12 holiday gift ideas for the Minnesota foodies in your life

As food writers, the topic is nearly always top of mind. It’s no surprise, then, that when it comes time for holiday shopping, we have no shortage of delicious ideas. Whether we’re at the State Fair, grabbing a doughnut or just happen to see the most Minnesota chocolate bar ever as we’re checking in at a restaurant, we love sharing our discoveries with our favorite people. Here’s what’s on our lists this year.

“No, Yeah No. This is a Hotdish,” 10 by 12 art print, $100; order through Instagram @heart.major

When visiting the Fine Arts Building at the Minnesota State Fair this year, I actually had to wait in line for the chance to examine this delightful print from local digital artist Lucas Tschida. The juxtaposition of the classic surrealist inspiration and dedication to getting that home cook goodness just right brought a huge smile to every face standing in front of the display. Those crusty tots! The layers of brown sauce on the edges! Each individual corn kernel! I needed it for my kitchen immediately. The print isn’t available in stores, but a friend did some digging and found Tschida’s Instagram, where you can request a print and he’ll mail the print for free anywhere in the continental U.S. Tschida said he wanted to make the prints 9-by-13 like the standard hot-dish sized pan, but worried that might be tricky for folks to frame. (Joy Summers)

Pretzel necklace from Delicacies, $90; delicaciesjewelry.com

It’s like designer Nicolle Nelson knows us — or at least our favorite foods. The St. Paul native turns pretzels, pierogies, pasta and more into wearable art, and you’re bound to find one that best suits your craving and style. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and cufflinks are available in sterling silver, yellow gold plated, rose gold and 14-karat gold, with prices that range from $55 to nearly $2,000 for a doughnut ring with diamond sprinkles. Nelson also takes comfort food to new heights by donating a portion of each sale to organizations that fight hunger, including Loaves & Fishes in St. Paul. “We believe food is love,” says the mission statement. So not only will a pretzel necklace delight the recipient, it also translates into 25 meals donated to people in need. Holiday giving at its finest. (Nicole Hvidsten)

Chili mix from Pinch ’n Rub Spice & Tea Hub, $7.99; 212 S. Main St., Stillwater, pinchnrub.com

When searching for that ideal mix for cold weather or game days, or that chili lover in your life, all roads lead back to the house mix at this downtown Stillwater spice shop. Layered with pinches of ancho, cayenne, crushed red peppers, cumin and more, it’s an earthy, smoky and a-little-bit-spicy number. Since this house blend tastes scratch made, it’s tempting to pass the final result off as your own. Up to you. After all, you’re doing some of the leg work by cooking the ground beef, adding tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and canned beans to create this pot of comfort. (Nancy Ngo)

Buttery croissants in the oven. Steam rising from a salted maple latte. Apple cider spices warming on the stove. These wintery brunch aromas are surprisingly easy to summon at home with the strike of a match. Minneapolis-based Jane Candle Co. has an entire lineup of cafe-inspired, hand-poured candles, some created in collaboration with Honey & Rye, the St. Louis Park bakery known for its flaky, butter-rich pastries. Fill your home with the scents of an apple spice steamer, pain au chocolat, cookie butter, salted maple latte, warm croissants, rainbow sprinkle scones or even a bowl of fruity puff cereal. (Sharyn Jackson)

Sted Krumkaka Cardamom Chocolate Bar, $7 each; The Ole Store, 1011 St. Olaf Av., Northfield, or stedfoods.com

In a year where the term “little sweet treat” became part of the national lexicon, these handmade chocolate bars from Fergus Falls are the perfect way to share one with Minnesota flavors. Dreamy dark chocolate is infused with cardamom and little crunchy nubs, echoing the flavors of the traditional Nordic holiday dessert. Use Sted’s store locator to find their organic, fair trade chocolate locally — we spotted these at the Ole Store in Northfield — or order a case of minis through their website. (J.S.)

Mixers from Dapper Barons, from $31; widely available in the Twin Cities or at dapperbarons.com

When we first tumbled to this line of small-batch premium liqueurs, it was the clever packaging that caught our eye. But its mission — to provide high-quality, low-sugar spirits made with Minnesota ingredients — really spoke to us. Started in St. Paul by three friends during the pandemic, the award-winning Dapper Barons has garnered praise from both consumers and the beverage industry. It sets itself apart by naturally sweetening the liqueurs with no added sugars, and the ready-to-drink cocktails are sugar-free. Surprise coffee drinkers with coffee liqueur or ready-to-drink espresso martinis. For the less caffeinated, try the ready-made amaretto sour (my pick) or the Pamplemousse, which I currently have on order for hostess gifts. (N.H.)

As Minnesotans, we heart our Bundt cakes. And because you can never have too many great batter mixes to pour into the decorative, ring-shaped bakeware, why not go straight to the source of the Minnesota company that started it all in 1946? At the Nordic Ware factory store or online, choose among a handful of house brand Bundt cake mixes, including double chocolate, lemon zest and vanilla bean. Depending on the variety, mix in butter, milk or eggs before baking, and you have yourself a good looking cake fit for a party. (N.N.)

City Tins 2026 Twin Cities Edition coasters, $30; available at stores around the Twin Cities and at citytins.com

When family members moved halfway across the country to Minnesota, the first thing we gave them to help with the transition was this: a circular tin of coasters, each one tied to a Twin Cities restaurant, and each with a discount. First launched in 2009 in Milwaukee, City Tins expanded to eight regions, mostly around the Midwest. Each set includes 20 or more local restaurant gift cards in coaster form. The Twin Cities’ 2026 edition is out now and features 23 spots, including St. Paul’s Saji-Ya and the Lexington, St. Louis Park’s Westside Market and Boketto, and Minneapolis’ Union, Jax Cafe and La Madre. Each coaster is good for $10 off a dine-in tab or $5 off takeout, through 2026. (S.J.)

Pinecone jam from Samsonov & Partners, $14; Minsk Market, 3920 Cedar Grove Pkwy., Eagan

I guarantee this is a hostess gift that’s unlikely to be duplicated, and it tastes like Christmas smells. Perfect for the friend who’s into fancy beverages or unique food opportunities, the jars are packed with tiny, young pinecones and covered in a sweet syrup. The pinecones are soft — almost jammy — and the syrup is floral and woodsy. Use as a cheeseboard garnish, to sweeten gin cocktails or just eat straight out of the jar. I first saw these online, thinking they’d be next to impossible to source, but they’re stocked inside Eagan’s Minsk Market in two varieties — pinecones alone or with pine nuts. (J.S.)

Soul Grain granola is what happens when heritage, passion, cleverness and good taste converge. With five flavors — banana pudding, sweet potato casserole, coco mango, Neutral Nellie and spicy paradise — founders Liza Maya and Sylvia Williams, a nutritionist and pastry chef, have put a soul food twist on the breakfast and snack staple. (Its Purple Grain flavor is currently sold out.) Based in St. Paul and made in small batches with natural ingredients, the granola is light, crispy and bursting with flavor, a more healthful — and gluten-free — stocking stuffer. As a bonus, each package has a QR code leading to a music playlist that’s different for each flavor. Your morning yogurt just got cooler. (N.H.)

Panettone, starting at $43, serves 12-16; Cossetta, 211 W. 7th St., St. Paul, cossettas.com

Offering panettone, the Italian sweet bread with brioche vibes served during the holidays, has long been a tradition at this Italian market in St. Paul. It’s safe to say Cossetta is serious about its artisanal bread game, so much so that their execution impressed judges enough to win four national awards, including this year’s Panettone World Cup Americas Division. Now the market is going all in and launched a 15,000-square-foot production facility. As a result, the breads, available in Traditional, Milano and Chocolate, not only make great holiday gifts, but can be purchased year-round with a new nationwide shipping program to boot. (N.N.)

Bogart’s Doughnut Co. Brown Butter Jar, $11; available at Bogart’s two locations, 904 W. 36th St., Mpls., and 5003 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, and online at bogartsdoughnutco.com

Have your brown butter doughnut and eat the glaze, too. The Minneapolis and St. Louis Park shop beloved for its puffy brioche doughnuts with brown butter glaze has found a way to bottle happiness, selling jars of that deeply speckled glaze to take home. Bogart’s suggests smearing it on breakfast toast, dipping potato chips into it (genius) or using it as a cupcake topper. However you put it to work, it’s a stocking stuffer guaranteed to butter someone up. (S.J.)