It's like clockwork...

Every year, right after Halloween, we see a serious spike in orders in one particular category. Sure, there are those who like to get a head-start on holiday shopping - panettone or the holiday tea known as Esprit de Noël from Mariage Frères. But the category in which our sales multiply instantly is the one that contains ingredients for holiday traditions of all sorts. In other words, the Holiday Baking Season has arrived!

What's your family's holiday baking tradition? For stollen, panforte and panettone, candied fruit takes center stage. For cookies, cakes and candies, marzipan and chocolate are essesential. From candied flowers for cupcake decorations, to chestnuts and vanilla for tortes of all kind, we have the specialty ingredients you'll need to make the baking season bright.

Now through Sunday, November 11th - Shop all baking ingredients and take 15% off when you spend $75 or more. Use code: BAKED at checkout.

Let the baking begin

Take a look below at some of the new baking items we've added this year:

Candied Cherries from Lilamand

These red, whole candied cherries are quintessential for fruit cake recipes. Shirley Temples and ice cream sundaes also come to mind. Made by the French family-owned company, Lilamand, these plump orbs are made with an old-fashioned process in which they are repeatedly simmered in glacé syrup for 3-4 weeks, then set to rest for two months to slowly complete the candying process. Shiny and soft, the fruit looks like it has just been picked.

Chestnut Puree

Formerly known as Ardèche Marrons, these purées come to us from Concept Fruits in the heart of the Ardeche mountains. They are solely in the chestnut business - growing and processing this finicky fruit is quite a labor of love...anyone who's ever roasted over an open fire can attest to that. The Chestnut Purée is simply steamed chestnuts, ground to a fine paste. It is great for baking, ice cream, pastry fillings and savory applications. 

Candied (Glacé) Pineapple Rings 

These sweet glazed rings of pineapple are perfect for baking and decorating. Chop them into smaller pieces for a tropical twist on the classic fruitcake; layer the bottom of a pan with whole rings for an impressive pineapple upside down cake or use whole rings to decorate your honey glazed ham.

Askinosie Natural Cocoa Powder

This unsweetened, natural cocoa powder is made without the use of alkalizing agents (non-Dutch processed). From single origin beans sourced from the Philippines, Askinosie Natural Cocoa Powder has a deep, intense chocolate flavor that is well-suited for rich brownies, cookies, frosting and cakes. Askinosie Chocolate is a small, family run business founded by Shawn Askinosie. Shawn travels the world to meet with farmers and ensure they are paid a fair price for their beans and then processes them in his Springfield, Missouri factory.

Xantham Gum 

Xanthan Gum is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer. It will prevent ice crystals from forming in homemade ice cream. It's also a common ingredient in gluten-free baked goods. One teaspoon Xanthan Gum per cup of gluten-free flour will help breads or pizza crusts to rise. Use ½ teaspoon per cup of flour for muffin or cake recipes. Blend with dry ingredients or use as directed by recipe.

We now also carry Lecithin and Citric Acid from LorAnn.