Breakfast Lover Gifts from the Kitchen

Gifts from the Kitchen: Treats for the Breakfast Fan

Gifts from the Kitchen

Treats for the Breakfast Fan

By Brenda Hyde

When trying to come up with a special gift for the people in your life it helps to think of their favorite foods. If they are a huge restaurant fan, and you may opt for gift certificates or if they have a sweet tooth and you can make them a basket of baked goods and candy. I know that in my Dad's case he has always been a breakfast person. Good old fashioned hearty food! My husband's Grandma is the same way. For these people in your life you can create your own Breakfast Gift Basket that they will appreciate as a gift from the heart.

Maple Granola

Ingredients:

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup melted butter

2/3 cup raisins

Optional: a handful of sunflower seeds, chopped dates or other dried fruit after baking.

Combine all ingredients, except raisins and optional ingredients, in an ungreased 13x9 inch pan. Mix well. Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in raisins and any optional items. Cool and place in a tightly covered container. Store in a cool, dry place. Serve with milk or as a snack.

Vanilla Sugar

Ingredients:

2 cups granulated sugar

one vanilla bean

Cut open the vanilla bean with a sharp knife and place in a tightly covered glass jar with the sugar. This is wonderful when sprinkled on fresh fruit, the tops of muffins before baking or used in tea or coffee. Include a card that tells what it is, and how to use.

Cappuccino Coffee Mix

Ingredients:

1/2 cup instant coffee granules

1/2 tsp. grated dried orange peel

1 cup nondairy powdered coffee creamer

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Finely grind coffee and orange peel in a blender or food processor. Add remaining ingredients and process until well blended. Place in an airtight container.Give with these instructions: To serve, stir about 2 heaping teaspoons coffee mix into 6 ounces hot water. Makes about 1 2/3 cup mix.

Country Pancake Mix

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoons sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

Sift these ingredients together and place in an airtight container or bag. A sewn bag out of a piece of muslin can be gathered and tied with jute tie, or ribbon for a neat look. Include this recipe:

Best Country Pancakes

Place your pancake mix in a large bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 1 large egg and 2 tablespoons oil. Add to the dry mix and blend until batter is smooth. Add a little water if you like a thinner batter.

Heat your griddle or skillet over medium high heat. Lightly grease. Pour 1/4 cup batter on griddle for each pancake. Cook 3-5 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake. Lower heat if they are browning too quickly. Turn pancake over and cook 1-2 more minutes until bottom is browned. Keep finished pancakes warm, and serve with syrup or jam.

Gift Basket Tips

Breakfast Baskets are fun when you give them a rustic country look. You can use gingham material, or muslin cut with pinking shears and tied with strips of ripped material when using fabric bags you have sewn. Make sure you place each food gift in plastic so it is sealed well before putting in the cloth.

You can add other items with the above gifts to make the basket more elaborate. For the tea lover, add English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea to the basket and a nice mug. Pure maple syrup is also a nice addition or fancy jams. If you are giving to someone on a special diet then perhaps you could include the pancake mix, the granola, and assorted fresh fruit. These type of gift baskets are easy to make and so much more personal and inexpensive than premade ones.

About the author

Brenda Hyde is a wife and Mom of three, a freelance writer and editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.

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