xmas presents made at home?

Question

i want to make alot of presents this year, ie., cute cookies, photo collages, and I am interested in making these really cute loaves of bread in old cans, has anyone heard of that and if so, any recipes to suggest? Thanx Mrs.Santa

Answer 1

it sounds like a great idea for people who have everything and you dont know what to get them....may i suggest to add to the enjoyment and usefulness of your home-baked gift, present it in a basket or box to which you've added something extra: a jar of honey or preserves, a favorite cheese, a container of homemade soup or stew, or an attractive kitchen towel. heres some recipes that sound very tastey:

HOMEMADE BREAD IN COFFEE CANS

1 1/2 c. flour
1 pkg. yeast
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. (scant) oil
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 coffee cans with plastic lids

Mix flour and yeast. Combine water, milk and oil in saucepan; heat to lukewarm. Stir into flour mixture. Add sugar and salt. Heat well. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, beat until elastic. Pour into 2 well greased 1 lb. coffee cans. Cover with plastic lids. Let rise until dough touches lid. Remove lids. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until top is brown. Let stand in cans for 15 minutes. Place on wire rack.

or

2 tbsp. active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. light molasses
6 tbsp. butter, softened
3 cups whole wheat flour
3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup chopped raisins
1/4 cup grated carrot
1 egg
Dash of salt
1. Combine the yeast, warm water, and sugar in a large bowl and let sit for 15 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, salt, molasses, and butter. Stir well and add to yeast mixture. Slowly add the whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it on a floured surface, adding more all-purpose flour as necessary to keep the dough from getting too sticky. Knead in the nuts, seeds, apricots, raisins, and grated carrot. Try to distribute the treats evenly through the dough.

2. When the dough feels smooth after about 10 minutes of kneading, form it into a ball and coat with butter. Place the ball into a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. After about an hour and a half, the dough should double in bulk. Punch down the dough, divide it into two loaves, and place in buttered 8-1/4 inch loaf pans. The loaves should be left to rise again for about 45 minutes. Beat together the egg, water, and salt for the egg wash. Brush the loaves with the glaze, then bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. The loaves should sound hollow when you tap the bottom of the pan. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Answer 2

I love making homemade Christmas gifts. It's a lot of work but a lot of fun, and is usually a bit easier on the wallet!

There are several ways to go...Yo can do baked goods (candies, muffins, mini cakes, etc.) on a nice plate and wrap it all in cellophane with some festive ribbon (it's always a crowd pleaser).

Or, If you dedicated enough, I always like to make gift baskets for my friends. You can personalize whats inside the basket according to what they like! Maybe for the coffee buff you could include a nice mug, a bag of starbuck's coffee, some biscotti, and a great travel mug...Or if your friend has a craft they enjoy such as knitting or painting, you could go that route as well. These gifts always reflect the fact that you thought and worked hard at them just for your friend or family member. Give it a go! I guarantee you will have a hit this year!

Answer 3

Here is a recipe I found for Tin Can Bread
http://www.bbonline.com/recipe/crockersprings_tn_recipe1.html

Another thing that I make and give as gifts - and people LOVE it - is you melt a whole brick of almond bark (found in the cake aisle of the grocery store) in the microwave and dip in pretzels; put on waxed paper and before it dries/hardens back up, sprinkle w/ red and green colored sugar sprinkles (I do a few blue ones too for the Jewish friends). I put them in some cute, inexpensive tins and voila! a cheap, easy homemade holiday gift! It sounds a bit weird, but the flavor is great - a little sweet and salty!

Answer 4

I have seen the loves made in coffee cans. I also make candy and cookies to give as gifts. I make the cookies small in diameter and put them in washed out Pringle's cans. Wrap them in seasonal paper and the cookies don't get mushed. Let me know if you find the can recipe

Answer 5

Last year I bought some very cute tins from Walmart and loaded them full of chocolate dipped treats. I lined the tins with wax paper and added a bit of pretty tissue paper underneath to fold over top the chocolates. I also liked the idea of buying xmas themed chinese food take-out boxes and fill those with chocolates. Super cute.

Answer 6

Mrs. Santa , You just use the same recipe for the bread that you have .Take the cans and grease and flour well.Bake your breads and then wrap with clear wrap and bows.Make sure to have the lids for the cans.I sprinkle Christmas candies around mine for color..........Tell Santa that I been very very NAUGHTY ...I'll see him Soon.

Answer 7

How about homemade bath salts, sugar scrubs and bath bomb fizzies! Check online for recipes.