermilk and eggs in a large bowl.
3. Reserve some of the chocolate chips for the top of the muffins. Add the rest of the contents of the jar and stir until combined.
4. Divide batter between 12 liners, filling them completely full. Add reserved chocolate chips to the tops if desired.
5. Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a cake tester comes out almost clean.
OATMEAL COOKIES
WITH CHOCOLATE LENTILS
Makes 25 cookies
Adapted from Bakerella
INGREDIENTS & TOOLS
One 4-cup (950 ml) jar
1 1/3 cup (185 g) all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup (90 g) rolled oats
1/2 cup (75 g) chocolate lentils
1/2 cup (100 g) + 1/4 cup (40 g) chocolate chips (I used a mix of dark chocolate and milk chocolate)
1/2 cup (100 g) raw turbinado sugar
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
2. Layer in the following order, making sure to pack each layer down tight:
-Flour mixture
-Oats
-Chocolate lentils
-Chocolate chips
-Raw turbinado sugar
-Granulated sugar
-More chocolate chips (just to fill all the way to the top, and more chocolate never hurt anyone, right?)
Enclose the following instructions
OATMEAL COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE LENTILS
Makes 25 cookies
INGREDIENTS TO ADD
1 slightly beaten egg
1 stick (113 g) butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 tsp vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 175°C (350F)
2. Mix wet ingredients with the contents of the jar. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch (3 1/2 cm) balls, place on a baking sheet covered with baking paper and bake for about 12-14 minutes.
CHAI LATTE SPICE MIX
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cloves
1 tbsp ground cardamom
1 tsp vanilla powder
2/3 cup (135 g) raw turbinado sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients and put in airtight jar.
Enclose the following instructions and a couple of tea bags:
CHAI LATTE
Makes one serving
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup + 2 tbsp water
1 bag of black tea
2 1/2 tsp chai spice mix
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Bring all ingredients to a boil in a saucepan and stir until dissolved.
2. Let sit for one minute.
3. Strain mixture once or twice and top with frothed milk and cinnamon.
CINNAMON GRANOLA
INGREDIENTS
2 cups (180 g) rolled oats
100 g slivered almonds
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup (30 g) coconut flakes
1/2 (75 g) cup raisins
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 150°C (325F).
2. Mix oats, almonds, maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, vanilla and salt in a large bowl. Stir until all dry ingredients are coated with the wet.
3. Spread mixture on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so.
5. Spread the coconut flakes on the baking sheet and bake for another 10 minutes or until mixture is golden brown.
6. Let cool, add raisins, then pour into a jar.
aimee says
These all look great I am in love with those drawers that you styled them on so gorgeous. Thankyou for such a great selection of recipe/gift ideas i cant wait to try them x
linda says
Thank you so much Aimee! Glad you like them xx
Maryna Krasnozhon says
Amazing! So amazing! And that commode is just unbelievable !!! I really fail words))
Ditte Ingemann says
Wow, Linda – this blogpost is just so beautiful. I also love making edible gifts and i'll definitely try some of your recipes. Have a lovely Christmas!
designbygutschi says
Cool … so super … i love it …
Thank you
Jutta
Jenna Duesterhoeft says
I love all of these ideas!! So, so much! Thanks for the inspiration.
Sanja says
Amazing post, will definitely be making some of these for my friends birthdays 😀
Tania Balianitsa says
Linda, I'm amazed, as usual! Beautiful post!I like this idea with jars as gifts. And i'm in love with your chest of drawers.
Tania Balianitsa says
Linda, I'm amazed, as usual! Beautiful post!I like this idea with jars as gifts. And i'm in love with your chest of drawers 🙂
Juliana says
Beautiful, Linda! Homemade, edible gifts are the best!
Ester - ett kreativt liv says
Åh så ljuvliga idéer! Måste verkligen prova att göra eget örtsalt
cynthia says
This is so, so incredible, Linda!!! Every single one of these gifts is so wonderful and thoughtful (the mixes! the homemade Nutella!) Your friends and loved ones are so lucky to have you. And of course, the photos are stunning. Thank you for sharing such beautiful holiday spirit!
hollyandflora.com says
This is such a lovely post, Linda! Handmade gifts are extensions of our creativity, precious time, and thoughtfulness. I always send out homemade soy candles, soap and scrubs, and a dried blend of herbs from our garden. I am going to add the hazelnut chocolate spread and the herb salt to the collection this year – thank you for the inspiration! …and if you ever want to get rid of that beautiful piece of furniture, you can ship it over to me! 😉
Lindsey says
the time and care you took to make these beautiful gifts is beyond! i love how handmade gifts lend such a personal quality to gift giving – so much better than standing on line at a crowded store! thank you for this inspirational post, linda! xo
Emmie says
Linda, vilket fantastisk inlägg! Vill göra alla! Ska definitivt försöka hinna med att göra en av dem! Har redan nu gjort eget currypulver, egen aprikosmarmerlad och en egen chaiteblandning som jag ska ge bort i jul. Tycker precis som du att de presenterna man gör själv är de bästa!
Hoppas vi hinner ses en sväng i Halmstad snart!
Kram!
Nefertari says
AMAZING! <3
Bea says
OMG!This is insane!!!I love everything about it 🙂
Emily says
Oh and now just finding the time to make them all. Of course I would be more than happy to get these as gifts as well.
Lisa says
Thank you very much for sharing these – the chai latte mix really has my attention!
Sarah @ Bonjour Sucre says
Thank you so much for this post – it couldn't have come at a better time! I was planning on spending my day making some homemade gifts. Over the years, I have made brownie mix and cookie mix in a jar. I was planning on making hot chocolate mix this year. I am intrigued though by the nutella and herb salt. Thanks for sharing – I love your blog, all the photos and recipes are inspiring.
Anonymous says
What a great post! No wonder it took you a long time putting it all together. There´s such a lot of work that goes into those beautiful jars! I love all the recipes!
Eva (from Austria; ichmussbacken.com)
Kreetta says
Love this idea of edible gifts. I made some my own too. Beautiful photography as usual 🙂 Have a lovely and sweet X-mas!
CakeLiving says
I just gave a friend an edible gift – A brownie mix in a jar. She really liked it so i think it's really a nice and more personal gift to give. Love your ideas in this post. I have to try the homemade nutella one day 🙂
Mike @TheIronYou says
What a neat idea and the pictures…what can I say? You're such an inspiration for me with your work!
Thea @ Baking Magique says
Jag älskar allt med det här inlägget!
molly yeh says
these are seriously amazing!
Olga Nunez Miret says
Lovely presents and great ideas.
Anonymous says
I love the idea, the recipes, the pictures! Thanks for all the tips. One question – with the double chocolate mix – do you think you can substitute milk instead of using buttermilk in the recipe?
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love this idea, what lovely, lovely gifts!
Sonja {Dagmars Kitchen} says
Vilken underbar bloggpost Linda! Så snyggt och inspirerande!
Liz says
Beautiful ideas and beautiful photographs! I'm so happy about the nutella recipe, because I still have a ton of hazelnuts from our garden, thank you!
fashionelle says
OMG! I love everything about this post! Your photos are amazing, your recipes, your ideas … I love it all! For me this kind of presents are the best!!!!
Fashionruelle
http://fashionruelle.com
Kisses
Ann Harquail says
The recipes all sound heavenly and your photography is gorgeous!!
Design_Glue_Glitter says
This is really beautiful idea. I would be very very happy if someone gave me such a thoughtful present…I might consider making some of these for this year's presents.
http://www.designglueglitter.blogspot.com
Willow @ Will Cook For Friends says
Gorgeous, as always! And I agree, I've always felt that handmade gifts are more thoughtful, not lazy. All of these sound so wonderful, I would be thrilled to receive any of them!
Sini | My Blue&White Kitchen says
This is one mighty post, Linda! Super excited about these beautiful gifts! As you said, handmade gifts are the perfect way to show someone how much they mean to you.
Twincesses_MoM says
This is so great! I have made some of those things earlier but never thought of homemade gifts in jars. Trying to cut sweets but your recipe about hazelnut chocolate spread is totally irresistible I have made it before I read the whole post. 😉 The taste is amazing! First time here at your blog, sure will fine some more interesting things. I am not a blogger but like reading and collecting all those wonderful ideas.Thx for sharing! Happy holidays!
Johanna says
This post was a great inspiration. Thank you so much. I made the Chai Latte Spice as a special last minute present for my old friends from school that I only see once or twice a year. It was done so quickly. And it tastes great, I tested the leftovers myself 😉 By the way: I added some tonka bean to the mix and the flavor paired wonderful with the other spices.
kylie @ immaeatthat says
That chai spice latte mix!! LOVE. All would make such great gifts!
GGBG Syle says
I totally agree with Johanna the post IS great inspiration for all bloggers and regular readers. My favorite is the Herb Spice.
Marry Christmas!
Lina
Gamma @BoilAndTrouble says
You can feel the love that was put into them just by looking at it. It makes me happy!! 😉
Tulle e confetti says
Wonderful! The recipes and also the photo! Great!
Federica
http://tulleeconfetti.com/
Motilayo W. says
This is like the cutest thing ever.
It looks so good!
Much love, M
blvckorsomething.blogspot.com
sabinemamangerie says
Love your dreamy photos! The nutella recipe is my fav of all these wonderful ideas – does it count if I give that to…myself? The nutella jar is so beautiful as well. Thanks for this post, it´s so well worth all the effort you surely have put in it. Love it!
Nika says
Du är så grym!
Lynn says
These are all such beautiful gifts and have already started to inspire me to think about homemade gifts for other occasions.
http://www.theroadtohoney.com
noisettefoodblog says
Thank you for the inspiration! I've been looking to do these for a while and will definitely be doing something similar next year. Your photographs also blow my mind, so so beautiful!
Sara Z says
For the chailatte spice mix, what kind of teabags?
Christiann Koepke says
Linda, this is such a gorgeous post! I made so many homemade gifts this year thanks to this post– just lovely xx
Anonymous says
åhhh vill bara berätta att jag för någon dag sen fick hem din senaste bok. Vilken fantastisk bok! Den var helt underbar och inspirerande. Kram
à conversa says
Lovely! Sou portuguesa e adoro vir aqui tirar ideias. por caso neste natal também fiz cake in a jar para oferecer! Parabéns!
anna @ annamayeveryday says
The packaging and labelling is beautiful and your photographs are amazing!
Pani M says
It's a great idea! I like it sooo much! And, of course, I love your photos!
Rachel Page says
WOW! They look so amazing! I've got a think for jars too >.< I can't wait to try this out!
Linh | Vietnamese Food Blog says
Wowww!!! Why haven't I discovered this blog post earlier?!!! Better late than never. Thank you for sharing such a great idea!
Sophia says
Wooow this worked so well!!! Especially helpful was the fact that you also put in the measurement in grams (saves me A LOT of time here in Switzerland ;))
Great recipe Thanks!!
linda says
Thank you SO much Sophia! So glad you liked it 🙂