Hand Made, Heart made - Gifts good enough to eat!

This year, like many years past, I've decided to give mostly handmade gifts for the holidays.  I see it as a way to really focus and think joyfully about the recipient -- instead of rushing through crowded shopping malls, I'm peacefully at home, sending well wishes to friends and family as I draw, paint, knit, sew or cook for them.  It's a little more fun for me to be able to give a bit of myself, my own work, to someone else for the holidays.  I definitely get into the holiday spirit just thinking about what I could make that friends would enjoy receiving as a gift.

My two main edible presents are mason jars filled with granola and oatmeal pumpkin raisin walnut cookies.  Both gluten free, free of sugar (save for a bit of maple syrup in the granola) and perfect for my handful of family and friends who realized in the past 12 months that they were not able to eat gluten or sugar.  Homemade goodies are also the perfect gift for someone who "already has everything" or is "hard to buy for."  Who would turn away super healthy and tasty cookies or some crunchy granola?

Holiday Granola

• 2 cups gluten free oats
• 1 cup buckwheat (I used raw buckwheat, not kasha)
• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup golden and regular raisins
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons ginger

Preheat your oven to 300 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.  Add in the applesauce and maple syrup: mix well.  Turn onto two baking sheets, spreading all the ingredients out evenly.  Bake for 45 minutes, giving things a stir every 15 minutes or so.    

Yields about 5 cups of granola -- fits perfectly into a quart mason jar with some left over for you to sample for quality control!

For the more adventurous granola-fan, try my Carrot Granola or Pumpkin Chickpea Granola.  

Next up, I recently served these cookies as part of a dessert party, and they were such a hit that one of our guests even took one to enjoy on the ride!  I didn't tell him that these had no sugar in them, but didn't want to ruin it for him...

Gluten Free Pumpkin Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1/4 cup millet flour
• 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup mix of golden and regular raisins
• 1 can pureed pumpkin, plain
• 1/2 cup milk

 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a cookie sheet with butter or oil.  In a large mixing bowl, add in your dry ingredients. Stir in each of the wet ingredients, mixing slowly.  If, at this point, the batter seems to wet, add in more oatmeal until things feel right.  Drop by the tablespoon on a baking sheet, or use an ice cream scoop.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cookies are slightly firm to the touch.  Yields 12 cookies.

 Other gift ideas:

Balti Spice Mix

Triple Threat Ginger Cookies

Spicy Kale Chips

Here's what some other bloggers have made to give:
Avery from Love Veggies and Yoga has a long list of treats -- my favorite is the spiced almonds!
Marisa at Food In Jars has a lovely list of giveable baked goods!
Ashley at Edible Perspective has delicious Cocoa Goodness Balls

What are you making to give as a gift this holiday season?