Homemade Gifts From The Kitchen as seen on Toronto’s Breakfast Television

‘Tis the season to give your debit and/or credit card a break…

How you ask? With thoughtful, homemade gifts from your kitchen. I developed the following DIY ‘Gifts From The Kitchen’ as fun-to-make: teacher/coach/neighbour/grandparent gifts/hostess gifts/stocking stuffers and/or little party favours placed at each table setting. These festive recipes are simple to prepare, use ingredients you likely already have on hand, and will not have you regretting gift giving come January.

Grab the kids, roll up your sleeves, crank up the holiday hits and get busy in the kitchen!

Click here to grab a copy of my cookbook ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ on Amazon.

Double Decker Gingerbread Fudge

Chocolate fudge meets Christmastime in one decadent bite.

Note: when making the white chocolate layer of this fudge – I suggest using the squares of white baking chocolate (found at bulk food stores or in the baking section of your grocery store).

I find the squares give the fudge a firmer texture than white chocolate chips.

Ingredients

Chocolate Layer

• 10 oz. (300 g) bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 (300 mL) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Line an 8 X 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper on the bottom and up sides of the pan.
2. Using a double boiler, melt chocolate and condensed milk.
3. Stir in vanilla and salt.
4. Spread chocolate layer into prepared pan (mixture will likely be thick (it’s fudge remember)) and smooth with the back of a spoon.
5. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Gingerbread Layer

• 12 oz. (360 g) white chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 (300 mL) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) molasses
• 2 tsp (10 mL) ground ginger
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) each of ground cloves and allspice
• Hefty pinch of ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp (2 mL) pure vanilla extract
• Pinch salt

Garnish:

Decorative sprinkles or edible glitter (what I like to use).

Directions:

1. Using a double boiler, melt white chocolate, condensed milk, and molasses.
2. Once melted, stir in spices, vanilla, and salt until combined.
3. Spread over the chilled chocolate layer and smooth top.
4. Sprinkle garnishes evenly on top and chill for at least 2 hours. (If using edible glitter, spray fudge once chilled.)
5. When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator and slice into squares. Makes a lot.

Tip:

● For an extra hit of ginger, stir in ⅓ cup (75 mL) very finely diced candied ginger to top layer of fudge.
● Edible glitter can be found at most bulk food stores.

Char’s Caramel Rum Sauce made with Gay Lea Sea Salted European Style Butter

Once you try this sauce, you’ll likely wrap it up and give it to yourself! Darn good thing calories don’t count when you’re being kind to yourself!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) brown sugar
• ½ cup (125 mL) Gay Lea Sea Salted European Style Butter
• ⅓ cup (75 mL) 35% whipping cream
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) dark rum (or 2 tsp (10mL) rum extract *found in the baking section of grocery store)
• ½ tsp (2 mL) pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt sugar, butter and cream. Bring to a gentle boil.
2. Boil, whisking until thickened and caramel in colour, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Cool slightly. Stir in rum and vanilla.
4. Divide evenly between three, 1/2 cup (125 mL) sterilized mason jars.
5. Tie jar with decorative ribbon.
6. Store in the refrigerator until ready to give. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
7. Makes about 1⅓ cups (325 mL).

Tip:

● Top lid with a square piece of parchment paper (or a patterned cocktail napkin) for a rustic, yet decorative gift-giving-touch
● Use 2 tbsp (30 mL) whisky instead of rum

Homemade Cheese Ball Mix

I know it’s the year 2023, but cheese ball mixes are still a popular hostess gift, and can retail for over $10!  This homemade recipe costs literally pennies to prepare, therefore makes a perfect homemade treat to give with a bottle of wine. 

Ingredients

• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried parsley flakes
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried basil leaves
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried oregano leaves
• 2 tsp (10 mL) dried onion flakes (or ½ tsp (2 mL) onion powder)
• ½ tsp (2 mL) garlic powder
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) cayenne powder

Directions

Stir together all ingredients and place in a small candy bag (found at craft/bulk food stores). Tie with decorative ribbon and attach recipe card with instructions. Tie to the neck of a wine bottle, or sparkling water.

Recipe Card Instructions:

Pistachio and Dried Cherry Cheese Ball  

What you will need:

• ½ lb./8 oz. softened goat cheese
• 1/4 lb./4 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped dried cherries (or dried cranberries) 
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) liquid honey
• 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• prepared cheese ball mix
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) roughly chopped pistachios (or chopped nuts of choice)

1. Place goat and cream cheese, chopped dried cherries, honey and orange zest in a mixing bowl and set aside. 
2. Heat oil in a medium-size fry pan over medium high heat. Cook onion for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until lightly brown.  
3. Add prepared ‘cheese ball mix’. Cook, while stirring, until herbs are fragrant (about 30 seconds). Remove from heat and cool slightly.  
4. Add onion/herb mix to bowl with cheese. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, mix ingredients until evenly combined. 
5. Form into a ball (if mixture is too soft to form, chill mixture for about 30 minutes). 
6. Roll ball in pistachios. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.  
7. Serve with crackers, pickled veggies, cured meats and dried fruit.  

Homemade Vanilla Sugar

The simplest gift from the kitchen ever.

Directions:

1. Fill a mason jar with granulated sugar. Any size of jar will work; however, I find 1 cup (250 mL) size appropriate for gift giving.
2. Cut a piece of vanilla bean approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) and place in the jar with sugar.
3. Place the lid on the jar. Within a few days, the sugar will take on the flavour of the vanilla.
4. Decorate with festive ribbon.
5. Use vanilla sugar in baking, stir into coffee and tea, or sprinkled over morning oats.

Find ‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

• Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
• Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
• Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
• Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
• Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
• Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
• Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
• The Farm Store ~ 101 Entrance Dr, Bracebridge
• Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
• Red Bean Interior ~ 99 Maple St, Port Carling
• Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
• Farmer’s Daughter ~ 118 ON-60, Huntsville
• Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
• Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury