Easy Treats That Will Stay Good for a Long Time
15 Homemade Food Gifts That Travel Well (and the Recipes to Make Them!)
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This feature is part of The Kitchn's Gift Edit, our very special holiday package devoted to helping you give the perfect gift in 2021.
If you are traveling to see family and friends during the holidays, you might be wondering what kind of food gifts are best to bring along. When it comes to both homemade and store-bought food gifts it's important to consider not only how delicious the treats are, but also how well they can withstand a few hours or days on the road. After all, nobody wants to present their loved ones with a smushed cake or stale cookies.
With that in mind, we've compiled a list of 15 homemade food gifts that travel well — and we've gathered our best recipes to help you make them. All of the food gifts on this list meet the following requirements:
- A shelf life of a few days or weeks
- Able to be easily and neatly packed
- Won't fall apart, smush, melt, spoil, or become otherwise ruined when jostled
Whether you're traveling by plane, train, or automobile, here are our top picks for homemade holiday food gifts. (Many of these can also be mailed!)
1. Fudge
Fudge is a holiday favorite and it travels well too. Most fudge should stay fresh at room temperature for at least a week, and often longer. Pack it in an airtight container with waxed paper between each layer.
2. Caramels
Caramels are a fun cooking project, and they keep at room temperature for at least a week. You can customize the flavorings for spins like chocolate caramels and salted caramels too.
Credit: Photo: Eric Kleinberg; Food Stylist: Kristina Vanni
Peanut Brittle
3. Brittle and Toffee
Brittle and toffee can last up to two months at room temperature and are quite customizable as well. Choose a classic peanut brittle or mix things up with other nuts, dried fruit, and more. Break the candy into pieces and pack it in decorative tins.
Brittle and toffee recipes to make:
4. Granola
Granola is another gift that's great because it's endlessly customizable and can easily be packed up in glass jars for gifting. Add a little holiday flair by tossing dried cranberries or cherries and shelled pistachios into the mix.
5. Candied and Spiced Nuts
It's amazing how a few dried herbs and spices can transform plain nuts into a gift-worthy snack. Pack any of these nuts in small jars or tins and share them with your loved ones.
Candied and spiced nuts recipes to make:
6. Shortbread and Cookies
Most shortbread is sturdy enough to last for several days at room temperature, as are many other types of cookie. Pack the cookies in an air-tight container for travel, then transfer to decorative tins or colorful paper boxes for gifting.
Shortbread and cookie recipes to make:
7. Bark
The best thing about bark? It's supposed to be broken into pieces, so even if you take it for a rough trip, it'll still look and taste great. Store it in an air-tight container, and keep it as cool as possible during travel.
8. Marshmallows
In addition to traveling and keeping well, marshmallows are also nice light food gift, so you won't risk going over any luggage weight limits.
Marshmallow recipes to make:
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Cyd McDowell
9. Snack Mixes, Caramel Corn, and Popcorn
Set your hosts up for a holiday movie night by arriving with a snack mix or flavored popcorn treat. Pack any of these snacks in reusable decorative tins or in large reusable silicone snack bags, which double as a bonus gift.
Snack mix and popcorn recipes to try:
10. Truffles and Turtles
Treat your family and friends to a food gift that looks and tastes like it came from a chocolate shop. While truffles are a little more fragile than some of the other foods on this list, with careful packaging they can travel well. Pack truffles or turtles in small boxes that allow them to fit snugly so they can't move around too much during travel. Line the box with tissue paper and separate layers with a piece of card-stock paper.
Truffle and turtle recipes to make:
11. Cocoa and Tea Mixes
Cocoa mixes and tea mixes are easy to make and can be kept at room temperature for months, making them perfect for gifting. Reusable glass jars, metal tins, or even sturdy bags all work to store your homemade mixes. Be sure to affix a label with the directions for making the cocoa or tea.
Hot cocoa mix and tea mix recipes to make:
12. Extracts and Bitters
Set your gift recipients up for their own baking projects and cocktail making by giving them homemade extracts and bitters. Just be sure to pack up the liquids in very tightly sealed containers to prevent leaks. Wrap bottles in bubble wrap or paper and transport upright if possible.
Extract and bitter recipes to make:
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
13. Loaf Cakes and Quick Breads
Set the stage for a festive brunch or leisurely tea time with a gift of a sweet or savory bread or loaf cake. Tightly wrap the cake or bread in plastic wrap or reusable wrap and tuck it into a gift bag.
Loaf cake and quick bread recipes to make:
14. Infused Liquor, Vinegar & More
While bottles of infused liquor or vinegar might not be the best for carry-on travel, if you're driving to your destination they make great long-lasting gifts. Store the infusions in well-sealed glass jars or bottles, then pack securely and upright in a box for transportation. Tip: Ask your local wine store to save boxes with dividers for you, or make your own dividers with pieces of cardboard. Fill out any spaces in the box with crumpled up paper or bubble wrap.
Infusion recipes to make:
15. Flavored Salts and Sugars
Give your favorite people tins of flavored salts and sugars and they'll have happy thoughts of you long after the holidays when they use them in their own cooking and baking. While salts and sugars have a long shelf life and hold up very well to travel, you'll want to be sure to pack them tightly in a reusable container — glass jars are nice — to be sure they arrive in their original containers and not all over your luggage. Affix a pretty label with serving suggestions.
Flavored salt and sugar recipes to make:
Source: https://www.thekitchn.com/15-food-gifts-that-travel-well-and-recipes-to-make-them-edible-gifts-from-the-kitchn-214024
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