A holiday gift guide for food lovers. This gift guide features the five small food businesses that I love.
People often ask me if I miss running my bakery. It’s a difficult question to answer, because in my current life, I know there is no way that I could do it the way I would want to so I try not to think about it like that. I loved my business but I also love being a mom and wasn’t able to find a way to do both and give 100%. That said, I do miss being a part of such an inspiring community of food-related entrepreneurs. That world is challenging but also amazingly rewarding. I’ve started featuring some small food businesses that I love on the blog and will continue to do so. This holiday gift guide represents some of my current favorites. Check them out, visit their stores (if they have) and order their products. Support the hardworking artisinal community of people that put so much care and love into their products! Bonus: some of the companies have included special promo codes for you AND there is a giveaway (scroll down)!
Who: Cookie DO NYC (NYC and online) ***giveaway below!
What: Edible cookie dough delivered straight to your door. They also have pick-up available in Manhattan. Seasonal flavors include Peppermint Bark and Hot Cocoa (photo below) and I especially love Nuts for Nuts. My friends who shared some of my samples ordered their own immediately. See my interview with the owner here.
How Much? A variety 6-pack sells for $56 plus shipping.
Special promo code: Use code HOLIDAY10 for 10% off your purchase through the end of the year!
Who: Milk Sugar Love (Jersey City)
What: Amazing ice cream made with local organic ingredients. Owner, Emma (who I adore), puts great care into her recipes. From Cinnamon Donut, to Dairy-Free Cookie Butter to Coffee (made with Stumptown’s finest!), the flavors are exceptional. Milk Sugar Love offers holiday gift boxes (think sea salt caramels and peppermint brownies), holiday ice cream cakes and seasonally flavored ice cream pints. Consider the Holiday Chilltown Ice Cream Cake (double chocolate cookies, coquito ice cream and sprinkles) for your next holiday party. Local delivery is available.
How Much? The 6’’ Chilltown Cake is $40
Special promo code: Mention Keep It Sweet Desserts at your next visit for 20% off any single holiday menu item! One discount per person.
Who: Baked (Brooklyn, NYC and online)
What: Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito are extremely talented, as evidenced by the success of their stores, cookbooks AND specialty products sold at Williams Sonoma. Not to mention, they are good people. If you happen to get to their shops in Brooklyn or TriBeca, I highly recommend sampling as many desserts as possible. If you aren’t local, order their infamous brownies, you won’t regret it! They also offer delicious biscotti, granola and homemade marshmallows for your snacking needs.
How Much? 6-packs of brownies (they are big!) are $23 plus shipping.
Special promo code: Use code sweetz for 15% off your purchase through 12/25!
*photo via Baked
Who: Pipcorn (online)
What: My friends Jen and Jeff started Pipcorn a few years ago selling flavorful and delicious mini popcorn. They were featured in Oprah’s favorite things just a few months after launching and last year were featured on Shark Tank! Not only are they two of the nicest people I’ve ever met, but they also make really tasty popcorn.Bonus: it’s all natural, gluten-free and non-GMO. Flavors include Truffle, Sea Salt and Kettle (my favorite).
How Much? 4-packs are $26 plus shipping
Who: ButcherBox (online)
What: A monthly subscription for high quality grass-fed beef delivered straight to your door. Perfect for grilling enthusiasts and meat lovers. Every month is a little bit different but each 8+ pound box always includes burgers and tips. Packages are shipped with dry ice to prevent spoilage and ensure the freshest product possible.
How Much: $129 / month including shipping. As few or as many months as you want!
*photo via ButcherBox
Note: This post is NOT sponsored but does contains affiliate links. These are companies I have carefully selected because I believe in the people behind them and the products. I have received some free samples in the past but I would have bought their products anyway.
Giveaway time!
Cookie DO NYC is generously offering one reader a 3-pack of their delicious holiday cookie do flavors. Use the widget below to enter by Friday December 4th noon est. Open for delivery in the 48 contiguous states only.
All looks delicious!