I always keep a stash of hostess gifts in my pantry during the holiday season. When we are invited to dinner or a holiday party, I can grab something off the shelf and pop it in a bag tied with a festive bow and we can be on our way.

At times I may choose a candle, or perhaps hand lotion – a favorite to soothe our inevitably dry skin of the cooler months. But, while these are convenient tokens and may be perfect for the right situation, they can feel a tad impersonal. Among my favorite things to gift during the holidays are homemade edibles. 

Right around Thanksgiving, I start by making a huge batch of rosemary and brown butter roasted nuts from my cookbook and pop them in the freezer. Bundled in food-grade, clear bags with a decorative ribbon, I have a delicious, festive and seasonal gift at the ready. 

Nuts aren’t the only thing that you can make which will put a “from the heart” stamp on your hostess gifts. From granola to biscotti to cookies, here are some of my favorite shelf-stable treats to make your loved ones feel appreciated:

Cinnamon Spiced Chocolate Granola

The most important part of making granola is stirring often, and rotating the pan. The edges will burn and it will not cook evenly if you don’t pay attention. Past that, it requires very little effort. You’ll be rewarded with an incredible aroma wafting through the house, and a batch of homemade granola you can bag up and share with friends over the holidays. This one is spiced with cinnamon, ginger and cloves and made with olive oil for sophisticated flavor and healthfulness.

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Double Chocolate Gingerbread Biscotti

I wish I could say these are a special holiday treat for my family, but they are so good I often find myself making a batch in the middle of the summer, when most in their right mind aren't thinking about gingerbread. All of the traditional flavors are here but made better when enhanced by browned butter and chocolate. While the crunch of the double-baked cookie is addictive, I also enjoy dunking my biscotti in a mug of hot tea or coffee to soften.

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John Day’s Spiced Pecans

These candied pecans were a fixture at my aunt's houes on Christmas day. She passed the recipe down to me from dear family friends, going back two generations. Plan on making big batches, as they go quickly, and make excellent hostess gifts around the holidays.

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Sbrisolona Rustic Italian Cookie

While traveling through the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Sbrisolona would be served to us at the end of the meal with a coffee or cup of tea. They are wonderful, crackly and sweet and studded with nuts, and are simple to make. The dough goes into a round cake pan and baked until crispy, then is broken into pieces for a rustic presentation.

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Pecan Pie Bourbon Balls

These only take a short time to make. Everything goes into the food processor, the bourbon and honey make everything stick together, and you simply roll into balls and coat with powdered sugar. After a day or two, the powdered sugar will absorb into the balls and the bright white will fade, but it’s easy enough to reroll in the sugar to spruce them up for serving. They are punchy, sweet, and fudgy with a smidge of ginger and are a wonderful holiday treat.

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Rosemary Pine Nut Biscotti

These biscotti are a little more tender, due to the butter in the dough. Many biscotti I find the need to dunk in a steaming mug of tea or coffee, but these can be enjoyed without any softening. They are a perfect fall and wintertime cookie for any occasion, or no occasion at all.

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