I love the holiday season! I love the weather, I love the spirit, I love the decorations, I love the time off work, I love the food and I LOVE the generosity it inspires in the human heart. Whether each of us identifies with “gift giving” as our number one love language or not, I believe that most of us are deeply touched by the spirit of generosity. For a myriad of reasons–that impact each one of us uniquely–December tends to be a month that empowers people to participate in a movement of giving. Delectable Gift…
When giving to the people in my inner circle, I find it comes naturally to me, because I know their likes and wishlists and love to participate in making those wishes come to life! However, I sometimes find myself taking pause when it’s time to give to a neighbor, friend, or colleague. What do they like? What could I give them that they don’t already have? Will the gift I give them turn into clutter they feel compelled to keep because they value me but have no use for the item? Will giving them a gift make them feel compelled to go out and buy me something?
Growing up, I had a simple solution: delectable gifts! These are handmade, inexpensive, show my appreciation, and are probably not going to take up too much space in someone’s home. So, the other day, I decided I wanted to bring cookies to a neighbor. Then I started to worry. Are they gluten free? Vegan? Do they eat sugar? What holidays do they celebrate? Have no fear! There are amazing options for you and yours! Here is my cheat sheet to a delectable gift plate that can be adapted easily to be most enjoyed!
About This Gift: These shortbread cookies are vegan, refined sugar free, and can be adapted easily to be gluten free as well with the purchase of gluten free flour. The link contains recipes for shortbread made three ways, so other options are available to add holiday flavor or be nut free. Thank you Jenna Garcia for these fabulous treats!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut oil, room temperature
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ cup pecan pieces
- 1⅓ cups all purpose flour
Shopping List:
- 1 Jar of coconut oil – $5.99
- 1 Jar of maple syrup – $7.50
- 1 Container of salt – $1.99
- 1 Container of almond extract – $4.00
- 1 Bag of pecan pieces – $3.50
- 1 Bag of all purpose flour – $2.00
*Plan to spend around $25.00 (purchased ingredients will make a few batches).
About This Gift: These “Simple Paleo Chocolate chip Cookies,” are paleo, vegan, refined sugar free, and gluten free. Chocolate chip cookies are a real crowd pleaser and these ones are fast and easy to make!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch of salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- ¼ cup of mini dark chocolate chips
Shopping List:
- 1 Bag of almond flour – $7.49
- 1 Box of baking soda – $0.88
- 1 Container of salt – $1.99
- 1 Jar of coconut oil – $5.99
- 1 Jar of honey – $4.50
- 1 Container of vanilla extract – $4.00
- 1 Container of almond milk – $2.50
- 1 Bag of mini dark chocolate chips – $2.49
*Plan to spend around $30.00 (purchased ingredients will make a few batches).
About This Gift: This pie is not an exclusively Thanksgiving themed pumpkin pie, in fact, it is meant to be eaten as long as pumpkin supplies last! It is vegan and made with whole wheat! For those whole wheat lovers, this is going to be a real treat!
Vegan Pumpkin Pie:
- 1.5 Cans of pumpkin puree
- 1 Can of coconut cream, cream only
- 2 Tablespoons of flour
- ¼ Cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt
- ⅓ Cup maple syrup
Vegan Pie Crust:
- 1 ½ Cups whole wheat flour
- Salt
- 2 Tablespoon sugar
- ½ Cup of coconut oil
- ¾ Cup of cold water
- Extra flour as needed
Shopping List:
- 1 Bag of whole wheat flour – $3.00
- 1 Jar of maple syrup – $7.50
- 1 Container of salt – $1.99
- 1 Jar of coconut oil – $5.99
- 2 Cans of pumpkin puree – $2.00
- 1 Can of coconut cream – $1.50
- 1 Bag of brown sugar – $3.99
- 1 Container of nutmeg – $1.99
- 1 Container of ground cinnamon – $1.99
*Plan to spend around $30.00
About This Gift: This fudge is a gift to the world! It is easy to make, affordable to make, and is vegan, nut free, and gluten free!
Ingredients:
- 13.5 Ounce can of full fat coconut milk
- ¾ Cup of confectioner’s sugar
- 3 Cups of dairy free dark chocolate chips
Shopping List:
- 13.5 Ounce can of full fat coconut milk – $1.99
- 1 Bag of confectioners sugar – $7.99
- 1 Bag of dairy free dark chocolate chips – $3.99
*Plan to spend around $15.00
About This Gift: I think cinnamon rolls may be my favorite winter dessert! I am a huge fan of these gooey, delicious morsels! These are vegan and gluten free!
Ingredients:
- ¾ Cup unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 Tablespoons organic cane sugar
- 1 Packet active dry yeast
- 1 ¾ Cup gluten-free flour blend* (with xanthan gum)
- ½ Cup almond flour
- 2 ½ Teaspoons baking powder
- ½ Teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ Teaspoon sea salt
- 4 Tablespoons cold coconut oil
- 3 Tablespoons melted coconut oil
- ⅓ Cup organic cane sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Shopping List:
- 1 Container of almond milk – $2.50
- 1 Jar of coconut oil – $5.99
- 1 Bag of organic cane sugar – $3.45
- 1 Packet active dry yeast – $0.25
- 1 Bag of gluten free flour with Xanthan gum – $3.49
- 1 Bag of almond flour – $7.49
- 1 Container of baking powder – $1.49
- 1 Box of baking soda – $0.88
- 1 Container of salt – $1.99
- 1 Container of ground cinnamon – $1.99
*Plan to spend around $30.00
References
Bohl, R. (N.D.). Simple Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from paleogrubs.com website:
http://paleogrubs.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe
Dana, S. (N.D.). Vegan Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from theminimalistbaker.com website:
https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-gluten-free-cinnamon-rolls/
Garcia, J. (2017, December 11). Holiday Shortbread: 3 Ways. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from Treneding.com, Foodie Blog website:
https://www.trendeing.com/foodie-blog/shortbread-cookies
Roenicke, K. (2015, November 30). 3 Ingredient Dairy Free Fudge. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from The Prettybee.com website:
https://theprettybee.com/3-ingredient-dairy-free-fudge/
Trendeing. (2016, December 8). Vegan Pumpkin Pie. Retrieved December 16, 2017, from Trendeing.com website:
https://www.trendeing.com/recipe-videos?tag=Pumpkin%20Pie
