Sugar and Spice: 4 Recipes for Homemade Holiday Treats

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Simple and classic, macaroons are a great treat to give as a gift or serve at a holiday party. Photo By Povy Kendal Atchison

Love the holidays but not the gluttony of shopping, spending, eating and waste? You can avoid the malls by making mouthwatering consumables from simple, wholesome ingredients. Pack your treasures in half-pint, pint and quart canning jars, redecorated salad dressing bottles, plant-based cellulose bags with twist ties, or gift boxes lined with foil and parchment paper. Make fun and pretty gift and instruction cards and attach them with festive ribbons.

Moroccan Barbecue Spice Mix 

Small gift jars of this spice mix are perfect for seasoning fish, pork, chicken, beef or sautéed leafy greens. You’ll also need this spice mix for the Moroccan Barbecue Sauce recipe.

Moroccan Barbecue Sauce 

This jazzed-up ketchup alternative requires very little hands-on preparation time. It freezes well and tastes delicious with so many things: salmon, halibut, poultry, beef, pork, meatloaf or steamed broccoli.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Date-Nut Truffles with Coconut 

Dates stand in for refined sugar in this delicious chocolate indulgence. These simple treats are dipped in chocolate and topped with your choice of a variety of nuts.

My Favorite Macaroons 

These wheat- and dairy-free treats are quick to assemble. The combination of honey and stevia, a noncaloric herbal sweetener, eliminate the need for refined sugar.