Banana bread—and 5 other flavors—in a
colorful keepsake box (the design is the
Texas flag). Photo by Katharine Pollak |
THE NIBBLE.

The bakery’s namesake, Saint Lucia, is said to have traveled from house to house delivering sweet breads to usher in the Christmas season. She wore a flowing white robe and a wreath of candles to light her path. You’re more likely to see a UPS employee in brown logowear.

Whoever delivers a tin of this delectable fruit bread, what a delight when they arrive! Choose from:

If it isn’t devoured in a day or two, you can freeze the bread and cut slices as needed. In a mere 15 seconds in the microwave, it emerges warm like fresh-baked.

For $26.99 to $36.99, these gifts will be much appreciated by family, friends and clients. Check out the luscious loaves from St. Lucia.

Our favorite juice company, R.W. Knudsen Family, makes it easy to serve special sparkling juices to guests of all ages. We especially love their sparkling cranberry juice for holiday entertaining.

R.W. Knudsen non-alcoholic “celebratory beverages” are packaged in 750 ml Champagne-style bottles (25.4 fl. oz.), perfect for special occasions. They make the drink even more special when poured from the bottle.

Unlike soda pop, an eight-ounce serving of Sparkling Cranberry contains enough real fruit juice to be the USDA equivalent of one serving of fruit. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice for a delightful accent—as well as a red-and-green theme.

In addition to Sparkling Cranberry, the celebratory juices, available year-round, include Sparkling Blueberry, Sparkling Cherry, Sparkling Crisp Apple Cider, Sparkling Kosher Grape, Sparkling Organic Apple, Sparkling Organic Pear and Sparkling Strawberry.

We found Sparkling Cranberry at a nearby Shop-Rite supermarket for $3.49 a bottle, and scooped up a case to bring to parties over the next few weeks.

You can add gin, tequila or vodka to a glass of sparkling juice. It still counts as a serving of fruit—but don’t try to count the vodka as a serving of whole grain!

Sparkling cranberry juice sparkles at holiday parties. Photo courtesy R.W. Knudsen Family.

Use the store locator at RWKnudsenFamily.com to find a retailer near you.

Find more of our favorite juices in our Juices & Ades Section.

Mangoes are luscious; mangoes are juicy. But if you don’t know how to cut them, mangoes can also be a pain.

The large, flat, oval pit runs almost the entire length of the fruit. If you’ve tried your own freestyle technique, getting around the pit may seem more trouble than it’s worth.

And forget the fancy mango cutter. It was not the solution we hoped it would be. You’ll do better with a knife.

First, watch the video and let an instructor from the famed Culinary Institute Of America show you the best way to cut a mango.

Then, try different mango recipes. The fruit works in anything from a Mango Bellini (mango purée and sparkling wine) to soups, salads, entrées and of course, heavenly mango desserts.

Find more of our favorite fruits and recipes in our Gourmet Fruits Section.

Beyond the delicious flavor combinations, there’s another benefit: the smaller size. You can enjoy a snack-size whoopie pie without the calories of a whole piece of cake.

Peppermint Chocolate Whoopie Pies pair luscious chocolate cake with peppermint buttercream filling, garnished with crumbled candy cane pieces. They’re a special treat only available during holiday season, so stock up now and put the extras in the freezer to enjoy for weeks to come!
 
 
Want something other than chocolate and
peppermint?

Choose from chocolate, red velvet and vanilla cake with chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, mint and peanut butter buttercream fillings.

You can order an entire bucket’s worth, or individual whoopies for party favors, and nicely boxed packages of two or three whoopies for smaller gifts.

We promise that you’ll shout “Whoopie!” after your first bite. (As the story goes, that’s how whoopie pies got their name.)
 

Find more of our favorite gourmet holiday gifts.
  

What does Alton Brown eat for Christmas?

A hearty, peppery soup that’s been a family favorite for generations.

Tangy with red wine vinegar and nicely peppery, the hearty winter soup is packed with kale, kidney beans, kielbasa and potatoes.

Whether or not you serve it on Christmas, this soup can be enjoyed all winter.