Edible Christmas Gifts

By Vega, categorized in Foodies’ Folder

Is there anything better than a homemade gift? I don’t think so! Now it may only be November, but Halloween has been and gone, so we reckon we can get away with some Christmas prep… to save you running around on Christmas Eve searching for that last-minute present, get yourself into the kitchen and whip up the most thoughtful gift of all. We wanted to share with you all some of our favourite gifts in a jar, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not make them all!

Christmas Nut Mix

Go nuts this Christmas! The perfect edible gift that is quick to make and super tasty. You could even just make them to enjoy yourself.

Makes 1 x 500 mL jars | 20 minute prep time

Ingredients

Sweet and Spicy Nuts

  • 300 g of nuts (unsalted almond, pecans, walnuts and cashews)
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • ⅛ tsp chijli powder

  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper

Savoury Rosemary and Garlic Nuts

  • 300 g of nuts (unsalted almond, pecans, walnuts and cashews)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried oregano

  • 1 tsp sea salt

Simple Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Nuts

  • 300 g of nuts (unsalted almond, pecans, walnuts and cashews)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp fresh ground pepper

  • 1 tsp coarse sea salt

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/ gas mark 4.
  2. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
  3. Mix the spices and liquid (maple syrup or oil) in a large bowl.
  4. Toss the nuts in the spice mixture until covered.
  5. Spread evenly over the baking tray, scraping any leftover spice mix from the bowl onto the nuts.
  6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (one or twice recommended).
  7. Remove from the oven and leave until cooled completely.

  8. Once cooled, loosely add the mixture to jars, tie with a bow and stick under the Christmas tree!

Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

This red and green gluten-free, vegan cookie mix will put a smile on your loved one’s face, even if they’re not vegan! Just layer up all the dry ingredients in a jar, write out the recipe and leave them to do the rest. Just make sure you’re around to taste the finished article.

Makes 1 x 500 mL jar | serves 12 | 20 minute prep time

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients (in jar)

  • 2 Tbsp flaxseed, ground
  • 150 g gluten-free oats
  • 25 g oat finely ground into flour
  • 1 scoop (34 g) Vanilla Vega® Essentials
  • 60 g ground almonds
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 Tbsp pistachios, chopped

  • 6o g dried cranberries

Wet Ingredients (to add)

  • 2 bananas, mashed
  • 125 g peanut butter
  • 2 Tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup

  • 5 Tbsp water

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/ gas mark 4 and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Combine the bananas, peanut butter, oil, maple syrup and mix well. Stir in the water.
  3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together.
  4. Drop spoonfuls of the cookie mixture onto the baking tray.

  5. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until slightly browned.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Have you ever met anyone that doesn’t enjoy banana bread? Gift all the ingredients to a friend so they can make their own at home!

Makes 1 x 500 mL jar | serves 10 | 20 minute prep time

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients (in jar)

  • 1 Tbsp flaxseed
  • 50 g caster sugar
  • 50 g brown sugar
  • 3½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 150 g ground almonds
  • 100 g gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1 scoop Vanilla Vega® Essentials or Chocolate Vega® Essentials
  • 125 g gluten-free oats

  • 80 g chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients (to add)

  • 3 frozen bananas, defrosted
  • 160 mL plant-based drink like almond
  • 3 Tbsp plant-based alternative to butter

  • 60 g peanut butter

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/ gas mark 4 and grease a loaf tin.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, combine the wet ingredients.
  3. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.

  4. Bake for 1 hour or until the top is cracked and a toothpick comes out clean

Christmas Granola

This granola is made for anyone who made the Nice list this year. Simply bake the granola and divide into jars. Tie a recipe to each jar and share with friends who have been on their best behavior.

Makes 8 x 250 mL jar | 45 minute prep time

Ingredients

  • 80 mL rapeseed oil
  • 125 mL maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 300 g gluten-free oats
  • 80 g ground oats/oat bran
  • 45 g sliced almonds
  • 65 g pecans, chopped
  • 120 g dried cranberries

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/160ºC fan/ gas mark 4 and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl combine the oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
  3. In another mixing bowl, combine the oats, oat bran, almonds and pecans. Toss together with the maple mixture.
  4. Pour onto the baking tray, spreading out evenly.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden, stirring every 10 minutes.
  6. Once cool stir through the dried cranberries.
  7. Keeps in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

Vega