12:19:00 PM
It’s not too soon to tackle homemade food gifts, especially the ones that need a little time for their full flavors to mature. Besides, won’t it feel good to start checking off your holiday to-do list before the busy season takes over your life?
1. Limoncello
Ready in 3 to 4 weeks. This bright, lemony Italian liqueur is such an easy DIY to make for a fraction of the cost of the store-bought stuff. And as an after-dinner digestif, it’s exactly on-trend right now. Of course, you can mix it into cocktails and even use it to flavor cakes. Be sure to tell your lucky gift recipients to store it in the freezer so it’s super-cold and ready to sip at a moment’s notice. Tips: Many cooks make limoncello with Everclear instead of vodka. And when you’re peeling the zest from the lemon, be sure none of the white pith goes into the mix, otherwise you’ll get a bitter flavor.
Photo by Meredith
2. Coffee Liqueur I
Ready in 4 weeks. The Big Lebowski was onto something good, and now you can do your part to spread that abiding cheer amongst your friends with this homemade tipple. Tip: Include recipe cards for White Russians and tiramisu with your gift bottles.
Photo by Meredith
3. Homemade Vanilla Extract
Ready in 3 weeks. This one’s for the bakers on your list. Tip: You don’t have to use top-shelf vodka for this recipe, and some cooks prefer bourbon over vodka. Read this review by What’s for dinner, mom? to get her thoughts on the bourbon question, plus a smart prep tip for the vanilla beans.
Photo by The Gruntled Gourmand
4. Vanilla Sugar
Ready in 2 to 3 weeks. Talk about easy and impressive! This make-ahead food gift is simply sugar infused with the heady aroma of vanilla beans. The recipe says to let it sit for a week, but the flavor and aroma really builds if you let it sit for a while longer. Tip: This is so seriously easy to make, you’ll have the time and energy to put into packaging it up in decorative jars. For an extra-schmancy touch, include a vintage teaspoon for scooping and stirring into coffee.
Photo by Meredith
5. Herbed Vinegars
Ready in 2 to 3 weeks. Elevate plain white vinegar into aromatic bottles of herb-infused magic you’d have to pay big bucks for in fancy food stores. Tip: After the infusion period is over, strain out the used herbs and slip new cuttings into the gift bottles before giving them away.
Photo by Meredith
6. Christmas Fruitcake
Ready in 8 to 10 weeks. Fruitcake has to be the grandmother of all make-ahead food gifts because it needs a good, long, boozy soak to bring out all the flavor. You just might have time to get this one under the wire if you start now. I mean NOW. Tip: Some reviewers said they couldn’t wait for the full 10 weeks before tearing into this cake, and they still loved it.
Photo by Meredith
7. Manhattan Cherries!
Ready in 2 weeks. Fill little jars with dried cherries and top them up with bourbon, and in a couple of weeks you’ll have take-along hostess gifts for all the holiday parties from now through New Year’s Eve. Tip: These are not as sweet as the usual maraschino cherries you’d find in a classic Manhattan cocktail.
Photo by Christina
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