Want the perfect teacher’s gift while also saving a little money? Homemade gifts are just the ticket for your children’s teachers this time of year. Give the gift that keeps on giving, without blowing your budget – delicious treats with a trim and terrific twist!

Homemade goodies reserve a special place amongst the array of store bought gifts. One of my favorite gifts to give are quick breads. With so much going on this time of year, everyone is busy but no problem – quick breads are  easy to make and can be made ahead of time and frozen.  A great idea is to make different sizes, wrap with plastic wrap and tie together for gifts.  One recipe = 4 small loaf pans.

And, you will also have to try my Butterscotch Banana Bread from trim&TERRIFIC Freezer Friendly Meals-like a burst of pleasure in every bite!!

I promise, Chocolate Zucchini Bread, is one of my absolute favorite nutritious-and-delicious quick breads–even this ingredient combination.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites cookbook

Just wrap the individual loaves in plastic wrap and store in a zip top freezer bag in the freezer until needed. Instead of one large loaf, I like to prepare the breads in different size loaf pans and give a combination of different loaves. Give one, two, or several types of bread, depending on how well you like the person.

Makes 16 slices

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven 350°F. Coat a 9 × 5 × 3-inch nonstick loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Set aside.
3. In another bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, and oil. Stir in applesauce and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Stir in zucchini, chocolate chips, and walnuts.
4. Transfer batter into prepared pan. Bake 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Don’t overcook. Cool in pan.

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 187, Calories from fat 34%, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 26 mg, Sodium 96 mg, Carbohydrate 28 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugars 14 g, Protein 4 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat

Terrific Tidbit: Zucchini is grated by using a grater or the shredding blade on a food processor.

Easy Cranberry Yam Bread from The New Holly Clegg trim&TERRIFIC Cookbook
Cream cheese gives this incredible, yet easy, bread a rich flavor packed with the natural sweetness of yams and a burst of cranberries. It will top your quick bread list. Toss in some walnuts for added flavor and crunch.

Makes 16 slices

1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 (15-ounce) can sweet potatoes (yams), drained and mashed
2 eggs
11/2 cups biscuit baking mix
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup dried cranberries, or 1 cup chopped fresh cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in sweet potatoes and eggs. Stir in biscuit mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberries until just blended. Transfer to prepared pan.
3. Bake 45 minutes – 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes before serving.

Nutritional information per serving
Calories 189, Protein (g) 4, Carbohydrate (g) 31, Fat (g) 6, Calories from Fat (%) 26, Saturated Fat (g) 3, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 37, Sodium (mg) 231 Diabetic Exchanges: 1.5 starch, 0.5 fruit, 1 fat

Quick Tip
Mini loaves of quick bread make wonderful homemade gifts. Make ahead, wrap in plastic wrap, place in zipper-lock bags, and freeze until ready to give.

Homemade Teacher’s Gifts: Quick Breads-Chocolate Zucchini, Butterscotch Banana Bread, Cranberry Yam

My kids are all coming in for the week of Christmas with my three granddogs (when will they have kids)–between book signings and parties–who has time to cook so I turn to my My trim&TERRIFIC Freezer Friendly Meals Cookbook  that not only includes recipes, but everything you wanted to know about freezing but didn’t know where to look.  Also, check out quick breads as I have those in my freezer for those unexpected gift-Chocolate Zucchini Bread-yum!  To the kitchen to make a chili, lasagna, of course gumbo, and some sweet treats…this way there is no stress in my kitchen

Here’s my freezing tips:  

Food must be at room temperature before freezing.

• Avoid freezing high sodium foods as salt lowers freezing point of water
• Don’t overload your freezer.
• Do not put cold glass or ceramic dish in a hot oven as dish may possibly break.
• Allow room for food to expand as food freezes
• Air and moisture cause freezer burn—use freezer plastic containers and freezer plastic bags for moisture proof and airtight freezing.

Home for the Holidays-Make ahead and freeze