41 edible Christmas gifts anyone can make

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a tin of buttery fruit and nut fudge. Homemade treats make the very best presents and these 41 edible Christmas gifts are no exception. Add a touch of glamour to your edible presents with gin and tonic marshmallows decorated with candied lime peel or chocolate cupcakes that looks like succulent plants but taste like fudgy brownies...

1. Salted caramels

Chewy, fudgy and irresistible, these homemade sea salt caramels are the best way to say Merry Christmas! Omit the brandy to make it alcohol-free and just as delicious. Get the recipe for salted caramels.

2. Gin and clementine marmalade

A jar of homemade marmalade makes the perfect gift for Christmas Day breakfast. This one is extra special for the the grown-ups, with a splash of gin. Get the recipe for gin and clementine marmalade.

3. Carrot jam

’Tis the season to bring out your jam jars. And this year, we’re filling ours with homemade carrot jam (yes, you read that right). Delicious on toast or even with a slice of Boxing Day ham. Get the recipe for carrot jam.

4. Christmas pudding cookies

There are two kinds of people: those who love Christmas puddings and everyone else. If your friends belong to the second category, bake them yummy chocolate cookies iced like Christmas puds and convert them. Get the recipe for Christmas pudding cookies. 

5. Microwave truffles

Any recipe you can make in a microwave in 15 minutes is worth bookmarking – especially when it's as pretty as these 15-minute microwave chocolate truffles. Get the recipe for microwave truffles. 

6. Homemade party rings

A little bit retro, a lot of deliciousness. These vibrant iced cookies are for friends who love colouring outside the lines. Get the recipe for homemade party rings. 

7. Barbecue bacon biscotti

Trick your friends with a biscuit that looks like barbecued meat. No need to scream 'surprise'! Get the recipe for barbecue bacon biscotti. 

8. Double chocolate malt cookies

Next level double chocolate cookies crammed with Maltesers and a generous heap of Horlicks. You don't even need to wrap these nicely as the gooey chocolate will do all the hard work impressing your family. Get the recipe for double chocolate malt cookies. 

9. Domino biscuits

We love edible gifts that double up as board games, and it takes only 20 minutes to make these cute domino biscuits. Win-win? Get the recipe for chocolate domino biscuits. 

10. Succulent chocolate cupcakes

You may want to leave a note so the lucky recipients doesn't accidentally water these realistic succulent cupcakes. These beauties are strictly edible, including the chocolatey Oreo 'soil' and fondant 'succulent' plants. Get the recipe for succulent chocolate cupcakes. 

11. Macaroon cookies with salted caramel filling

These chocolate and coffee macaroons are filled with an irresistibly sticky salted caramel sauce. Make them a day in advance and store in the fridge to allow the flavours to develop and the filling to set. Want a classic recipe? Try our rainbow macaroons. Get the recipe for chocolate macaroon cookies with salted caramel filling. 

12. Golden milk turmeric truffles

These coconutty golden turmeric milk truffles are bursting with spices. A pinch of turmeric gives them a pop of colour while the cardamom adds warmth. They're also dipped in dark chocolate, because who doesn't love chocolate? Get the recipe for golden milk turmeric truffles. 

13. White chocolate matcha bark

Matcha tea is a wonderful way to colour white chocolate without using additives. Throw in coconut flakes and freeze-dried raspberries and you have a pretty sweet stocking filler. Get the recipe for white chocolate matcha bark. 

14. Gin and tonic marshmallows with candied lime peel

Your favourite cocktail disguised as a marshmallow. Cheers to that! Get the recipe for gin and tonic marshmallows. 

15. Christmas tree crackers

Use porridge oats to make these seeded Christmas tree shaped crackers and gift them along with a jar of homemade chutney and artisanal cheese. Get the recipe for Christmas tree crackers. 

16. Christmas granola

Start your day of feasting with a nutty breakfast blend of hazelnuts, cranberries and desiccated coconut granola – or any other dried fruits and nuts you find in your pantry. Get the recipe for Christmas granola. 

17. Christmas bauble cake pops

Sparkly Christmas baubles made with leftover fruit cake, apple juice, white chocolate and sprinkles. PS: Sprinkles make everything better. Get the recipe for Christmas bauble cake pops. 

18. Ma’amoul shortbread cookies

Ma'amoul are Middle Eastern buttery shortbread cookies stuffed with dates, pistachios and walnuts. They're wonderful tea-dunkers and equally pretty edible gifts. Don't worry if you don't have a traditional ma'amoul mould – just shape them with your hands and mark them gently with a fork. Get the recipe for ma'amoul shortbread cookies.

19. 'Snickers' truffles

These refined-sugar free power balls make thoughtful presents as they will help your friends through the busiest Christmas schedules. Medjool dates and raw peanuts are coated in dark chocolate to make a delicious snack. Get the recipe for 'Snickers' truffles. 

20. Popping candy surprise brownie bites

Anything with chocolate, glitter AND popping candy is a winner. Just try not to eat these squidgy brownies by yourself – you've got to share. Get the recipe for festive popping candy surprise brownie bites. 

21. Chocolate and peanut butter bark

You get exactly what you see here: chocolate, peanut butter and popcorn. It's as simple and scrummy as that. Get the recipe for chocolate and peanut butter bark. 

22. 10-minute fruit and nut fudge

To gift or not to gift? That is the question. This simple fudge recipe only takes 10 minutes, so you'd better decide quickly. Get the recipe for 10-minute fruit and nut fudge.

23. Rudolph nut brittle

If everyone's favourite reindeer was a sugary snack, it would be these. Get the recipe for Rudolph nut brittle. 

24. Apple, prune and ginger pickle

Step 1: Throw all the pickle ingredients into a large pan for an hour. Step 2: Relax. Step 3: Put the pickle in jars and share the love. Get the recipe for simple apple, prune and ginger pickle.

25. Fruit and nut chocolate rounds

These elegantly decorated chocolate rounds will make everyone think you've quit your day job to become a full-time chocolatier. Get the recipe for fruit and nut chocolate rounds.

26. Mulled cranberry and red onion chutney

Everyone needs a jar of homemade chutney at Christmas, so let yours sit proudly atop the cheeseboard this year. Mull fresh cranberries in spiced wine to make this jammy red onion chutney. Get the recipe for mulled cranberry and red onion chutney.

27. Date and tahini truffles

A dash of coffee adds depth to these decadent medjool dates and tahini truffles. Get the recipe for date and tahini truffles.

28. Brazil nut stars

Buttery cookies with plenty of creamy Brazil nuts make these biscuits the star of Christmas snacking. Bake them a few days in advance and store in an air-tight container or freeze the dough stars ahead and pop them in the oven while you make a cup of tea. Get the recipe for Brazil nut stars.

29. Christmas fudge

Posh fudge decorated with red and gold sprinkles, otherwise known as nostalgia in a jar. Try not to lick your fingers clean. Get the Christmas fudge recipe.

30. Grown-up rocky road

Our grown-up rocky road features amaretti biscuits, spiced orange chocolate, marshmallows, morello cherries and stem ginger. Wrap them in cellophane and start gifting. Get the recipe for grown-up rocky road.

31. Brazilian brigadeiros

A famous Brazilian treat, this caramel chocolate truffle is made with condensed milk, cocoa powder, desiccated coconut and white chocolate. Make a double batch so you can save half for later. Get the recipe for Brazilian brigadeiros.

32. Date fudge

This delicate treat tends to crumble between your fingers, but it's so delicious you'll want to chase every last crumb. Get the recipe for date fudge. 

33. Meringue snowmen

Decorate your tree with edible meringue snowmen or box them up as snowy little Christmas treats for guests. Get the recipe for meringue snowmen.

34. Whisky ginger truffles

Warm up with a box of dark and delicious whisky truffles. These grown-up edible gifts go down a treat after dinner. Get the recipe for whisky ginger truffles.

35. Poached bottled pears

Slender pears poached in brandy and vanilla make a thoughtful present. They keep well for a week, so you can take your time writing your Christmas cards. Get the recipe for poached bottled pears.

36. Coconut ice

Chewy coconut squares and great company are all you need on a long winter walk. Wrap them up in homemade boxes with colourful ribbons for an easy Christmas prezzie. Get the recipe for coconut ice. 

37. Maple, sea salt and chilli roasted nuts

Maple, chilli and sea salted roasted nuts are versatile and addictive, and this recipe works with any nuts you have lying around. Make sure to completely cool them before wrapping into presents so they retain their crunch. Get the recipe for maple, sea salt and chilli roasted nuts.

38. Snowflake biscuits

Bring out your festive cookie cutters and make edible Christmas tree decorations. These biscuits have a hint of stem ginger and are decorated in edible silver dust, so they taste as beautiful as they look. Get the recipe for snowflake biscuits. 

39. Chocolate pecan spread

Forget Nutella, this pecan chocolate spread is the best thing since sliced bread. Make sure to pack a spoon in your gift box, as this jar of yumminess is going to disappear by the spoonful. Get the recipe for chocolate pecan spread.

40. Double chocolate marshmallows

Squidgy cocoa marshmallows dipped in melted dark chocolate will make everyone happy this Christmas. Get the recipe for double chocolate marshmallows.

41. Macadamia nut blondies

Give brownies a white Christmas makeover with caramelised white chocolate and macadamia nut blondies – the perfect gift wrapped up in a ribbon. Get the recipe for macadamia nut white chocolate blondies.