Instead of buying cheap, mass-produced gewgaws to give out this season, show your loved ones you care with a little DIY. During Grist’s 12 days of DIY gifts, we’ll share some crafty projects, with instructions that even we can follow. There’s sure to be a whatsit or wowsit for everyone.

Do it yourself: Bourbon Balls / Food

Who doesn’t love food? Answer: no one. No one doesn’t love food. Candy, baked goods, or even a prepared food mix, like brownie or pancake mix all make pretty great gifts and can be pretty easy on the wallet, depending on what’s already sitting in your pantry.

Food!

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For starters, here’s our own Nathanael Johnson’s special recipe for bourbon balls (which may recall another holiday favorite: Schweddy Balls). Please note that these are NOT a snack for children, as the alcohol in the bourbon does not get cooked down!

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

  • 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons of white Karo syrup
  • 2/3 cup bourbon
  • 5 cups crushed Vanilla wafers (or about 120 pre-crushing)
  • 2 cups of chopped walnuts (or other nuts)
  • powdered sugar for coating

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, and remove from heat.

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Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, and remove from heat.

Crush wafers in a food processor — or you can smash them in a bag.

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Crush wafers in a food processor — or you can smash them in a bag.

Stir sugar and corn syrup into the chocolate. Once combined, add the bourbon.

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Stir sugar and corn syrup into the chocolate. Once combined, add the bourbon.

Add wafer crumbs and chopped nuts.

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Add wafer crumbs and chopped nuts.

Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar, then let them sit in a cool, dark place for for 3 to 4 days to ripen.

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Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in sugar, then let them sit in a cool, dark place for three to four days to ripen.

These delicious bonbons last about a month, stored in an airtight container.

These delicious bonbons last about a month when stored in an airtight container.

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