It’s the season of giving and I love sharing homemade food gifts and festive holiday recipes this time of year! Most people will enjoy receiving homemade treats because they’ll appreciate the personal touch, thoughtfulness, and time that it took to prepare. It’s a gift from your heart and the heart of your home—the kitchen. Homemade food gifts can be perfect for new neighbors, coworkers, friends, or as stocking stuffers for family members. If you’re looking for some gift-giving inspiration, here are a few dairy-licious recipes that you can share with family and friends to keep the flavors of the holidays going all year long.
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup
This homemade gingerbread syrup recipe can be doubled or tripled to give as a holiday gift, and it’s perfect for making a creamy, spicy latte with real dairy. Just add your choice of espresso or coffee! The great thing about cow’s milk is that one cup (8 fl. oz.) contains 13 essential nutrients, including vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, and selenium, plus 8 grams of high-quality protein—something you won’t find in milk substitutes. If you’re lactose intolerant, choose lactose-free milk, which contains the same 13 nutrients as regular milk, without the lactose.
You can also skip the espresso or coffee and enjoy this gingerbread syrup with a mug of warm milk for a delicious drink!
Herb Parmesan Crisps
For those who love a good savory snack, these Herb Parmesan Crisps are light and airy and packed with flavor. Dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt are the #1 food source of both calcium and vitamin D for children and adults. In addition, dairy foods also have protein and significant amounts of potassium and phosphorus, which support bone health.
Serve these Herb Parmesan Crisps at your holiday party on a charcuterie board paired with sweet or savory jam or wrap them in a cellophane holiday treat bag to give them to friends and family.
Orange Almond Quick Bread
A loaf of freshly baked bread will surely make someone’s day, which is why this Orange Almond Quick Bread recipe is perfect for gift-giving. Greek yogurt and milk help keep this bread moist, while rolled oats add fiber and texture, and the fresh juice and zest of an orange add incredible flavor. One of the great things about this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time and frozen so you can get a head start on the holiday food gifts!
Karman Meyer is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Culinary Nutritionist with fifteen years of experience in the nutrition and food industry. As the founder of the NourishWell Network, a workplace wellness company, and the blog, The Nutrition Adventure, Karman is passionate about sharing the facts about food and nutrition with others. She strives to help people feel more confident in the kitchen, and focus on the good in food rather than fearing it! Karman has been featured in publications such as US News & World Report Eat, Woman’s World Magazine, Shape Magazine, and FitnessMagazine.com and often appears on local television networks. Her first book, Eat To Sleep: What To Eat & When To Eat It for a Good Night’s Sleep, was released in May of 2019.