Sweets
« Previous EntriesThe Jelly Belly Gumball Machine: Your $25 Retirement Plan…or Not
Monday, June 2nd, 2008There’s a store in the mall here (and probably every other mall in the country) that sells a delicious assortment of candy and jelly beans. every time I go, I end up spending $30 on Jelly Belly Jelly Beans that will then sit on my coffee table until guests finish them off. The downsides? I’m spending $30 on Jelly Belly Beans on a fairly regular basis, and I have to get run over by kids in skate shoes every time I go to the mall to get them.
Luckily, the nice folks at the Popcorn Factory have come up with a solution to both problems. They sell a coin-operated Jelly Belly Machine that will let me recoup my investment, keep my jelly beans fresh, and avoid the mall all at the same time.
Time: The Jelly Belly Gumball Machine-Enhanced Future
Place: My Living Room
As my free-loading friends come over for the first time since the Jelly Belly Machine, they’re mesmerized. “What a cute machine!” they say. “Wow, now your overpriced jelly beans will be fresh,” they say. Graciously, I thank them.
As a friend tries to turn the knob, the expression on his face changes. “Wait, there’s a coin slot on this thing.”
“Yes,” I nod.
“Do we actually have to PAY for our jelly beans??”
I nod again. As he fishes around in his pockets for spare change, I think to myself, “Thanks, Jelly Belly Machine. I’m going to be rich.”
Gourmet Chocolate & Chocolate Chip-Covered Pretzel Rods
Monday, May 26th, 2008Chocolate-covered pretzels are good, but these Mrs. Prindable’s Gourmet Pretzel Rods look like they would put garden-variety chocolate-covered pretzels to shame. The set includes:
- 3 pretzel rods with caramel and triple chocolate chip
- 3 pretzel rods with caramel and peanut butter/milk chocolate chip
- 3 pretzel rods with caramel and milk chocolate crunch chips
They sound like Pretzel Flips on steroids, and I love Pretzel Flips. I’m tempted to buy a pencil cup and fill it with these pretzel rods instead of pencils. Of course, with my luck they’d melt all over the place and I’d end up spending all my money at furniture stores trying to replace everything I ruined with the chocolate. Maybe I’ll just hold off on that plan for a little while…
Delicious Thank You Pastel Cupcakes, Delivered
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008There are few mail-order food companies that I love more than Mrs. Beasley’s. Every month or so, I’ll place an order with them and find a delicious package at my doorstep. I’ve purchased their cupcakes for several friends and relatives and they’ve all been crazy about them. Between the creamy icing and the soft, fluffy cake, they’re absolutely heavenly.
These Mrs. Beasleys Thank You Cupcakes are available for delivery in sets of 12 or 6 - The six pack is less than $30! Did your boss give you a raise? Send him cupcakes. Did your husband take you out for a romantic evening? Have cupcakes delivered. Did your kid’s baseball coach lead them to victory? Obviously, cupcakes are in order. They’re much tastier than baseball trophies.
Available at:
David’s Cookies Key Lime Tart with Raspberry & Mango Sauce
Sunday, May 4th, 2008Even if you’re not a fan of lime, you’ll probably like these Key Lime Tarts from David’s Cookies. It comes in a butter cookie shell and the filling itself is thick and rich. The tart weighs in at more than 1 pound, which is pretty amazing considering how thin tarts are usually made. Due to the richness, the Key Lime Tart feeds 12.
These Key Lime Tarts sound a lot better than alcohol rehab.
Chocolate Ecstasy Cake - For a Birthday, Anniversary, Mother’s Day, Tuesday…
Friday, April 25th, 2008When it comes to gifts, I have a personal motto: “Always err on the side of delicious.” Given the choice between a fantastic edible gift and something you can’t eat, I’m almost always going to get the gift you can eat. People always stare at delicious food in bakeries and stores, but it’s not often that they treat themselves to a $20+ food that serves no practical purpose (though I’d argue for mood enhancement).
This Chocolate Ecstasy Cake is just one more example of an incredible gift cake that most people would never otherwise taste. It weighs in at **5 POUNDS** of fudge-y, chocolate-y goodness. The entire surface of the cake is covered in fudge frosting, chocolate wafers, some kind of extra icing, and crushed chocolate or cookies (or chocolate cookies) all over the sides. By the time you’re done, you’ll be so full and uncomfortable that you’ll need a sleep wedge to get a peaceful rest.
Let Her Eat Cake - The Best Mother’s Day Cakes
Monday, April 21st, 2008Mother’s Day is one of those holidays that always seems to sneak up on me. This year, though, I’m going to be prepared. By compiling a list of the best cake choices for Mother’s Day, I’m getting a head start on looking for a gift. I don’t know if I’ll buy a Mother’s Day cake or not, but these certainly do look delicious…
Chocolate Saucy Cakes (6 pieces)
If you’re having a Mother’s Day dinner, these cakes are the perfect dessert. Instead of spending hours in the kitchen, you can move them from the freezer to the microwave and have them ready to eat in just a couple of minutes. Diameter: 3.5″ each Weight: 1 lb, 9.5 oz. Serves: 6
Miss Grace Lemon Bundt Cake
Price: $46.9
Each of these delicious lemon bundt cakes is handmade using fresh-squeezed California lemons, fresh-grated zest and fresh eggs, and Mrs. Beasley’s secret lemon glaze to give it the moist and delicious taste that has made it a true sensation. Each lemon cake comes in the classic Miss Grace decorator tin. This is the perfect cake for a light afternoon meal on Mother’s Day.
White Chocolate Lace Cake
If this cake is 1/10 as delicious as it looks, this gift will cause your mother to secretly declare you her favorite this Mother’s Day. It starts with a white cake layered with raspberry preserves, covered with white chocolate butter cream, and then layered with more white chocolate butter cream. The cake is then topped with raspberry glaze and the white spiral design you see above. Diameter: 10″ Weight: 64 oz. Serves: 16
12 Pc. Assorted Brownie & Crumb Cake Sampler
I’ve never been disappointed by a gift from David’s, and this 12pc Brownie Crumb Cake Sampler is not likely to be an exception! The reusable David’s gift tin will come filled with: (8) amazing 4 oz. brownies in Chocolate Chip, Pecan Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Blondie, Cheesecake, Rocky Road and Macaroon. (4) 6 oz. crumb cake slices in flavors like Original Butter, Triple Chocolate, and Raspberry.
Any other favorites I’m forgetting? After these Mother’s Day gifts, your mom may be ready for an Orovo detox - or just a run around the block.
Nostalgia in a Basket - The 50s Candy Gift Basket
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008Although Father’s Day isn’t coming up for about two months, it’s never too soon to start gathering ideas. Oh sure, I could buy something useful like a cell phone repeater or a new weed whacker, but where’s the fun in that? I think my own father would get a lot more enjoyment out of something like this 50s Candy Gift Basket.
The 50s Candy Gift Basket includes over 30 full-size pieces of candy - roughly 5 pounds of wonderful processed sugar. You get Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles, Sen-Sen Breath Refreshment, Chuckles, Charms Ass’t Squares, Vanilla French Chew Taffy, Haviland Wintergreen Patty, Candy Buttons, Necco Wafers Chocolate, Cherry Mash, Necco Wafers Ass’t, Mary Janes, Zagnut Bar, Violet Scented Gum, Charms Pop Sweet, Walnettos, Bubble Gum Cigars, Smoothie Peanut Butter Cup,Teaberry Gum, Candy Stix Cigarettes, Oh! Henry Bar, Gold Mine Nugget Gum, Wax Lips, Skybar, Chocolate Moon Pie, Black Licorice Pipe, Abba-Zaba, Slo-Poke Jr. Sucker, Cup-o-Gold, Chocolate Cigarettes, Slap Stix, Sno-Caps, Chick-o-stick, Butter Rum Lifesavers, Clark Bar, Goetze’s Cow Tail, Vanilla Bun Bar, and Bubble Gum Cigarettes.
Funny story about the Goetze’s Cow Tails, though - As a child, I can remember my grandmother taking me out to the local Rural King (that’s a farm supply / clothing / toy store, for those of you who didn’t grow up in the middle of nowhere) and buying me a Cow Tail. I was pretty young, so I still believed…pretty much everything…and I spent hours squishing it around and feeling bad for the cow that lost its tail. As small as it was, I figured it had to have come from a baby cow…
So I guess the moral of the story is that even if you didn’t grow up in the 50s, this gift basket may stir up some funny memories from the past. If your dad (or mom, or friend, or whomever) did actually grow up in the 50s, I can pretty much guarantee that this gift will be a hit. Just make sure you have time to stick around and listen to stories about riding bikes down to the general store and how all the candy cost a nickel.
The Famous Mrs. Beasley’s Make Your Own Cupcake Set
Friday, April 4th, 2008Mrs. Beasley’s cupcakes are well-known as a favorite of the stars (though I’m not sure if anyone in Hollywood actually digests them…), but their mail-order business ensures that her delicious baked goods can be delivered to anywhere from Los Angeles to remote Branson lots and anywhere in between.
As I was browsing their site, I had initially planned to order some cupcakes to arrive for a relative’s birthday. Then I realized that they have this totally awesome Mrs. Beasley’s Decorate Your Own Cupcake Kit.
The cupcake kit comes with 18 100 calorie popper cupcakes, 4 colossal cupcakes, 2 tubs of frosting, pastry bags, and *9* different toppings. And it’s only $40. Not bad at all.
Mother’s Day Gourmet Cookies & Gift House
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008Although Mother’s Day is still a bit over a month away, it’s never too soon to start looking for a tasty gift for the occasion. The Mother’s Day Ceramic Cookie Gift House set below includes 6 gourmet cookies in a decorative ceramic house that can be used later for storage. It could hold napkins, mail, paintbrushes, or kitchen utensils, among other things. It’s available for directbuy at The Cookie Garden.
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake by Junior’s New York
Thursday, March 20th, 2008If you’re a fan of cheesecake, you know that there’s more to good cheesecake than just The Cheesecake Factory. Junior’s New York makes some amazing cheesecakes that you can even get delivered. Their Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake is a great blend of regular cheesecake and a gooey raspberry puree.
At 3 pounds for a single cheesecake, you’ll have plenty for 10-12 people. They also have regular cheesecake, sugar-free cheesecake, chocolate mousse, chocolate swirl, fruity cheesecake, and a sampler that includes several flavors. The only way they could make it better is to enhance the health factor with something like vitamins or Astragalus.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Variety Gift Set
Sunday, March 9th, 2008If you’re looking for a good corporate gift alternative to things like engraved paperweights and Bose headphones, consider something like this Ghirardelli Chocolate Delight. Ghirardelli is widely loved, plus this particular package offers a wide variety of flavors. At $40, it’s a very affordable way to make a good impression.
I Love Easter Chocolate Gift Basket
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008While I’ve never met a person who actually sends Easter gifts, I might have to start doing it myself. I love holidays and I love sending gifts to the people I know, so why not do it for Easter? This I Love Easter gift basket would be the perfect gift, too. It comes with Ghiradelli Raspberry chocolate squares, white chocolate-covered pretzels, Vanilla Pecan cookies, Raspberry Drops, and a Chocolate Tulip.
It’s enough to make you dream of weight loss pills.
Omaha Steaks…Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough?
Monday, February 18th, 2008When you hear “Omaha Steaks”, most people understandably turn their thoughts to steak. Luckily, though, they have an entire array of delicious products beyond the steaks they’re famous for. For $24.99, you can get 30 ready-to-bake Dark Chocolate Cookie Dough portions.
Even better, it looks like the package is on sale right now for a mere $9.99. This post is made possible by an informative website on cerebral palsy symptoms.
The Best Valentine’s Day Chocolates
Monday, January 28th, 2008The clock is ticking, but there’s definitely still enough time to order a great Valentine’s Day gift online. I know some people go for roses and jewelry, but the way to my heart has always been chocolate. Any one of the gifts below would totally make my day come February.
Lake Champlain Grand Valentine Chocolate Heart - This one’s not so large as to fatten up your loved one, yet not so small that you’ll look cheap. The colors are great, and the variety of chocolate flavors inside is unsurpassed in a box of this size and price. Even better, the ingredients are all-natural and the chocolate is made in the United States.
The Cheryl & Co. Valentine’s Day Tower - This one has pretzels, several types of cookies, popcorn, and brownies. This is the perfect gift to eat in bed the morning after Valentine’s Day.
Chocolate Body Paint - If you can’t figure out what to do with this, you’re hopeless.
Chocolate Fondue Trio - Grab some fresh strawberries and melon and poundcake, heat up these fondues, and you’re good to go. The set comes with chocolate fudge fondue, white chocolate fondue, and caramel fondue.
Just be careful, folks. These are some pretty great gifts, and if you don’t watch out, you and the recipient will be shopping for maternity dresses in a few months time.
Valentine’s Day Gifts from…Wal-mart?
Sunday, January 27th, 2008It would be great if everyone could buy Valentine’s Day gifts like diamonds and cars and Folly Beach real estate, but most people have some kind of budget in mind. While doing a little shopping today, I noticed that even Wal-Mart has some nice, affordable Valentine’s Day gift items. Take a look:
Mini Cheesecake Dippers
An assortment of 12 chocolate chip, raspberry, and cappuccino cheesecake dippers.
Mrs. Fields Delectable Chocolate Chip Cake
A delicious Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cake in a reusable tin.
One Dozen Italian Ice Cream Truffles
12 ice cream truffles with fruit, nuts, and chocolate.
Valentine’s Day Chocolate & Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Thursday, January 24th, 2008Maybe you’re broke this Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’re just an insufferable cheapskate. Maybe you just prefer the sincerity of a hand-made gift. Either way, you’ll do well with this recipe.
Note: This is not the gift to prepare for your date if she’s on a diet or happens to wear medical jewelry that indicates that she’s diabetic.
Buckeyes
2 pounds creamy peanut butter
1 pound real butter
3 pounds powdered sugar
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips of any brand
1/4 stick paraffin
Mix the peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar. Once combined, roll into balls and put a toothpick in each one.
Melt together the chocolate chips and paraffin. This can be done in the microwave while stirring frequently, or in a double boiler.
Dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate mixture. Chill for one full day. Remove the toothpicks.
Cookie Play Dough
Sunday, January 20th, 2008Seeing this Cookie Play Dough reminds me of a cousin that I spent a lot of time raising as a child. Her mother was a young single mom, so she spent most of her time at work, school, or out dating and trying to meet a quality man (for the record, she finally did). Anyway, that left many thousands of hours (and diapers) for me. Many of those hours were spent making sure that she didn’t eat things like paste and play dough, so these cookies would have been beyond perfect for her back in those days.
Today, she’s more into boys than eating play dough, but I suspect she’d still enjoy making cookies out of this play dough-like dough. I thought about sending her some, but with my luck, she’d do something awful like create anatomically correct cookie men and the moment would be ruined. I’m not ready to see my teenage cousin doing things like that, so I’ll probably wait for her 21st birthday instead. I’m still a little scarred by the time the picked up a piece of my boyfriend’s stray Cat 5 cable and cracked it like a whip. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t that dirty at 16.
Valentine’s Day Fruit Basket
Monday, January 14th, 2008 Food and Candy GiftsIf your loved one is teetering somewhere between the “few extra pounds” and “morbidly obese” range, you may want to consider a healthy Valentine’s Day gift. As much as I hate to say it, there are some people who simply do not need a super fudge brownie 50-pack sampler. Instead, try something like this Sparkling Toast and Fruit Valentine Crate from Got Fruit. And of course, it’s a great gift for people who just happen to love fruit, too.
In addition to 2 red pears and 2 Fuji apples, the gift basket has a small tin of chocolate, 3 oz of chocolate covered cherries (a satisfying, but modest portion), a small chocolate bar with a love poem attached, and a bottle of sparkling cider. So no, it’s really not that healthy, but if your significant other has forgotten what it’s like to eat fruit (as opposed to say, Cheetos and pork rinds), it’s still helpful to get things moving in the right direction.
I’d say it’s worth the $64.95 for the love poem alone. If your loved one has a sense of humor, the two of you will probably be laughing at that all night.
The Brownie Sampler
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 Food and Candy GiftsI can’t say that I’ve ever had (or even heard of) apricot almond crumb brownies, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to. Cheryl & Co’s Signature Brownie Bow Box includes that flavor and then some: fudge, blondie, raspberry crumb, chocolate chocolate fudge, oatmeal scotchie, toffee crunch, caramel fudge, zebra, and cashew chocolate chip, to be precise.
In my mind, this is one of those cases where it is not only acceptable to buy pre-made, but advisable. Can you imagine how long it would take to make all of those brownie flavors? It would be a nightmare.
Sodas That Come in Glass Bottles
Thursday, December 27th, 2007I’m a huge fan of soda in glass bottles. It doesn’t matter what kind it is; it nearly always tastes better in a cool glass bottle than from a plastic bottle or aluminum can. Unfortunately, glass bottles aren’t particularly economical these days. They’re heavy, breakable, slightly dangerous, and generally difficult to deal with. All the same, there are a few companies out there that continue to do things the old way.
1. Jones Soda - I’m still a little miffed at the fact that they discontinued Pineapple Upside-Down Soda, but I have forgiven them. The fact that they sell online is a bonus, since my local grocery store doesn’t carry more than 1-2 flavors at any given time.
2. Boylan Bottling - Boylan makes a variety of “healthy” and natural sodas. I love their blueberry soda, even though it’s a little on the expensive side.
3. The Switch - The Switch is nothing more than carbonated juice, but it’s clearly one of the best ideas ever. It’s going a long way towards helping me break the nasty 4-6 soda a day habit I’ve been nursing the last few years.
4. Cheerwine - I haven’t yet had the opportunity to sample Cheerwine, but I will soon. I love the retro look and feel of the bottles, though.
5. Cool Mountain Sodas - If you’ve ever been tempted to drink antifreeze, you’ll want to pick up a case of their Razzberry Soda. If it weren’t for the internet, I would have absolutely no idea where to get this soda.
After this much soda, I’m going to need a hoodia patch to keep the weight away!
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