Skip to content
Open menu Close menu

Feed your appetite for cooking with Penguin’s expert authors

11 edible gifts to make in advance

by Lottie Huckle

published on 1 November 2024, last updated on 14 November 2025

Want to make your family and friends thoughtful, edible gifts, but could do with less stress in the kitchen over the holiday season? You’ll love these eleven edible Christmas gifts you can make well in advance; less time spent in the kitchen, more time to eat mince pies by the plateful. 

Left it to the last minute? Fear not – our collection of last-minute edible gifts has you covered.

The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen's Almond, Barberry and Orange Brittle with Aleppo Chilli

The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen’s Almond, Barberry and Orange Brittle with Aleppo Chilli

by The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen Team

This moreish orange, barberry, and almond brittle from the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen team is as easy to make as it is to eat.

Malt chocolate fudge

Malt Chocolate Fudge

Studded with Maltesers, this intensely chocolatey fudge from Jane’s Patisserie looks irresistible, whether piled high on a plate or packed into little gift bags.

Quince Paste

Claudia Roden’s Quince Purée

from Med

A cheeseboard essential, Claudia Roden‘s quince purée will make a welcome gift this festive season.

Chocolate and Raspberry Jam

Chocolate and Raspberry Jam

by Kylee Newton

Whether you call it a jam or a spread, this chocolate and raspberry preserve from The Modern Preserver is as addictive as it sounds. The chocoholic in your life will be eternally grateful.

Apple and Sultana Chutney

Apple and Sultana Chutney

by Lizzie Kamenetzky

A winning combination of apple and sultana, this flavoursome chutney makes the perfect addition to any cheeseboard, and will go nicely with leftover turkey too.

Florentines

Florentines

by Lizzie Kamenetzky

With candied peel, glacé cherries, and dried cranberries, these pretty florentines will go down a treat.

Everyday Rub

by Neil Rankin

A thoughtful gift that couldn’t be easier to throw together, this versatile spice mix is delicious rubbed onto any meat or sprinkled onto roasted vegetables.

Fennel and Orange Pickle

Fennel and Orange Pickle

by Kylee Newton

A fresh, bright pickle which adds a lovely zing to your plate and goes especially well with fish.

Chocolate Vodka

Chocolate Vodka

by DK Publishing

Yes, you read that right. This chocolate-infused vodka will be a delightful gift for chocolate and vodka lovers alike.

Cranberry, Port and Orange Sauce

Cranberry, Port and Orange Sauce

by Kylee Newton

Could there be a more festive flavour combination than cranberry, orange and port? This sauce makes a very timely gift, but make sure the lucky recipient opens it in the morning so that you can all enjoy some with your Christmas lunch.

Nyonya Vegetable Pickle

Nyonya Vegetable Pickle

by Norman Musa

Norman Musa’s Nyonya vegetable pickle is one for the chilli-lovers. It’s packed with crunchy vegetables, authentic Malaysian flavours and plenty of heat.

Share

You might also like


View all

Recipe Collections

10 of the best Alison Roman recipes

Known for her unique, irreverent tone, inimitable style of cooking, and effortlessly brilliant recipes, Alison Roman is a firm favourite among home cooks. Her hit cookbooks include the hosting bible Nothing...

Recipe Collections

Make-ahead Christmas recipes you’ll love from The Batch Lady Saves Christmas

Anyone who’s cooked a Christmas dinner before knows that juggling cooking times, peeling and chopping endless piles of veg, and catering for different dietary requirements can make your Christmas less...

Recipe Collections

Mary Berry’s best freezer-friendly recipes

We all know that Mary Berry makes home cooking simple thanks to her brilliant, easy-to-follow cookbooks. Better still, many of her recipes include advice on which dishes can be made...

newsletter

Subscribe to The Happy Foodie email newsletter

Get our latest recipes, features, book news and ebook deals straight to your inbox every week