Lillian Vernon Blog

A Treasury of Fine Gifts Since 1951

Good Things Come to Those Who Bake! Tips and Kitchen Essentials for Baking up a Storm during the Holidays

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From left to right: Custom Glass Canisters, sm, med, lg, from $5.99-$9.99; Santa Holiday Recipe Cards and Flags, by Maureen Anders. Set of 48 cards, $5.99, Set of 64 self-stick red and blue Flags, $9.99; Marble and Wood Cutting Board Set by Mud Pie, $39.99; Domed Acacia Wood Server, $34.99; Mini Trifle Bowls, $21.99 for set of four; Personalized Cocktail Napkins, in a variety of designs, shown here with Snowflake Initial, $24.99 for set of 125, two or more $19.99; Monogrammed Marble Lazy Susan in white, $42.99; our exclusive Santa Cookie Jar by Maureen Anders, $39.99; Monogrammed Dish Towel, by Jillian Yee-Pham, $10.99 each, or two or more for $9.99

 

A party without cake is just a meeting.–Julia Child

Nothing gets us into the holiday spirit like the sweet smell of pies, cookies, and cakes baking in the oven.  And it’s not just about the sugar and spice…don’t forget the making it nice part!

-Plan out the serving plates and platters you will use for your baked goods.

-Fill glass jars with candy canes, popcorn and nuts.

-Order monogrammed napkins to use for cocktails and dinner.

-Make a specialty drink, and come up with a name for it, like a Christmas Cosmo, or a Give Thanks Tequila.

-If you’re going to someone else’s home, bring a personalized gift to show you put in that extra effort.

-Make a pretty package of homemade cookies and add a personalized monogrammed ornament for the hang tag.

-Mix in your old and cherish things with your new favorites.  Choose a color theme, and layer with different heights.

 

This year as you plan your homemade happiness, get organized, write a list, and stay calm!  Check out some of our baking tips and kitchen essentials to make your holidays unforgettable.

 

Everyone gets a taste with these individual glass bowls. Serve up trifle or any delicious dessert in these great-looking bowls with an elegant pedestal style foot, ideal for salads, pastas or any appetizer.  You could also use them on your bar cart to display lemons and limes, olives, celery, nuts or trail mix.

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Our NEW Mini Trifle Bowls, $21.99 for set of four.  Use for candy, nuts, desserts, or appetizers. By Libbey Selene.

 

Baking Tips to Keep in Mind:

-When a recipe calls for eggs, it typically means Grade A large eggs

-When a recipe calls for milk, it usually means homogenized whole milk.

-Use shiny baking sheets.  Dark ones will often burn cookie bottoms.

-To make your popovers rise, be sure to preheat your oven AND muffin pan.  Make sure your eggs are room temperature before mixing.

-While it may affect the texture, color, it’s okay to substitute light brown sugar for dark brown.

-Always use pure vanilla extract. It makes a big difference.

-Baking IS an exact science.  Measure your ingredients carefully, using a glass measuring cup for wet ingredients and cups and teaspoons for dry ingredients

-Add a pinch of salt to sweet baked goods.  It will bring out the flavor

 

 

Presentation is a piece of cake with our versatile, Domed Acacia Wood Server.  Use it for a pie, cake or cupcakes, or to display several desserts at once, such as cookies and brownies.  When not in use for baking, make a pretty fruit display of mandarins, collect shiny ornaments in a bowl, add magnolia sprigs, and cover them to make a holiday centerpiece.  You can even use it to display cheeses, nuts, bread and dried fruit.   Buy it HERE 

 

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Get into the holiday spirit with our Flour Sack Towels in 100% cotton.  A perfect gift for foodies, friends and hostesses.  $7.99 each HERE

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Our exclusive monogrammed Printed White Cotton Dish Towel makes a thoughtful, plan-ahead hostess gift, teacher thank-you, or gift for a foodie friend. 100% cotton, design exclusively for Lillian Vernon by Jillian Yee-Pham. $10.99 each or two or more $9.99 each. Personalization is free of charge.

 

Gifting Tip:  Monogram two towels (one for the person’s first name and one for the last), roll them up with string, and add a personalized ornament and a mini pine sprig.

 

 

 

 

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Autographed Sprinkles Baking Book, from celebrity baker Candace Nelson, $26.00

 

Why not go with the expert, and try some new and exciting recipes from entrepreneur and celebrity baker Candace Nelson.  In her Sprinkles Baking Book, Candace shares 50 recipes responsible for her cupcake success, plus stories, tips, and dozens of dessert recipes. Order from Lillian Vernon, and your book will come autographed!  HERE

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Multi-purpose Customized Glass Canisters come in three sizes, from $5.99-$9.99, personalized or monogrammed free of charge

 

Our exclusive Custom Glass Canisters make candy, tea bags and pantry perishables look pretty.  Use them for baking essentials like chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks or sugar.  Customize as you wish, and use in the kitchen, pantry and powder room.  Ideas include:  your monogram, your name, contents such as sugar, nuts, flour; or in the bathroom:  Cotton Balls, QTips, Hair Ties.

 

 

 

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Exclusive to us, and personalized for you, our NEW Santa Stamp Cookie Jar has a vintage, snug lid to keep baked goods fresh. Your guests will love to see what’s inside. Designed by Maureen Anders. $39.99

 

 

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Santa Holiday Red & Blue Self-Stick Goodie Flags by Maureen Anders. Set of 64, $9.99

 

Designed exclusively for Lillian Vernon, our personalized holiday stationery includes something for everyone…from Dear Santa notes (Shop HERE), to recipe cards and goodie flags.  A great hostess gift! Recipe cards, set of 48 $5.99; Self-Stick Red & Blue Flags, set of 64 $9.99

 

 

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Our NEW Marble and Wood Cutting Board Set makes an ideal server for cheeses, sushi and charcuterie, or to roll out cookie dough on the marble side. The two-piece set features wood handled spreader. Board is 10 x 10″ and spreader is 5 1/2″, $39.99 by Mud Pie.

 

 

“There’s no better way to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season than with bright, cheery colors!” says Dylan Lauren, founder and owner of world-famous Dylan’s Candy Bar.  “It’s even better when you can bring traditional characters to life with a sweet, unexpected twist.”  To shop our Exclusive collection from Dylan’s Candy Bar click HERE

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