Well, as a guy, I think if a woman asked if she could cook dinner for me. Its borderline but, I think it all depends on how much heads up and forethought go into it.
And as for asking people out. Sometimes, I've asked people out to dinner, Mini-golf, a movie followed by Dairy Queen and they don't think its a date. I like being friends first ideally but, its easier to go at it cold. If you have an established friendship and you wind up giving this person gifts, telling them how amazing they are and taking them everywhere, You (I) might just fall into the Brother (sister) box.
"Oh you got me flowers! You're just like the brother I never had"
So I have this maneuver that I like to use to get out of the box, which is that I take 2 weeks, disappear, get a haircut and then show up as if I had an epiphany. If that doesn't work then.... its pretty much a slimy Well.