Not sure what to get your neighbor, trainer, or mother-in-law this year? Need a way to say thank you? Gifting homemade baked treats that are delicious and healthy is the ultimate way to show you care. Here are 19 of our favorite healthy, plant-based recipes that make great edible gifts, plus 5 tips to make presentation a breeze.
Gift-Worthy Vegan Treats You Can Make Today
Vegan Cinnamon Bun Muffins
Imagine receiving a basket of these fragrant, airy muffins! Because they’re quick and easy, you can bake multiple batches in a single day and get all your holiday gift baking done in one go.
Chewy Apple-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
These fan-favorite vegan cookies are a healthy go-to snack that all ages enjoy. Bananas, raisins, and maple syrup add sweetness, peanut butter gives them extra oomph, and cinnamon pumps up the warmth. Get creative! Design your signature version by adding chopped nuts, dried cranberries or apricots, or vegan dark chocolate chips. A fan writes, "These are the best vegan cookies I have ever made. Even my non-vegan friends and family couldn't believe these cookies were vegan."
Cranberry-Orange Biscotti
These crunchy, citrus scented, twice-baked Italian cookies make the perfect gift. They hold up well in travel, are delicious to nibble on and dunk into tea, and they look amazing. “Scrumptious!” writes a fan. “These make the perfect hostess gift.”
Molasses Spice Cookies
Rich, aromatic, and easy to pack, these tasty cookies from Dr. Michael Greger and Robin Robertson’s latest cookbook, The How Not to Age Cookbook, make a lovely edible gift. Warm spices, molasses, and date syrup create a cozy, chewy treat your loved ones can enjoy with tea or coffee.
“Excellent Recipe: Easy and Delicious!! Great for gluten-sensitive folks! It was a hit at our whole-food, plant-based gathering this month.” —Glenda
“Excellent Recipe: Easy and Delicious!! Great for gluten-sensitive folks! It was a hit at our whole-food, plant-based gathering this month.” —Glenda
Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
If you’re searching for a gluten-free, vegan gingerbread recipe that’s fun to make with kids, these cookies are it. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create a plate or basket full of festive shapes. Perfect for gifting to friends and neighbors!
“I made the cookies, and they were awesome. Sweet and crunchy… I’m amazed that these cookies don’t have any sugar or fat.” —Dora
“I made the cookies, and they were awesome. Sweet and crunchy… I’m amazed that these cookies don’t have any sugar or fat.” —Dora
Chocolate-Strawberry Vegan Whoopie Pies
Soft chocolate cookies sandwich a luscious strawberry-cashew cream in these vegan whoopie pies from Katie Simmons. Freeze-dried strawberries give the filling a fruity punch and make an adorable finishing touch.
“These taste delicious!” —Lynn
“These taste delicious!” —Lynn
Gluten-Free Fig Bars
Share the natural sustaining power and hearty flavor of these whole-food, plant-based fig bars. In this stunning three-layered bar, a date-sweetened, almond-oat-cashew base contrasts with a creamy fig paste, while a crumbly walnut topping finishes it off perfectly.
Lunchbox Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who can resist a good chocolate chip cookie! These fan-favorite vegan cookies strike a pleasing balance between chewy and firm, with an irresistible buttery, chocolate flavor. Writes a longtime devotee: “These are our family's go-to cookies for outings and picnics. They are an amazing treat and hold up great!”
Pumpkin Spice Bread
Moist, fragrant, and dotted with walnuts and raisins, this spiced pumpkin loaf is pure comfort, and it’s wonderfully easy to make. Wrap it in baking paper with a bow or tuck it into a pretty kitchen towel for a warm, homemade touch.
“I love this pumpkin bread. It's delicious, easy to make, and a fun treat for the holidays!” —Ann
“I love this pumpkin bread. It's delicious, easy to make, and a fun treat for the holidays!” —Ann
Cherry Coffee Cake with Oat Crumble Topping
This tender coffee cake is layered with juicy cherries and topped with a crunchy oat crumble. Warm vanilla and almond flavors shine through, and the oil-free batter stays moist thanks to applesauce, almond butter, and flaxseed. (You can use fresh or frozen cherries.)
“I added a dusting of powdered sugar to my slice, and it looks and tastes like coffee cake to me!” —JenX
“I added a dusting of powdered sugar to my slice, and it looks and tastes like coffee cake to me!” —JenX
Chocolate Mint Kiss Cookies
These chocolate mint kiss cookies are fudgy, festive, and crowned with a minty aquafaba meringue. They make a charming edible gift for anyone who loves a little chocolate magic.
Mexican Chocolate Brownies
Perfect for special occasions, these lightly spicy vegan brownies are a sumptuous gift for anyone with a sweet tooth—vegan or not. Blended black beans provide a fudgy base, applesauce keeps things moist, cayenne pepper adds heat, and cocoa powder and vegan chocolate chips give rich flavor. Comments one reader, “We love this recipe—so simple and easy, and just delicious. Works every time!”
Key Lime Oat Bites
Key lime zest and juice deliver bright flavor to these toothsome vegan oat balls, while sweet dates, juicy golden raisins, and creamy sunflower seed butter add balancing sweetness and chewy texture. You can dust them with a light powdered sugar coating to make them look fancy, but they're also good just as they are! A reviewer writes, "These little bites turned out delicious!"
Spelt Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts
These perfectly moist and light mini loaves are the perfect edible goodie to gift. Naturally sweetened with banana, dates, and applesauce they have a mild cinnamon flavor, while walnuts add a yummy nuttiness. Note: If you'd like to make them gluten-free, be sure to check out the comments section, as one reviewer had good success with a couple of substitutions, and writes, "Can’t stop eating this!"
Outrageously Healthy Black Bean Brownies
These delectable black bean brownies from Chef AJ are one of the most beloved recipes that we’ve ever published. Sweetened with dates and featuring just a handful of ingredients, they’re healthy enough to eat every day. Make a double (or quadruple!) batch; they freeze well and are great for snacking. Shares one reader, “I am very picky about brownies. These are absolutely amazing!”
Banana-Fig Bread
Nothing says “I appreciate you” like a loaf of freshly baked bread. Moist and sweet, this oil-free, vegan take on the ever-popular banana loaf is stealthily healthy, as most of the sweetness comes from four ripe bananas. A reader shares: “Love this bread. It is my staple. Curbs all biscuit and sugar cravings.”
Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Muffins
These flourless, rolled oat muffins are wonderfully moist and fruity. They take a fraction longer to prepare than your typical “throw-all-the-ingredients-in-a-bowl” muffin recipe—but boy are they worth it. If you don’t have cranberries, raisins also taste great. One reader says it all: “These muffins are so moist and delicious!! They have the perfect balance of orange and cranberry taste and are dense enough to fill you up for on-the-run breakfasts!”
Whole-Wheat Berry Muffins
These light, melt-in-your-mouth blueberry muffins are always popular. Sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce, they’re deliciously sweet without leaving you feeling like you ate the whole candy stored. Notes one reader, “Perfectly sweet and perfectly delicious! And so easy to make!”
Blueberry-Raspberry Aquafaba Muffins
With vivid pops of red and blue color from raspberries and blueberries, these light and moist muffins have excellent plate appeal. The undercover star ingredient in this recipe is the aquafaba (the liquid from cooked chickpeas), which is used instead of egg to help bind the muffins.
Jam Dot Holiday Cookies
The pairing of sticky, fruit-sweetened jam with a crunchy oat-walnut crumb will have the giftee savoring every bite of these compact cookies. For a colorful presentation, use an assortment of different jams. Note: These can easily be gluten-free; just be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
Peanut Butter–Quinoa Flake Cookies
Ready in 30 minutes, these delectable fruit-sweetened cookies are a cinch to make. Almond flour and peanut butter give them a rich nuttiness while quinoa flakes lighten things up and add bulk. Note: These are ideal for making with small children. And don’t forget to let the little ones help with wrapping and card-making; to the right recipient, a touch of kid art can go a long way.
Pumpkin Seed Granola with Millet and Oats
This delicious, crunchy granola is my all-time favorite food gift—just ask my neighbors! The “secret sauce” is a blended date-flaxseed mix that you stir through grains, nuts, and seeds before baking. Ground ginger and cinnamon also add great flavor. Pro tip: During the holiday season, make extra, in case you need a last-minute gift for someone.
Yuca Coffee Cake with Walnuts and Orange Zest
This moist, low-rise cake pairs walnut and orange flavors to delicious effect. Ground flaxseed is used to bind while yuca flour (aka cassava flour) yields a light and airy crumb. This cake is gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats. Note: Yuca flour is a gluten-free flour that closely mimics wheat flour in baking. It’s worth the hassle of tracking it down.
Wholesome Oat Snackles
There is no snacking emergency too great for these mini oat cookies! Fragrant with citrus and sweetened with raisins, applesauce, and maple syrup, vegans and non-vegans alike will adore these. A reader shares, “Some of my all time favorite cookies. … these little yum bombs are easily portable for snacks on the go, whether it’s a nature hike or dashing to the office.”
Apple-Walnut Breakfast Bread
Whether you’re making a single loaf, or starting a production line in your kitchen, it’s a boon to find such a quick, moist, delicious loaf that works every time. You’ll feel like a master baker. Notes a reader: “This is so delicious! … We eat this almost every day.”
Raw Choco Bites With Oats and Carrots
These snow-dusted fruit and oat bites look amazing any time of year. Sweetened with banana, raw carrot, figs, and dates, they’re nature’s candy at its finest. Note: These will keep for about three days if stored in the refrigerator; the cooler temperature also gives them a nice chewiness. Writes a satisfied reader, “Quick, easy and so damn good.”
5 Tips to Wrapping Your Gorgeous Edible Gift:
1. Don’t stress!
Home-baked goodies look amazing and often don’t need much wrapping. A loaf of fresh-baked bread wrapped in a clean tea towel or cookies piled on a plate look enticing all on their own.
2. Boxes, tins, baskets, and jars
From that old jar lurking in the back of your cupboard to colorful boxes, plain boxes, rustic baskets, and used coffee cans, there are untold containers to show off your treats. For inspiration, visit your local craft store or kitchen supply store.
3. Cellophane
Cellophane protects while simultaneously showing off the food. Cellophane comes in clear and colorful options, as sheets or as bags of all sizes. Wrap sturdy goodies such as bread, biscotti, and firm cookies, or use it as a cover. For a more rustic presentation, brown paper and parchment paper also do the trick.
4. Ribbons, ribbons, ribbons
Tie ribbon, string, and/or a bow to instantly add color and glamour to your edible gift. Add a small card (which you can make yourself) or sticker for an extra thoughtful touch.
5. Ingredients List
Recipients who have food sensitivities will greatly appreciate an ingredients tag.
By Lisa Esile, MS ,
I agree with Anjie — PLEASE DON’T USE CELLOPHANE. If you think it is a planet-friendly material, you have been greenwashed.
Here is a quote from the Sierra Club: “Cellophane is a crisp, clear, and flexible material used for everything from food wrapping to envelope and cake box windows. It’s often referred to as a “bioplastic” material, so named because it is often made of the cellulose from wood, cotton, hemp, or another plant source. But that doesn’t mean it is the safest option for you or the planet. In fact, most bioplastics are made with toxic chemicals or petroleum-based ingredients and therefore can’t be recycled or composted, despite some of the clever marketing ploys you see on these products today. ”
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/cellophane-what-is-it-compostable-bioplastic-recyclable
Cellophane is made from plants. The cellulose that makes up plant cell walls.
Please don’t use cellophane! There’s already too much plastic on this planet. Use paper gift bags and raffia.
While these recipes don’t have refined sugar added, they are all sweet from fruit. Why no savory goodies to share for the season. Not everyone appreciates sweet food all the time.
why real light brown sugar?? could we sub in sucanat ??
and another recipe uses oil? Dr. Campbell advises against this??
You can replace the oil & sugar with products of your choice. Adjust the recipes to your way of eating, FOK is supplying a healthier option than the SAD way of eating. Not everyone practices oil free. Best of Holidays to you.
Hi Jeanne, FOK recipes never include added oil. Please send us a link if you ever find one; I will be shocked if you do. But some FOK recipes do use very modest amounts of pure cane sugar (including the light brown variety). You can substitute sucanat if you prefer. —Liz Turner, FOK editor in chief
These recipes come at a great time! We are doing mostly “consumable “gifts this year and there are some great looking treats listed here!
thank you so much for these recipes. I love all of the recipes you post.
I made jam dot holiday cookies and gave as gift to friends who do not follow WFPB eating. They really enjoyed them. I will make again this year. It’s a great way to open the door to WFPB eating. I’ve shown friends and family it’s jut only healthy but is delicious.
5 stars for this recipe.
Looks fantastic…I love baking but everything seems to have sugar in it!! A d then along come these amazing recipes with NO sugar at all!!!Perfect Thank you