Holiday Food Gifts are always welcome and say you thought of someone in a very special way. My family is dispersed and I don’t always know what to give them…..but I know what food they like so, this year, they are getting their favorite foods.
Each of these Holiday Food Gifts has something noteworthy about it. Some are really quick and easy, others have unusual flavor combinations but all are worthy of being given as a gift.
I wish you all Happy Holidays spent with those you care about.
Holiday Food Gifts
Chocolate Chocolate Truffles – During the span of my bakery, we made thousands and thousands of these, especially for the holidays. The centers are very creamy thanks to an easy trick. 
Salted Macadamia Rum Toffee – Macadamia nuts are my favs and you will see them twice in this listing. This Toffee is a perfect Holiday Food Gift that says luxury!
Hot Peppered Pecans – These are not for the faint of heart but they sure are special. Less than 30 minutes and you have a great Holiday Food Gift.
TJ’s Cowboy Bark – This is a super quick and fun gift that is within anyone’s reach to make. Melt some chocolate, embed a bunch of fun ingredients and you’re ready to go.
Garlic Oregano Cracker Bread – This is one of my favorite food gifts. It is unusual and isn’t the normal candy or cookie. 
Sweet and Hot Macadamia Brittle – Macadamias again but any nut can be subbed. This is absolutely addictive. 
Cranberry Strawberry Jam – Perfect for the season and really easy to make. Sure to be welcome wherever you send it.
Hot Curried Party Mix – Another really quick and easy party mix based on the Chex theme. This will disappear fast!
Granola – Measure a few ingredients, whisk together the magic sauce, bake, stir, bake and you’re done!
Cheddar Pecan Shortbreads – These last forever in a tin but they go in a hurry when served.
Strawberry Balsamic Jam – Strawberries benefit from a touch of balsamic vinegar to sharpen their flavor. See if you don’t agree.
Puff Pastry Crackers – Be sure to watch the video at the end of this super easy recipe. As you’ll see I couldn’t stop laughing – actually, no one in the studio could!
Candied Orange Peel – An unusual gift for a favorite person.
Light, tender and airy puff pastry has often intimated the most avid pastry cook, amateur or professional. Forewarned in many recipes of the great amount of time and effort involved, even adventurous bakers have found other ways to spend their time. However, with the use of the food processor, the pastry can be made in a fraction of the time. In fact, it is ready to use in about 3 1/2 hours – a long way from the 36 hours it traditionally takes.
Whether you call them cream horns or lady locks, the long ago name for a pastry that resembled the curls of a woman’s hair, they are fun to eat.
With the holidays approaching, I thought I would test all butter purchased puff pastry. Normally, I would make my own using my blitz puff pastry method but I thought there might be a place for purchased puff pastry when time was of the essence.
Butter used to be butter. Cream was churned and separated into butter and buttermilk. While it is still made that way, where in the world it comes from makes a difference, both in taste and its ability to make laminated doughs rise dramatically. The puff pastry above started out as a 3/8 inch rectangle and rose to a dramatic 3 inches.
