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Homemade Food Gifts and Decoration Ideas

by Faith Heinauer

Chocolate Dipped Spoons, Dog Treats, Hot Cocoa Mix & Cookie Mix in a Jar

This year, give the gift that everyone would enjoy ... homemade gifts. These treats make the perfect holiday gift. Make sure to wrap them in pretty boxes tied with festive ribbon.

Chocolate Dipped Spoons

Stir a little chocolate sweetness into a mug of coffee, espresso or hot chocolate.

Plastic spoons
6 ounces white dipping chocolate
6 ounces dark dipping chocolate

1. Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper.
2. Put the white and dark chocolate in separate bowls and melt each type of chocolate in the microwave. Microwave at half power for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly. Continue to microwave and stir at 15-second intervals until smooth and completely melted.
3. 3. Dip a spoon into the bowl, covering both sides completely. Place the spoon on the cookie sheet & rest the spoons handle on the cookie sheet edge.
4. Make some spoons using white chocolate and others using dark chocolate.
5. Drizzle a contrasting chocolate color over each spoon.
6. Refrigerate until chocolate is completely hardened.
7. Wrap each spoon in cellophane, and bind it around with a piece of seam binding, or ribbon.

Dog Treats

Fido will love chomping on these tasty & healthy treats!

1. Preheat the oven to 275°.
2. In a large bowl: combine the flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey, baking powder and water.
3. Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
4. Roll the dough out to a ½-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the egg and milk. Brush the glaze on the biscuits.
6. Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pans, and bake for an additional 20 - 30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and firm.

Hot Cocoa Mix

Everyone will love sipping on this rich hot chocolate!

For a hot cocoa twist, try different flavored coffee creamer.

5 cups powdered milk
2 cups powdered coffee creamer
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, sifted*
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar

miniature marshmallows, optional

1. With a wire whisk, thoroughly mix dry ingredients together.Stir in marshmallows. Divide mix into containers.
2. Attach instructions to jar: To use, fill mug one third full
   of cocoa mix and then stir in hot water.

* For a richer, darker cocoa mix, use Dutch cocoa.
Yields: 11 cups cocoa mix

Cookie Mix in a Jar

Give the sweetest gift of all... cookies!

Cookie Mix Recipe: Chocolate Graham Cookies (Cookie Mix in a Jar)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 package M&M® mini-baking bits
   (either milk chocolate or semi-sweet)
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

canning jar

Combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside. Evenly layer the ingredients in a 1-quart mason jar making sure to pack each layer down as you go.

Layer the ingredients in the following order, bottom to top:

1. brown sugar
2. granulated sugar
3. flour mixture
4. graham cracker crumbs
5. M&M's^®

Wipe the lip of the jar and secure the lid on tightly. Attach the following instructions:

Baking Instructions
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) of unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, egg, milk and vanilla at high speed. Stir in the contents of the jar, until combined. Drop by heaping Tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes until set (do not overbake). Enjoy!

Food Gift Decoration Ideas

Any way you wrap it, your recipient will be appreciative! To decorate a:

Bag - It is easy to dress up a paper or cellophane bag. Line the bag with tissue paper. Use a hole punch, craft knife or scissors to poke holes or make slits in the bag; lace ribbon, string, buttons and/or decorative objects (sprigs of juniper, boxwood, greenery, jingle bells through the bags.

Bottle - Tie ribbons, raffia or twine around the neck of each bottle. Attach a homemade gift tag or small ornament.

Dish - Check discount stores and flea markets for unique plates, serving bowls, platters or tins. Stack the baked goods in a bowl, oversized mug, or canister and then wrap in cellophane and with a decorative bow.

Gift Tag - Personalize your gift tags! Start with scrapbook paper, cardboard, cookie cutters, felt, wood or premade tags. Then add your own special touches with glitter, ribbon, beads, stickers, puffy paint, or markers. Save your holiday cards and turn them into next years gift tags - just cut out the design or desired shape, thread and label it.

Jar - Cut a circle of fabric, tissue or wrapping paper 3" to 4" larger than the jar lid. Hold the circle in place with a rubber band and then tie a ribbon over the rubber band.

©2002 Faith Heinauer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR- Faith Heinauer is a caterer, cookbook author, columnist, and the creative force behind her website, http://www.breakeggs.com Sign up for tasty bi-weekly newsletter!