Go easy on your giving

These three uncomplicated homemade gifts — ginger chile simple syrup, hazelnut chocolate butter toffee, and Crispix Arare — satisfy spicy, sweet and salty cravings.

Ialways want to make homemade edible gifts for family and friends, neighbors and teachers. But in this busy season, it can feel impossible to find the time. These three easy recipes require minimal active time and deliver maximum pleasure. Also, they keep well and yield big batches so you can share the love with lots of people. ¶ For anyone with a sweet tooth, there’s butter toffee. A topping of bittersweet chocolate with toasty nuts and black sesame seeds balances the sugary goodness. ¶ Give the gift of a savory break from all the holiday candy with Crispix Arare, a homemade Japanese-style snack. A maple-soy blend coats crunchy cereal and helps salty seaweed f lakes and sesame seeds stick to the mix. Ginger-chile simple syrup is ideal for cocktail lovers, but it’s a great after-dinner digest if, too: Simply top some off with bubbly water and sip after a big holiday feast.