Give a Christmas gift from the heart this year! From cookies, to snack mixes, breads, muffins, spreads and easy candies, these recipes will help you whip up the perfect homemade Christmas gifts for hostesses, teachers, neighbors, friends and family.
Everyone loves a snack or treat! And nothing says, “Merry Christmas!” like a holiday tin full of cookies or a gift bag full of cheese straws, spiced nuts and a little jar of apple cider honey!
Sound like the perfect gift for someone you know? Homemade Christmas gifts are incredibly thoughtful and always remembered. And with the right recipes, easy and irresistibly delicious too!
Just use the simple table of contents below to jump right to sections you like or peruse the whole list for tasty Christmas gift inspiration. Then grab all the holiday tins, cellophane snack bags, ribbons and pretty jars and get ready to give gifts everyone will ask for again and again.
Table of Contents
Snacks & Snack Mixes
This little recipe (if you can call it that- just 4 ingredients poured in a bowl!) is definitely one that you need to have in your back pocket. It is so easy, makes more than plenty and is one of those that absolutely causes people to gather round the bowl.  Salty, crunchy and just sweet enough, I can’t think of a single thing you might do this holiday season where this Peanut Butter and Chocolate Christmas Snack Mix won’t be a hit.Â
Creole Moose Munch Popcorn
Creole Moose Munch Popcorn is a classic holiday treat made with popcorn, pecans, peanuts, butter toffee and chocolate caramel candies, covered with a golden caramel coating that has just a hint of a savory Louisiana kick!
Old Fashioned Sugar Candied Peanuts
Sugar Candied Peanuts just might be the easiest homemade candy recipe ever! It requires only 3 ingredients and is perfect for the holidays, parties, tailgates even gifts!
Southern Cheese Straws
Homemade Southern Cheese Straws are an addictive snack that are so easy to make! This simple recipe is loaded with cheddar and zesty herbs and spices with a little kick of cayenne for maximum snacking!
White Chocolate PB&J Snack Bites
When you need something good to munch, these babies take the PB&J’s classic sweet & salty goodness to a whole new level! With all the taste of a peanut butter & jelly sandwich and the crunch of
The Best Hot Chocolate Snack Mix
This is THE BEST, super chocolatey hot chocolate snack mix- the perfect crunchy snack for all your hot chocolate fans! Soft marshmallows, chocolate chips, hot chocolate mix and Chex cereal bring a whole new level of cozy
Honey Spiced Pecans
Get ready for your new favorite snack recipe! A little smoky, a little sweet, loads of savory and super easy, these salty Honey Spiced Pecans are completely addictive. Made unbelievably delicious with a simple mixture of honey,
Ritz Bits Muddy Buddies Snack
The classic combination of peanut butter and crackers get a chocolate snack overhaul with quick and easy Ritz Bits Muddy Buddies.
Apple Spice Caramel Corn
All the goodness of fall finds itself wrapped up in this one easy recipe! Bonfires, hayrides, county fairs- you name it- can’t help but be brought to mind at the first crunch of this classic caramel corn
Dill Ranch Snack Crackers
These zesty snack cracker recipe comes together in a snap with simple Ranch dressing seasonings, the bite of dill & oyster crackers.
Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips with Bacon & Coconut
Chocolate-covered Potato Chips are true sweet & salty heaven- crispy, crunchy and delightfully chocolatey. But these little chocolate dipped numbers here take that concept to a whole new level! Bathed in rich dark chocolate and topped with
Blueberry Muddy Buddy Snack Mix
Get ready for a delicious blueberry twist on a classic homemade snack favorite! Blueberry Muddy Buddies Snack Mix isn’t your ordinary quick cereal treat. Made with creamy white chocolate & blueberry Muddy Buddies, salted almonds, crisp Rice
Buffalo Ranch Snack Mix
This easy Buffalo Ranch Snack Mix is loaded with bold, spicy flavor. There are no hints or sprinkles of taste here. Just in your face, tasty buffalo heat that’s perfect for ball game snacking, tailgates, weekends, movie
Cookies, Candy & Bars
Not every goodie has to be baked. Dark Chocolate Pretzel Bark with Cranberries is an easy way to get festive in a snap. Rich dark chocolate, salty pretzels and bright cranberries make a quick and easy candy when you need a little gift to give or sweet to serve but you don’t have a lot of time.
Coconut Thumbprint Macaroons
Sweet coconut and condensed milk make an easy, moist macaroon that’s filled with raspberry jam and dipped in dark chocolate!
Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Classic Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are part rich, fudgy brownie and part delicious cookie! A true chocolate lover’s dream, this easy recipe makes the best soft chocolate cookies using both baking chocolate and dark cocoa powder.
Classic Louisiana Pralines
Wonderfully indulgent, Louisiana Pralines are all about buttery southern pecans wrapped in blankets of rich, soft, fudge-like caramel candy made from brown sugar, cream, and butter.
Coconut Lime Bars
Creamy Toasted Coconut Lime Bars are like little key lime pies as a fun dessert bar! Tart and tangy lime, sweet shredded coconut and a buttery shortbread crust with macadamia nuts and lime zest make this tropical delight the perfect treat.
No Bake S’mores Bars
It’s official! S’mores aren’t just for campfires anymore! Not since you’ve come across these No Bake S’mores Bars. Lucky you! Enjoy gooey, chocolatey S’mores indoors anytime of the year with this easy no bake recipe using Golden
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Simple, classic and everything you remember, you're going to love this easy recipe that delivers soft peanut butter cookies with their signature crisscross design.
Gooey Black Bottom Pecan Pie Brownies
Pecan pie and brownies! It’s a true Southern match straight from Heaven. Dark, fudgey brownies and toasted pecan pie filling are the perfect combination in these Gooey Black Bottomed Pecan Pie Brownies. Wonderfully rich and decadent, you’ll
Best Ever Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These classic, homemade Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are truly the best! So soft and chewy, these golden buttery cookies with warm cinnamon, tender, plump raisins, and a pop of oats are guaranteed to make everyone a fan.
Those Infamous Neiman Marcus Cookies
I was married at Christmas. It was a magical time filled with family, friends, excitement, Christmas trees and laughter. There weren’t a lot of Christmas gifts that year, but there were a lot of wedding gifts. And
Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars
Turn traditional pecan pie into easy dessert bars with this simple Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars recipe! With a quick buttery pecan shortbread crust and a sweet, nutty no-cook pecan pie filling, Pecan Pie Bars take pie at the holidays to whole new level.
Hello Dolly Magic Cookie Bars
Make the best Hello Dolly Magic Cookie Bars with this easy recipe that requires zero mixing or kitchen tools! Loaded with chewy browned coconut, crunchy pecans, oodles of melted chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and a buttery
Classic Lemon Drop Crinkle Cookies
Calling all my lemon lovers! These light and lemony sweet, Lemon Drop Crinkle Cookies are just for you! These pretty little bites of sunshine are just bursting with that sweet tartness that puts the pucker in all
Perfect Coconut Cookies with Pecans
Easy & deliciously chewy coconut cookies are loaded with shredded coconut, chopped pecans, a hint of cinnamon and tons of yum!
Loaded Strawberry Jam Brownies
These loaded chocolate strawberry brownies are loaded with strawberry jam, cream cheese & chocolate cookies!
Spreads
Whipped Pumpkin Honey Butter
This easy Pumpkin Spice Honey Butter makes holiday dinner rolls, cornbread, muffins, waffles and all sorts of baked goods an instant fall treat.
Cranberry Holiday Butter
This easy whipped compound butter with cranberries, cinnamon and a hint of orange is just the thing to make any holiday meal special.
Pineapple Red Pepper Jelly & Biscuit Sliders
Sweet & spicy, this quick set jelly is easy to make on the stove with just a little cornstarch. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3-4 weeks and is perfect over cream cheese as an
Sweet & Spicy Tennessee BBQ Sauce
Deep, rich and bold, this Sweet & Spicy Tennessee BBQ Sauce is so easy to make at home. With the perfect balance between smoky sweetness and a tangy, spicy kick, you'll never want to buy the store bought stuff again!
Whipped Coconut & Orange Butter
Easy whipped coconut orange butter is just the thing for adding a little something special to your table. Spread it over a warm stack of pancakes or waffles. Tuck it inside hot biscuits, steaming dinner rolls, tender
Raspberry Lemon Butter
There’s not anything that makes a brunch, picnic or family dinner seem more special than a compound fruit butter served with hot rolls or biscuits! And while there are plenty of standard flavors out there like strawberry
Breads & Muffins
Tender, moist with a sweet crackle crust and loads of chunky apples, this Cinnamon Apple Quick Bread is drizzled with a cinnamon glaze and filled with all the warm, sweet flavors you’d expect from an old fashioned recipe while still being easy to make!
Easy Baked Pumpkin Donuts
Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
This easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe is loaded with just the right amount of sweet, ripe bananas, melted chocolate chips, sour cream and brown sugar.
The Best Homemade Gingerbread Muffins
You’re going to love this easy recipe for gingerbread muffins with bakery style tops and crunchy sparkling sugar! Warm spices and rich molasses are sure fill your home with inviting holiday aromas as these muffins bake, making
Best Pumpkin Muffins with Easy Streusel Topping
This is the best pumpkin muffin recipe! Light and tender with warm spices, these soft muffins are full of real pumpkin with an easy streusel topping of brown sugar, pecans, cinnamon and pumpkin seeds for a genuine bakery/coffee shop experience at home!
Hummingbird Banana Bread with Toasted Coconut
Moist and tender Hummingbird Banana Bread is loaded with sunny pineapples, ripe bananas, sweet coconut and buttery pecans. Just like the classic cake, this dense quick bread will be your new favorite!
Farmstyle Buttermilk Strawberry Muffins
There’s nothing better than a big, fluffy muffin packed with fresh fruit for a leisurely weekend breakfast or brunch. And these Farmstyle Buttermilk Strawberry Muffins are guaranteed to deliver on all counts! Plump red strawberries, rich buttermilk
Delicious Carrot Zucchini Muffins with Walnuts
These unbelievably fluffy and tender muffins will make you forget they are absolutely loaded with good stuff- like shredded carrots and zucchini! Lightly sweetened with brown sugar & cinnamon, made super moist with sour cream and sprinkled
Standout Cinnamon Banana Bread
This easy banana bread recipe is a simple standout with brown sugar, pecans and sour cream to guarantee the absolute best, most moist slice of homemade heaven around!
Sweet Potato Pound Cake with Cinnamon Simple Syrup
What’s a good cup of coffee without a slice of pound cake every now and then? Not much! That’s why we all need at least one solid pound cake recipe in our repertoire. And even better, one
Mamaw’s Old Fashioned Fresh Apple Cake
*I use my stand mixer for this recipe. But I love the recipe just as my grandmother gave it to me, so I shared it here in its original form.
Savory Gifts
These cute little Sausage & Cream Cheese Hand Pies are unbelievably easy to make using just 3 ingredients, a pre-made crust and bake up in only 10 minutes. Serve with a spoon of jam and you have a brunch or party snack everyone will want to get their hands on!
Mini Louisiana Natchitoches Meat Pies
A traditional spicy Louisiana fried pie.
Green Chile Sausage Balls
A simple mixture of sharp cheddar cheese, canned diced green chiles, ground pork sausage and biscuit mix, this sausage ball recipe is easy and outlandishly good!
Easy Taco Hand Pies
Everybody needs cute little pies in their life! And if that can be combined with tacos… well, then you have a sure fire winner on your hands (Ha! See what I did there? It’s been a while
Air Fryer Natchitoches Meat Pies
Traditional Louisiana Natchitoches Meat Pies have never been easier than with this short cut air fryer recipe!
BEST Creole Sausage Balls
Easy Creole Sausage Balls kick up the classic goodness of everybody's favorite, must-have party appetizer! Bring a little unforgettable Louisiana flavor and style to your classic sausage ball recipes.
All Purpose Creole Seasoning
Add authentic Louisiana flavor to any dish with this quick & simple recipe for homemade Creole seasoning! It’s not too spicy, just the perfect combination of savory herbs and spices that brings out the best in almost
Smoky Sweet Coffee Rub (for beef & pork)
This simple Smoky Sweet Coffee Rub recipe is perfect for steak, brisket, ribs, pork tenderloin, even burgers! Rich notes of dark roast coffee, brown sugar and a little kick from chili and cayenne in this BBQ dry
I just scrolled thru the recipes. I have to say I can’t wait to try a lot of these
Yay! I love to hear that! Can’t wait to hear what you make!
Loving your recipes, Stacey. I am from New Orleans and these wonderful recipes were prepared by grandmother, mom, and now me, Love the south La cooking.
Hi, Lynda! I am absolutely tickled you’r here and a part of Southern Discourse! It just makes my day to hear you come from a long line of Louisiana cooks. There’s just something so special about carrying on that tradition! Thank you so much!