Finding a gift for someone who’s hard to shop for can feel impossible, but homemade desserts are a simple solution that always feels personal. Whether it’s cookies, fudge, or bread, these treats show care and effort while being something people actually enjoy. They’re also practical—you can make them in batches and have thoughtful gifts ready to go for friends, family, or coworkers.
Candied Bacon Nut Brittle
Sweet, spicy, and packed with bacon, this nut brittle is perfect for gifting to anyone who loves bold holiday treats with a little something extra.
Get the Recipe: Candied Bacon Nut Brittle
Dark Chocolate Granola Bark
Granola, nuts, and dried fruit turn this chocolate bark into a crunchy snack that’s perfect for gifting or adding to your dessert spread.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Granola Bark
Gingerbread Cookies
These classic gingerbread cookies are festive and full of holiday spice. They’re perfect for decorating or gifting to someone who loves a timeless treat.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies
Glazed Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf
This gingerbread loaf is topped with a sweet glaze that adds just the right finishing touch. It’s great for holiday breakfasts, desserts, or gifting to neighbors.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf
Roasted Almond Pecan Butter
Smooth and nutty, this almond pecan butter is perfect for spreading on toast or adding to gift jars for an easy, thoughtful holiday present.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Almond Pecan Butter
Honey Vanilla Chestnut Spread
This seasonal spread combines chestnuts with honey and vanilla for a rich, sweet flavor. It’s great as a fruit dip or packed up as a gift for someone special.
Get the Recipe: Honey Vanilla Chestnut Spread
Dark Chocolate Kahlua Coffee Bites
These coffee-infused chocolate bites are decadent and rich. They’re a perfect treat to gift to someone who enjoys a little indulgence in their day.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Kahlua Coffee Bites
Gingerbread Banana Bread
Classic banana bread meets holiday spices in this festive loaf. A drizzle of maple tahini glaze takes it up a notch for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Banana Bread
Cranberry Orange Bread
Cranberries and orange zest come together in this moist, citrusy quick bread. It’s perfect for baking in bulk and gifting during the winter season.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Bread
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies with tart cranberries and orange zest are perfect for adding to holiday cookie boxes or sharing with friends.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Christmas Tree Cookies
These festive cookies, loaded with chocolate chunks and walnuts, double as decorations or a thoughtful gift that’s fun to make and share.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cookies
Chocolate Covered Apricots
Sweet meets rich with these chocolate-covered apricots. They’re quick to make, look fancy, and are a perfect dessert gift for someone who’s impossible to shop for.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Covered Apricots
Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Light and crisp with just the right amount of peppermint, these meringues are great for adding a festive touch to holiday gift boxes or pairing with hot drinks.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Christmas Fudge
Layers of chocolate and white fudge with cranberries, cinnamon, and pecans scream holiday vibes. It’s ready in 10 minutes and makes a great gift or party treat.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Fudge
Fantasy Fudge
This classic fudge is as reliable as it gets. Chocolatey, creamy, and perfect for sharing, it’s the treat everyone will ask for again next year.
Get the Recipe: Fantasy Fudge
Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
This copycat gingerbread loaf nails the holiday spice flavors, and the cream cheese frosting makes it even better. Bake it once, and it might replace the original.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf
Christmas Oreos
Decorated Oreos are easy, festive, and fun to make. Wrap them up for gifts, or let the kids go wild decorating for a holiday activity that doubles as dessert.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Oreos
Nut Brittle Recipe with Mixed Nuts
A candy thermometer is all you need to nail this crunchy nut brittle. It’s a crowd-pleaser during the holidays and an easy gift that feels homemade and thoughtful.
Get the Recipe: Nut Brittle Recipe with Mixed Nuts
Reindeer Chow
Cereal, chocolate, and powdered sugar come together for a crunchy holiday snack that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Bag it up for the ultimate low-effort gift.
Get the Recipe: Reindeer Chow
Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
Loaded with cranberries and chocolate chips, this bread is perfect for gift-giving or slicing up at holiday breakfasts. It’s sweet, tangy, and holiday-ready.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
Christmas Reindeer Crack Toffee
Salty, sweet, and completely addictive, this no-bake treat is great for gifting or munching while watching your favorite holiday movies.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Reindeer Crack Toffee
Irresistible Biscoff Toffee Crack
Toffee, Biscoff cookies, and melted chocolate come together in 20 minutes. Make this once, and it’ll become your go-to holiday candy for gifting or snacking.
Get the Recipe: Irresistible Biscoff Toffee Crack
Double Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
These brownies layer peppermint buttercream and chocolate fudge for a dessert that feels like a celebration. Perfect for gift boxes or any holiday dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
Sugar Cookie Truffles
Quick, no-bake, and made with just four ingredients, these truffles are a lifesaver when you need a last-minute gift that still feels thoughtful.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Truffles
Christmas Crack With Pretzels
Sweet toffee and salty pretzels combine for a snack that’s simple to make and impossible to stop eating. A great treat for gifting or sharing at holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Crack With Pretzels
Christmas Chex Mix
This crunchy mix makes a big batch, perfect for filling jars or bags as gifts. It’s quick, easy, and always a hit with guests during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Chex Mix
Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
This chocolate hazelnut candy feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. It’s a great treat to share or keep as your holiday indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone
Panettone Recipe
This sweet, buttery bread is filled with dried fruit and baked to perfection. It’s great for holiday breakfasts, desserts, or wrapping up as a thoughtful gift.
Get the Recipe: Panettone Recipe
Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts
With just two ingredients and five minutes of effort, these chocolate peanut clusters are perfect for holiday treats or packing up as gifts for friends and family.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts
Chocolate Caramel Bars
These bars layer gooey caramel and rich chocolate with a nutty crunch. They’re great for dessert trays or boxed up as handmade gifts.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Bars
Cut-Out Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Spiced and snappy, these chocolate gingerbread cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges or decorating with the family. A must-bake for the holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Cut-Out Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
