2025 Homemade Gift Ideas

What better way to give a gift, than one that came from the heart. Sometimes the greatest's gifts don't come from big box stores, sometimes they come from your kitchen. As my life transitions from the hustle and bustle to a slow more intentional lifestyle, I've come to embrace the simpler things.

My daughter is in college and is always happy to have a little piece of home when she's not here. So why not make a basket of things that she can toss together and within 5 minutes, she's got fresh homemade pancakes on her plate. Or, a fresh loaf of bread that she can share with her friends.

1. Wooden Spoon or Whisk & Tea Towel

2. Pancake & Waffle Mix

3. Pizza Crust Mix (this would also be great as a calzone)

4. Italian Bread (can be made into a boule or baguettes)

5. Roll Out Sugar Cookie Mix

6. Fudgy Brownie Mix

7. Vanilla Extract

Favorite Items

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🎄Thick Wooden Spoons - https://amzn.to/3KPSqZl

🎄Dough Whisk - https://amzn.to/44qkadD

🎄Measuring cups - https://amzn.to/4agywkC

🎄Measuring spoons - https://amzn.to/44BEObs

🎄Mason Jars - https://amzn.to/3Mz7N93

🎄Canning funnel - https://amzn.to/48AwASK

🎄Ingredient Bins - https://amzn.to/4oSxK0A

🎄Vanilla Beans - https://amzn.to/3KRGyG3

🎄Glass Bottles - https://amzn.to/4sdKemH

1. Wooden Spoon or Dough Whisk & Tea Towel

2. Pancake Mix (makes 2 cups of dry mix)

Dry Ingredients in Jar

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour

3 ½ tsp baking powder

1 TBS granulated sugar

¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients to Add:

1 ¼ cup milk

3 TBS melted butter or favorite neutral oil

1 large egg

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in jar with wet ingredients. Mix until thoroughly combined. Cook in preheated waffle iron or skillet. Makes approximately 11 pancakes.

3. Pizza & Calzone Dough Mix (makes 4 cups of dry mix)

Dry Ingredients in Jar

1 cup bread flour

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2 ¼ tsp yeast

1 TBS Italian herbs (optional add in)

1 tsp garlic powder (optional add in)

Wet Ingredients to Add:

2 TBS olive oil

1 1/3 cups warm water

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in a jar with wet ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Place in greased bowl and cover with a tea towel.

Allow to proof in a warm area for 2 hours until dough has doubled in size.

Roll out and place on a pizza pan add your favorite sauce and toppings.

Bake in a 450°F oven for 10-14 minutes or heat on the grill for a smokey taste.

Make approximately 2 pizza doughs balls.

4. Roll Out Sugar Cookie Mix (makes 5 cups of dry mix)

Dry Ingredients in Jar

1 cup granulated sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp salt

¾ tsp baking powder

 Wet Ingredients to Add:

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix contents of jar with wet ingredients.

Stir until combined and no dry ingredients are visible.

Roll out on lightly floured surface and cut out with favorite cutters.

Preheat oven to 350°F

Place cookies on parchment lined pan.

Bake for 10-14 minutes or until edges of cookies are slightly golden.

Make approximately 24 cookies

5. Brownie Mix (makes 6 cups of dry mix)

Dry Ingredients in Jar

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 ½ cups granulated sugar

½ cup powdered sugar

1 ¼ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients to Add:

¼ cup butter, melted

¾ cup neutral oil (canola, vegetable, avocado, or coconut oil)

4 large eggs

2 TBS water

1 TBS vanilla extract

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix contents of jar with wet ingredients.

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Line (2) 8x8 baking dish or (1) 9x13 baking dish.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely.

Make approximately 36 brownies

6. Italian Bread Mix (makes 4 cups of dry mix)

Dry Ingredients in Jar

430 g bread flour (3 ¼ cups)

2 tsp instant yeast

2 tsp kosher salt

2 TBS Italian seasoning (optional but delicious)

{ingredients for Italian seasoning mix}

{2 tablespoons dried basil}

{2 tablespoons dried oregano}

{2 tablespoons dried parsley}

{1 tablespoon dried rosemary}

{1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves}

{1 tablespoon red pepper flakes}

{1 teaspoon garlic powder}

{combine everything in a jar and shake to mix}

Wet Ingredients to Add:

1 ½ cups warm water

Instructions:

In a large bowl, mix contents of jar with wet ingredients.

Mix with dough whisk until a sticky mass forms. Place in a bowl and cover with a tea towel.

Allow to proof in a warm area for 2-3 hours.

Stretch and fold dough every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours.

Shape dough and allow to rise while oven is preheating to 450°F

Bake in a Dutch oven for 30 minutes with lid on and then remove lid and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Make approximately 1 loaf or 2 baguettes

7. Vanilla Extract (makes approximately 8 oz)

3-4 vanilla beans (you can add more if you like)

8 oz of liquor (bourbon or vodka)

Split beans and soak in jar of alcohol. For best flavor, allow to age for 6 months before using.

(*recommended by the interwebs --> 8oz of alcohol per 1oz of beans --> I say do what makes you happy and what you can afford)

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