Sometimes a homemade treat is the perfect gift to give. Gifting a little treat can allow you to thoughtfully acknowledge someone without giving more stuff (or spending a lot of money). At this time of year my family has come to expect that I have put some of their favorite cookies under the tree. I have also started a tradition of giving edible gifts to my colleagues at the office. You can be as creative as you like in the packaging (see Michelle’s Handmade Gift Wrapping Ideas for inspiration). No matter how you wrap them, chances are people will be pleased just to get inside to the goodies! Here are three easy ideas for homemade treats for gifting.

Three Easy Ideas for Homemade Treats for Gifting

1. I am a big fan of giving roasted and flavored nuts. There comes a point in this season when even I have had too much that is sweet. Union Square Cafe’s Bar Nuts are a savory (or salty-sweet) snack that feel festive. They are a favorite of my mother-in-law. These nuts packaged in a nice bowl would make a great hostess gift.

2. Shauna Sever, The Next Door Baker, has a great post about variations on chocolate bark. Sure you can follow one of the many recipes published at this time of year, but why not customize a bark to meet your taste? This season I am hoping to make some that incorporates the new dried coconut strips I found at Trader Joe’s.

3. Finally, I include the treat I gifted my fellow bloggers with when we had our holiday brunch – Peppermint Bark Ooey Gooey Squares. This is a variation of a recipe from Paula Deen for Gooey Butter Cake. One of her first cookbooks, The Lady & Sons Just Desserts, includes the original version and a series of variations. For this recipe, I have combined two variations and then added my own holiday twist. For some reason, I never remember the original name for these bars, so I’ve always called them Ooey Gooey Squares.

For more inspiration, follow the MyUntangled Holidays Board on Pinterest!