Creative Mom Cafe

Sometimes you have that one family member that you just do not know what to get them for the holidays. This can be especially hard if you are trying to make your own gifts. They don’t want a quilt, or a scarf, or anything crafty. So what can you make them? That’s when I whip up a bath of cookies! Place them on a decorative plate, wrap them in cellophane and tie with a bow. It is an instant hit! Here are a few of my favorite treat recipes that you can give as a homemade gift this year.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup butter or margarine
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375° F. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla and butter. With an electric mixer at medium speed, beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough in tablespoon sized balls on an ungreased cookie pan. Bake chocolate chip cookies at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until browned.

This recipe makes 6 dozen cookies, so you will have plenty to go around.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars until light. Add the egg and mix until fluffy. In a small bowl blend the flour, baking powder, soda and salt together well. Add this and the chocolate chips to the mixture. Drop cookie dough by teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 375°F.

Of course you do not have to give just cookies. You can melt chocolate and coat pretzels or nuts with it to give. Use wax paper to lay your treats out on while they are drying to prevent a sticky mess. If you have a vegetarian or vegan chocolate lovr in your house you can also whip up from vegan brownies to give them as a gift.

cookies, recipes, food, gifts, 30 Gifts in 30 Days