Gift-Worthy Jams, Spreads, & Sauces

Homemade Caramel Sauce

This holiday gift serves double duty because it can be served as a creamy dip for fruit or as a special sauce for the impressive and delicious holiday dessert, Mile-High Turtle Ice Cream Pie.

Recipe: Homemade Caramel Sauce

Sun-Dried Tomato Jam

Tie a bow on a jar of this versatile spread and include a card with serving suggestions. Friends can enjoy it as a chutney, pizza sauce, or even spooned on a log of goat cheese for a speedy appetizer.

Recipe: Sun-Dried Tomato Jam

Spicy Thyme and Garlic Oil

Pour this herb-infused dipping oil into an elegant bottle, fasten a sprig of thyme around the neck, and present it with a crusty loaf.

Recipe: Spicy Thyme and Garlic Oil

Chunky Tapenade

Serve savory tapenade as an hors d'oeuvre with baguette slices and goat cheese, as a sandwich topping for assorted deli meats, or as a relish for grilled chicken or fish. Store the tapenade in an airtight container for up to one week.

Recipe: Chunky Tapenade

Ultimate Fudge Sauce

This creamy sauce tastes delicious over ice cream, cheesecake, or warm brownies. Try stirring some of the sauce into coffee or use it as a fondue-type dip with fresh fruit and cubed pound cake.

Recipe: Ultimate Fudge Sauce

Cranberry Orange Marmalade

A lazy simmer transforms just four ingredients into a sweet-tart spread. Spoon the marmalade into glass jars to show off its dazzling color and tie with matching ribbon.

Recipe: Cranberry Orange Marmalade

Sweet Onion Relish

This low-calorie onion relish doubles as a topping for grilled meat or chicken or as an appetizer served with crackers or topped on warm brie. Make a few extra batches to keep on-hand so when guests at your party ask for the recipe, you can just present them with their own jar.

Recipe: Sweet Onion Relish

Lemon Verbena Vinegar

Just three ingredients results in a stunning homemade gift that can be made months ahead. Pack it with a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil for a do-it-yourself vinaigrette set.

For other flavored vinegar options, try Lemon Thyme Vinegar and Purple Basil Vinegar.

Recipe: Lemon Verbena Vinegar

Raspberry-Almond Jam

This spoonable jam can double as a fruity topping for waffles or ice cream. Use frozen berries if fresh ones aren't available, then tuck a jar in a gift basket with some homemade scones or recipe cards for a sweet wintertime treat.

Recipe: Raspberry-Almond Jam

Citrus Curd

Package tangy Citrus Curd in pretty jars tied with a ribbon. Offer gift recipients the suggestion to serve the curd over warm bread, fresh fruit, ice cream, or pound cake.

Recipe: Citrus Curd

Ginger-Pear Preserves

Lemon and ginger highlight the flavor of luscious fall pears. Spoon this condiment into glass jars and tie with gold ribbon or raffia to show off its warm, tawny color.

Recipe: Ginger-Pear Preserves

Peachy Barbecue Sauce

Your family and friends will be eating high on the hog when they receive a bottle of this phenomenal sauce. Sweet, tangy, and spicy all at once, it's so good you'll want to keep some for yourself.

Recipe: Peachy Barbecue Sauce

Kumquats in Spiced Syrup with Cloves, Cinnamon, and Star Anise

Resembling tiny baby oranges, kumquats have a sweet, perfumed skin and tart flesh. This recipe turns them into succulent golden orbs – an impressive and elegant holiday gift.

Recipe: Kumquats in Spiced Syrup with Cloves, Cinnamon, and Star Anise

Sweet-Hot Honey Mustard

Take along a jar of this zippy condiment the next time you're invited to a holiday dinner. Delicious with roasted meats, it's a thoughtful hostess gift and keeps for up to a month.

Recipe: Sweet-Hot Honey Mustard

Apple Butter

The perfect project for anyone intimidated by home canning, this aromatic apple butter doesn't require sterilized jars or pectin. Fruit, cider, sugar, and spices are all you need to make a gift that tastes like an orchard at harvest.

Recipe: Apple Butter

More Food Gifts

If you love to share homemade gifts from the heart (and oven), try these gift ideas.

• Holiday Bread Winners
• Gifts from the Oven
• Shop for the Cook on Your List
• Give the Gift of Candy
• Decadent Chocolate Gifts for the Holidays
• Cookbooks for Giving