We are overwhelmingly excited as we're covered up to the gunnels with boxes of holiday cheer! The store is packed with all the new arrivals and looking fabulous! Foods are flying off the shelves.

It is Panettone season! Our annual Taste-of-the-Cakes is coming the weekend after Thanksgiving! We are so excited to have panettone in the house! What a glorious moment to open the first Sorrento Lemon to taste-test and ensure they are perfect! ;o)

Some flavors of panettone are already sold out (we never know what will go first).

This year, we are shipping some panettone orders as soon as the cakes arrive in our warehouse. We've had requests for them to arrive sooner, and we want to ensure that there is no delay.

The question has arisen: how to store the panettone before you open the wrapping and cut the cake. The good news is, there's no special way. If you plan to eat it in the next couple of months, no worries at all.

You can have it out on the counter in all its glorious wrap to stare at, like a fine piece of art over the mantel, or in your favorite place in the kitchen. Or, hide it in the pantry.... Keep in mind, direct sun is never good for any food (except maybe tea) so in this case, too hot is not the best path.

No need to refrigerate or freeze! They do just fine at room temperature.

An exception is if you're like one of our customers who gets 12 (a different one for every month of the year). Then freezing 6 of them my be prudent....

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Panettone, the wonderful butter-rich Italian Christmas Bread, is very often consumed straight without leaving a crumb. But should you find yourself with the chance half loaf left, this recipe is a perfect holiday breakfast favorite.

Ever since we discovered the divine Sorrento Lemon Panettone from Albertengo, it's been our favorite for this Panettone French toast recipe. But, any of the wonderful panettoni will work great. This recipe is so divine you'll want to buy two panettone just to make sure you have enough! Here's how to make the perfect panettone French toast.

See the Holiday Panettone French Toast Recipe here!

Marrons Glaces, which translates to "glazed chestnuts" in French, have a rich history and are a traditional confection in France.

It is told that the confection was in created in the 16th century in the town of Privas in the Ardeche region. The Ardeche region is known for its sweet chestnuts, and the method of candying chestnuts was developed as a way to preserve them.

Victor Corsiglia founded the company in 1896, driven by the desire to make high-quality candied chestnuts. Corsiglia was established in Aubagne, a town near Marseille, which provided access to premium chestnuts and a thriving local market for sweets.

Victor was meticulous about the candying process, which involves a multi-day process of soaking chestnuts in sugar syrup. By refining this traditional technique, Corsiglia's marrons glaces developed a unique taste and texture, which has become highly sought after by aficionados.

The process of making Marrons Glaces involves candying chestnuts in sugar syrup. This method not only preserves the chestnuts but also transforms their texture and flavor.

The chestnuts are first blanched, then slowly candied in successive layers of sugar syrup until they become translucent and take on a sweet, delicate taste.

Corsiglia has remained committed to traditional methods. Each chestnut is handled with care through the multi-day candying process, with steps like peeling and sorting often done by hand.

Marrons Glaces gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries and became associated with festive occasions and holidays. They are often enjoyed during Christmas and New Year's celebrations.

In France, Marrons Glaces are exchanged as special gifts.

Shop now for Corsiglia Marrons Glaces in a Wooden Box!

In 1966, in Bias, near Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the heart of southwest France (a region known for its rich agricultural traditions, especially fruit cultivation) Favols was founded.

Initially, Favols mainly produced preserved prunes, but over time, it expanded its offerings to include a wide variety of fruit-based products, such as jams, jellies, marmalades, chutneys, and spreads.

Favols prides itself on its traditional methods and commitment to natural ingredients, often using fruit from local farms to create products without preservatives or artificial flavors.

Pruneaux d'Agen (Agen prunes) refers to prunes produced specifically in the Agen region of France. The area has a long history of producing premium prunes from locally grown plums, and Pruneaux d'Agen are famous for their rich, naturally sweet flavor and high quality.

These prunes are often enjoyed on their own as a snack or used as ingredients in both, sweet and savory dishes.

Known for its dedication to preserving traditional French flavors, Favols ensures that Pruneaux d'Agen are carefully selected and processed to maintain the fruit's natural taste and texture.

These stuffed prunes we bring in just for the holidays!

Cut a prune in half and you will see the prune mix that makes these prunes special.

If you just taste the prune center alone, you'll get the delightful flavor of prune infused with either orange, armagnac or just pure prune creme.

One bite and you can't help but close your eyes as you savor the flavor...it is THAT delicious!
With a gentle touch to the sweet side, the center of the prune is this wonderful, lush flavored creme.

The finish is the delightful chew of the skin of the prune.

Scissor one in half to share, or enjoy by yourself. Take your time with this one if you can.

I can't wait to eat another!

See all the Favols Pruneaux d'Agen selection here!

They both loved hallmark movies...well he did, she not so much, but she did love watching them with him all the while eating some holiday treats together.

It was his turn this year to pick and find the treat to share. He had heard a lot about these, some friends mentioned them, as well. He had read some stories, too. How great they were, that they made memories for couples for generations.

He liked that a lot. He was a romantic. She not so much on the surface. She kept her emotions in check for fear of being hurt, he wore his heart on his sleeve.

Of course that wasn't nearly as important as the treat, that was the basis of their relationship. At least recently. They had known each other for what was forever, soulmates in life, like the song.

Their approach to meals together was, "Choose your meal as if it is your last" approach. Sharing of food was so important, and the taste of it was critical.

Of course, because of the distance, effectively half a world away, sharing food only happened once in a blue moon. So the holiday treat and movie was special.

He packed up the box and it was ready to ship. It might arrive earlier than he wanted, but better to arrive early than late! This year he was sending two hat boxes, one with the treat of cherries enrobed in armagnac encased in chocolate and a classic Panettone.

A date would be chosen and then both families would gather around their respective TV's, open the box of chocolate cherries, and watch the #1 Christmas movie, Baby Girl.

See all the Bodrato Grappa Chocolate-Covered Cherry options here!

Bodrato Chocolate has a rich history rooted in the traditions of Italian chocolate-making. It was originally founded in the 1940s in Genoa, Italy, where it began as a small artisanal chocolatier, producing handcrafted chocolates using traditional methods. Bodrato's early focus was on producing high-quality chocolate and confectionery.

In the 2000s, the company moved to Piedmont, Italy's renowned chocolate and wine region, to expand its production and refine its offerings. Piedmont, known for its high-quality hazelnuts and deep chocolate heritage, provided Bodrato with the perfect environment to develop and innovate. In this new setting, Bodrato continued to emphasize quality and authenticity, sourcing local ingredients such as Piedmontese hazelnuts and integrating the region's fine wines and spirits, including grappa, into their creations.

Today, Bodrato still has an artisanal approach, balancing tradition with creative flavor combinations. They produce a variety of classic and innovative chocolates, including pralines, truffles, and specialties like their Grappa Chocolate-Covered Cherries, which have become a signature item.

Bodrato's commitment to craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and Italian heritage has helped grow its roots in Italian chocolate-making traditions.

Shop now for Grappa Chocolate-Covered Cherries in the Extra Large Hat box!

Shop now for the Bodrato Grappa Chocolate-Covered Cherries - Large Hat Box!

Shop now for Bodrato 70% Dark Chocolate Grappa Dipped Boeri Cherries in the Red Tin here!

Think sugar, butter, flour, pinch of salt combined.

Biscuit bread in Medieval times in Scotland started with leftover bread dough put in a low temperature oven until it dried out into a rusk. Biscuit = rusk = twice baked.

Shortly after the first published recipe (1700s?), leftovers (and the yeast replaced with butter) went away and turned into the "same" basic shortbread we eat today.

The word "same" is used loosely. Though, the recipe is "easy" on paper, great results are not.

Heritage Shortbread is the very best representation of what you want in a "short" bread.

It is crisp, crumbly, tasty, every time you bite into each biscuit. Not too hard and with just the right feel. They are the very best shortbread we have ever had!

It is much more difficult to find a shortbread that makes people say, "That's good!" than you might think. Well, both in the store and in the warehouse, everyone has said, "That's unbelievable!"

It doesn't get much better than that!

This is the best time of year!!!

Shop Now for Heritage Shortbread here!

This buttery, crisp - but slightly moist - shortbread is handmade by Willow McCrain in South Carolina's Lowcountry. It's baked to a golden brown and its texture and flavor border on the sublime. Willow uses only the best ingredients -- and you can tell. We like our shortbread cookies to be crisp when you bite into them, but not hard. And these shortbreads do not disappoint!

Shop now for Heritage Shortbread Large Box - 30 Pieces!

What a lovely and great chocolate shortbread! Not dipped but integrated into the shortbread itself. By far the best we have ever had!

It's crispy, crumbly, and tasty, every time you bite into each biscuit in this shortbread gift box. Not too hard and with just the right feel, they are the best shortbread we have had in a long, long time!

It is much more difficult to find a shortbread that makes people say, "That's good!" than you might think. So far in both the store and in the warehouse, everyone has said, "That's great!" after having this Heritage chocolate shortbread.

Shop now for Heritage Shortbread Dark Chocolate!

This is one of the great holiday bites! With a simple bite you get a free trip to Scotland and the warming tang of citrus to keep you warm!

It doesn't get much better than that! A classic holiday hostess gift in the Scottish/English speaking world.

Shop now for Heritage Shortbread Lemon Infused!

There is something special about these spice cookies! They have this wonderful chewy bite that, for me, is totally addictive.

My first taste of these cookies brought back a rush of memories. I had tried this cookie before, in Switzerland, on a whim, I expect, as a treat that looked interesting. By the time I realized I really liked them, I had moved on to another country.

Many years later, sample packages of Leckerli arrived at my door, and that rush of memory flooded my taste buds.

The first thing I noticed about the cookies is the thickness—too tall for a gingerbread man and too short for a cake; firm to the touch but not hard, squeezable if you put your thumb into it.

You see white sugar splashes and almonds that tell you the bite is going to be interesting.

When you do take your first taste, you are very aware of the firmness, yet the bite is easy with the occasional crunch from the almonds. It takes more than one chew, which I am thankful for as it is so enjoyable to eat. To me, in many ways, this is the most addictive element of this cookie. It is super pleasurable!

The flavor showcases a wonderful blend of ingredients (honey, almonds, orange peel, lemon peel, kirsch, and spices) perfectly balanced. Not one element stands out over the others.

If you have just one a day, the larger offering will last you for 24 days. This assumes you don't share and can manage enough restraint to eat only one at a time. I ate 12 just writing about them. And now I need to eat 12 more to confirm my taste memory....

This is one of my favorites, always! Now it is not a cookie like a chocolate chip. Nor is it like a peanut butter cookie. It is in a league of its own when it comes to bite and texture. I remember this bite from my childhood....

Shop now for Andres Leckerli Cookies - Swiss Treat!

Every single one of Antica's treats are special! There is not one single one I would pick over another. And I am happy to share, though I would prefer not to.

Antica Torroneria Piemontese has a rich history rooted in the tradition of Italian torrone. Founded in 1885 in the Piedmont region of Italy, this family-owned company has specialized in making high-quality, artisanal torrone for over a century.

Piedmont is famous for its nocciola Tonda Gentile delle Langhe, a prized variety of hazelnut, and Antica Torroneria Piemontese has always used these local hazelnuts as the foundation of its products.

The company's founder, Giuseppe Sebaste, began by making classic torrone using a traditional recipe that combined honey, sugar, egg whites, and hazelnuts. The torrone was cooked slowly, achieving a perfect balance of texture and flavor. Over generations, the family refined the recipe, developing their signature soft torrone as well as hard varieties, each with a high percentage of hazelnuts.

Antica Torroneria Piemontese has grown to include a wider range of products beyond torrone, such as truffles and chocolate-coated nougats. All at the same time, they have stayed committed to traditional methods, using natural ingredients staying committed to continuing a family food tradition.

See all the Antica Torroneria Piemontese Holiday Offerings Here!


Antica Torroneria Piemontese Torrone is Here!


Antica Torroneria Piemontese Baci di Dama Biscuits for you!


Shop Here for Torrone Friable Con Nocciole - Hard Torrone with Hazelnuts!