Ideas for Last-Minute Edible Gifts

You want to give homemade gifts, but you just don’t have time…or you suddenly find yourself the recipient of a lovely gift and you have nothing to give in return, and there’s no time to go buy something. There are all kinds of reasons why you need to give an edible gift in record time. But what can be made in such short notice? Here are some ideas for last-minute edible gift ideas.

1. Fast Fudge

Quick and easy, this fudge will melt in your mouth.

In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt:

* 1/4 cup butter

Stir in:

* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Once these are mixed, add:

* 2 cups powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup milk
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (make sure the milk and vanilla are added on top of the powdered sugar – don’t let the liquid hit the butter/cocoa mixture directly)

Stir thoroughly, and add more powdered sugar or milk as necessary to reach a thick consistency. Press into a buttered pan, cool, and cut into squares.

Variation: Instead of butter and cocoa, melt 1/2 cup peanut butter in the saucepan.

2. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Start with crackers and build a fast masterpiece!

You’ll need:

* 2 sleeves round snack crackers (such as Ritz)
* Peanut butter
* 4 squares of chocolate-flavored candy coating (such as Almond Bark)

Make sandwiches by spreading peanut butter on each cracker and topping with another cracker. Melt coating according to package directions; remove from heat. Dip each sandwich into the coating and make sure it’s thoroughly covered. Place on a wax paper-covered cookie sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Then package and give! (Cookies can be kept at room temperature or in refrigerator once they’ve hardened.)

3. Quick Chocolate-Covered Toffee Bits

Here’s another one that starts with crackers.

You’ll need:

* 1 sleeve soda crackers, regular or whole wheat (such as Saltines)
* 3/4 cup butter
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 twelve-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips (milk chocolate chips work, too)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. On a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet, place the crackers in a single layer. They should all be touching. Melt the butter and stir the sugar into it; pour this mixture evenly over the cookies. Spread if necessary with a rubber spatula. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Top evenly with chocolate chips; allow chips to soften and spread with a rubber spatula. Cool. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 1 or 2 hours, then break into pieces.