It’s that festive season when you’re looking to appreciate the people around you – neighbors, coworkers, postal workers, hairdressers, and teachers, but you’re on a budget. Don’t worry, we have a perfect solution for you. We’ve designed an affordable, handcrafted, and special gift that’s less than $5 for each of your cherished acquaintances.
Chocolate-Dipped Cinnamon Bears
Gifting a handmade treat is a delightful way to set your present apart from the usual store-bought chocolates during the holidays. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with classic homemade cookies (some I’ve had are simply unforgettable). However, it’s sometimes refreshing to offer a distinctive token to our friends and neighbors.
This gift idea is as simple as it gets, yet retains that handcrafted essence. Start by acquiring some cinnamon bears. Amazon offers sizeable 5lb bags for your convenience.
Next, you’ll require some dipping chocolate. Amazon is a good place to search, but your local grocery stores should have it in stock. While chocolate chips can work, I find dipping chocolate gives a smoother finish. Plus, with chocolate chips, you can experiment with unique flavor combinations that might complement the cinnamon bears.
I suggest only submerging half the cinnamon bear in chocolate. This maintains a robust cinnamon taste, looks more festive, and frankly, it’s just simpler.
For added variety, we introduced chocolate-dipped gummy bears this year. Not everyone is fond of cinnamon, and the additional colors from the gummies enhance the overall look of the gift.
To make, simply melt your chocolate and dip the bears, placing them on waxed paper afterward. Once you’ve dipped all your bears, let them chill in the fridge until the chocolate sets. After that, they can be kept in an airtight container or ziplock bag, ensuring they remain fresh until you’re ready to distribute them.
Lastly, remember that presentation matters. Each festive season, I scout the local dollar store for adorable containers. After buying around 20, giving them a thorough clean, I pack them with our chocolate-dipped bears. These filled containers can be stored in the fridge until you decide to hand them out.
