Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts - Laura Will - Scratch Made Simple

This episode is all about homemade Christmas gifts! From co-workers to your children's teachers, friends at church, holiday parties, etc. it can be a bit overwhelming knowing what to get everyone. These thoughtful, yet non-stressful homemade gifts will cover everyone on your list, without breaking the bank! The key to enjoying the holidays is to keep it simple and remember what it's really all about :-) From my kitchen to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!
OVEN ROASTED GLAZED PECANS...
~ Ingredients ~
4 Tablespoons butter
4 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
4 cups pecan halves
~ Directions ~
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Melt your butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and syrup and mix well. Cook until bubbly, stirring the whole time. Next, add your pecans and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. When pecans are well coated, they're done. Spread the pecans onto your parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let your pecans cool completely before packaging. They will stay fresh in an air-tight container for up to 1-2 weeks.
FRESH SUGARED CRANBERRIES...
~ Ingredients ~
Fresh Cranberries
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
~ Directions ~
Put water and sugar together in small sauce pan. Slowly bring mixture to a simmer/slight boil until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat immediately and pour into another bowl. Add in about 1 to 1 & 1/2 cups of fresh cranberries, stir (coating all of the cranberries in the sugar liquid), cover with plastic wrap, and let the cranberries soak in the fridge for 2 or more hours.
Drain cranberries in a colander and place them on a tray, serving dish, or large plate. Pour a generous amount of sugar on top of the cranberries (about 1/2 cup) and shake the plate around, coating each cranberry with sugar. Repeat the same process until all of the cranberries are coated (but don't add too much sugar...it will just cake up all over your cranberries and plate).
HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER PATTIES
~ Ingredients ~
Ritz crackers
peanut butter
marshmallow fluff
2 (12 oz.) bags of dark chocolate chips (or whatever chocolate you prefer)
~ Directions ~
Take two ritz crackers at a time--put a thin layer of peanut butter on one cracker, and marshmallow fluff on the other cracker. Sandwich them together to form a cookie. Repeat until you have the desired amount of cookies. Freeze your patties for at least 20 minutes or longer until they are solid (this will make sure your ingredients don't ooze out when you dip them in the hot chocolate).
While your patties are in the freezer, microwave your chocolate chips in the microwave in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between each time. This will ensure your chocolate doesn't burn. Or, if you prefer, you can always use a double-boiler method.
Using a fork, dip your frozen peanut butter patties into the warm chocolate, tapping each cookie as you pull it out of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Replace cookies on a parchment covered cookie sheet or plate. Put your freshly covered chocolate covered peanut butter patties into the fridge for about 20-30 minutes to let your chocolate set. Once the chocolate is set, pull them out, and they're ready to serve and enjoy! *You can buy cute little festive candy toppers at any local craft store.*

[@wendyfrench9898]

I'm getting a suger rush just watching this lol .It is filmed very well , love the mason jars xx

[@AirReel87]

Just found Scratch made simple! What fun! I have walnuts...I know what I will be doing!! Yay! Thanks Laura!! 💕👏

[@carolynsinyard1306]

I see Christmas gifts for the teachers. Than you for sharing.

[@BrendaBodwin]

I love these ideas. Super simple, yet thoughtful. ❤️

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you, Brenda! Happy holiday season to you!

[@toniromero2914]

What great gift ideas. LOVE THE CRANBERRIES!!! So festive. I love Tart things. I think it would be great to layer with your pecans as well. Thanks so much for sharing. Looking forward to more.

[@bettyescookingchannel]

Thanks for sharing homemade edible Christmas Gift recipes.

[@lucielou7745]

What a beautiful kitchen with great light! Lovely recipes thanks

[@Red_Queens_Jubilee_Club]

You’re video is really pleasant to watch. You explain things simply without being condescending. Your recipes and gifting ideas are wonderful.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you so much! You are so kind :-)

[@shelleymiller908]

Thank you for the great easy recipes!

[@ervareamsbottom1362]

Wow, you are such a natural at doing this and everything looks so yummy! Thank you for your ideas!

[@debbiebrethold9147]

I love the sugar cranberry receipe. Haven't made it before. I have to try it!

[@vaperzen2363]

I LOVE Every One of Your Ideas!!!!!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

You are so sweet, thank you! I'm glad you stopped by to say hi :-)

[@viviangouldthorpe8366]

Delicious and simple! What a combination! Thanks!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Vivian, you are so welcome! Thank YOU for watching :-) I appreciate it!

[@conniecrites5148]

Can't wait to try all of these. Thanks

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you so much, Connie! I truly hope you enjoy them!

[@jude7321]

Good job 💚 that made me so hungry. I'm going to try all these. Thank you and God bless you real big 💕 🌿

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

God bless YOU, Jude! Thank you!

[@jeanettemchenry505]

Just subscribed. What great ideas! I’ll definitely be making ALL of them. Thanks!

[@martyschumacher6979]

This is wonderful!! Great ideas and yummy results!! Thank you!

[@anamariacarrero1608]

Love these ideas!

[@ericsgranny8933]

Wow! These look great, and pretty easy! Thanks

[@olivewoo522]

I’m so glad I found your channel again. I deleted my old KZbin account and couldn’t remember how to make these cranberries and sugared pecans. I give them as gifts all year. These cranberries are loved greatly by one person at my church. I always buy extras because having a cranberry treat during the summer is divine!

[@margielavarias1490]

Thank you so much for this awesome Christmas gifts! I needed something easy, quick, and special to give to family and friends. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

[@patiedwards389]

Really like your video! I love fast, easy, thoughtful gifts - and your instructions are perfect! Thanks so much.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Pati! Thank you!

[@celestya]

Had a fun time making the ritz chocolate patties with my nephew this weekend. Thanks for the easy and kid-friendly recipe!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I’m SO happy you had fun and enjoyed then! My kids love these. Merry Christmas!

[@Thisisit120]

Very good video and I am so happy to see that you put your recipes in the drop-down box those are the only kind of KZbinrs I subscribe to.

[@kathynodolf3719]

Thank you very much for your kindness. Watching your tutorial each recipe is very easy to understand! You did very well!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Kathy, you are so nice! Thank you!

[@EmunahYah]

Girl you got a whole show! I thought i was about to fast foward to the good stuff but you made me feel like i was watching sandra lee or something great job.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you so much! We tape these for our local tv station and upload them to this channel. It's been a lot of fun to make them. Thanks for watching!!

[@tanyacaley4401]

What a delicious, inexpensive yet beautiful way to say HappyHolidays 💙

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Tanya! Thank you!! Happy Holidays to you, too!

[@Terry3241]

You are such a natural at this cooking on camera. Super impressed with everything you do!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you!!! ❤️

[@ablare4717]

Great ideas. I love the cranberry idea. I'm gonna try it. Cranberries are so good for us.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I hope you enjoy them!

[@agnesfredericksen9892]

Thanks for these great recipes ! I will be using them this Christmas season for sure !

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I hope you enjoy them as much as my family and I do, Agnes! Thank you!

[@catherineshaw148]

Wow, I Just Found Your Channel. I Can Hardly Wait To Try These Recipes For My Family 😄❤️

[@suzanneshirley5325]

You can sub Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds) for peanut butter.

[@artsygirlmarilyn6296]

Suzanne Shirley love sunbutter

[@chillytoes337]

Love ALL of them! Easy, inexpensive, and they look (and probably taste!) great too! Wonderful little gifts for the teachers, your neighbors, or the host and hostess too! Thanks for sharing!

[@lorettacali10370]

Glad you mentioned I could use other nuts. I have a huge bag of almonds. Thanks 😊

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

They taste just as great!

[@dalainebloom4505]

You are very welcome. I love your ideas. 😊

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Dalaine Bloom Thank you!

[@2618winslow]

Awesome demo! Gonna make some of those patties now!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Yay!! I really hope you enjoy them!

[@grandcatsmama3421]

I bet your husband and children loove you! Most of the people I know love homemade gifts, these are perfect. Everyone will think you spent hours in the kitchen. I was knitting washcloths, and I gave two of them to a friend who invited me to lunch for Thanksgiving. She loved them because they were handmade. If I made the sweetened cranberries, I'd use Splenda instead. Love your ideas.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Awww Anne, I just adore handmade gifts! There’s nothing more special 😊. Thank you for stopping by!

[@SudsSoap]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MrRugbyprop1]

Thank you for great recipes!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Awww thank YOU! I hope you enjoy them!!

[@mama-shellsmith359]

Those are fantastic gift ideas. I cant wait to make these. Happy holidays to you and yours.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I hope you enjoy them! Merry Christmas!!

[@melindatijerina3433]

love the ideas thank you and Merry Christmas to you

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Melinda! Blessings!

[@carriepiquette-henderson3625]

omg i am definately gonna make these this christmas🍥🍧🧁🥧🍬🍭

[@Avatar-raven]

Hi watched this video and loved it.. these ideas are great for the gift season and will be giving them ago.. thank you so much xxHappy holidays all the way from Scotland xx

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Stephanie!! That is amazing! I would LOVE to visit Scotland one day--it is BEAUTIFUL. Thank you so much for watching. God bless!

[@carlosdyer5868]

Thank you so much ; you are such a good instructor ; even single guys like me who don't know their way around a kitchen can keep up ! Hope you and your family have a fabulous fantastic blessed Christmas !

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Wow! You are so kind, Carlos, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed these. We hope you have a blessed Christmas this year, too!

[@pfohumm8084]

This is one of my favorite videos to watch, I wish there were new ones.

[@debranelson2640]

Brother-in-laws’ Christmas gift....check! Thx tons for this “sweet” video!

[@dorothyhenderson3044]

I likr

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

That's great, Debra! Thank you for watching! Happy Holidays!

[@hellolater4181]

Great vlog! Your voice is easy to listen to with earplugs. Thanks! Some channels it's so screeching and loud. Appreciate your work and effort.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Well, hey, that's great news to hear! Thank you :-) I know exactly what you're talking about.

[@danabradford3]

Just found your channel! Love it

[@kimbontrager9456]

Great gift ideas!!! So glad I found your channel!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Kim! Yay, I'm so glad you are here too :-) Thank you!

[@mariansmartt]

Your edible holiday gifts look beautiful. I’m going to make the cranberries and the pecans. Pecans can be bought in large bags at Walmart and Aldi. Very inexpensive. I can’t wait to try these. You have the best food videos on the Internet. I love how you teach!

[@trudydavis6168]

I sure would love to find any inexpensive pecans where I live!

[@Jomama02]

Pecans are outrageous in my area, even at Aldi and Walmarts! Was wondering what else could be used instead of maple syrup as I dont care for maple. Could also add some cinnamon to this also!

[@azcojan]

Jomama 02 I don’t care fo maple flavor, either. I was thinking of alternatives & corn syrup first came to mind. Flavored like pecan pie...yum!

[@azcojan]

Trudy Davis Costco or Sams Club have the best prices for pecans if you have a membership (or have a friend who does😉)

[@Michelle-by9fp]

Love this! Thank you

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Michelle J you’re welcome and thank YOU!

[@ashtoncassidy4234]

You are great. Thank you

[@annmiller2760]

I am a big fan of quick and simple and you make it look so easy, I am also a big fan of home made Christmas treats and they look beautiful. I love your whole presentation, quick, simple and they look special thankyou from Australia

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Ann!! I would absolutely LOVE to visit your beautiful country one day :-) Thank you so much for stopping by!

[@robynsmith66]

I will try these. They look great!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I really hope you like them!

[@robynsmith66]

Scratch Made Simple my grandkids loved them and so did the adults! Thanks again

[@roxannewhite7458]

Awesome thanks

[@vayes7958]

New here.. Oh wow, such great ideas Thanks

[@marshahouseholder3213]

So glad I found you. You are awesome!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Marsha, thank you! Happy holidays!!

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Very nice!!

[@jackieo8693]

great ideas!

[@jackyc1402]

The pecans look yummy

[@jeannemarie3704]

I just bought cranberries! Yeah!!!

[@sueanntweet3941]

I think you are my new best friend. These look easy and delicious

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Yay! Let's be best friends! Thanks for watching Sue Ann, I appreciate you :-) Happy Holidays!

[@miriamsepulveda4821]

Lovely ideas.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you, Miriam! I'm glad you stopped by :-)

[@ADayInLisasLife3947]

Laura, I just found your video, and I enjoyed your teaching style. I will subscribe since I see you are considering making more videos.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for stopping by :-). We are definitely working on posting more new content--I hope you enjoy it! Merry Christmas!

[@devikscreation5741]

Very good love it

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you!

[@annelane2966]

Great ideas

[@bonnypaquette6155]

I just made the sugar cranberries as a bonus gift for my neighbours as I bought them a XX large cookie sheet the girls love to bake thanks for the 2 extra gifts I'm sure they will love them Bonny

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Yay!! I hope they loved them! Homemade gifts are the BEST. Happy new year, Bonny!

[@summerrayhope1]

ty. I love these ideas

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Wonderful, Summer! I hope you're able to try a few of them out and enjoy them! Merry Christmas :-)

[@summerrayhope1]

Yes I have ymmy and fairly easy to do ty , and Marry Christmas to you as well

[@patricialadd520]

Hello! I'm a new subscriber from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Thanks for sharing your great ideas and talent! 😀👍♥️

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hi Patricia!! I’m so happy you stopped by!

[@thinkingofothers353]

~~~ Thank you for making this video. I am a new friend and I bake at home for others ....GOD'S JOY.

[@cathy1703]

You could save the sugar water for your hummingbird feeder instead of pouring it down the sink. Just add a bit more water to make it 3 to 1.

[@youllthinkofme2011]

I agree, there is no reason to throw out the simple syrup, you could just bring it to a boil again just to be safe and use it for anything you want

[@tamirine1434]

You could also just make a lot less of it to begin with. It seemed that the amount of syrup would have been sufficient for two or three batches.

[@shikhalemuel6802]

Exactly what I was thinking, just put the next batch of cranberries in it.

[@elizabethjbanet330]

It can be used to brush between the layers of cake in place of plain simple sugar. Maybe even as a sweetener for hot tea.

[@nancycowan6109]

CathyM Tell that to the elusive hummingbirds in my area. ❤️

[@dagmarriley2923]

Thank you for sharing; will definitely try them! You mentioned that if people had a nut allergy they could always just do the marshmallow or Nutella cookies but Nutella is also made with Nuts (Hazelnut) so be careful.

[@meldacano1525]

Everything look delicious. I'm a new subscriber. Enjoyed watching the video.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Aw Melda!! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a nice comment :-) I appreciate you!

[@BarefootInAK]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank YOU, Dana! Have a wonderful holiday season!

[@BarefootInAK]

Scratch Made Simple you and yours as well! I can see I’m going to have some binge watching to do here!

[@debratemple2865]

Thank you for a nice video.. God bless you and your family as only He can😇

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

AMEN! Bless you and your family, too, Debra! Happy holidays :-)

[@constitutionalrepublic1966]

Brand new subscriber. Love your channel!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hello!! Thank you! :-D

[@jmarcos1008]

I love this video. Thank you. Happy Holidays.

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Joanna! Thank you for watching. Happy Holidays!

[@allioakley3372]

Wonderful recipes 👍

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you, All!

[@kellyallen3798]

I like this. I will use piping bags to make the cookie filling go faster. :)

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

That is a GREAT tip! Hope you enjoy :-)

[@Forevertrue]

Merry Christmas!!!

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Merry Christmas to you, too! Thank you for watching :-)

[@lynnkavanagh7361]

This is my first time visiting your channel. I love all of your recipes on this video, they're all made with everyday ingredients, nothing hard to find, and they're unbelievably easy. You can't go wrong with that combination! Just one quick question, have you ever made the Peanut Butter Patties using a different nut spread? My granddaughter is severely allergic to peanuts, but she can have cashew butter (& others too). Do you think this would turn out as well using another nut butter! Thanks for some great recipes

[@lillianwilliams5510]

Just got introduced to your video. I am already a fan!!. I hope you will put all your recipes in a book;eventhough you have them on your website.

[@deannajohnson3933]

0:45 - Sugared Cranberries 4:56 - Candied Pecans 8:50 - Peanut butter Patties 12:00 - Peppermint Patties 16:00 - Dipping Patties 17:00 - Packaging Goodies. I hope this helps.

[@SylviaOlsen]

Can You PLEASE make more videos. I love all of yours. 🤞💗

[@patblough7574]

Thank you so much for the great ideas. I will definately make these for gifts.

[@SmileySunrise]

Your video showed up as a recommended video and I'm so glad it did! I enjoyed all of your ideas! Thank you for sharing! I just subscribed to your channel. I'm hopeful you'll post more! :-)

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hello! I'm so happy you stopped by! Hoping to post more in the new year :-)

[@constitutionalrepublic1966]

Remember to melt chocolate using DEFROST to prevent burning it. I did this after burning my mine, and asked online how to do this. I received so much advice to prevent this. Just a FYI 🌹🌹

[@melaniebishop6005]

I melt mine on high but you have to take them out and stir every 15 seconds absolutely no more. Chocolate will keep its shape until stirred. It is faster than defrost or 50% power. I'm an impatient cook 😁

[@danniemcdonald4903]

That's why I use a double boiler on the stove LOL

[@pamelacollachi1162]

Constitutional Republic orrrrrrr.....a cheap small Walmart crockpot! 😃

[@melaniebishop6005]

@@danniemcdonald4903 I agree a double boiler works great. I somehow always manage to get water in my chocolate and of course it seizes up. I just sloppy I guess. 2 weeks ago I bought a all-in-one double boiler brand new at a.yard sale. You just put water in through a little hole. I've never seen one before and I have just moved so I haven't had time to use it.

[@danniemcdonald4903]

@@melaniebishop6005 That sounds interesting. I've never seen one like that either.

[@marthasamuelson2742]

Wow!!! Thx you Awesome

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thanks for watching, Martha! Blessings!

[@globalstudio75]

Hi Dear!How are you? Really your recipe is excellent,I like it, Thanks for sharing

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by!

[@yanxiqpoof7368]

Picans yum.

[@aaronhughes827]

She said that you can use nutella if there are nut allergies, but my brother can't have nutella because of the hazelnuts! Otherwise, awsome video, definitely going to make the glazed pecans for my dad, love the idea!!

[@Richiedei50]

Aaron Hughes That’s what I thought, Nutella is made of nuts not chocolate...

[@Richiedei50]

Sweet Peas Not at all Sweet Peas. That’s the last thing I’m suggesting. For a long time I thought Nutella was chocolate as I’d never looked at the label - I’m not too much of a sweet tooth so I didn’t eat it often - A person with a nut allergy, as with any other allergy, if they eat that food or sometimes even just come into contact with it, can risk their lives. This video is great, but I was objecting to the comment that it was ok for those with nut allergies to eat Nutella.

[@dotsyjmaher]

❤️

[@karihus6855]

Great video

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

Thank you! 😊

[@Ulana-de7ww]

Nutella has nuts!

[@alanef4127]

I make my own version of your peppermint patties but I use peppermint extract or oil. When I use 'mint' extract, it tastes like toothpaste to me. Love your ideas, going to try some of them!

[@cyn6964]

You can use a seed butter like sunflower seed butter instead of nut butter. nutella is hazelnut buttter and chocolate so you could add chocolate(if no allergy) to a seed butter as an alternative to nutella.

[@leeree6475]

GREAT ideas! What would you use the candied cranberries for?

[@nutvnutv7686]

Hi Lee Ree! I literally just put them in a pretty mason jar with a bow for the recipient to snack on! Sugared cranberries are super sweet and tasty almost like a fruit snack. I use them for salads, cupcake toppers, and eat them plain. Thanks for asking!

[@eileenlester3313]

💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@MrConnor06]

You could put a lolly stick when you sandwich them together and make them into lolly’s 👍

[@scratchmadesimple2274]

I LOVE that!!!!

[@sherrienale9974]

I will be making the glazed pecans...Thanks for sharing))