Giving the perfect gift, 4/4

#4: Bake the jam right in! Here's a fresh recipe perfect for giving at the holidays. California seasonal favorites are kiwi (pictured above) and marmalade.

Jam Squares

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup spelt flour
1⁄2 cup sucanat (unrefined sugar)
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup applesauce
1⁄4 cup butter, room temp
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup good jam

Mix together dry ingredients. Add applesauce, butter, and vanilla. Press half into a 9x9 pan lined with parchment paper, Spread jam in a thin layer. Press remaining mixture onto a separate piece of parchment and carefully transfer on top of jam. Bake at 350° for about 25 minutes, until brown. Let cool completely and cut into squares. Store in freezer.

Giving the perfect gift, 3/4

#3: Eight nights of applesauce - Trust me, you haven't had a latke until you've had one topped with homemade applesauce.

As much as I'd love for you to procure some By the Spoonful 100% applesauce, it's so easy to make yourself!

Ask your friendly local apple purveyor to recommend a mix of sweet apples for sauce. (The batch pictured above features seasonal favorites King Davids and Christmas Grannies!) Roughly chop them, peels, cores and all. Simmer with a little water until soft. Pass through a food mill.

Now you're ready to invite your friends over and fry up those latkes! We like the Cook's Illustrated recipe and cast iron.

Giving the perfect gift, 2/4

#2 Monthly Jam Shares

When one jar just isn't enough! Give a selection of flavors to sample each month of the new year. Comes with a handmade gift card to open at the holidays.

Giving the perfect gift, 1/4

Now, it probably comes as no surprise that at this time of year I'm more interested in putting up persimmons, pomegranates, and citrus than hitting the malls. I'm barely exaggerating when I say I haven't bought a present since I started preserving, and no one has complained yet. You too can have a holiday season 100% free of crowds, carols, and commercialism!

How does By the Spoonful make the perfect gift? This week I'll be counting the ways.

#1: Individual jars of jam. Preserves are a classic holiday gift for a reason. Who doesn't love a taste of summer on a cold winter morning?

Stay tuned for 3 more ways.