Give a gift and eat it too! 38 quick recipes when you're running out of time

No time, no problem! These edible gifts can be made on the day, and are sure to satisfy a sweet tooth.

These toffees are made for Christmas, but they're delicious at any time of year! Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder

Just add a little cellophane and ribbon, and you're all good to go! 

Biscuits and cookies 

Mastiha shortbread stars

Also known as mastic, mastiha gives this Greek-inspired shortbread a light pine flavour.

Mastiha shortbread stars Source: Helen Tzouganatos

Kakas and babas

One dough, two uses! These Jewish cookies do double duty to make it look like you've slaved away for days.

Kakas and babas Source: Harper Collins / Alan Benson

Love note fortune cookies

Send love, festive wishes good fortune or whatever you want with these customisable edible gifts.

Love note fortune cookies Source: Murdoch Books

Cumin, black pepper and ghee shortbread

Ghee makes this Indian flavoured biscuit super flaky - perfect with a side of strong black tea.

Cumin, black pepper and ghee shortbread

Pfeffernüsse (spice cookies)

Rolled in icing sugar for that extra-frosty look. White Christmas, anyone?

Often associated with Christmas in Germany, these bite-sized mouthfuls of gingerbread deliciousness actually originated in Scandinavia Source: SBS Food

Brittles

Nut and seed brittle (mewa chikki)

This Indian brittle uses fox nuts and edible gum to give you that extra crunch!

Nut and seed brittle (mewa chikki) Source: Tanvi Srivastava

Bacon bourbon brittle

Because bacon. Just 30 minutes is all you need to whip up this sweet-salty treat!

Bacon bourbon brittle Source: Amber Wilson

Saffron almond brittle (sohan-e qom)

This amber Persian almond brittle is studded with sour barberries to cut through the richness. Gift it with a jar of cardamom black tea to complete the experience!

Saffron almond brittle (sohan-e qom) Source: John Laurie

Mocha popcorn with sesame brittle

Your coffee-addict friends will love you for this!

Mocha popcorn with sesame brittle Source: Amanda McLauchlan

Candy

Candied ginger (mut gung)

Pro-tip: you can also just add hot water and lemongrass to serve up ginger tea! A candy that multitasks - you're welcome.

Candied ginger (mut gung) Source: Dieu Tan

Sesame snap candy (ggae gwa ja)

Made with just three ingredients, this Korean candy even keeps for up to 3 months.

Sesame snap candy (ggae gwa ja)

Swedish Christmas toffee (knäck)

Made with caramel and condensed milk, so you know it's good.

These toffees are made for Christmas, but they're delicious at any time of year! Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder

Pistachio, cranberry and honey nougat (nougat de Montpellier)

Give this crunchy French nougat a middle eastern or Indian twist by simply changing up the filling.

Pistachio, cranberry and honey nougat (nougat de Montpellier)

Superfood nut butter cups

For that peanut butter cup addict in your life - put these in orange wrapping for that special touch.

Superfood nut butter cups Source: Sarah Britton

Marbled marshmallows

Once you master these, you'll also be able to make rocky road, s'mores, and sweet potato pie!

Marbled marshmallows Source: Nicholas Watt

Granola

Harmony granola

Made with teff, Inca berries and Brazil nuts, this granola is sure to start their day right.

Harmony granola Source: Benito Martin

Sweet potato granola

Grain-free, sugar-free and dairy-free, this one is for the friends with food sensitivities.

Sweet potato granola Source: Angelique Panagos

Maple, cardamom and almond granola

Eating it is the only thing better than the smell of maple and cardamom wafting through the house as you make it!

Maple and cardamom granola Source: Alan Benson

Crunchy things

Spiced maple nut and seeds

Eat Swedish nuts by the fire and imagine you're enjoying a wintery Christmas.

Spiced maple nuts and seeds Source: Brett Stevens

Salty caramel and Brazil nut popcorn clusters

Get these clusters out in 30 minutes - from stove to mouth!

Salty caramel and Brazil nut popcorn clusters Source: Amanda McLauchlan

Spiced nuts

Tossed in a spice mix of cayenne pepper, five-spice and soy sauce, these roasted nuts will pack a punch that'll blow their socks (and jocks!) off.

Spiced nuts Source: Feast magazine

Sweet-and-salty toffee-d macadamias

Creamy macadamias, crisp toffee shell. What more can you want?

Sweet-and-salty toffeed macadamias

Banoffee popcorn crunch

Because banana+caramel=love.

Banoffee popcorn crunch Source: Amanda McLauchlan

And if you have no time at all...

Multipurpose baking mix

If you want to gift the joy of baking (and you've completely run out of time!) then a bake mix might be the answer! Simply put together this multipurpose baking mix into a jar, and include a little recipe card on the side. If you want to get really fancy, you could also make a hamper by including flavours and toppings like blueberries, lemon and cinnamon.

Blueberry skillet scones Source: Voyageur press / Will Taylor

Pancake mix

You can also make any of your favourite recipes into a quick gift-in-a-jar. Simply place all of the dry ingredients into a jar, and include instructions on the gift tag! Bonus points if you include add-ons like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or even crushed-up candy canes with a chocolate pancake mix.

Banana pancakes

And one more thing...

Caramel sauce

For the foodie that has everything, there is always caramel sauce. And the best part? It only takes 30 minutes to make! Gift this with a box of quality sea salt to complete the present. Salted caramel milkshakes, puddings and waffles, here we come!

Caramel sauce Source: Hardie Grant