Baskets of Love - Baskets of Gifts...from the heart

There are times in life when you have no more bright ideas…  You don’t know what to gift someone for a birthday or anniversary.  It might be for a special occasion or it might be just a little something you would love to give to say “thank you” or “I appreciate you”.  Sometimes you are simply clueless on what to use as a centerpiece for your table or even having a theme for your next home party…  Well, we’ve got a few awesome solutions, including two delicious recipes that you can add to a gift basket:

Baskets and Recipes!

Let’s start with the idea of giving a basket as a gift to someone special.  There are many obvious reasons, like birthdays, etc., but sometimes you just want to give someone a special hug, saying “I care”.  How about:

  • Giving a flower basket – just picking flowers from your garden or combining a few cut flowers with a beautiful plant.  Ad a bright ribbon and/or maybe a book and you’re all set to go.
  • Pamper baskets are also a keen favorite of mine.  Putting together all those special treats that the person might otherwise not be buying for themselves.  Like luxury soap, a magazine, tickets to the movies, chocolates, a special bottle of wine…
So where are we going with this idea?

We’re going to help you make any basket just the perfect gift.  One straight from the heart and one straight from your very own home kitchen.  Yes, even if you can’t bake or cook at all.  You can do it!

You see, there is a secret:  shhhhh……

Actually, you already know.  The secret is that:  Home-made is best and unique.

Secret to the perfect basket gift

So, by adding something you made at home, you make any gift so much more special, unique and perfect.  OK, so here we go.  Two recipes that you can easily make and add to any gift basket.

1) Easy Rocky Road Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of good quality butter
  • 300g Cadbury Bournville dark chocolate
  • 1 cup tea biscuits (you can use any biscuits you love) – break into bite-size pieces.
  • 1 cup mini marshmallows
  • 1 box Astros (or any colorful chocolate balls – small size)
  • 3 x different chocolate bars (your favorite type – chopped into bite-size pieces.)
  • 1/4 cup crushed pistachios (optional)

Method:

  1. Melt the dark chocolate and butter.  (On very low temperature in the microwave or over a bowl of boiling water.)
  2. Add all the “toppings” and mix well.
  3. Now cover a greased and lined baking tray with the mix.
  4. Let it chill overnight and cut into squares.
Tip:  Sprinkle a few of the “toppings” on top as well, just before you let it chill.  This makes it look even more attractive.
You can use cherries, peanuts, Turkish delight, or anything you like.
Gift Basket Ideas and Recipes

Interesting Fact: The origin of the dessert is debated, but the earliest mention of it dates back to 1853 in Australia, where rocky road was supposedly created as a way to sell confectionery that had spoiled during the long trip from Europe, which were mixed with locally-grown nuts and cheap chocolate to disguise the flavor.  According to this origin story, the name comes from the rocky road that travelers had to take to reach the goldfields.” – Wikipedia

Gift Basket ideas Home Made

Food baskets

When thinking of making your own gift basket, one of my favorites is to make a food basket.  You can fill it with anything, fruit, vegetables, delicatessen items, and/or freshly baked bread.  Well, now not all of us are bakers by profession or choice, so what if you could add something that is almost equally as good, but way easier to make…

PS:  They also make for fabulous centerpieces…

…on your breakfast table.

Recipes for Gift Baskets
Friends Muffins Easy Recipe Travel and Home

2) Friends Muffins - Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups Nutty Wheat Flour
  • 2 cups Bran
  • 2 cups Brown Sugar
  • 3/4 cup Oil
  • 1 cup Raisins
  • 500 ml Cultured Buttermilk 
  • 4 Eggs
  • 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Method:

  1. Mix everything well.  (Starting with the flour and adding the raisins last.)
  2. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared muffin cups.
  3. Bake at 180 C or 350 F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Tip:  You can easily freeze these muffins.