There's no better way to say "thank you" or show you care than with a homemade baked good. These are the recipes we turn to when we want to brighten someone's day.
Brownies
Sometimes, the most familiar bakes make the sweetest gifts. These double-chocolate brownies are a great go-to option, but there are a lot of amazing brownie recipes out there. If you want something a little more out-of-the-box, try making mochi brownies or copycat Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies.
Blueberry Banana Bread
If you don’t know your giftees that well, go with something safe like banana bread. The addition of blueberries makes this loaf a little more memorable than a plain version. This recipe makes three mini loaves, so there’s enough to go around to more than one house.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
You simply can’t go wrong with a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies. Most people have a texture preference, but these cookies represent the best of both worlds: They’re lightly chewy and slightly crunchy. If you want to upgrade your treat and offer something a little more gourmet, feel free to add some mix-ins to create brown butter chocolate chip cookies or peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Meyer Lemon Bars
Most people have had lemon bars, but have they had Meyer lemon bars? These lemons are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, with a deeper yellow-orange hue and a lovely floral note. Turn them into a curd, and these lemon bars are a knockout.
Dutch Oven Bread
Bring a loaf of homemade bread to your friend, neighbor, co-worker or really anyone, and I guarantee they’ll be delighted. There just seems to be something about homemade bread that makes people feel especially loved. If you have a sourdough starter at home, even better. Taylor Swift has been gifting sourdough to her friends and family, too!
Banana Pudding Cupcakes
Traditional banana pudding is delicious, but it’s not exactly conducive to gift-giving. It’s awkward to ask someone to return your trifle dish when they’re done! Cupcakes, however, are the perfect gifting vessel. Bonus: A box of yellow cake mix makes this recipe super easy.
Elderberry Jelly
Jams, jellies and preserves make an amazing gift. They have all the thoughtfulness of a homemade recipe and are naturally packaged in the perfect handout container. You can gift any jelly or jam recipes, but elderberries are known for being high in antioxidants. It’s a good option to bring to a friend who’s feeling a little under the weather.
Lemon Bundt Cake
This pretty Bundt cake certainly looks impressive, but a thoughtful gift should also taste fantastic. Luckily, between lemon juice, lemon extract, lemon zest and sour cream in the cake and glaze, this cake delivers.
S’mores Fudge
Gifting homemade fudge feels like quite the feat, but this recipe is beginner-friendly. In other words, you don’t need a candy thermometer or any master candy-making techniques to pull it off. It’s made with sweetened condensed milk, a shortcut ingredient that creates fudge in only 15 minutes. Plus, it’s flecked with brown graham crackers and mini marshmallows for a s’mores taste.
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
If you’re struggling to find dairy-free or vegan desserts, try making these chocolate cupcakes. Coconut milk and dairy-free margarine replace milk and butter, and the recipe doesn’t call for any eggs. If you’re bringing these to someone following a plant-based diet, make sure to spring for vegan sugar.
Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew Rice Krispies Treats
Even if you’re not much of a baker, you can still package up something impressive. Rice Krispies treats are incredibly easy to make, even if you elevate the classic recipe with salted caramel sauce, vanilla wafers and instant espresso powder. These additions zhuzh them up into something truly decadent.
Banana Zucchini Bread
Have a bumper crop of zucchini? Harvest it for this banana zucchini bread. It has all the comforting flavors of a typical banana bread, but with extra moisture thanks to the zucchini. Don’t forget to let your giftee know where the zucchini is from; it makes the bread all the more special. Our recipe makes two loaves, so you can pass out two or keep one for yourself.
Cherry Hand Pies
Perfectly portable and therefore giftable, these cherry hand pies are a fun bake to pass out. We make the cherry filling from scratch, but the pie crust is store-bought for ease. The recipe makes eight hand pies, but you can easily double it if you need more.
Chocolate Truffles
I love that chocolate truffles look (and taste) luxurious and decadent yet come together in just a few simple steps. This recipe only has three ingredients, although you can give the truffles a unique finish by adding coatings for a gourmet look. Try cocoa powder, cacao nibs, chocolate sprinkles or espresso powder.
Caramel Candy
Gifting to the masses? Homemade caramels are a fantastic option. Our recipe makes 64 individually-wrapped pieces that are a great gift for teachers, neighbors, coworkers, friends and family.
Buttermilk Pound Cake
When I don’t know someone’s taste preferences, I try to bake something a little more on the mild side. What if they don’t like chocolate? However, mild doesn’t mean tasteless, and this pound cake proves it. Buttermilk creates a lovely tanginess, and the sugar coating adds texture and sweetness.
Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Lemon olive oil cake is a masterclass in the art of simplicity. It’s straightforward to make and easy to gift. All its goodness comes from quality olive oil, fresh lemon juice and perfectly zested lemons. Your foodie friend will really appreciate this one; mine always do.
Chocolate-Hazelnut Babka Buns
Each one of these babka buns is filled with Nutella, halva with pistachios and chocolate chips. The dough is braided and twisted, so the buns bake into bakery-worthy buns that look like a pretty present. These are such a joy to hand out.
Scottish Shortbread
Also known as “biscuits” across the pond, these Scottish shortbreads come together with just three ingredients. Seriously! Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t dress them up by half-dipping them in chocolate or adding mix-ins to the dough. Wrap them up using cookie packaging ideas for a pretty gifting presentation.
Granola Recipe
If your giftee isn’t super into sweets (we all know at least one!), you can bake a batch of homemade granola. It might be more their speed for their morning yogurt bowls or chia seed pudding. Customize the granola to their liking: change the mix-ins, brown the butter or leave out the nuts as needed.
Homemade Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts
Gifting to a family with kiddos? They’ll adore these homemade frosted strawberry Pop-Tarts—decorated with sprinkles and all. You can change up the filling, although most kids will probably prefer strawberry.
Flourless Chocolate Torte
Got a gluten-free friend? This flourless chocolate cake really is naturally gluten-free, so there’s no need to buy an expensive gluten-free flour blend or anything. Just make sure to grease the 9-inch springform pan with a gluten-free spray. Many baking sprays, like Pam, contain flour.
Lemon Biscotti
Biscotti feels like one of those gifts that keeps on giving. They last a while—up to two weeks—so giftees can have one every day with their morning coffee. This recipe makes three dozen, so you’ll certainly have a lot to hand out.
French Blondies
Here’s a great gift for any Taylor Swift fan or cocktail aficionado (or, in a perfect world, someone who is both). Why? These French blondies were modeled after the French Blonde cocktail, which happens to be Taylor’s favorite. It contains all the same flavors, including grapefruit, lemon and floral St. Germain.
Peach Blueberry Pie
Is there anything more neighborly than bringing over a homemade pie to show how much you care? This pie is bursting with summer’s plumpest fruits: juicy blueberries and ripe peaches. Making a lattice pie crust is easier than it looks, but if that’s not your forte, try another pie crust decoration.
Easy Apple Cake
This no-fuss fall treat is perfect for novice bakers who want to bake something easy but special. A word of caution for new bakers: Not all types of apples are suitable for baking. Some are too mealy and bland for the occasion and are better for recipes like applesauce. For this recipe, stick with tart, firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Gala.
Raspberry Crumble Bars
I’m convinced that mouthfeel is a huge reason why some desserts taste better than others, and these raspberry crumble bars are full of texture. Swap the raspberries for whatever fruit is in season, and these are good to bake and gift any time of year.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
I adore baking someone a cake, no matter the occasion. A sheet cake is super easy to make (especially compared to a tricky layered cake), and a poke cake takes the flavors to the next level. This fun peanut butter poke cake is one of my very favorites. The chocolate cake is poked all over, then filled and finished with a dreamy peanut butter frosting.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Cheesecake bars have all the decadence of a whole cheesecake without any of the fuss of a water bath, long bake time or overnight chill. These bars, in particular, have gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough baked inside. They’re truly irresistible.
Apple Cranberry Slab Pie
Where so many fruit pies contain in-season summer fruits, this pretty slab pie is a winter fruit haven. It feeds 15 people, so there are plenty of slices to pass out to multiple homes or drop off at your favorite small business or healthcare facility as a thank-you to the employees.
