Food Gifts for Any Occasion

Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread

These little loaves freeze (and thaw) wonderfully, so keep them on hand by the bushelful for last-minute gifts. Package the bread in a pint-size wood berry box from thinkgarnish.com (75 cents each) for rustic charm. Add high style for low cost by wrapping the loaves with fabric scraps. (We used a Bed, Bath & Beyond curtain panel, torn and frayed at the edges.) Tie on our downloadable gift tag with embroidery thread for a pretty finish.

• Recipe: Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread
• Download the Zucchini Bread Gift Tag

Blackberry Syrup

It's summer in a bottle! Bonus: In small jars, this signature sweet becomes a memorable party favor.

• Recipe: Blackberry Syrup
• Download the Blackberry Syrup Gift Tag 

BBQ Rub

Prepare batches of this spicy gift and divvy it up by the cupful. It's the perfect base for pork butts, ribs and more. And these small jars make charming gift wrap—they come with a wooden spoon, just right for dipping out spices. Find them at Hobby Lobby ($2.67 each).

• Recipe: Smoky-Sweet BBQ Rub
• Download the BBQ Rub Gift Tag

Wickles Wicked Okra

Pick up a jar of Wickles Wicked Okra (made in Dadeville, Alabama) for the picnic-loving pal. This sweet-and-spicy pickled okra is just right next to a plate of barbecue or on the rim of a Bloody Mary; $5. simsfoods.com

Coffee Cake Pound Cake

Resolve to think beyond a ho-hum box of chocolates for a food gift. Instead, pass on this sweet treat, which marries two Southern specialties, coffee cake and pound cake, to create one buttery, best-of-both-worlds dessert.

• Recipe: Coffee Cake Pound Cake

Cornbread Madeleines

This delicate Southern twist on the traditional French sponge cake is one of our favorite food gifts. Light and airy, and not too sweet, they'd have Proust swooning "Lawdamercy." Package your homemade madeleines with charming materials from Box & Wrap; boxandwrap.com.

• Recipe: Cornbread Madeleines

Vidalia Onion & Peach Relish

You will need a canner, jar lifter, and canning rack. Look for a 9- or 12-piece canning kit, which will include all of these pieces and more.
Get this look by using decorative craft paper and homemade gift tags. They add a touch of charm to canned gifts—slip a serving spoon into the twine for extra thoughtfulness.

• Recipe: Vidalia Onion & Peach Relish

Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Buttery shortbread and sweet toffee and chocolate make a delicious combination in this treat. Package some up in a dazzling container for a great, personable gift.

• Recipe: Pecan-Toffee Shortbread

Ice Cream Scooper

Be sweet and pair this scoop with a pint of your favorite ice cream. The ice-cream parlor staple was invented in 1935 by Sherman Kelly while vacationing in West Palm Beach, Florida. Heat from your hand warms this water-filled handle to soften ice cream as you scoop. from $18.50; zeroll.com

 

 

 

Pecan-Pumpkin Bread

For a charming fall gift that's more inspired than a bottle of wine, wrap a loaf of our moist Pecan-Pumpkin Bread in this hand block-printed organic cotton tea towel by Chattanooga's Patch Design Studio (patchdesignstudio.com; $12). Tie with raffia for a rustic look.

• Recipe: Pecan-Pumpkin Bread

Apple-Pie Infused Bourbon

Turn a plain bottle of hooch into a top-shelf indulgence, infused with sweet autumn flavor. At 7 ounces, these cute corked bottles are the perfect size for gifts ($2.09 each; specialtybottle.com). You can also use mini mason jars or any other food-safe glass container with a lid.

• Recipe: Apple Pie-Infused Bourbon
• Download the Infused Bourbon Labels

Benne Seed Soft Pretzel

For a new twist on a hostess gift, try these buttery knots inspired by the Lowcountry. Pack pretzels in a decorative box or basket that the hostess can reuse, and line it with fabric. Mini country Dijon mustard jars (at worldmarket.com) round out the gift. Secure our custom label to a small wooden spreader ($19 for 4; table-matters.com).

• Recipe: Benne Seed Soft Pretzel
• Download the pretzel gift tag

Sweet Sendoff

Because a good Southerner doesn't let guests leave empty-handed. Recycled cardboard drink containers make perfect car carriers for the ride home—just stash a cellophane-wrapped snack in each slot. We gave our container a coat of white spray paint, glued on scrap fabric, and affixed a custom "Happy Trails!" label to the front.

• Recipe: Pumpkin Biscotti
• Recipe: Chocolate-Pecan Pie Granola
• Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Praline Pretzels
• Recipe: Barbecue Roasted Nuts
• Download the Gift Tags

Shortbread Cookie Sampler

Buttery bites make for well-received packages. We used a 9- × 6-inch box and inserted individual white treat boxes as dividers ($8 for six at kmart.com)

• Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Bars
• Recipe: Bourbon-Pecan Snowflakes
• Recipe: Cinnamon-Orange Squares
• Recipe: Sweet Potato-Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies
• Recipe: Key Lime Stars
• Recipe: Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints

• Download the Custom Legend and Gift Tag

Pound Cake Truffles Sampler

These sweet little gems—our update on the ubiquitous cake ball—fit perfectly in 4-inch square jewelry boxes with mini cupcake liners (both found at crafts stores)

• Recipe: Bourbon-Pecan Pound Cake Truffles
• Recipe: Raspberry Pound Cake Truffles
• Recipe: Chocolate-Espresso Pound Cake Truffles
• Recipe: Candied Ginger Pound Cake Truffles
• Download the Custom Legend and Gift Tag

Cheese Straw Sampler

Wrap these savory bites in a fabric-lined 9- × 4 1/2-inch box. Make dividers out of corrugated paper or lightweight cardboard.

• Recipe: Olive-Blue Moons
• Recipe: Bacon-Smoked Paprika-Cheddar Bars
• Recipe: Pecan-Rosemary-Cheddar Buttons
• Recipe: Pimiento Cheese Squares
• Recipe: Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars

• Download the Custom Legend and Gift Tag

Hoppin' John Soup

Bestow good luck with a New Year’s Day soup of good-for-you peas and collards shot through with smoky flavor.

• Recipe: Hoppin' John Soup   
• Recipe: Cornbread Croutons
• Download the Custom Labels

3 Fresh Spring Vinaigrettes

This season's best-dressed salads start with a trio of versatile vinaigrettes that serve double duty as sauces and marinades.

• Recipe: 3 Fresh Spring Vinaigrettes 
• Download the Custom Labels

Bottomless Vanilla Extract

Easy homemade vanilla extract is the gift that keeps on giving. Choose bourbon or vodka as your base, then let the vanilla bean do the work. The longer it steeps, the better the flavor.

• Download the Custom Labels