8 Christmas Food Gifts for Your Friends and Neighbors

For a long time, I had this picture as one of the photos on the blog's header.  That's because when I was done with my Christmas candy creations, we were shocked at the volume we made.  Twelve cookie sheets filled with pretzel sticks, truffles, barks, chocolate covered cherries and all sort of dipped treats, like cinnamon bears, gummi bears and Oreos.  We were making candy boxes for a few dozen people, friends and family of my family, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.  It was amazing how much work we did in the space of a couple of hours.  And they were a hit with everyone. 

If you're looking for some great neighbor gifts, or just need something to give to reciprocate when a co-worker "unexpectedly" gives you a gift, any combination of the items below will work wonders

Now since Thanksgiving came so early this year, we have a few more days this holiday to make snacks for the masses.  Schedule a weekend or at least a Saturday to make what you need.  And then make more than what you need so you can eat whatever you want.

Frosted Sugar Cookie Pie

The answer to the question: "What does my mind do when it's left to its own devices."  It's the super sweet and more festive cousin of the Toll House Cookie Pie, this converts this masterpiece into a variation of a Christmas classic.  The frosting and sprinkles are optional, but I think that it adds the perfect touch.  You can use a regular pie crust or if you want, you can roll out a thin later of the next item on the list, pour in the pie filling and then cook it all together.  A little cookie on cookie action to put you in a diabetic coma throughout the holiday season.

Chocolate Caramel Covered Pretzel Sticks

These are a standard around the house now.  A salty pretzel stick, bathed in sweet caramel, then coated in a shell of milk or dark chocolate.  And from there, decoration is all up to you.  I've used the colored meltable candies placed in a ziploc bag.  You snip out a small hole in the bottom corner and then just drizzle it over the cooling chocolate so it will adhere.  Allow them to completely cool, wrap them up in a pretty box or bag and hand out to family and friends.  Or be greedy and eat them all as you watch Christmas specials on Netflix, whatever works for you.  They take a little bit of time to make, just because you have cooling time for the caramel, but they are definitely worth the wait.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

You have to make a batch of these for Santa, but why not expand it and turn it into a party with family or friends.  We've had one person make the cookies, one person make a couple batches of different colors of frosting and one person do a Winco run and buy a whole bunch of different bulk candies.  We'll get together on a Saturday morning and make a dozen dozen to split amongst everyone.  The kids have a blast and they're great to give away on the candy plates.

Gingerbread Men

Great as cookies, awesome as Christmas tree decorations!  I've made a few batches of these for us to eat, but I've taken a large frosting piping tip and poked a hole in the head before cooking them.  It leaves a small hole after they cook so you can thread some ribbon through and hole and tie them onto the tree.  Decorate them any way you want.  Use the frosting to make the faces and frills, but you can also use it as glue to stick candies wherever you want.  Just know that if they hang from the tree long enough, they have a tendency of losing arms and legs to marauding 3 and 5 year olds.

Peanut Butter (or any other flavor) Truffles

It's one of the first posts on the site, so the picture's a little old, but it's one of the richest little bites you'll ever try.  It's greatly adaptable to whatever taste you prefer.  You can add any extract or flavoring you want.  This recipe also explains the basics of tempering of chocolate, which is the basic for any chocolate dipped items.  And you don't have to leave them plain.  Roll them in nuts, sprinkles, candies, cookie bits, whatever you want that you think will taste good and look decorative.

Liz's Caramel Popcorn Balls

This is my wife's recipe, and for the love of god, they are addictive.  They're the most delicious popcorn balls I have ever tasted.  Sweet, slightly salty, and SOFT!  It takes them a long time exposed to the open air to get to that rigid crunchy stage.  If you wrap them up in a little plastic wrap and tie some curling ribbon to the top, not only are they perfect for gift giving, but they'll stay moist and chewy for a week or two.  This is the one item that you may need to start away from little hands.  The caramel is a little molten and napalm-like at the beginning, but once it mixes with the popcorn and cools, definitely bring the kids in and have them help you form up the balls.  If for no other reason than they can eat some as they go.  Want to make them as addictive as crack?  Drizzle melted chocolate all over them.  You'll eat your weight in popcorn balls in about an hour.

Chocolate Covered Christmas Shortbread Cookies

The reason I gain 8 pounds every Christmas season.  These large shortbread cookies dipped in whatever version of chocolate you crave are hidden away in my desk drawer so I can get me sugar rush amid the craziness of the holiday workday.  You can make them any size you wish, Use the large sugar cookie cutters if you want, or just place it all into a large 13 x 9 in ban, bake it and then slice it up while they are still warm. They're simple to make and if you follow the tempering instructions, the chocolate will have a glossy sheen that will impress anyone you give them to... if you decide to share.

Oreo, Peppermint or Assorted Nut Bark

The easiest Christmas candy to make and the most versatile option in the bunch.  I list three different variations here,(including my favorite, the Peppermint bark) but the sky is the limit,  You can use any type of candy, cookie, nut, or other confection you want.  Just pair it with your favorite version of chocolate and allow it to cool.  Break it into small pieces and add it to any plate of goodies to impress the neighbors.  My favorite, break it into large pieces and stash it somewhere safe from little prying eyes.  Then I can portion out just the amount I want when I want it.

So there are a couple ideas for your Christmas snack plate.  And as an added gift, you can check out my scientific explanation of Santa's powers here, just in case you have inquisitive little ones.