TIP OF THE DAY: Embossed Cake Pan & Cake Mix

Buy one for yourself, buy one as a gift, but turn holiday cake-baking into a no-fuss event with an embossed cake pan. A plain bundt or loaf cake is instantly decorated by the design embossed in the pan. Aside from an optional dusting of confectioners’ sugar, there’s no more work for you to do—a welcome…
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PRODUCT: Moonstruck Chocolate Gifts

Hand-decorated Bark Bars are works of art. Photo by Elvira Kalviste | THE NIBBLE.   Moonstruck Chocolates has been pleasing Oregonians since 1995; and thanks to the rise of e-commerce, all of us can get their handcrafted chocolates. Whether for stocking stuffers or a principal gift, Moonstruck has distinctly different offerings, from the beautiful chocolate…
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RECIPE: Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer

Deck the appetizer plate with cream cheese and pepper jelly. Photo: Pinterest.   The block of cream cheese topped with pepper jelly takes on a special shape for the holidays. We originally thought that this photo was from Bertha at Indulgy.com, but so many people have posted it on Pinterest and elsewhere that the original…
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STOCKING STUFFER: Sara Snacker Cookies

If you’re Sara Snacker (legally, Sara Leand), your entrepreneurial journey began in college, where you built and ran a snack company out of your college dorm room, selling cookies and treats across the campus as well as to local merchants. Sara now has an an entire cookie company, focusing on the nostalgic flavors of childhood.…
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RECIPE: Smoked Salmon Gougères

Gougères are the perfect hors d’ouevre to serve with white wine and sparkling wine. Photo and recipe courtesy Chef Aida Mollenkamp.   Gougères (goo-ZHAIR) are airy French cheese puffs, savory choux pastry that is mixed with grated cheese and baked into savory bites. In France, the cheese is most often a hearty Swiss mountain cheese:…
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