Avoid the Mall and Make These DIY Edible Holiday Gifts Instead

Last-minute shopping is not a pleasant way to spend the holiday season. Instead of hitting the stores, use your precious spare to make these edible gifts instead. And hey—if you want to make a test run for yourself, that's more than okay.
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott1/26Boozy Grapefruit-Pomegranate Gummy Candies
Left unadorned, these gummy candies look like precious gems, or they can be transformed into sparkly crunchy treats by tossing in coarse sugar before serving.
Peden & Munk2/26Coconut-Lime Snowballs
Caramelized white chocolate forms the base of this rich ganache confection; the snowballs are more like truffles than cookies.
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott3/26Salted Black Licorice Caramels
People who love black licorice will flip for these assertively flavored candies. They’ll be not-quite-black without the food coloring but still very cool looking.
Christopher Testani4/26Nutty Chocolate Toffee Bark
This recipe is easily doubled; it's also a perfect host or hostess gift.
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott5/26Free-Form Chocolate Candies
Known as mendiants in France, these adorned chocolate bites are a holiday tradition.

Photo by Heidi's Bridge7/26Nutella–Brown Butter Crispies
For a smaller batch and an easier time mixing the cereal, divide the recipe in half (but use an 8x8" pan).
Christopher Testani8/26Buckwheat-Rye Pancakes
For the full effect, deliver a jar of the dry ingredients with a half dozen eggs, a quart of buttermilk, and a jug of syrup.
Christina Holmes9/26Blackberry-Vinegar Caramel Sauce
This revelatory sauce starts with a dry caramel, meaning no water is added to the sugar. It will take on color quickly and is less likely to crystallize: Perfectly easy for first-time caramel makers.

Eva Kolenko11/26Brandied Cherries with Vanilla Bean
Store infused boozy fruit in a cool, dark place to slow oxidation, kinda like aging your own wine!
Eva Kolenko12/26Plum Wine
Nothing could be simpler than combining ripe produce with the alcohol of your choice. The technique also works with nonalcoholic liquids like honey or vinegar.
Alex Lau13/26Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles
Three ingredients: Make sure they count. Great chocolate makes great truffles.
Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott14/26Savory Granola
Make this once and you'll see why. A glass jar spruces up the presentation.