Need a gift? Low on cash? Frugalista Amrita Singh has a solution! Whip up one of these frugal food gifts; they're easy to make and sure to impress any host/hostess.

Pancake Mix

The perfect gift for a busy mom or newlyweds in the mood for breakfast in bed!

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com


1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tbsp white sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Combine ingredients into a brown paper lunch bag. Print out one of these handy-dandy labels and attach it to the bag.

Cost: $1/bag

Frozen Cookie-Dough Balls

Great for singles, moms and kids or anyone with a sweet tooth!

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com


2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp sea salt

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

3/4 cup salted butter, melted

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 egg plus 1 egg yolk

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

  1. Combine flour, baking soda and sea salt in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Add brown and white sugars to melted butter and mix with a whisk or spatula. Add vanilla, egg and egg yolk to sugar mixture. Mix until smooth.
  3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
  4. Form into balls and freeze overnight. Put frozen dough balls into a takeout soup container. Print out these labels and stick them to container and lid.

Cost: $3/container

Chocolate Syrup Kids (big and small) who love chocolate milk will love this recipe! The syrup can also be used in brownies or as a tasty topping on ice cream.

1 cup sugar (or to taste)
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract

  1. Whisk sugar, cocoa and salt together in a saucepan; add water and whisk to incorporate.
  2. Bring sauce to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Lower heat and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring all the while.
  3. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and let stand for 5 minutes.
  4. Carefully transfer syrup to a nice glass bottle. Print out one of these labels and affix to side. Store syrup in fridge for several months.

Cost: $1/bottle

Sweet & Spicy Giardiniera Mix

Pickle people will relish this gift!

sturdy, in-season vegetables of your choice (e.g. carrot, green beans, cauliflower, hot pepper, red pepper, celery, onion, etc.)
garlic, minced
other
3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1/4 tsp dried oregano

  1. Cut up vegetables into bite-sized chunks and place in a mixing bowl with garlic. (Aim for 4 cups worth of vegetables.)

  2. In a separate bowl, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, chili flakes and oregano.

  3. Pour dressing onto vegetables and mix well. Divide equally into glass Mason jars and label. Store in fridge for up to several months.

Cost: $3/jar

Amrita Singh is a content producer at Steven and Chris and has been known as a frugalista for many years. Her motto? Saving dollars makes lots of cents!