As the festive season approaches, the pressure to find the perfect gift for your loved ones can be overwhelming.

But what if we told you that some of the best presents are not found in a store, but in your kitchen?

This Christmas, consider creating homemade edible gifts that are not only delicious but also affordable and thoughtful.



Nutritionist Liv Kaplan has shared some of her favourite recipes for edible Christmas gifts that will impress your friends and family.

These treats are not only scrumptious but also easy to make, even for those who are not seasoned cooks.



Christmas Candy Spiced Nuts

First on the list is a recipe for Christmas Candy Spiced Nuts. This delightful snack is a blend of Aussie pecans and walnuts coated in a sweet and spicy mix that will tantalise the taste buds.

Here's how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw Aussie pecans
• 1 cup raw Aussie walnuts
• 1 ½ Tbsp melted coconut oil or olive oil
• 2 Tbsp coconut sugar (plus more for topping)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp maple syrup

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Add pecans and walnuts to a tray lined with baking paper. Top them with oil, coconut sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, salt, and two tablespoons of maple syrup. Toss to coat.
3. Bake the nuts until golden brown and fragrant, which would take around 12-15 minutes.
4. Toss or stir the nuts at the halfway point to evenly cook them.
5. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with the remaining maple syrup. Stir to coat the nuts with the maple syrup.
6. Enjoy warm or let cool completely on the pan (they’ll crisp up as they dry/cool).

These spiced nuts are not only a great snack but can also add a festive touch to salads, cheese boards, or roasted sweet potatoes.

We looked around and found this similar recipe, which we hope helps if you want to make someone’s Christmas happier the nutty way!



But what if candied nuts aren’t something you’re too keen on giving as a gift? Don’t worry! Here’s another idea…



Salted Pecan Butter Shortbread

Next up is a recipe for Salted Pecan Butter Shortbread. This treat is a delightful combination of buttery, crumbly, nutty, sweet, and salty flavours.

Here's how to make them:

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1/3 cup powdered Lakanto, or other erythritol-based sweetener
- 1/2 cup gluten-free flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 120g cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup pecans, raw
- 1/2 tsp flakey sea salt

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Sift the almond meal, powdered sweetener, gluten-free flour, and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Add the cold unsalted cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Make sure to mix with your fingers until the mixture resembles a dough.
4. Roughly chop the pecans and add three-quarters of these to the dough, saving the rest for later. Mix well together.
5. Shape the dough into a large flat disc, and roll out using a rolling pin to 1 cm thick on top of a sheet of baking paper.
6. Sprinkle the rest of the pecans and sea salt over the rolled dough and gently press them down to embed them.
7. Slice the dough like a pizza into 8 cookies. Place the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes if it is too soft to slice.
8. Place the cookies on the lined baking tray.
9. Bake it in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
10. Cool the tray completely, and enjoy!

Like above, we also looked around for a similar recipe:



If you want another Christmas treat for your friends and loved ones, check out this Christmas cake that you can make using ingredients from ALDI. And the secret ingredient? A bottle of Irish cream liqueur! Learn more about the recipe here.



These homemade edible gifts are not only a joy to make but also a pleasure to give. They are a testament to the saying that the best gifts come from the heart, not the store.

So this Christmas, why not roll up your sleeves and get creative in the kitchen? Your friends and family are sure to appreciate the effort and thoughtfulness that goes into these homemade gifts.

Remember, the joy of Christmas is not in the presents but in the presence of loved ones and the warmth of sharing. So, let's spread the love this festive season with these delightful gifts.
Have you ever made edible gifts for Christmas? Share your experiences and recipes in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!