Spread Holiday Cheer with Homemade Gifts From the Kitchen

HUNT VALLEY, Md., Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Few things provide more joy during the holidays than finding the perfect presents for those on your shopping list. This Christmas season, McCormick is inspiring gift givers with ideas for simple yet impressive treats and crafts that showcase the signature flavors and aromas of the season.

"We've developed something for everyone who makes your 'nice' list, including hosts and unexpected holiday guests," said Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens. "Gingerbread is the quintessential flavor of the season and our inspiration for a new cookie butter recipe. A jar of Gingerbread Cookie Butter is easy to make in multiple batches and will please all the cookie lovers on your list."

Holiday Cookie and Nut Butters - These delicious spreads are tasty toppers for toast, muffins, waffles and more. Portion out into individual jars for perfect gift-sized packages.

• Chocolate Pecan Pie Butter - Move over PB&J. Use this chocolatey, warmly spiced homemade nut butter instead of peanut butter for a sweet twist on the classic.
  • Tip: Make sure you're using high-quality pure vanilla extract. It should have a dark, rich color with bourbon, rum and a hint of floral aroma and taste.
• Gingerbread Cookie Butter - There's a new cookie butter on the scene and it's full of holiday flavor. Puree gingerbread cookies with confectioners' sugar, coconut oil and warm spices like cinnamon to create the ultimate spread.

Delightful DIYs – Feeling crafty? From edible gift tags to fragrance jars, get creative with one-of-a-kind ways to spread seasonal cheer.

• Fruitcake Mug Mix – This is not your Grandma's fruit cake. Dried pineapple and mango give this classic dessert a tasty, tropical twist.
• Gingerbread Cookie Gift Tags - Why label gifts with a slip of paper when you can use cookies instead? Mix food color and vanilla extract to paint designs on tag-shaped gingerbread cookies.
• Cinnamon and Pine Fragrance Jar - Float a lit tea candle on top for a delicate centerpiece or heat the contents in a pan to give your home a cozy aroma.
• Apple Cider Mulling Spice Sachets – Tie up cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves in cheesecloth to make it easy to add warm seasonal flavor to simmering apple cider.
• Cinnamon Ornaments – These ornaments are easy to make with an aroma that lasts long after the holidays are over.

Timeless Treats – Nothing says Christmas like traditional holiday sweets! Classic flavors will delight everyone from little elves to Santa himself.

• Eggnog Pound Cake with Warm Rum Sauce – This pound cake boasts an eggnog flavor and is finished with a rich, buttery rum sauce.
• Spiced Holiday Sugar Cookies – A twist on traditional sugar cookies, this recipe offers a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for holiday-inspired flavor that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
• Cinnamon Vanilla Glazed Walnuts – The holidays should be full of sugar, spice and everything nice. These sweet walnuts get a little heat from red pepper.
• Peppermint Bark – Smooth white chocolate and refreshing peppermint combine in a candy-striped confection that looks and tastes like the holidays.

Celebrate and share in the flavors of the season with more holiday recipes from McCormick. Visit www.McCormick.com and check us out on Pinterest and Facebook.

To download food photography, visit the digital press room at www.McCormick.com/Press-Room.

About McCormick

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor. With $4.2 billion in annual sales, the company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses.  Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick. McCormick Brings Passion to Flavor™. For more information, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com.

SOURCE McCormick & Company, Incorporated

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