These 5 Healthy Treat Recipes Make Tasty DIY Holiday Gifts

Candles are nice and gift cards are practical, but sometimes, you want to give a holiday gift that’s a bit more thoughtful (and maybe a bit more budget-friendly). Luckily, everyone appreciates a DIY gift when it comes in the form of a delicious, homemade treat. 

We’re rounding up five of our favorite giftable treats that range from savory to sweet, crunchy to chewy, indulgent to semi-healthy. There’s something in here for everyone, but if you’re looking for ideas, might we suggest… 

• Your coworkers 
• Your BFFs
• A white elephant gift
• Your mail carrier 
• Your kids’ teacher(s) 
• Your not-so-close relatives (that second cousin, twice removed who you never know how to shop for, for example)
• Your crush 
• Your gym buddies 
• Your kids’ friends’ parents 
• As stocking stuffers 
• To keep on hand for any last-minute gift-giving 

Happy holiday baking (or no-bake treat-making!) 

Peppermint Bark 

Yield: 2 giftable servings 
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 

1 cup dark chocolate chips, divided
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract
Crushed candy canes
Sprinkles
Pinch of salt

Instructions: 

Place ½ cup of dark chocolate chips into a bowl and microwave for 45 seconds. Stir, then microwave in 10 second bursts until your chocolate is fully melted. Add the other ½ cup of chocolate chips into the melted chocolate. Stir and microwave for an additional 10 seconds until the chocolate is fully melted.

Repeat the step above with white chocolate chips.

Pour the melted dark chocolate onto a lined baking tray, followed by the white chocolate, and swirl with a knife.

Top with crushed candy canes, sprinkles, and salt. Let the chocolate harden, then break up the peppermint bark into bite-sized pieces. Share with friends and enjoy!

Chocolate Peppermint Protein Balls 

Yield: 12 protein balls 
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 12 hours

Ingredients: 

⅓ cup cacao powder
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup nut butter (we like cashew)
¼ cup protein powder
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Optional: Candy canes, crushed

Instructions: 

Mix all ingredients well to combine.

Roll into 12 balls.

Allow to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. 

Optional: Heat ¼ cup of chocolate chips with a teaspoon of coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted. Drop the protein balls in the chocolate and coat, place on a parchment-lined sheet to solidify, and top with crushed candy canes. 

Maple Rosemary Cashews 

Yield: 2 giftable servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Ingredients: 

1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil
¼ cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt 
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 ½ cups cashews

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 370° F.

Combine all ingredients except the cashews in a bowl.

Add the nuts and toss to combine. 

Spread the coated nuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.

Fudgey Chocolate Truffles

Yield: 12 truffles
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours

Ingredients: 

Brownie mix of choice
2 heaping tablespoons hazelnut spread
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Toppings: melted white chocolate, crushed candy canes, flaky salt

Instructions:

Bake the brownie mix according to the instructions on the package. Allow to cool.

Crumble the cooled brownie into a large bowl, then add in the hazelnut spread. Stir the mixture until a thick dough starts to form, then roll the brownie hazelnut spread mixture into approximately 12 bite-sized balls.

In a bowl, microwave the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in 15-second bursts, stirring in between, until fully melted.

Dip the truffles into the melted chocolate.

Top the truffles with melted white chocolate, crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, or flaky salt.

Hokey Pokey Honeycomb 

Yield: One giftable serving
Active Time: 20 minutes 
Total time: 2 hours

Ingredients: 

4 tablespoons maple syrup
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ cup chopped almonds or nut of choice 

Instructions:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a saucepan over a low flame, combine syrup and sugar and stir until combined.

Bring to a boil and let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it turns brown and shiny. (Tip: don’t stir once it’s boiling, as the sugar will begin to crystallize.) 

Quickly add the baking soda and whisk until the mixture foams and expands. 

Pour out the sugar mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it out. Top with flaked almonds or nuts of choice and let it cool. 

Once it hardens, smash the honeycomb into smaller pieces. Honeycomb makes a great topping on ice cream, yogurt, or eaten as-is.