If you know someone who has professed an interest in learning how to bake, or how to cook in general—but hasn’t gotten around to it yet—this yummy and handsomely-packaged cake kit from Damask Cakes should be a welcome gift.

Just pick a cake mix and a frosting mix, and you’ll provide a delicious adventure for a lucky novice baker.

There are regular and gluten-free kits for:

 
The line is all-natural and non-GMO.

There are also cake decorations, specialty candles, and baking tools, so you can also add cake pans and other items to the order.
 
 
PICK YOUR CAKE

There are no gift cards as yet, so it’s up to you to select a cake and frosting pairing. We made a lovely Chai Tea Cake with cream cheese frosting.
 
The Cakes

 
Most of these are available in gluten-free options, along with a gluten-free Confetti Cake.
 
The Frostings

 
Head to DamaskCakes.com to place your order.
 
 
HOW DAMASK CAKES BEGAN

Several years ago, Denisse Horan and her two young children set out to bake dad a chocolate cake for Father’s Day. But Denisse wasn’t an experienced cake baker and had no idea what chaos would ensue. Everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong that day.

Son Tristan accidentally whisked in the sugar before the milk-and-butter mixture reached room temperature. Daughter Arianne added too much flour into the mixing bowl. Denisse tried to “fold” a batter mixture that was rapidly beginning to resemble concrete.

Despite it all, dad Chris absolutely loved that cake, but Denisse knew there had to be a better way.

Of course, a better way can be found in any grocery store. Many of us have bought cake mixes and added an egg and oil to the dry ingredients.

But Denisse thought there should be something better than a supermarket mix cake. She partnered with a team of pastry chefs to create high-end pre-measured baking kits.

So give the gift of baking to a cake enthusiast. She or he will create something delicious and also foolproof.

And hopefully, and some point there will be a slice in it for you.
 
 
> The history of cake.
 
 
> The history of cake pans.
 
 
> The different types of cakes: a photo glossary.

[1] Chai Tea Cake with cream cheese frosting (all photos © Damask Cakes).

[2] The packages have all the ingredients you need.

[3] The most popular flavor—no surprise—chocolate.

[4] Peanut Butter Cup Cake includes Justin’s peanut butter and peanut butter cups.

[5] Red velvet cake crumbs are included to garnish the frosting.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

[1] Pillowy, chewy nuggets of strawberry Mochi Gummies (all photos © Issei Mochi Gummies).

[2] Each package is 1.76 ounces (50 grams).

[3] Use mochi gummies to decorate cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream.

[4] Mochi Gummies garnish an ice cream cone.

Mika Shino, creator of Mochi Gummies (pronounced MOE-chee), explains why she made her all-natural, chewy gummy candies, that are vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, gelatin-free, nut-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, and certified kosher by KOF-K.

Her kids love gummy candies: gummy bears, gummy worms, sour gummies.

But Mika was frustrated by the junk ingredients: “Chemical and artificial laden candies made with animal-derived gelatin did not make me feel good as a parent,” she says.

“I thought there had to be a better way for my children to have something they loved—a chewy candy without all the bad stuff.”

So she made her own!

“I started to experiment with the time-honored tradition of [Japanee] mochi cakes at home, baking them longer, adding different ingredients, drawing from my own Japanese heritage, and relying on the chewy texture of rice flour,” she relates.

She then brought in professional food scientists.

“We did hundreds of trials to carefully create our Issei Mochi Gummies with the best and cleanest ingredients so that you can feel good treating yourself and your family with a snack.”

Kids or no kids, these gummies are addictive. As a fan of all the gelatin-based gummies—worms, bears, sharks, anything—we are happy to switch to Mochi Gummies.

They were a huge hit with her kids and their friends, and Issei Mochi Gummies was born.

As an adult and a foodie, we appreciate the softer, craveable chew and the natural flavors: Mango, Strawberry, and Vanilla.

The company name, Issei, refers to the first generation of Japanese immigrants to come to the U.S.

“I hope these little morsels will bring joy to you and to your family,” says Mika.

They do!!

They’re packaged in single-serving sizes, perfectly portioned, great for stocking stuffers, party favors, and snacks on the go.

The packages are elegant, and fit into a pocket.
 
 
GET YOUR MOCHI GUMMIES

Head to the company website or to Amazon.
 
 
> National Snack Day is March 4th.

> National Mochi Day is August 8th.

> National Candy Day is November 4th.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

Here’s a fun gift for a foodie friend: a gnocchi kit. Just boil water and get ready to feast (or choose a more involved recipe).

A box of DeLallo gnocchi is a nice stocking stuffer or a party gift for just $4.50.

> Check out the gnocchi recipes below.

> The history of gnocchi.

> Gnocchi Day in Argentina—the 29th of every month.
 
 
WHAT ARE GNOCCHI?

Potato gnocchi (pronounced N’YAW-kee, singular gnocco) are light and airy with a savory potato flavor.

Made in Italy with 85% potato, these pillowy potato dumplings bring the rich tradition of Northern Italy to your plate.

In that cooler climate potatoes and soft wheat grew abundantly.

Gnocchi is a versatile pasta that cooks up in minutes. It can be dressed simply in butter with fresh pepper and herbs, tossed with basil pesto, or partnered with hearty meat sauces.

They can be turned into Gnocchi Alfredo, or paired with hearty ragùs, a classic tomato sauce, baked with cheese sauce, turned into skillet pasta, and added to soups.

Gnocchi vary in size and shape, depending on the maker. Most are small and bean-shaped with ridges for capturing sauces.

Beyond plain potato gnocchi, gnocchi made with basil, pumpkin, ricotta cheese, and spinach mixed in are just some of the varieties.

They can be purchased fresh and refrigerated, frozen, or shelf-stable, as these from DeLallo.

For those with gluten sensitivities, gluten-free gnocchi are also an option. They substitute rice flour or chickpea flour for the traditional semolina flour.
 
 
HOW ARE GNOCCHI MADE?

Traditionally, potato gnocchi are made with simply potatoes, semolina (wheat flour), egg, water, and salt.

 
 
ARE GNOCCHI PASTA OR DUMPLINGS?

Truth to tell, gnocchi are considered a traditional Italian pasta, because while they use potatoes as the main ingredient, they also contain semolina. And they are cooked like pasta.

But technically, they are a dumpling, because they are primarily potato dough—and potato dough cannot be used to make any traditional pasta shape.

For those who want to debate the issue, here are the differences between them.

First, the similarities:

 
 
The Main Differences Between Gnocchi & Dumplings

Ingredients

 
Cooking Method

 
Texture

 
Geographic Origin

 
Holidays

 
 
MORE GNOCCHI RECIPES

[1] Four-cheese gnocchi with marinara sauce and fresh basil (all photos © DeLallo).

[2] A box of DeLallo gnocchi, a nice stocking stuffer or party gift for just $4.50.

[3] The gnocchi are ready to cook and eat.

[4] Gnocchi mac and cheese.

[5] Breakfast gnocchi, topped with a fried egg.

[6] Pumpkin soup with gnocchi. They can be added to any soup or broth.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.