Sweets
Next Entries »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!
Simple Holiday Confetti Popcorn Recipe
Monday, December 24th, 2007While there’s definitely no shortage of pre-made food gifts during the holidays, it can be nice to make something from scratch once in a while. Below, I’ve shared a simple family recipe for confetti popcorn. It’s quick, easy, and you can color it to match the holiday in question.
Ingredients:
3 cups granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup cold water
8-10 cups (at least) of air-popped plain popcorn
1. Combine all ingredients but the popcorn in a pan. Cook until you can make a fine thread with the mixture, or until it reaches the soft crack stage on a candy thermometer. Be careful not to overcook.
2. Take the mixture off the stove, add food coloring as desired, and pour over the popped popcorn. Stir the mixture until it is evenly coated.
3. Spread or shape into balls until leave out until dry. Store in an air tight container.
With some colored plastic wrap or cellophane, you can dress up this incredibly cheap snack and make it look surprisingly nice.
Chocolate Chip Pancake & Waffle Mix
Sunday, December 23rd, 2007After a long day of shopping on Friday, I was pretty much convinced that there is no way to find a reasonable gift for less than $10. You might be able to buy something for that price, I thought, but there’s no way that it would be a gift that you wouldn’t be embarrassed by. Even the average paperback book costs $10-15. I was pretty sure that I was going to spend roughly the amount of a couple caribbean cruises just to buy gifts for the last few people on my list this year.
I’m happy to say, though, that I was wrong. This Chocolate Chip Pancake & Waffle Mix would make a outstanding gift for only $7.50. The packaging is cute, and for their insanely low price, you get 17 ounces of mix that includes Guittard Chocolate Chips. If you’re not familiar with Guittard Chocolate, let me assure you that you should be. Even the international adventurer and NY Times best-selling author Tim Ferriss agrees that they are world-class chocolates (although they’re too expensive to make his <$5 list).
Global Food 101 - Yokan
Sunday, December 16th, 2007I thought it might be fun to add a series of posts about various international foods and snacks, and I’m starting today with Yokan. If you’ve ever hoped to find a snack that is occasionally mistaken for explosive C4 during airline baggage checks, look no further.
Yokan is doesn’t sound terribly appetizing when you hear it described. It’s a thick, jellied dessert made from bean paste, some form of sugar, and a variety of other ingredients, depending on the flavor. You can get Mini Yokan Neri, Mini Yokan Ogura, Yokan (Dainagon Shiro), and Yokan (Dainagon Kuro) at Asian Food Grocer by clicking here.
They’re fairly cheap (you can get one of each for less than $20), so it’s easy to get a few and experiment with which ones you like best. I highly recommend Yokan as a fun treat at a regular get-together or party. Group candy exploration is always more fun than group use of treadmills or group algebra.
Also, if you were wondering how to eat it, Yokan is typically eaten in slices and it’s occasionally served cold.
Top 5 Popcorn Gifts of 2007
Monday, December 10th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsPopcorn is truly a miracle of the earth. Obviously, good popcorn is a little more complicated than planting a seed and harvesting the results, but I think there’s something very cool about the fact that you’re eating something that was once a seed. Anyway, these popcorn gifts are nothing like that. They’re still popcorn, but they’re altered and packaged to the point that they’re almost nothing like the boring, plain popcorn you make in an air popping machine.
1. Dale & Thomas Twelve Pack Sampler - If you don’t read anything else that I write, read this and go get yourself some Dale & Thomas Popcorn. Dale & Thomas is pretty much the Rolls-Royce of popcorn, and they have flavors that range from Peanut Butter & White Chocolate to Toffee Crunch to Country Smokehouse Cheddar (and of course, all the old standbys like caramel).
Their flavors are inspired, their packaging is simple but attractive, and the overall eating experience will ruin you for other popcorns forever. There’s a reason that Oprah swears by it. My tip - The best way to try Dale & Thomas Popcorn is in a sampler. It’s cost-effective and absolutely delicious. This particular sampler will set you back $48.
2. Kettle Corn from iGourmet - It’s sweet and salty and a it might even stir up some nostalgia. Remember, sometimes simple works just as well as something completely over-the-top. At $39.99, it’s pretty reasonable, too.
3. Popcorn Balls - These popcorn balls look an awful lot like snowballs. Their largest package gives you 100 balls for $39.95, but they have smaller packages starting at $14.99. This is a great choice for a party, since there’s plenty of popcorn for everyone.
4. Holiday Sweets & Snacks Tower - If you’re looking for a “popcorn hybrid” gift, a tower may be the answer. Most will fill the bottom layer with popcorn, and possibly other middle layers as well. This one is interesting in that it has blueberry cookies and southern pecan rolls. At $39.95, it’s also very reasonable.
5. Ultimate Snowman Bundle - As usual, Mrs. Field’s gets an A+ for presentation with this Snowman Tower. It includes toffee popcorn, 48 cookies, 24 brownies, an entire cake, and enough other stuff to keep someone busy for weeks after the holiday season is over. This magnificent display will set you back about $170, but for the right recipient (perhaps yourself!), it’s definitely worth it.
And if none of these things do it for you, you can always get your friend or loved one one of the usual, boring gifts that you can’t eat - ties, sweaters, makeup mirrors, perfume - I’m sure they won’t mind that you didn’t care enough to get them something totally awesome and delicious 
Top 5 Best Cookie Baskets for Christmas 2007
Friday, December 7th, 2007As you may have guessed by the general nature of this site, I’m a huge fan of edible gifts. As long as you’re gifting something sweet (and the recipient isn’t diabetic or otherwise restricted), you really can’t go wrong. A box or basket of cookies says that you actually want your recipient to get some use out of the gift. Do generic coffee mugs and ties and candles and platform beds say as much? Somehow, I doubt it.
Anyway, to make the decisions a little simpler this season, I’m offering a list of what I believe to be the very best of cookies baskets that are available for purchase online this holiday season. The only concession I’m making is that I’m not going to list 5 $300 baskets. You’ll see cookie baskets from all price ranges here.
1. Cookie Tower - Simple and sweet, this attractive cookie gift is just $19.95 plus shipping. Even better, you get to pick the cookies. They have chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, double chocolate, snickerdoodle, and peanut butter with chocolate chips.
2. Mrs. Beasley’s Holiday Cookie Tree - This is the cookie gift you get when you really want to impress someone. Mrs. Beasley’s Holiday Cookie Tree has a whopping 190 cookies, which makes it great as a corporate gift to a client or office. I would also like to take a moment to draw your attention to the row of cookies 3rd from the bottom, as they are quite glorious. If I were a Congressperson, I would probably waste the taxpayers’ time trying to gain support for a bill that would make it illegal to sell cookie baskets that do not contain at least 1 heavenly chocolate-dipped cookie.
I’d also like to note that Mrs. Beasley’s alone could have easily filled this list with their amazing cookie gifts. That wouldn’t be fair, though, so this is the only one you’ll see from them on this list. This particular gift will set you back $99.95.
3. Cookie of the Month Club - For the cookie gift that keeps on giving, David’s Cookies is the place to go. Your recipient will get a new and fantastic cookie delivery for each month of his or her membership. While you can order other durations, clicking on the picture will take you to the $69 3-month membership page.
4. Christmas Cookie Chic™Gift Set - This is the cookie gift set for someone who is usually a little too snobby to enjoy something as mundane as cookies. At around $100, it’s a little high for a casual acquaintance, but it would make a spectacular gift for a girlfriend, boyfriend, or business associate. Make sure you have it delivered to an office so everyone can be amazed at its awesomeness.
The package is filled with a variety of Solomon’s Gourmet Cookies (as seen on Racheal Ray and The Today Show), and it also includes bonus cookie/brownie bars.
5. Ring in the Holidays - Don’t think I forgot Mrs. Fields. No list of cookie gifts is complete without her showing up somewhere. In this case, it’s with the Ring in the Holidays Tower. I selected this one specifically because it includes Nibblers (which are small, bite-sized cookies, in case you weren’t aware). This is a great box to send to someone with curious co-workers, as they can just take a small Nibbler and be on their way. Other boxes that include only larger cookies make it a lot harder to get rid of the hungry onlookers without giving away the entire gift. This one also comes with brownie bites and Jelly Belly jelly beans, which in my mind are just bonuses after the cookies.
Honorable Mention - Santa’s Elves Cookie Jar - Another Mrs. Fields gift, this one is not the biggest value on the list, but it does win when it comes to presentation. It’s rare to find such a fine looking cookie gift for under $50 (this one is around $45).
Mini Cheesecake Assortment
Thursday, December 6th, 2007I was supposed to be looking for Dell Memory. Unfortunately for my ailing computer, that’s not nearly as exciting as checking out these delicious-looking Assorted Mini Cheesecakes. I’m not one to go all crazy over babies, but show me a group of teeny tiny cheesecakes and I’m excited. I can’t help myself. If the world were just, I would probably weigh 500 pounds by now.
Regardless, these cheesecakes seem perfect for a holiday party or gathering. You get 12 for $39.95, which really isn’t bad at all if you’ve ever spent any time looking at food gifts online. So long as you don’t have one rude guest who eats everything, you’ll be good to go.
Corporate Logo Cookies
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007I’m a huge fan of edible corporate gifts. If a company sends me a clock or notepad, I will probably give it away or pitch it. I really don’t want to continue staring at your logo forever. On the other hand, if a company sends me something delicious to eat, I will remember them forever. I will put a star by your company’s entry in my database in the event that I ever need something you can provide. Yes, I’m easy.
That said, I’m a little upset that no one has ever sent me some of these delicious corporate logo cookies. Not only do they get your name across, but they come from an actual bakery, so you know they’re going to be better than some of the cookies that come from less specialized places. And, they look good - check them out:
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Monday, September 10th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsThere are few things in life as delicious as Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies. They’re fun to eat, fun to give, and they’re on sale. What more could you want? If you’re looking for the perfect corporate gift for someone with a sweet tooth, or the perfect gift for anyone who just likes cookies, definitely check these out. I have to admit, I’d like some for myself.
Basket of Smiles - COOKIES!
Sunday, August 5th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsAs you have probably noticed, I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Cookies, candy, cupcakes, brownies, cheesecakes…doesn’t matter, it’s all good. Right now, I’m interested in this A Basket of Smiles Gift Basket. I don’t know if it’s as good as it looks, but if it’s even close, those cookies must be delicious.
As cheesy as it may seem, this is a great gift to make someone smile. There is just no way to fight off the impulse to grin when 1 or 2 DOZEN bright yellow, smiling cookies show up at your door. Whether you’re dealing with a breakup, a bad mood, or you just want to get someone’s attention, this basket could be just the thing to do it.
Custom Photo Box Chocolate Truffles
Monday, July 16th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsWhen you’re giving someone the gift of food you didn’t make, it’s hard to be unique. It’s not hard to get good, high quality chocolate, but if you do too much to make it unusual, it can end up losing the original appeal. That’s why personalized photo boxes are so cool.. You can offer an original, thoughtful gift (or you can use your business image/logo) while still sending excellent, delicious chocolates.
Their boxes start out at $17.99, and you can upload the image online so it’s quick and easy.
Tart Sampler - A Delicious Delivery
Saturday, July 14th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsAs delicious as tarts may be, most of us have little experience with them, outside of the nursery ryhme:
The queen of hearts,
She made some tarts,
All on a summers day:
The knave of hearts,
He stole those tarts,
And with them ran away:
The king of harts
Brought back those tarts,
And said he’d ne’er steal more.
If you’re never had tarts, you may not know what kind to get (whether it’s for yourself or a gift). The Delightful Deliveries Tart Sampler makes the decision easy. It includes two slices of each kind, and they’re kosher-certified. At less than $50, they’re a very reasonable gift.
Flavors Included:
Raspberry Almond Tart, Lemon Flower Tart, Chocolate Pecan Tart, Cabernet Pear Tart, Caramel Apple Tart, and Mango Splash Tart.
Next Entries »
