Half the fun of taking a road trip with friends or family is picking out the snacks to stock the car with. A little salty, a little sweet, perhaps?
A variety of textures and flavors will keep your palate entertained and satisfied. Having fun with your road trip snacks doesn't mean you have to throw a diet or dietary lifestyle out the window, thanks to the plethora of amazing brands popping up each day that celebrate whole food ingredients, bright, bold flavors, and uncompromising commitments to ingredient quality- just like Marlo's Bakeshop.
1.) Peanut Puff Snacks: both our 2 year old and her grandmother go gaga for these addictive treats. Sugar free and with 3 simple ingredients they're a great way to indulge in some crunchy, slightly salty, peanut-y protein. Just make sure to bring your wet wipes to clean hands of peanut powder when finished. We dare you to eat just one.
* Our favorite brand: the OG by Osem, Bambas
2.) Get Classy with Crudites: the fancy word is just another way of referring to raw vegetables. Make it organic! his and a handful of roasted, unsalted almonds is Marlo's go-to snack for sustained energy without feeling laden down after sitting I the car for hours. Great options: tri color carrots from the farmers market (don't even need to peel them- the skin is packed with nutrients), grape tomatoes, cubes of roasted sweet potato (under bake by about 5-7 minutes to keep a little bite to the flesh), cucumber and jicama cut into sticks. Pair veggies with a homemade whole fat yogurt ranch dip or your favorite hummus to get a well-rounded, delicious treat.
*Tip: if you prepared these at home, eat them early on in your road trip so that they don't get too warm.
3.) Trail Mix blends: buy your favorite or make your own! Combine dried fruits (look for unsweetened varieties to control the amount of sugar in your mix), roasted seeds like pepitas or sunflower seeds, and your favorite nuts. We like using roasted, unsalted nuts so that we don't get too thirsty on the road ("We're not stopping to pee AGAIN!")
*Tip: toast your nuts at home for 10-12 minutes at 300 degrees if you can't find roasted varieties.
** Our fave blend: We like cashews, almonds, peanuts, raisins, pepitas & dried cherries.
4.) Wake your taste buds with Sweet Heat: when you do finally stop for that 3rd iced coffee or tea, grab a little something with a subtle sweetness to curb those cravings without dairy, soy, nuts or trans fats. Our organic Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect grab n go size - and with 4 cookies per serving at only X calories, you can guiltlessly eat them or all or have enough to share with fellow road trippers. Let the flavors of fresh Saigon cinnamon and cocoa envelop your mouth with dark chocolate chips melting on the way down your throat while cayenne pepper delicately warms your whole mouth.
*Try our Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Cookies here and save 10% on Family Packs with code SHARE10
5.) Fresh Fruit: Mother Nature's original grab 'n' go snack. Fresh grapes, stone fruit like peaches, nectarines, or cubed watermelon or cantaloupe; just take a visit to the farmer's market before you leave and get whatever's in season!
**Tip: keep some extra napkins in the car (and have an extra wet wipe from snack #1 on hand) to wrap of fruit cores or other detritus from your snacks for easy disposal and easy, clean car maintenance
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1.) Café Chez Vous: coffee or tea themed gift with all the accoutrements
needed to create a deliciously calm moment of self-care of me time. A
pound of whole bean coffee or exotic tea, Chocolate Chip Brownie
soft-baked biscotti
2.) Your Place or Mine? ...for appetizers for 2, that is. A nice bottle
of wine or vermouth, your favorite hard and soft cheeses, roasted and
spiced nuts, freshly made grissini (Italian bread sticks and Sesame
Tahini Tea cookies.
3.) Around the World Through (Fair Trade) Chocolate: hot chocolate mix,
bars of milk, white and dark chocolate (don't forget to try one made with
coconut sugar and mylk!) or bars of varying degrees of percent cocoa plus
some Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Once you have the theme established you need to put your business gift or beautiful gift set together. You'll need:
1.) A vessel in which to pack or ship your gift: try one made out of
recycled materials or a container that we can reused and be part of the
gift, like a cutting board
2.) Some filler or decorative padding to prop up your gifts or protect
them while shipping: avoid packing peanuts or bubble wrap here and use
richly colored tissue paper or shredded corrugate to stay green and
eco-friendly
3.) A handwritten note: if your corporate gift or gift basket
recipient didn't know you already care a ton about them from the gift
alone, a handwritten note will surely seal the deal and confirm your
commitment to gifting something truly special and unique.
Seems simple enough, right? To some this may be a little overwhelming, especially when you have so many great ideas. We suggest starting with one item, like a luxurious candle or your favorite chocolates, and going from there. Once you select a few more products the theme should naturally present itself, such as self-care basket, spa day, or even just chocolate theme.
Traditional gifts have always been delivered in the classic woven basket or box with cellophane wrapping up the whole thing. However, we suggest you get creative with delivery means, maybe using a sand pail for summer themed basket or a wooden crate for a fall apple picking theme. Bonus points for any item that your gift receiver can reuse in their own life!
In addition to have a theme tying your gifts together, we also suggest mixing up the size and textures of your included items. It's more visually appealing to have a good combination of large and small gifts, like oversize candles to go with a mini bottle of champagne and box of matches.
Each item you select in your gift should have a reason to be included. Try to keep on theme while also making sure to personalize your gift as much as you can. And a handwritten note speaks volumes! It shows the level of thought and care you put into crafting this gift just for you.
No matter what your theme is, people always enjoy a little something sweet in a gift basket. It could be their favorite candy, maybe salt water taffy for a summer themed basket, or chocolate carrots for Easter. Whether we use the individually wrapped singles or 5oz boxes, gifting our soft-baked biscotti & cookies means your recipient will shorty be enjoying a perfectly indulgent moment of 'me-time' and respite in their day. Assemble the perfect biscotti or cookie gift set with any of the baked goods on our site. Don't see exactly what you want? Contact us to create a unique & memorable corporate gifting or cookie gift experience.
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Salacia Salts is a high quality skin care line with body scrubs, bath salts, moisturizers inspired by the sea. We suggest bringing the You're A Peach gift set for the next get together at your friend's house who loves to keep up on the latest health & beauty trends. Including a Georgia Peach Bar Soap and Body Butter, this is one of Salacia Salts' best sellers all for $20.
While scrolling through Instagram one day, we found the cutest little gifts from LA based Lula's Garden. They send out chic and trendy succulents in little boxes that would be a treat for any host or hostess. One Petite Garden contains one medium fresh succulent pre-planted in a beautifully crafted gift box.
The colorful and elegant boxes from Marlo's Bakeshop make the perfect hostess gift (or dessert!) Assemble the perfect biscotti or cookie gift set with any of the baked goods on our site. Contact us to create a unique & memorable corporate gifting or cookie gift experience.
Local, San Francisco based Elizabeth W has some of our favorite bath and body products, including Magnolia Hand Cream. This ultra-hydrating lotion would be a thoughtful gift for your hostess friend who spends long days at the office and needs a touch of home and comfort at her desk. We suggest ordering a couple extra for yourself!
Everyone has that one friend who's house is filled to the brim with candles. For this friend, we suggest bringing them a Tule Fog Sea & Lavender Soy Candle to invoke feelings of calm, serenity, and comfort in their home. Candles are a classic host or hostess gift and Tule Fog's clean and simple design would fit in anyone's home.
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For our party we wanted to do something special; a Make Your Own Irish Cream Bar, complete with lots of mix-in options and homemade Irish cream. Bailey's has been a staple for Irish creams but this year we're making our own because it's too easy to make and such an upgrade from the overly sweet mix that Bailey's has to offer. Irish cream has always been a favorite cold-weather indulgence, in or outside coffee, so making a few extra batches seems like a great idea to have on hand during this never ending winter.
We used Smitten Kitchen's recipe for Irish cream, one batch makes about 3 3/4 cups or 30 fluid ounces so if you're making for your St. Patty's Day Dessert Party we suggest double or tripling the recipe. The classic Irish whiskey to use is Jameson but if you have your own favorite whiskey by all means feel free to use that one. For those not looking to party like the Irish on St Patty's Day, we like to have a pot of coffee made to splash your Irish cream in.
For the drink bar, we like to have lots of options for our guests to enjoy their Irish creams. Our table will include jars of instant espresso or coffee powder for adding coffee flavors, chocolate sauce for more cocoa flavor, & caramel for a twist on classic Irish cream.
Of course you'll need some desserts to go with your Irish cream! Some of our favorites include:
If you're feeling extra festive, you can spike the coconut topping of the magic squares with green food dye for some green treats! These green guys and the shamrock cookies would be fun cookie gifts to bring some of your coworkers or bring to your kid's classmates.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Irish whiskey
Method:
1. In the bottom of a pitcher, whisk cocoa powder and a spoonful of cream into a paste. Slowly add more cream a spoonful at a time until the paste is smooth and loose enough that you can whisk the rest of the cream in larger splashes.
2. Once all of the cream is in, whisk in condensed milk, whiskey and vanilla.
3. Cover with lip or plastic wrap and keep in fridge for up to two weeks.
4. Serve in a tiny tumbler filled with ice, or splashed into coffee.
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Marlo is peanut butter obsessed so she would recommend dipping into Santa Cruz Organic all-natural peanut butter, but any nut butter would be a delicious & creamy pairing for our GF Banana Bread soft-baked biscotti.
Although the name is a mouthful, Just Jan's Jams are a truly delightful pairing to soft-baked biscotti. Our friend Jan has a variety of jams available on her website, including sweet and savory options which make it a great dip for Original soft-baked biscotti which has more of a savory flavor profile. Serve both on your next cheese plate!
Another Marlo's Bakeshop favorite.....we just can't get enough of this spread! From the moment we first tasted this chocolate hazelnut dip we knew it would be perfect on almost anything, including Chocolate Chip Brownie soft-baked biscotti.
This dip is a creation of our own, made with our friend's Alpine Start's instant coffee which gives just a slight edge to the sweetness of this delicious dessert. Find the recipe on our blog!
This is a fun and creative way to enjoy the flavor of cannoli without the hassle of making the classic Italian dessert. This recipe transforms the filling of the traditional dessert into a sweet, creamy dessert dip. The mini chocolate chips will mimic the chips in Chocolate Chip Brownie soft-baked biscotti and will be a naturally delicious pairing.
Craving the flavors of fall in February? Try making this Pumpkin Pie Dip Recipe and dunking Brown Sugar Coffee Cake soft-baked biscotti. The cinnamon flavors will be perfect with the cinnamon, clove, and ginger flavors in the dip.
]]>The infamous Superbowl Spread is one of our favorite things about Superbowl Sunday, besides the commercials of course. You've got your classics: hot wings, pigs in a blanket, bbq meatballs. Maybe a bowl of nacho cheese with some chips and guac. Every year it tends to be the same thing. And while we don't necessarily have allegiance to either one of the teams playing, we definitely favor certain snacks being served during the game.
Why bore your fellow football fans with the same old selection? This year, the excitement and cheers will be for the delicious snacks you make and victory will be so sweet. Some of our Superbowl favorites, like our Salty Sweet Snack Mix, can be served in decorative paper cups for easy transport to the couch & individual servings with which to watch the game.
Other favorites include Mocha Peanut Butter Dessert Dip, a twist on the classic chip n' dip that is sure to please some of your sweet tooth friends. Try out some of these winning recipes for your Superbowl Spread this year and may the best snack win!
Think of it like a fancy Chex Mix upgraded with a few surprises, like chocolate covered raisins, salty potato chips, and chunks of cinnamon-sugary Brown Sugar Coffee Cake Cookie Bites.
When it comes to dippers, we recommend pretzel rods, apple slices, marshmallows, graham crackers, or even soft-baked biscotti! Anything can be a dipper if you're creative!
Keep this unusual dessert cold until the very last minute and cut slices like normal salami. These slices will be for the brave eaters and their boldness will be rewarded with deliciousness!
This classic kid's recipe has us adults crushing hard. We’ve upgraded the classic recipe with Tahini Tea Cookies in the cookie crust and a touch of tahini to bring out all the sweet sesame goodness.
]]>For this holidays this year, we wanted to assemble our favorite blog posts form The Cookie Chronicles to help ease the struggle of entertaining this time of year. We've included everything from recipes to holiday gift guides for your especially picky family member you picked in Secret Santa.
1. Marlo's Bakeshop Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
It’s that time of year again when you should start thinking of small holiday gifts that will be meaningful to all the people on your holiday shopping list. It’s hard to find something for everyone in the same place, but you may be able to come close with the unique edible gifts we’ve stocked in the Marlo’s Bakeshop online store, including the Ultimate Stocking Stuffer, Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Soft-Baked Biscotti. Remember to order your holiday gifts by December 19 for on-time holiday delivery! Free shipping for all holiday orders.
2. How To Host A Holiday Cookie Swap
If you're anything like us, you've been perusing holiday cookie recipes since Thanksgiving. But how do you decide which ones to make? Problem solved: host your own holiday cookie swap party and you can really have them all!
We’re in the middle of the holiday party season, and etiquette pros are circulating their annual advice for how to be a good guest at a company party, ugly sweater get-together, or New Year’s Eve soiree. Never fret, we've got you covered.
4. 8 Warm & Boozy Drinks for Winter
As the weathers turns from sunshine to cloudy days and the days keep getting shorter and shorter, our cravings for these spiked adult beverages increases more and more. From Irish Coffees to Spiked Chai with Rum the possibilities are endless if you're creative enough. Don't fret, we've got you covered on the 8 best hot cocktails to get you through this winter.
5. 3 Tips For A Holy Jolly Christmas Cocktail Party
Cocktails ares a must this time of year so why not gather your friends, enjoy some festive drinks, and spread some Christmas cheer? Bonus points if you create your own signature craft cocktail.
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This one's from our own Marlo's Bakeshop kitchen, and it's a real winner. Cheesecake? Check. Pumpkin spiced whipped cream? Check. Pumpkin Biscotti crust? Check. We know you'll absolutely love the classic flavors of cheesecake mixed with your favorite seasonal spice. Try making this delicious recipe yourself, but hurry because Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Soft-Baked Biscotti is a limited edition!
Not many things beat the smell of fresh cinnamon rolls in the morning, except maybe if those cinnamon rolls had a little extra spice in them. Next time you're rolling out a batch of cinnamon rolls, whether homemade or store bought, add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice blend to your rolls for oh so delicious fall flavors.
Now we know pumpkin spice is definitely a fall flavor, but why can't all of our holiday favorites all get along? Traditionally egg nog is made with similar spices that are found in a pumpkin pie spice blend, so a fall themed egg nog seems like a natural fit that you can enjoy all winter long.
Another breakfast favorite, pancakes and waffles are always a good choice. Especially if you add a touch of pumpkin pie spice in the batter. Bonus points for topping with pumpkin spiced whipped cream and maple syrup.
Pumpkin Spice Lattes are, of course, the most popular way to get your pumpkin fix but there are other ways to enjoy the flavors of fall in your coffee, like a lightly spiced coffee creamer. The spices really warm up your coffee and make you feel all cozy inside no matter where you are.
Similar to the cinnamon rolls, all you really need to do to enjoy this recipe is add a bit of pumpkin pie spice mix to your cinnamon sugar and dust the heck out of your toast of choice.
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As the weathers turns from sunshine to cloudy days and the days keep getting shorter and shorter, our cravings for these spiked adult beverages increases more and more. From Irish Coffees to Spiked Chai with Rum the possibilities are endless if you're creative enough. Don't fret, we've got you covered on the 8 best hot cocktails to get you through this winter.
An oldie but goodie! Any hot chocolate recipe will do, but we like this one, made with rich dark chocolate and a splash of Baileys. If you're looking for a nutty twist, swap out the Baileys for Frangelico, a hazelnut flavored liquor that will have your hot cocoa tasting like a warm cup of Nutella in no time!
If you are a die-hard chai fanatic, this is the drink for you! This recipe uses spiced chai tea bags which makes it super easy to enjoy your favorite morning drink as a warm and boozy treat all winter long. Try making this recipe and see for yourself!
This classic hot drink always reminds us of Christmas and the flavors make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Grab a box of Original Soft-Baked Biscotti for dunking and enjoy! We recommend trying Ina Garten's recipe.
While this isn't actually a hot cocktail, it is a favorite at Marlo's Bakeshop! Maybe because The Dude drinks one all throughout The Big Lebowski or maybe because it's just a delicious combination of Kahlua, vodka and milk but either way we'll take a White Russian any time of the year! This is probably the simplest cocktail on our list, just mix one part vodka, one part Kahlua, and one part milk or cream and serve over ice.
A traditional hot toddy is said to have its roots in medicinal practice, and to that we say hear, hear! Drink up, this drink will have you feeling better in no time. Classic Hot Toddy recipe found here.
Learning to make your own egg nog is a game changer, especially when you're in the mood for the Christmas spirit any time of the year. This recipe is made with RumChata, and will soon be our new favorite.
Sometimes you need to make yourself a big batch of deliciously sweet Hot Buttered Rum to get you through a cold winter's night. Luckily we have the perfect recipe for you. You will not regret it!
Last but not least is a classic St Patrick's Day treat. Probably one of the most versatile drinks on this list, make this recipe and top your coffee with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
]]>Why we love them: Spoon Fork Bacon is from two Midwest ladies that not only create their own recipes, they also take gorgeous photos of their creations. Like mouthwatering, make you want to reach into the screen and dig into what they’re serving type photos. Their food is reminiscent of the comfort food classics that they grew up on, but elevated with fresh ingredients. We especially love their playfulness with colors that make their food so visually appealing. Their simple but satisfying recipes are crafted by Jenny and captured by Teri and the result is beautiful food that looks good enough to eat!
Recipes we’re loving: Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Beignets, Turkey Sausage Stuffed Fiocchi with White Wine Cream Sauce
Why we love them: Started in 2008 from humble beginnings, Hungry Girl Por Vida is from recipe-maker, treat baker, and picture taker Cindy. We love that in her bio Cindy mentions there will be lots of carbs, homemade treats, & tempting cocktails, which is really all you need in life. The sweet recipes featured on this blog tend to be classic and timeless, unlike some blogs that tend to focus on the latest trends. Cindy’s desserts are the ones you remember as your childhood favorites but with a modern twist to keep them fresh and up to date.
Recipes we’re loving: Ghost Hi-Hat Conecakes (the cutest cake pops you will ever see & perfect for Halloween!)
Why we love them: Since we discovered Smitten Kitchen a few years ago, it’s really become our go-to when we ask ourselves, “What’s for dinner tonight?” Writer, cook and photographer Deb firmly believes that food should be accessible and not fussy, and we couldn’t agree more. Her own recipes are comfort foods stepped up with fresh ingredients and flavors that can be made for any occasion. We especially love the “Surprise Me!” button on the top of every page because sometimes we need a little push to get out of our same dinner three times a week kind of funk.
Recipes we’re loving: Roasted Leek and White Bean Galettes & Cannoli Pound Cake
Why we love them: Food52 is like the cool, younger sister of Bon Appetit. It’s a little more relaxed than the classic magazine and has a little more fun with food. This food blog was created with the intention of bringing cooks from all over to talk about their one true love: food. The recipes featured on this site are elegant, timeless creations that make you feel like a real chef. In addition to recipes, to which there are many, Food52 has home and travel sections, making it feel like a one stop blog for all you need. Their cooking manifesto is “eat thoughtfully, live joyfully” and we think these are words to live by. Check out their Instagram @food52 for your daily dose of food envy!
Recipes we’re loving: Ricotta Rosemary cake with Fresh Figs , 3-Ingredient Oreo Meringues, Porchetta & White Bean Burgers
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In late 2013 I completed my first crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. I invested in some good quality video production to highlight my ambitions for Marlo’s Bakeshop and the momentous step of printing thousands of branded boxes, for which I was raising the money. I had a modest $15,000 goal, had spent hours detailing out my business plans, writing the video script and planning the campaign’s content and then just pressed SUBMIT. I hadn’t done much planning or marketing of the campaign in advance (old habits die hard) and so I reactively emailed my network, implored them to share the link and regularly posted the opportunity to donate on Facebook, hoping enough people would want the free cookies offered as a reward to amass the minimum for the campaign to be deemed successful.
We closed the Kicktstarter at the 30 day mark with $15,500 and that experience taught me a lot:
The latter-most reason is why I decided, 5 years later, to forego the traditional fundraising approaches of private equity and venture capital and to launch an equity crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder.
One of my very wise and very savvy advisers was the first president of Annie’s Homegrown, before it was acquired by General Mills. She fondly remembers when the company did a Direct Public Offering (DPO) and advertised the opportunity for consumers to own a piece of the brand by printing it right on the packaging!
This was an inspired idea back in ‘90s, and our WeFunder campaign allows us to adopt the best tactics of that effort:
So won’t you join us on this incredible journey? Take Me to the Campaign.
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THE CHEESE:
Sharp, smoked, funky, sweet, soft, hard, fresh, or aged cheese; they all deserve a little space on your board. What you want to keep in mind is a variety of flavors, textures, forms, and colors. Whether you’re picking your favorites or trying something new, you’ll want to calculate about 4oz of cheese per person. To keep things really simple (and within your budget) choose one or two really good cheese and fill the rest of your board with sweet & savory snacks. When in doubt, ask your cheesemonger for a couple recommendations by giving him details like your favorite flavors, budget and occasion for the cheese board.
When assembling your board, give your cheese the respect and admiration it deserves, and arrange your board as if it were an art canvas. Remember to take your cheese out of the fridge and unwrap about an hour before serving, as cheese is best served at room temperature. Each cheese variety should have their own knife and should be spaced out enough so that stinkier cheeses don’t contaminate the mild ones.
THE PAIRINGS:
Once you’ve assembled your cheeses on the board or plate, you should have lots of space in between to fill with delicious pairings that are designed to compliment each kind of cheese. Go with the basics and a few seasonal additions. A crusty loaf of bread and a couple types of crackers are always a good call. Water crackers are great because they are plain enough to pair with flavorful cheeses.
Charcuterie like prosciutto or jamon Serrano are also a must. Fresh fruit, like ripe pears, apples, grapes, and figs are a sweet compliment to the salty cheese, as well as a variety of dried fruits. We like having a few different crunchy elements on our cheese boards as well, whether it’s nuts, olives, or cornichons.
Finally, add a sweet component like fig jam, honey or soft-baked biscotti to your platter. Our Original flavor soft-baked biscotti was made for a cheese board as it’s the perfect sweet accompaniment to the salty cheese. Serve the biscotti right on the board with your cheese and pairings to satisfy all your sweet & salty cravings.
]]>Hi everyone, I’m Marlo. I’m a Mompreneur.
While spell-check doesn’t recognize ‘mompreneur’ as a word from the English language I am confident that 99% of people reading this will have seen the word before or can infer its meaning: I am a mother who is also an entrepreneur. I started a cookie company called Marlo’s Bakeshop in 2012 when the idea of marriage, kids & more profound fiscal responsibility seemed far enough off that foregoing a well-paying job in tech for a no-paying job in cookies seemed like a romantic and exciting idea. The syntax of this neologism interests me though because it implies that I am a mom, first, and an entrepreneur, second. It’s not entrepremom, after all. But I have very vivid memories from the first few hazy months of my daughter’s life in which I felt keenly aware – and guilty- of self-identifying as an entrepreneur first and a mother, second,- or even third, fourth or fifth after wife, daughter, sister. The social media I read and the articles fellow moms sent me confirmed that I should now wholly embrace my primary role in life as mother and parent. But there was inherent tension in this concept for me because my first baby – Marlo’s- was 4 years old and still very, very needy of my time, attention & emotional energy.
Despite the mompreneur label (and the first paragraph of this post), I don’t work twenty hours per day or refuse to take time off as some entrepreneurs do. I am a big believer in work/life balance and know that my work will sustain me and be sustainable if I approach running my own business with a modicum of sanity; I believe I am a better, healthier businesswoman for it. That said, when Lucca was first born and I didn’t have three months- or even 2 weeks- of maternity leave to bask in, I remember feeling this compulsion to try to multi-task and still maintain some semblance of a 10-hour workday as much as possible; I would insatiably check and respond to emails while nursing, then feel awful that I wasn’t cherishing the moment with my newborn; that I wasn’t content enough just staring at her face for forty minutes. I think I wanted more to confirm to myself that, hey, I am still an entrepreneur despite this new title, identity and mom body (the latter of which wouldn’t let me forget for a second that I had just bore a child: itchy armpits, a post-natal rash and, of course, chapped nipples).
I also grappled with the envy I had for the women around me who enjoyed not three, but often six month of fully paid maternity leave (this is Silicon Valley, after all). I was living the American dream of owning my own business, being my own boss, and making my own schedule, but that didn’t bring me any solace when I moped about not being able to attend a mommy and me class, go to music time at the library or even meet other new moms to start building out my ‘mom tribe’. Then I would feel guilty about acting petulant. And the circle went on and on.
I wish I could say that, months later, I have fully reconciled these feelings of guilt and envy but they’ve only slightly waned. I am trying to be better about savoring my limited moments with Lu and not stealing glances at my phone every time it pings, but sometimes it’s a struggle. Looking back on photos of her and seeing how quickly she is changing helps force me to enjoy the present when my mind wanders to balance sheets and purchase orders. I think my multiple identities elbowing each other out for the top podium now fosters a healthy level of self-competition: my business strives to win so that one day I’ll have more time to spend with Lu while my maternal side is becoming a sharper sparring partner with each additional bedtime, booboo and meltdown. Or maybe we should just make the word entrepremom, a “thing”.
By Marlo Giudice
]]>Some of our favorite childhood memories are summers spent running around in the sprinkles in the backyard or making homemade strawberry ice cream. There’s plenty of summer fun to be had right in your backyard and we’ve assembled some of our favorite DIY Summer Activities for you to have fun all summer long.
1. Homemade Tie-Dye
Tie-dye is an excellent way to fill a hot, lazy summer afternoon. Best of all there’s no wrong way to tie-dye. Some of the best designs have come from happy accidents! Remember to have kids wear an apron or smock over old clothes and cover your work area with plastic sheets. For best results, use a prewashed, 100% cotton T-shirt or other article of clothing.
We love this natural tie-dye kit, which includes gloves, rubber bands, and tie-dye techniques.
Find more creative tie-dye techniques here, including our fave the Kaleidoscope!
2. Lawn Scrabble
Summer days are perfect for easy lawn games in the backyard with friends and family. Especially inexpensive and fun games that like this that are perfect for the young and young at heart! All you need is some cardboard or poster board and markers to make a Scrabble board that spans the whole yard.
3. DIY Slip N’ Slide
Nothing says summer like a good old Slip N’ slide runway in your yard. And while you may end up with a few bumps and bruises at the end of the day, slip n’ slides are one of the most memorable parts of summer!
Follow these simple steps to make this super fun DIY Slip N’ Slide for a day filled with lots of laughs.
4. Sponge Water Bombs
Water balloons are super fun, but filling hundreds of balloons and watching them disappear in a matter of 30 seconds can be frustrating, not to mention spending the time to pick up every single piece of balloon. Which is why we LOVE these reusable sponge water bombs! Invite over neighborhood friends and family, divide into two teams and have a massive water bomb fight, no cleanup necessary!
Steps for making Sponge Water Bombs
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Bain Marie - In simple terms, this is a hot water bath. No, not for you to enjoy a relaxing evening with a bubbles in a tub. A bain-marie is used for foods that need a more gentle heat application, like custards or cheesecakes. How it works is a larger baking dish is filled with hot water and your recipe goes within that, in individual ramekins or another dish, and then is placed into the oven to be baked. The water around the ramekins allows the heat to be distributed equally thus maintaining the delicate and creamy texture of your creation. See It in Action
Blind Bake - Sounds a little scary, right? Don’t worry, blind baking is also called prebaking, which is commonly used to bake pie crusts. This is especially important if your filling is a custard or cream that does not need to be baked. Other than that, the process is as simple as making the crust, shaping it in a bowl, chilling it for a little bit, covering it with parchment paper, and filling it with either pie weights or sugar...or even dry rice! (Surprising? Its weight can be evenly distributed and it fills every crevice of the crust, stopping any of it from puffing up), and baking until a nice golden brown color is attained. See It in Action
Beurre Noisette - You may know this as brown butter, literally just melted better. This secret sauce can be added to almost any recipe that calls for butter, or it can be used as sauce on top or on the side of a dish. The key to making beurre noisette is figuring out the right time to remove it from the stove, which is noted by the nutty aroma that starts to permeate the air when it is ready. Make it Yourself
Dash - A lot of recipes call for a dash of salt. But what does that really mean? Technically speaking, a dash is a measurement that is about 1/8 of a teaspoon. If a recipe calls for a pinch of salt, that is equivalent to 1/16 of a teaspoon; if it calls for a smidgen, that is equivalent to 1/32 of a teaspoon. If a dash refers to a liquid, it would be about 4 or 5 drops of it. Make It Yourself
Fondant - Fondant is a more common term in the world of cake decorating, however it consists of some details you may not have known before. Although considered an icing, fondant has a thicker and more pliable texture which can be rolled or shaped into beautiful decorations. It is a relatively simple mixture of gelatin, corn syrup, and sugar, and an allergen-free substitute for marzipan, a similarly textured cake decoration. Need some inspiration? Catch an episode of Cake Boss where fondant is a staple in their decorations.
Ganache - Just saying the word aloud makes your mouth water. If you don’t know what ganache is, it is the mixture of melted chocolate and cream. Different proportions lead to different consistencies of the ganache, so it is important to know what you want before you start making it, because the chocolate may firm up quickly after you make it. Our favorite applications of ganache...or Make It Yourself
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A lot of times, mothers and grandmothers create dishes either without any written guidance. Their measurements and proportions of ingredients are probably eyeballed measurements. So, in order for you to be able to recreate the dish as closely as possible, it’s best to help your mom or grandmom in their process of it. That way, you get the hands-on experience and can take your own notes of the little unexplainable details.
Sounds weird, doesn’t it? It’s the 21st century, why not just use Google? Well, passing on hand-written recipes allows the feeling of “family” to stay present. Maybe the recipe was altered somewhere along the way, having all of those notes would make it more personal to your family. Don’t just Google “easy family recipes” because they will never be from your own family.
Yes, we all lead excessively busy lives, with work, kids, and so much more. How can you possibly expect to use grandma’s complicated recipe to make dinner when you can heat up some frozen food for an easy dinner? Cooking is an excellent way to engage the whole family and tighten your connection, and you can simultaneously learn traditional recipes as well as pass them on further. Your kids could help you with the simpler tasks like measuring ingredients while you do the harder parts. Just have fun!
The culinary world today is full of unique flavor combinations and creations. Don’t feel limited to just your own family’s recipes. Try new things, follow recipes or create your own, and maybe you will start a new family tradition and pass it on to your kids and grandkids and so on.
Check out our family recipes - Original and Heirloom Line.
Peaches are a seasonal fruit, a summer fruit. Intermingled with peppery ginger and iced tea, you can make the perfect refreshment for a hot summer day, and the perfect fruity balance to anything with chocolate. Simply mash some peach halves with some juice, add some sugar and grated ginger in a pitcher along with ice and cold English breakfast tea and voila! Pair it with our Original Biscotti for a subtly sweet dessert, or with our Sweet Heat Cookies for a pleasantly spicy one. Try the adult version.
Cold, creamy, and sweet -- milkshakes have been a summer classic for decades. Making milkshakes is a piece of cake; just blend ice cream and milk to your own desired consistency. Vanilla milkshakes would pair perfectly with our Original, Coffee Cake, and Chocolate Chip Brownie Biscotti. Chocolate Milkshakes would pair perfectly with our GF Banana Bread Biscotti. The flavor possibilities are limitless. Or try this adult version.
Sorry kids, this one is for adults only! The harmonious marriage of chocolate and orange here creates the perfect flavor pairing. This twist on the classic Italian Negroni would go perfectly with our Chocolate Chip Brownie Biscotti, balancing out the richness of the chocolate with a smoky and tangy drink. Perfect for a relaxing summer evening. See how it’s done here.
Martinelli’s (our preferred brand) is a classic at every event, but it is also a wonderful pairing with our Brown Sugar Coffee Cake Biscotti. Non-alcoholic, bubbly, crisp and fresh - the ideal refresher for a midday biscotti snack break. You can even make your own.
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It’s no secret that the first rule of any diet is typically no sweets or desserts. And if you've ever made a major lifestyle change to lose weight, you know how it is. Staring longingly at that slice of chocolate cake, box of Oreos, or cinnamon buns, trying to think of all the reasons why you shouldn’t break your diet and take a bite. But the 80/20 lifestyle is all about balance and moderation so that you can build up a healthy relationship with your food. It encourages you to indulge every once in awhile so that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle. Diets can help you lose weight but they’re definitely not a sustainable option, especially if you’re like us and have an actual social life. When you practice an 80/20 lifestyle, you have the space to go out socially and enjoy a meal (or cocktail!) with your friends, but most importantly it makes the whole clean eating thing feel doable for the long run. Because who wants to just be healthy for a month? No, you want to find that perfect sweet spot of balance that will make you feel good 100% of the time.
So, we’re calling dibs on being in your 20%. Life is all about balance and sometimes a frothy latte and biscotti are just what the doctor ordered. Let us be part of your weekly indulgence and add the perfect amount of sweetness to your life. Go ahead, dunk that soft-baked biscotti my friend.
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1. Do Your Research.
When planning a trip, the amount of research can be overwhelming, But mapping out your travel cuisine experience should be the fun part. While travel websites like Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet offer plenty of suggestions and reviews of restaurants in top destinations, there are a few other less-obvious ways to find out the best places to eat in each city you visit. Before you depart on your trip, check out the food and drink sections of the local newspapers to see which restaurants are being featured. Cross reference these papers with local food blogs to find out what the locals are crushing on right now. Travel sites like Nectar & Pulse offer handpicked travel tips from ‘local soulmates’ around the world, including their 24 hour travel guides featuring real experiences from travelers. Another source for mapping out your travel cuisine experience is your Facebook friends. You’d be surprised how many people in your network have traveled to the same destination or who may have personal connections in that city. Your social media networks are especially helpful if you don’t have that much time to plan in advance. Put a call out on Facebook or Twitter for the best places to eat in your city of choice that avoid the tourist traps and long lines and let your friends do the rest!
2. Hit The Streets.
One of the best ways to get to know a new city is to walk the neighborhood. Don’t worry about getting lost or having a set route, just wander around and see where your feet take you. Maybe even let your nose do the leading, just as long as you’re following the delicious scents of the local cuisine and keeping your eye out for bad neighborhoods. Most likely you will be lead to the local street vendors lining the sidewalks serving up local favorites. Street food is one of the most authentic representations of a city’s local cuisine but can be a little tricky when choosing which food to sample. While navigating the street food scene in any city you visit, look for vendors that have lines filled with the local crowd, not tourists. If the locals are eating it, it must be good. Also look out for food that’s cooked right in front of you and looks like it hasn’t been sitting out for a while. This will be a good indicator that the food is fresh and won’t leave you feeling sick during the rest of your trip.
3. Ask A Local.
This is one of those time-tested tips that never seems to fail. Most locals are surprisingly eager to divulge their favorite restaurants in town, hoping to give you the best dining experience their hometown has to offer. Traveling is not the time to be shy. Strike up a conversation with the local barista or bartender and soon you will have a long list of suggestions of where to get the best meal in town. Hotel concierges or Airbnb hosts are also great sources of knowledge for authentic local food that might even be walking distance from where you’re staying. We like to ask any local where they would go for a meal with their friends and often their recommendations offer some of the best meals of the entire trip!
4. Take A Food Tour.
The world is an amazing place and now offers entire tours devoted to some of our favorite food and drinks. Think tours that lead you to some of the best cheese shops in Paris or a beer tour in Berlin. These tours offer a unique way to explore a city through the eyes of its food and drink and can often lead you to unexpected places. Team up with a local guide for a quick and easy way to check out where the locals shop and eat or check out Road Food for self-guided itineraries to legendary food destinations in the US.
5. Time Your Visit.
Festivals and celebrations are such a fun and meaningful way to check out the local history and food culture of a city. Plan your trip around some of these exciting events and experience all that the city has to offer. Holidays are often steeped in cities’ history and the celebrations can transform the whole town into something magical. There are also plenty of food festivals to schedule your trip around. Oktoberfest in Munich is quite the event and is celebrated by young and old alike, decked out in lederhosen and other costumes. Beer flows freely and traditional German food fare is served, offering you an authentic experience that is one in a million.
]]>If you grew up in the US, chances are you had probably never heard of tahini until a few years ago when the hummus trend exploded. But this unique sesame paste has been a Middle Eastern staple for thousands of years, adding flavor and texture to many sweet and savory dishes. Made from ground sesame seeds, tahini is like peanut butter’s exotic hot older brother. It has a similar texture and mouthfeel but tastes a bit more indulgent than classic pb. Yet like peanut butter, the possibilities are endless to use it within recipes.
Hummus lovers, like ourselves, know that tahini is what gives hummus its distinct flavor. Without tahini, there would be no hummus. Most hummus recipes use tahini and chickpeas as the base, adding herbs, spices, and other veggies depending on the final product flavor and texture desired. While tahini does have a sesame taste, the flavors aren’t so bold that it’s all you will taste in your hummus, leaving you room to customize your hummus to your own tastes. Tahini does provide a certain nuttiness to hummus that leaves you satisfied and wanting more.
Don’t forget that tahini can also be used for baking (our favorite use-case, obviously), making it an easy (and allergy-friendly!) swap for peanut butter in cookies & brownies. Desserts with tahini still provide that nutty flavor that comes from peanut butter but also add a rich, indulgent nuance of flavor that will make your baked goods sing. Our new Tahini Tea Cookies are crafted with an organic version of this roasted sesame paste to bring a flavor that is rich yet delicate, sweetened with just a touch of sea salted honey. These cookies are insanely addictive and made exclusively with, GMO-free, all-natural ingredients so you can indulge all ya want. You’ve been warned!
Aside from being delicious, tahini has some surprising health benefits: it has 20% complete protein, making it a higher protein source than most nuts. In addition to protein, this sesame paste is also high in unsaturated fats, which are the good fats for your body. Lastly, tahini is rich in minerals such as phosphorus, lecithin, magnesium, potassium, and iron, as well as one of the best sources of calcium in plant foods.
Have we convinced you of the all wonders of tahini? Try making your own hummus or dipping sauce and you will see just how amazing adding only a spoonful of this stuff will be for your dish. Or if you’re mischievous we also suggest making a batch of brownies with “peanut butter” (aka tahini) for your friends and see if they can taste the difference!
Follow us on social @marlosbakeshop for updates on our new Tahini Tea Cookies, available this spring!
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3. A Handwritten Note Goes A Long Way
One of the most special ways to show your love is to write a handwritten note or card. When your special someone reads how much you love them in your own handwriting, they will fall in love with you all over again. Here are a few cute ideas for making your own Valentine's cards.
4. You Don't Need To Go Out & Spend Money, Cook A Romantic Meal At Home
What's more romantic than cooking a delicious dinner in your own home where you can relax and enjoy each others' company without all the fuss of a fancy restaurant? Plus, cooking your partner's favorite meal will show just how much you care about them. Need some recipe inspiration? Below are some of our favorite cookbooks we're crushing on right now:
First things first, you’ll need to figure out which varietals pair best with each flavor of soft-baked biscotti. Pairing wine and biscotti is as natural as pairing peanut butter and jelly. But if you don’t know which varietals pair best with each flavor, don’t worry! We put together a wine and biscotti pairings video to help you out.
If you are a little lost about how to taste the wine and which biscotti flavor to pair with it, we’ve created a cheat sheet for wine and biscotti pairings:
When it comes to wine tasting, first stick your nose in the glass and smell the flavors in the wine. Then take a little sip, swirl it around in your mouth a bit, then after you’ve swallowed take another smell of the wine. After you’ve smelled it again, take a bite of the biscotti you are pairing with the wine.
We like to pair the Original with a light bodied Pinot Noir. Although this wine doesn’t have a ton of body, the flavors in the wine are a perfect compliment to the biscotti and the Pinot does a great job of pulling out the cinnamon sugar flavor that is sprinkled on top of the biscotti.
The Chocolate Chip Brownie flavor is a little sweeter and richer than the Original and for this reason we pair this flavor with a heavier wine than the Pinot. A Cabernet works really well with the Chocolate Chip Brownie flavor, as does a Zinfindel with a few peppery notes. Any fruit forward wine pairs nicely with this flavor.
Ice Wine is a non-traditional dessert wine that is bursting with fruit flavors. This wine requires a cold climate where grapes are harvested frozen on the vine. Because this wine is very sweet and syrupy, it is a perfect balance to the Gluten-Free Banana Bread biscotti, which has subtle banana flavors and a little bit of cinnamon sugar as well.
Feeling inspired by what you’ve learned? Host your own wine and soft-baked biscotti party for your friends by grabbing a few bottles of your favorite wine and one of our variety packs.
]]>Don’t stress about holiday dinner party etiquette: we’ve got seven essential tips for being an excellent guest and staying on your host’s nice list.
Don’t treat this event like a casual house party where you can drop in at your convenience. If your host is planning a sit-down dinner, they’ve planned the time when they want that dinner to start. Honor the host’s wishes by following dinner party protocol, and arrive at the time listed on the invitation.
Don’t show up earlier than expected. You may think you’re just being punctual, but you’re really putting your host on the spot when they’re still trying to prepare for their guests.
If you’re running a few minutes late, let your host know and say that you understand if they want to start dinner without you.
Your host didn’t just include an RSVP on the invite for their own health: they need to get a head count so that they know how many places to set and how much food to prepare. Once you receive an invitation, it’s just basic good dinner party guest etiquette to let your host know as soon as possible whether you’ll be able to make it. And don’t bring a plus-one to the holiday dinner party without asking the host first. A good host will be gracious if an extra guest shows up, but it’s better not to put your generous host in that position.
If you’re not sure how casual or formal the dinner will be, air on the side of getting a bit dressed up. You probably don’t need to show up in a ball gown, but you could use the occasion to wear that new cocktail dress or nice blouse. The holidays are a time when people tend to enjoy dressing up, so make the most of it.
It’s the gift-giving season, so the idea of picking out a host/hostess gift may already be on your mind. When considering what you should bring to a holiday dinner party, a bottle of wine will probably come to mind first, but this can backfire if you don’t know what kind of wine the host likes. Instead, bring something a little bit out-of-the-box that your host can enjoy at their leisure. We have a whole post with creative ideas for host gifts if you’re stumped.
Still not totally sure what to bring to this dinner party? If all else fails, it’s always a good idea to bring a consumable but non-perishable item, like a box of our Original Soft-Baked Biscotti. Food items are thoughtful gifts because they have wide appeal and won’t clutter the host’s home long-term.
It’s one thing to take your phone out for a few quick pictures before dinner starts, but it’s another to be scrolling through Facebook while your host is bringing out the main course. Dinner party protocol is like movie theater etiquette: keep your phone silent and out of sight. If you absolutely need to get your phone out (say you missed a call from your babysitter, for example), politely excuse yourself from the table and find somewhere quiet to make your call.
In the spirit of the holiday season, you may want to give your host the gift of your assistance. It’s fine to offer the host your help as he or she finishes preparing dinner or clears the table after the meal, but don’t continue to insist if the host says they’re fine. They may honestly feel most comfortable handling everything themselves, and having a guest who keeps trying to help will put them in an awkward position.
We know that around this time of year, there are a lot of holiday parties happening, but it’s bad etiquette to double-book yourself on the night you’ve RSVPed to a dinner party. You’re expected to stay for the whole meal (including dessert), and it would be rude to duck out early to head to another event.
So when is it polite to leave? Etiquette expert Rachel Wagner says you should take your cue from the host—once he or she stops offering drink refills, it’s a sign that they’re ready for the evening to wind down.
There’s no particular dinner party protocol that requires you to send a thank-you note after a dinner party, but it’s a thoughtful gesture that your host is sure to appreciate. Choose a nice holiday-themed card and write a quick note letting your host know you had a great time.
Don’t forget to shop our baked goods to find the perfect thank-you gift for your holiday party host.
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Fortunately, there’s a way to have your cake (or cookie) and eat it too: by hosting a holiday cookie swap party.
A holiday cookie swap involves inviting a group of friends to each bake a batch of cookies and bring them to your party so that everyone can sample—and take home—a large variety of festive desserts. It’s a great way to try everyone’s favorite holiday cookie and collect recipes that you might not have discovered otherwise.
So, what do you need to do to get all these holiday cookies into your life? Follow our ideas for hosting a delicious Christmas cookie swap.
Your first step should be to decide on a guest list. Keep in mind that everyone has to make enough holiday cookies to swap with the whole group, so this may not be the best occasion to invite 30 co-workers over. Shoot for eight to ten guests; you’ll get a good variety of cookies without having to bake for a small army.
After inviting guests and collecting RSVPs, you may want to set up a collaborative spreadsheet where guests can share what they’re bringing. That way, you won’t accidentally end up with five batches of snickerdoodles.
You should also establish some basic guidelines. Let guests know how many cookies you want them to bring (plan to let guests take home at least a half dozen of each type) and whether you want them to follow any theme. You should also find out if any guests have dietary restrictions (such as a severe nut allergy) that their fellow bakers should know about before choosing a cookie recipe.
The day of the cookie swap party, give yourself an hour or two to set up for your guests. Add some holiday décor to the party area if you haven’t already. Set up a table that’s big enough to hold everyone’s cookies and also easy to walk around on all sides. Fold over strips of thick paper to make standing labels for each cookie variety. If your guests aren’t bringing their own serving trays, you may also want to set out trays for them to display their cookies on.
Plan to offer some light savory snacks, such as veggies and dip or cheese and crackers, for guests to munch on before the official holiday cookie exchange part of the party kicks off. It’s also a nice touch to make some hot drinks that pair well with cookies. If you’re hoping to go beyond coffee and tea, we’ve got a collection of warm drink ideas here.
Provide guests with something they can use to transport their cookies, such as disposable aluminum trays or inexpensive Tupperware. If you’re looking for an idea that’ll make your holiday cookie swap extra fancy, you could even set up a packaging station with boxes, labels, ribbon, and tissue paper so that guests can assemble a festive cookie container. On the other hand, if assembling containers seems like too much for you to think about with all the other party logistics, you could simply ask guests to bring their own containers. Just make sure you have a few extras on hand for anyone who forgets!
As your guests leave, ask them to email you their cookie recipe. Then you can assemble a master list of the recipes and email it to the whole group. Your guests are bound to appreciate getting the recipes for their favorite holiday cookies from the exchange.
Looking for a new cookie recipe for your exchange? Try our cookie truffles—these decadent, bite-sized treats are perfect for a holiday cookie swap party. And don’t forget to shop our baked goods. Our versatile Soft-Baked Biscotti can easily be crumbled and incorporated into cookie recipes.]]>
Also known as vin brulé, this warm winter drink is traditionally served at outdoor Christmas markets in Italy. The difference between vin brulé and the mulled wine you might be familiar with is that the wine is boiled until no alcohol remains (although some people add a shot of brandy or sherry at the end of the process).
As with traditional British mulled wine, there are a lot of possible spice variations on this winter drink idea. Common ingredients include cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, nutmeg, and orange zest. Mulled wine works best with a fruity, full-bodied red wine (it doesn’t need to be expensive). If you don’t want all the alcohol to evaporate, you can simply heat it on the stove at a lower temperature until it’s warm. As for the perfect winter snack to pair with this drink, biscotti has its roots in Italy, so what better to pair Italian mulled wine than a delicious twist on a classic Italian favorite?
Try it with: The Original Soft-Baked Biscotti
Chai has such complex flavors that it might seem tough to make at home, but it’s easier to master this winter beverage than you think. The key is to have the right spices on hand. Crushed green cardamom pods are essential, and cinnamon, fennel seeds, and fresh ginger are all good additions. You can also add star anise, coriander seeds, and whole cloves. You’ll find a great recipe here.
Try it with: Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Soft-Baked Biscotti (available for a limited time only)
Alright, technically this winter drink idea could fall into the coffee category, but it’s so good that we had to include it anyway. You can make this caffeinated hot chocolate in a slow cooker using a combination of cocoa powder, espresso powder, half-and-half, caramel sauce, and Nutella. Top it with whipped cream when you really want to treat yourself. You can view the full recipe for this decadent winter drink here.
Try it with: Chocolate Chip Brownie Soft-Baked Biscotti
The London Fog is a latte for anyone who would rather drink Earl Grey tea than coffee. To make one of these good winter drinks at home, brew yourself a strong cup of Earl Grey tea and top it with steamed milk, a splash of vanilla, and sugar to taste. To add a subtle boost to the flavor, throw a pinch of lavender into the water while you’re brewing the tea. Just make sure to strain the lavender out before you add the other ingredients.
Try it with: Banana Bread Soft-Baked Biscotti
Hot cider is the best drink to warm you up after you’ve spent a winter afternoon outside, and it’s only made better by the addition of bourbon. Make this winter beverage at home by pouring a jug of apple cider in a stockpot and adding cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Heat it up on the stove, and add a splash of bourbon when it’s done.
Try it with: Brown Sugar Coffee Cake Soft-Baked Biscotti
You didn’t think we’d make a list of the best winter drinks and leave off hot chocolate, did you? Even the most simple hot chocolate pairs nicely with our delicious winter-friendly snacks like soft-baked biscotti and cookies, but we recommend adding a little more excitement to your recipe the next time you have a lazy weekend afternoon. For the ultimate comfort drink, try this recipe for Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa. It’s made with half-and-half, white chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, giving it a creamy and lightly spiced flavor that you’ll love alongside your biscotti or cookie.
Try it with: Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Is all this talk about warm winter drinks and baked goods making you hungry? Shop the Marlo’s Bakeshop online store now to find the best snack to pair with your winter beverage of choice. ]]>Getting a little something for the important people doesn’t have to be stressful on you and your budget. Here are a few great inexpensive gift ideas when you’re shopping for:
You know the family member we’re talking about—whenever you visit them, they greet you with a homemade pie or loaf of bread that they just pulled out of the oven. They’re constantly looking for new recipes to try and whenever a family member needs a birthday cake, they come to the rescue with their frosting piping kit. This year, give them a small holiday gift that they’ll love incorporating into their baking: Cookie Bites.
Our Cookie Bites are just like our Soft-Baked Biscotti, but their bite-size form makes them easy to crumble up and use as a crust or topping. We’ve got plenty of recipes that use this unique holiday food gift: to add a personal touch, you could collect your favorite recipes and put them into a book for your gift recipient.
You probably know parents who seem like they’re constantly on-the-go with their kids, heading to school concerts, volleyball games, and teacher conferences. Give them an edible and delicious holiday gift that will also let them slow down and spend a fun afternoon with their kids.
The Sundae Funday kit contains everything (except the ice cream) your gift recipient needs to set up a sundae bar. They’ll get all-natural rainbow sprinkles, organic hot fudge sauce, black cherries, and our Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookie Bites. It’s the perfect start to a kid’s birthday party or family movie night.
If you have a friend who loves gathering a group of people together for a meal, give them something they can use at their next dinner party. The Host(ess) with the Most(ess) kit is one of the best holiday gifts for food lovers, and includes a selection of sweet and savory snacks your friend can set out before dinner. The Original Soft-Baked Biscotti, pear butter, spiced almonds, and parmesan and herbs popcorn are sure to be a hit with guests and will help keep hunger at bay while the host finishes cooking.
Know someone who doesn’t think their food is spicy enough unless it’s making them sweat? Have a coworker who keeps a personal bottle of hot sauce in the office fridge? They’ll love our Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, a dark chocolate treat that gets a kick from cinnamon and cayenne pepper. These mouthwatering cookies come in a super gift-friendly package and are the perfect inexpensive gift idea for your spiciest coworker.
For those who are worried about the heat factor, it’s worth noting that these cookies won’t set anyone’s mouth on fire. The sweet and spicy flavors are nicely balanced so that you don’t need an impressively high spice tolerance to enjoy them.
If you have a friend who always struggles to choose between restaurants or spends days comparison shopping online, get them a unique edible gift that doesn’t require decisions by giving them the Variety Pack from Marlo’s Bakeshop. The Variety Pack comes with 5-ounce boxes of our classic Soft-Baked Biscotti flavors: Original, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Brown Sugar Coffee Cake, and Gluten-Free Banana Bread. Your friend will get to try a little bit of everything when you choose this holiday food gift idea—no guesswork about whether they’d prefer chocolate or banana bread.
We’ve all got that person in our life who knows what they like and would rather just pick out a small holiday gift for themselves. Fortunately, Marlo’s Bakeshop offers gift cards in $25 increments so that your friend or family member can get exactly what they want. Pick out a holiday card or make one yourself (bonus points if you make one that incorporates puns about baked goods) and put the gift card inside.
You and everyone on your holiday shopping list can feel good about the unique edible gifts in Marlo’s Bakeshop’s holiday gift giving guide: we use only high-quality, GMO-free ingredients to make wholesome indulgences. Shop our entire store now to discover the perfect gift idea for any food-lover this holiday season.
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We’ve got a few suggestions for unique host or hostess gifts you can take to your next dinner party:
Many of us have been in a hosting situation where our hungry guests have started to arrive, but the table isn’t set, or the main dish needs more time in the oven. Party snacks can be a lifesaver, giving guests something to enjoy and buying the host extra time to get dinner on the table. Help your host out by bringing a dinner party gift that could easily be added to a snack platter or cheese board, like the Host(ess) with the Mostess kit from our shop.
If you’re thinking about an edible hostess gift idea, consider giving something that has a long shelf life and can be used many times. That way, the hostess won’t feel rushed to consume it, and she’ll get to savor it over and over again. Creative dinner party gifts in this category might include a jar of your favorite herb blend or a bottle of fancy olive oil.
If you’ve got craft skills and want to give something that will be personal, try making something for your host. You could make a set of coasters with their initials or a fresh loaf of zucchini bread (we know, this violates the long shelf life rule, but we don’t think the host will be too mad). This type of unique hostess gift may seem like a small gesture, but your host will probably be touched by the effort and thought you’ve put into it.
If someone’s hosting a dinner party, the odds are good they like whipping up kitchen creations and would enjoy receiving a cookbook as a gift. Pick out a vintage cookbook with a beautiful cover or a specialized cookbook with recipes your hostess is unlikely to have tried. Alternatively, if you know the hostess loves creating cocktails, you could also pick up a coffee table mixology book.
There are plenty of small, useful kitchen items that make a perfect gift idea for a host or hostess at about the same price as a decent bottle of wine. Try to choose something that you know will be meaningful to the host. For example, if he likes to grill, you could bring a set of wood planks for salmon. If he loves wine and cheese pairings, choose an attractive cheese knife set. If he’s a coffee fiend, get him a set of decorative mugs.
Cut flowers might seem like a thoughtful gift idea for your hostess, but they may be more trouble than they’re worth: the hostess will have to stop what she’s doing to find a vase, and the flowers will only last for a few days. Instead, bring a small potted succulent (or another easy-to-care for plant). It will be a nice decorative accent that your hostess can put anywhere in her home, and it won’t require a lot of effort.
Consider taking the money you would have spent on a bottle of wine and instead putting it into a gift card for a cleaning service or a spa day. Your host is sure to appreciate a dinner party gift that helps them relax after all the work they’ve put into their party.
Still not sure what gift you should bring to the party? Shop our baked goods now and discover the perfect addition to your host's pantry.
]]>Our Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies combine rich chocolate with the sweetness of cinnamon and spicy cayenne pepper. The heat from the cayenne pepper brings out the natural sweetness of the cookie without ever being too overwhelming. Biting into one of these unusual chocolate chip cookies is kind of like taking that first step into your warm home after you’ve been out for a walk on a crisp winter day. And whether it’s a freezing day or 90 degrees where you live, we think you’ll love the comfort that comes from eating a freshly baked Sweet Heat Chocolate Chip cookie.
Where’d we get the inspiration for our newest chocolate chip cookies? From our friend Ben, and his experience of drinking a cup of hot chocolate at a chili pepper festival, of course. Alright, maybe that’s not a universal experience, but you can imagine what it’s like to temper the heat of a spicy dish with a smooth, creamy cup of cocoa. Ben went home from the festival, whipped up this recipe & shared it with Marlo’s Bakeshop so that we can bring it to pantries and tummies like yours! That’s the idea behind the Sweet Heat Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. Whenever we create cookie variations, we always strive to share unique ideas & bring together flavors you might not expect in a way that inspires delight.
As with all our products, our unique chocolate chip cookies are made with high-quality, GMO –free ingredients. We’re committed to working with local suppliers and using ingredients that you can pronounce. We also want to make sure you know exactly what goes into our delicious desserts. If you have any questions about our ingredients, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
We could spend all day talking about our Sweet Heat cookies (we really could), but you won’t get the full experience of these unique chocolate chip cookies until you try them for yourself.
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If you’ve got a few spare minutes on the weekend or in the morning before work, make yourself some simple and healthy snacks for days when you’re on the go. It doesn’t get much easier than chopping up an apple or a few vegetables, like bell peppers and carrots. Oven-roasted chickpeas and hard-boiled eggs are also good bets because they’re rich in protein and will keep you feeling full for longer.
Maybe you don’t have time to prepare your own snacks and need to grab something pre-packaged. We get it. The good news is that it’s still possible to make healthy snack choices on the go: just look for pre-packaged snacks that contain natural ingredients you can pronounce. Our Soft-Baked Biscotti is a great option; we use only premium, GMO-free ingredients that you can feel good about.
Rather than buying the Sharing Size bag of M&Ms and eating them in one sitting, pick up snacks that are parceled out in single-serving containers. By choosing pre-portioned snacks like popcorn, mixed nuts, and dried fruit, you’ll satisfy your snacking urge without overeating.
For many of us, reaching for junk food is something we do for the sake of convenience. So why not make healthy snacks even quicker than heading to the vending machine or ordering takeout? Keep healthy, portable snacks in sight at home. For example, you could leave a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter so that you can grab an apple or banana as you head out the door. If you work in an office, keep some small healthy grab and go snacks at your desk so that you can make healthy choices when hunger strikes.
When you go for long stretches without eating, your blood sugar will dip, which can cause you to feel hungry, irritable, and unfocused (we all know the feeling). It can also cause you to overeat later in the day. Eating a quick healthy snack or small meal every three to four hours will help keep your blood sugar steady so that you can be more productive and avoid intense hunger cravings.
Snacking isn’t something you should feel bad about. When you make (mostly) healthy snack choices and practice moderation, you’ll keep your energy levels up and avoid overindulging during your next meal.
Is all this talk about snacks making you hungry? Shop our baked goods now and discover the perfect grab-and-go addition to your pantry.
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