18 Unique Edible DIY Gifts They'll Actually Use

No pre-made cookies or candy. These gifts have staying power.

1. Easy Preserved Lemons

Gotham Kitchen / Via gotham-kitchen.com

If you’re not familiar with preserved lemons, you need to be ASAP. They’re used primarily in Moroccan and Middle Eastern cooking but can be used in a variety of recipes (basically anything that calls for a salty lemon).

2. Housemade Fruit Vinegars

Hello Creative Family / Via hellocreativefamily.com

Sure, you could go to a fancy olive oil store and get a fruit flavored vinegar OR you could make it yourself. Easily. These would be so great for making homemade vinaigrettes.

3. Flavored Salts

Chew Town / Via chewtown.com

Everyone uses salt. And you can get as crazy or traditional on flavors as you want (like red wine and rosemary!). And think of all the creative ways you can package these.

4. Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend

Sprinkles and Sprouts / Via sprinklesandsprouts.com.au

Cajun seasoning is one of the most versatile mixes out there. It’s great for jambalaya, gumbos, and as a standalone chicken and/or potato seasoning.

5. DIY Mushroom Risotto in a Jar

Enjoy Tribute / Via enjoytribute.com

A great gift for your fellow foodies, this jar is filled with arborio rice, sun dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and a variety of dried mushrooms. Just add broth and parmesan!

6. Homemade Cashew Butter

Fit Mitten Kitchen / Via fitmittenkitchen.com

Anyone who doesn’t love cashew butter is crazy. This stuff is the Cadillac of nut butters. Gift this liquid gold with a homemade jam (see #8) or a hearty bread mix.

7. Roasted Sweet Vanilla Pecan Butter

Strength & Sunshine / Via strengthandsunshine.com

Speaking of nut butter, this sweet pecan version is sugar-free and perfect for your health-conscious loved ones.

8. Raspberry Chia Jam

Garlic + Zest / Via garlicandzest.com

Chia seeds are super trendy right now and make a great replacement for gelatin in puddings and jams with a major health boost.

9. Maple Bacon Bourbon Popcorn

Bless Her Heart Ya'll / Via blessherheartyall.com

Bacon+booze+popcorn=can’t go wrong.

10. Homemade Popcorn Seasoning

Real Food Real Deals / Via realfoodrealdeals.com

If you want a gift with a longer shelf-life, gift these unique popcorn seasoning jars. Flavors include gingerbread, chocolate, and a spicy fiesta flavor. YUM.

11. Double Chocolate Coconut Cookie in a Jar

The Pretty Bee / Via theprettybee.com

Cookie mixes in jars have been circulating around Pinterest for a while, but this version takes it to another level with the chocolate-on-chocolate-on-coconut combo.

12. Chocolate Cherry Oat Scones in a Jar

Simple Seasonal / Via simpleseasonal.com

Forget any dry scone you've ever had. When made correctly, they're extremely buttery, moist, and flavorful. Gift this chocolate cherry version with an artisanal tea and a big cozy mug.

13. Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar, 4 Ways

Gringalicious / Via gringalicious.com

Don’t underestimated the gift in a jar. These four cocoa recipes are amazingly decadent (like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup) and easy to throw together.

14. 5-Minute Gingerbread Butter

Treat Yourself Sweeter / Via treatyourselfsweeter.com

Yes, you head that correctly. Gingerbread butter. For spreading on toast, pancakes, muffins, cupcakes, and pretty much everything.

15. Guinness Glazed Nuts

Zag Left / Via zagleft.com

Have a beer fan in your life? These Guinness glazed peanuts are super simple to make and would make a great gift paired with a 6-pack and pint glasses.

16. IPA Pickles

Draft Magazine / Via draftmag.com

Another great gift idea for beer lovers. These homemade pickles are simmered in your favorite craft IPA and would be perfectly accompanied by the rest of the 6-pack.

17. Strawberry Flavored Vodka

Delicious Everyday / Via deliciouseveryday.com

For the more hard-core drinker in your life, you can DIY your own flavored vodka. Serve in a corked bottle with a custom label and their favorite mixer or drinking game.

18. Homemade Chai Concentrate

Whitbit's Indian Kitchen / Via whitbitskitchen.com

Skip the Starbucks gift card and make this super simple Chai concentrate that you can keep in the fridge for several weeks. Just add milk!