This might be the prime shopping season, but my favorite gifts to give and to receive are homemade treats. There is so much gratification in making something, and it feels so wonderful when you know someone took the time to whip up a goody from scratch. Not to mention, you don’t have to battle holiday mall crowds or traffic, and there are no order shipping deadlines to meet, when you make one of these wonderful dairy-free gifts from the kitchen.
25 Dairy-Free Gifts from the Kitchen that are a Real Homemade Treat
Get ready to head to the kitchen this weekend, or even on Christmas Eve! These dairy-free homemade food gifts are perfect for neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Many of them are also vegan, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free. And technically this list contains more than 25 dairy-free gifts from the kitchen. I snuck in several bonus recipes in the writing!
Peppermint Patties
These have a wonderfully “fresh” minty flavor and a deliciously thick chocolate robe. The packaged variety doesn’t even compare. Plus, these are vegan, gluten-free, and top allergen-free.
Hot Cocoa Mix
Who doesn’t love hot cocoa? This recipe includes an easy homemade vanilla sugar for two gifts in one! Tie a bag of marshmallows (vegan optional) to this mix for a perfectly complete “just add hot water” treat. Or, if you’re feeling a little extra-crafty, make these Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Sticks for a complement. They make amazing hot chocolate stir sticks! Megan’s Hot Cocoa Mix is similar to my recipe, but with one less ingredient and an “add your favorite milk beverage” instruction. And for sugar-free recipients, try this Keto Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe.
Danish Butter Cookies
Every where I turn during the holiday season, there is a tin of butter cookies. The store bought ones typically contain dairy, but these are vegan!
Maple Cream Fudge
You read that correctly. This is a wonderful maple cream fudge on a dairy-free gifts from the kitchen list. Believe it. The recipe is also vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly!
Chocolate Cherry Nut Bark
Bark is so easy to make, and it always looks so festive. This cherry nut version is even vegan and paleo-friendly.
Candied Nuts
We usually make pecans or almonds, but this recipe works with your favorite nuts, and possibly even seeds! The recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free, but includes a vegan option. You can fancy them up even more with this Gingerbread Candied Pecans Recipe.
Oreo Truffles
A classic recipe made dairy-free, vegan, and even gluten-free! These dairy-free gifts from the kitchen definitely appeal to both adults and kids. These Gingersnap Truffles are a fun spin that’s equally easy and tasty.
Perfect Pumpkin Bread for All
When I was a child, my mother made mini loaves of pumpkin bread every year for neighbors and my dad’s coworkers. So my list wouldn’t be complete without my own dairy-free version. This one happens to be vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free too, for all to enjoy. If you prefer a wheat-based recipe, check out my Popular Pumpkin Bread.
Irish Cream Liqueur
You hopefully saw my post recently on dairy-free cream liqueurs. Well you can take it up a notch with this homemade vegan version of Bailey’s.
Cocoa Rum Balls
This was a special treat that my stepfather loved receiving every year. His daughter-in-law always made them with extra rum, just for him! This recipe is more modestly spiked, dairy-free, and vegan, so every adult can enjoy them. If you prefer a little spice to your seasonal gifts, we also have Vegan Gingersnap Rum Balls!
Snappy Molasses Cookies
These perfect cookies are a perennial favorite. They have just the right flavor and texture to make any gingersnap fan swoon. If you prefer soft and chewy cookies, then make my Big Molasses Cookies Recipe. Both of my recipes have vegan options, but for a straight up vegan (and optionally gluten-free) recipe, try these Coconut Butter Gingersnaps.
Cappuccino Mix
Give them something special for that morning cup of Joe with this easy dairy-free and vegan mix.
Hot Chocolate Bombs
Yes, making your own is still in vogue and we do have a great recipe with flavorful options.
Homemade Simple Syrups
Starbucks fans will love their own homemade syrups in pretty bottles for making specialty dairy-free lattes. We like the ginger and vanilla syrups, but you can also make a pumpkin sauce for pumpkin spice lattes. Be sure to include the recipes!
Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
Coffeehouse fans will swoon over this typically off-limits treat. And I’ve included both recipe options and visuals for making these crunchy cookies vegan and gluten-free.
Caramel Sauce
Imagine their surprise when they spot a jar of dairy-free and vegan caramel sauce! This is best kept refrigerated, but it still travels well as you make your deliveries. Pair it with homemade Vegan Fudge Sauce for the ultimate foodie gift.
Crispy White Chocolates
Homemade dairy-free white chocolate is much easier than you think, and it doesn’t contain all the questionable ingredients that most dairy white chocolates do. Make it into shapes, or layer it with melted dairy-free chocolate to make a delicious Christmas bark!
Christmas Mincemeat
Mincemeat is usually dairy-free, but homemade is SO much better than store-bought. Make this vegan version and tie on a tag with delicious ways to enjoy it – the post includes these tips!
Gingerbread Granola
This recipe is all the rage this holiday season, but everyone has a different version. The one shown here is spiked with all types of nuts, seeds, chocolate, and dried fruit add ins. My Gingerbread Granola Recipe is a touch simpler with coconut and cashews (can be nut-free) and a rich molasses infusion. And this simple Spice Cookie Granola lets all of the sweet spices take center stage, not just ginger.
Peppermint Fudge Bites
Each perfectly portioned piece of fudge is ready for enjoyment. The recipe is easy, and believe me, no one will guess that this homemade gift is vegan, gluten-free, and food allergy-friendly!
Gingerbread Cookie Butter
Take cookie butter to the next level with this easy spread recipe. It can even be vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly, if you wish.
Salted Toffee Caramels
If you don’t like your caramel too sweet, then this vegan, paleo-friendly recipe is just what you are looking for. It has a deeper flavor thanks to the coconut sugar sweetener. And these individually wrapped treats (in parchment paper!) make such a pretty, organic-style gift.
Reindeer Brownies
In my town, the baking aisles have been ravaged. BUT, every store has googly eyes left! I guess people only reach for this funny decor around Halloween, but they make fun reindeer bites, too.
Old-Fashioned Kettle Corn
Those big tins of popcorn might be filled with dairy-based seasonings, but this kettle corn is deliciously dairy free. Make it a trio with Sweet Peanut Butter Popcorn (nut-free optional!) and Cheesy Popcorn.
Holiday Sandwich Cookies
This is one of my favorite “cheat” recipes. Homemade or store-bought dairy-free cookies (I use the latter!) sandwich delicious, easy, homemade fillings. It’s perfect for kids to make, too, and the recipe includes Mint Chocolate Chip, Lemon-Iced Gingerbread, Berry Sugars, and Maple-Doodle varieties.
Classic Vegan Truffles
These grown-up chocolate treats are oh-so rich and flavorful. For another flavor spin, try these Cranberry Crunch Dark Chocolate Truffles or Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Truffles. And for a healthier twist, make these raw Chocolate Almond Date Truffles or these Keto-Friendly Chocolate Avocado Truffles.
Classic Peanut Brittle
This nostalgic holiday treat rarely gets talked about anymore. But when someone pulls out a tin, it’s always devoured. Some store-bought brands are dairy free, but many contain milk or butter. Fortunately, it’s fun and relatively easy to make at home.
Classic Sugar Cookies
These are slightly soft, tender cookies that kids and adults love. You can even have fun dressing them up as Melting Snowman Cookies! If you need a vegan recipe, enjoy this Vegan Roll & Cut Sugar Cookie Recipe. And for a delicious twist (pun intended), try these Prize-Winning Cinnamon Roll Sugar Cookies – they’re vegan and gluten-free!
Reindeer Pops
These dairy-free gifts from the kitchen are so fun to make with kids! And the chocolate-marshmallow-pretzel combination is surprisingly addictive.
Chocolate Peppermint Creme Cookies
Move over Oreo! Those packaged wafers don’t hold a candle to the fresh taste of these homemade vegan spritz cookies with sweet candy cane filling.
Gingerbread Cookie Mix
Don’t waste money on mixes at the store. This homemade mix is pretty, less expensive, and so easy to make! Include the directions for “just dairy free” or vegan, if you wish.
For More Dairy-Free Recipes & Subs, Get Go Dairy Free!
7 Comments
Great list! I particularly love every chocolate recipes as a chocolate addict xD Feeling so sweet with this collection 🙂 Merry Christmas Alisa ❤
– Natalie
I LOVE your roundup Alisa, so many yummy things to try! …and thank you for including my Keto Hot Chocolate Mix ?
Thank you Cassidy! And I can’t wait to try your mix. I haven’t done a lot with sugar-free blends in the past.
Alisa, you put together a delicious collection of homemade Christmas gift ideas. I love that most of these cater to food allergies too! Now I just have to narrow down which ones I’ll make first.
Thank you Nicole! I have to admit, it was almost pure luck that so many of them were allergy-friendly too!
Gifts from the kitchen are always the best! Thank you for including my truffles!
Of course! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful recipe Dianne.