I have a strong theory that pretty much any food can be transformed into something tasty, or tastier, if it’s presented in an intriguing fashion. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of not-so-pretty food presentations are still quite delicious (think anything that was ever made in a casserole dish and then been reheated), but even an ordinary meal can be transformed by a little bit of decoration. For example, take your normal birthday cake. Chances are, the yum factor is already pretty high, but if you add some piped icing then that yum score shoots way up. And if it’s star shaped piped icing? Watch out, because that yum score will be off the charts.
For those of you out there who thought it was impossible to improve on the standard cookie, the ABC Cookie Cutter (Amazon, $8.31) is sure to prove you wrong. I mean, we all know that cookie cutter instantly improve any cookie’s popularity by 110% and usually the shape in question doesn’t even matter. These cookie cutters make it acceptable for you to make gingerbread cookies year-round instead of saving them for Christmas. See, each cookie cutter has a body part missing, either a head, a leg, or an arm. This gives the illusion of a deformed gingerbread man as well as a half-eaten cookie. Make them to bring to a friend’s house and see how many people shy away from eating them because they assume these cookies are ABC: Already Been Chewed. And just think of the endless decorating possibilities!
My one real quibble with these cookie cutters doesn’t really have anything to do with the cookie cutters themselves. If you check out their product page, you’ll notice that the shipment time is listed as 3 to 6 weeks. I mean, that’s just crazy talk! What if I decided to make these ingenious cookies on a whim? Do you really expect me to wait over a month to receive these cookie cutters? Oh, you do? Well, ok then. I guess I will.
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 8″ x 4.8″ x 0.8″
-Weight: 3.2 oz
-Features 3 different gingerbread men
-Easy to clean
-Made of cast aluminum
There’s been a lot of Christmas talk these past few weeks, but it seems like we’ve left someone out. I don’t want you to think that we forgot about the little one in your life! Today, we’re going to focus on what your daughter, niece, cousin, or really any child with an affinity for sweets would like this holiday season. I think the best thing about tasty holiday treats, besides how delicious they are, is their festiveness. Although a holiday cupcake’s high level of festivity tends to drastically decrease its lifespan, it’s still a good thing (maybe not for the cupcake).
The Mini Cupcake Maker (Perpetual Kid, $29.99) is basically an Easy-Bake oven, but so much cooler. For one, you’re not cooking with the heat of a light bulb so it’s a lot faster – think just five minutes for each batch. Also, you don’t have to use those expensive specially packaged ingredients. Instead, you can pick your baking materials at whim, creating cupcakes, muffins, and even brownies in just about any flavor you can think of. My favorite part? The whole thing is covered in a nonstick coating, so cleaning up is amazingly easy. That’s right, easy cleanup is exciting to me. Deal with it.
Ok, so while this would be a great gift for a child (supervised, of course) or tween, I think adults would really enjoy it as well. I say that mostly because I love cupcakes and would be more inclined to make them if it was this easy. Kids, now you know what to get your mother for Christmas.
4 out of 5 easy baking stars.
Specs:
-Makes 7 cupcakes at a time
-Takes only 5 minutes to bake
-Nonstick baking tray
-Also great for muffins and brownies
Remember a few days ago when I said it was important to take some time out during the hectic Christmas season and attend to yourself? Today is another example of that. And don’t worry all you do-gooders out there, it’s not gonna be all about you. Because Christmas is essentially about the spirit of giving, I thought I’d find a product that you could buy for yourself that would also benefit those around you. And I don’t know of any better way to accomplish that than with food. I mean, who would turn down a hand crafted dish? Alright, so it depends on the person making it. But how about cookies? Cookies are virtually impossible to mess up, and if you should end up burning them, just get out a glass of milk and everything is all better.
So what’s even better than a homemade batch of cookies? A homemade batch of cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree, a la the Cookie Tree Kit (Miles Kimball, $3.49). See, you can have your cookies, and eat them too! This set comes with 10 graduated size star cookie cutters, three icing bags, and two decorating tip – basically, everything you need to create a totally boss cookie tree. Although the idea can be somewhat daunting, there’s no need to panic because this tree is mega easy to make. All you have to do is bake cookies the way you normally would, except you use these special star shaped cookie cutters. Once they’re cool, you can give them a nice coating of green icing to give them that tree look. Then you arrange them in this tree pattern and you can decorate the outside just like you would your own Christmas tree. Once fully assembled, you’re left with a cookie tree that is 11 inches tall. I mean, if that’s not spreading the Christmas spirit, then I don’t know what is.
Deck the halls with plates of cookies,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Better make extra for the Wookies,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our waistbands elastic,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Enjoying Christmas treats fantastic,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
5 out of 5 delicious Christmas tree stars.
Specs:
-Forms 11″ tall tree
-Includes 10 graduated size star cutters, 3 icing bags, and 2 decorating tips
-Easy to assemble
-Hand wash
-Made of plastic
You’ve probably gotten your house all decked out for Halloween by now (if you haven’t you better get on it) and I bet your costume just needs a few finishing touches. Ok, so what are you forgetting? Candy for the trick-or-treaters? Nope, you got the yesterday. Booze? Please, like you would forget about that. Give up? Food. Sure, you probably have a few bags of chips and maybe a snack or two on hand, but what’s festive about that. Nothing!
If it’s the Halloween spirit that you’re looking for, then the Nordic Ware Castle Bundt Pan (Sur La Table, $36.00) will deliver. You’ve got to have the treats to match the decor, and there’s nothing quite like a delicious cake that screams Halloween. Sure, you could go with the traditional cookies shaped like black cats and ghosts or maybe even pumpkin shaped cupcakes, but it’s just not the same. That’s been done before. It’s nothing new, and it’s certainly nothing exciting. But when your guests see this BOOtiful cake, they might just drop dead in awe. This cake pan showcases the intricate castle details so well that it’s hard to even tell that it’s a cake. Seriously, I think your guests will be terrified to eat it.
A few words on cake decorating: It doesn’t have to be all glamorous and perfect. I mean, their suggestions for creating bats and pumpkins is to use fondant. And if you’re reading this and don’t know what the hell fondant is, thank you. That’s my point exactly. So go with what you have on hand, what you know. Use pumpkin shaped candy corn instead of trying to create your own. Instead of spending a fortune on sprinkles for the “dirt” why not just smash up some Oreo cookies? And don’t even get me started on the sunflower seeds as cake decor…
3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10.5″ x 10.5″ x 4″
-Heat reflective exteriors
-Uniform baking
-Provides fine details
-Cast aluminum bakeware
I know it’s a little ridiculous, and I can’t believe I’m actually going to admit this, but I am a sucker for creatively designed everyday items. I’m aware that it may seem stupid to buy a cheese grater just because it’s shaped like an alligator or an egg separator that looks like snot running out some dude’s nose, but I can’t help myself. And while these cutesy designs don’t hinder the product’s function, it’s not like they enhance it either. But still, if had a choice between a regular staple remover or one shaped like a lobster claw, there’s really no contest.
Which is why it should come as no surprise that I am absolutely crazy about the M-Cups Measuring Cups (Perpetual Kid, $12.50). I mean, sure there are plenty of measuring cups out there (I bet you could even get a decent set at the dollar store), but I just can’t help myself. I need to have these. The set is designed to look like traditional Russian matryoshkas, which nest together so that it looks like just one doll, or in this case, measuring cup. This set of six is actually three doll shaped measuring cups, meaning each doll is made up of two measuring cups. So basically you get three dolls with six different measuring capacities, ranging from 1/4 cup to 1 full cup. They’re made of heavy duty food safe plastic, so you know they’re going to last awhile. Plus, since they’re nesting, they take up a fraction of the space of a regular set of measuring cups.
I used to think that if I continued to indulge in these fanciful gadgets, I might never be considered “grown up” or “mature.” But I’ve sorta come to terms with that, so now I just collect as many as I can. You’ve got to be a big fan of the kitchen though, because a lot of these things have to deal with cooking. Did you know that there’s a whole line of kitchen utensils out there that are shaped like animals? I did.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5″ tall
-Set of 6
-Measures 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 1 full cup
-Nests like traditional Russian matryoshkas
-Food safe
-Made of plastic
