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This chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzel recipe makes lovely gifts

This chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzel recipe makes lovely gifts

Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels

Active time:10 mins

Total time:10 mins, plus cooling time

Servings:36 (makes about 180 pretzels)

Active time:10 mins

Total time:10 mins, plus cooling time

Servings:36 (makes about 180 pretzels)

Comment

Do you like peanut butter pretzels? Do you like chocolate-covered pretzels? Then you’ll love chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzels. Especially if you make them. And even more so if you’re looking for an easy Valentine’s Day treat for someone you care about: a child, a friend, your partner, yourself.

Considering that these pretzels come together in about 5 minutes — the hardest part is to wait a few hours (ideally, overnight) for the chocolate to set.

Depending on the chocolate you use — milk or dark — these can be a two- or four-ingredient treat, including the optional flaky salt.

Why not just buy this treat? I have found the store-bought varieties tend to be pricey, with sub-par chocolate and often are too sweet. And what if you, like me, like your chocolate with an assertive hit of salt? Don’t you deserve a custom confection that’s easy to achieve?

The multiple test batches that came out of my kitchen — eagerly eaten by family and friends — revealed a few things about making these pretzels that I hope you’ll find helpful.

First, since there are so few ingredients, quality matters: The better your chocolate, the tastier the end result. Try using chocolate you’d enjoy eating on its own. In testing, I found that dark chocolate, given its robust flavor profile, benefited from a modest sprinkling of the flaky salt, whereas the milk chocolate didn’t seem to need that finishing touch.

Second, consider the pretzel: While all brands are relatively similar in shape and crunch, they can differ in saltiness. So before you enrobe your pretzels in chocolate, taste one, and if you find a dominant note of saltiness, you may not need additional salt for the topping.

Also, if you don’t like, or can’t eat, peanut butter, you can seek out pretzels filled with almond butter, or a nut-free alternative, such as sunflower seed butter.

Third, the giftability: For those searching for a fun, easy Valentine’s Day cooking project to do with kids, look no further. The quickly dwindling attention of children will last for the handful of minutes you’ll need to melt the chocolate, dump the pretzels in, stir them around to coat, and upend the whole mess on a lined baking sheet. If your kid wants extra credit — and, like mine, salts his chocolate with abandon — give them a few pinches of flaky salt and let them go at it.

Once the seemingly interminable wait for the chocolate to set is over, you can portion these treats into gift bags or boxes, and pass them out as Valentines or party favors.

Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels

Make Ahead: The coated pretzels need at least 3 hours, and ideally overnight, to set at room temperature before serving. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the pretzels for 2 hours before serving.

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or refrigerate for up to 4 weeks. If your kitchen is warm, opt to refrigerate the pretzels.

NOTE: The saltiness of pretzel brands varies widely. Taste a pretzel before coating. If it’s assertively salty, you probably won’t need flaky salt.

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Scale this recipe and get a printer-friendly, desktop version here.

  • 7 ounces (200 grams) dark chocolate (see VARIATION)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 1 pound (454 grams) peanut-butter-filled pretzels (can substitute any nut- or seed-butter-filled pretzels)
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional; see NOTE)

Set a large, heatproof bowl over a pot of about 1 inch of simmering water; do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with wax paper and keep it near your workspace.

Add the chocolate to the bowl and let it melt, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in the oil until it is completely incorporated and the mixture is glossy. Remove from the heat.

Add the pretzels and stir to coat evenly. Upend the bowl of pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet and, using a flexible spatula, spread in a single layer, doing your best to separate as many of them as possible. If some of the corners or sides of the pretzels look naked, use the spatula to smear the offending parts with the extra chocolate on the wax paper.

Sprinkle with the flaky salt, if using, and let set completely, at least 3 hours and preferably overnight, before serving. (You can also speed up this process by refrigerating the pretzels for at least 2 hours.)

VARIATION: To make the pretzels with milk chocolate, melt the chocolate as directed above without coconut oil. We preferred the milk chocolate pretzels without the flaky salt.

Calories: 80; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 61 mg; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 1 g; Protein: 2 g

This analysis is an estimate based on available ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s or nutritionist’s advice.

From assistant recipes editor Olga Massov.

Tested by Olga Massov; email questions to voraciously@washpost.com.

Scale this recipe and get a printer-friendly, desktop version here.

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These 11 Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With Are Also Amazing Last-Minute Gifts

These 11 Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With Are Also Amazing Last-Minute Gifts

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

Cheap pans, hand-me-down dishes, thin, generic cutlery: I spent years using starter cookware like anyone else. But once I was able to invest in quality kitchen gear I actually cared about, the most amazing thing happened. I became a better cook. Part of that surely has to do with experience points. But I peg at least some of my improvement on higher-performing tools and actually caring about the implements I use as part of the cooking process.

While I’ll probably never stop gushing about these incredibly useful kitchen tools under $25 that I don’t want to live without, there are also some favorite cooking items that I’m convinced are worth the bigger bucks — and they also happen to make great gifts. 

Don’t worry, I’m not talking about $500 single-use gadget that sees the light of day once a year. I’m talking about practical cooking tools I use weekly and sometimes daily in my tiny galley kitchen. And I stand by every single one of them. I’m confident that if any of these kitchen items strike your fancy, they’ll soon become your favorites, too.

Read more: These Are the 9 Best Gifts I Ever Bought My Older Parents. Here’s Why

Staub

Lodge and Le Creuset are terrific, tried-and-tested Dutch ovens that cook a variety of food evenly. But I couldn’t be happier with this tall-sided 5-quart Staub Cocotte, which comes in an array of colors for pretty much any style. With a cast iron core, it isn’t light, but it is uniformly excellent. In fact, it’s my go-to cooking vessel for most things, and it goes from stove to oven to table to fridge flawlessly. My brother got a smaller model that he uses for proofing and baking bread, which goes to show the versatility of this pot. 

You’re receiving price alerts for Staub Cocotte Cast Iron Dutch Oven: $149

Breville

I had an inexpensive pair of electric beaters that always gave me trouble — ditching it for this Breville Handy Mix Scraper was one of the best decisions I made, especially during this season of abundant baking. This mixer seriously does it all: It comes with whisks, creamer inserts and dough hooks! It has a built-in light so you can see what’s in the bowl! There’s a stopwatch feature so you can see how long you’ve been mixing and a pause button that keeps track of your speed settings and time while you take a break to scrape down the bowl! The cord base can rotate to get out of your way! And it has a convenient storage situation where you can keep all the beater wands!

You’re receiving price alerts for Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer, Silver, BHM800SIL

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

I’ve owned an immersion blender for years, but recently upgraded myself to the Braun MultiQuick 7 for its robust design, powerful motor and fun extras, like a mini food processor attachment (like, for making quick work of onions and herbs) and a balloon whisk attachment for quickly whipping or whisking without having to go full-bore with the electric beaters. 

I use this tool constantly, to process soups right in the pan, make salsa in the included beaker, whip cream into soft peaks and make quick work of pulverizing onion without hefting the food processor to the counter. It’s also wonderfully easy to clean and dry, and small and light enough to pull out from the pantry any time I need it. I can’t recommend it enough.

You’re receiving price alerts for Braun MQ7027X Multiquick 7 ACTIVEBlade Technology Hand Blender

Chris Monroe/CNET

I may have spoiled myself buying the Google Nest Hub smart speaker display for my kitchen. I have it set up on a riser shelf on my counter, next to a phone stand where I can also keep my phone away from the worst of tea splatters and flying onions. I use the Nest Hub for everyday things like checking the weather as I’m making my morning cuppa and playing music (with song lyrics!) while I cook. I use the two hands-free timers multiple times a day, and look up recipes on the screen (you can follow these step-by-step). 

There’s also an extra function where you can program the Nest Hub to forgo the “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google” wake word when you look at it and start listening to you with just a glance (Google calls this Look and Talk). That’s ultra convenient for saving some time and breath every time you want to ask for unit conversion measures, adding to or canceling a timer and skipping to the next track.

Read our Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) review.

 

You’re receiving price alerts for Google Nest Hub (2nd gen, Sand)

Shun

I have lusted after Shun Premier knives for over a decade and finally bought two for my new kitchen: the 8-inch chef’s knife and a 3.5-inch paring knife. Over Black Friday, I added a 7-inch Santoku blade to the mix. I adore the way the rounded handles balance, and the stunning, wavy pattern on the forged blade boasts an edge designed to hold sharpness far longer than average. That’s good for me, because the sound of knife sharpening sets my every tooth, bone and neuron on fire.

Shun Premier knives come in gray and brown wood handle options. The Classic knives are cheaper and also very good (yes, I’ve tried them out, too). But my heart belongs to the Premier line for the way they feel in my hand, and the extra aesthetics on the blade (69 layers of Damascus steel, if you’re wondering). I store them in a drawer with a blade guard case to protect the knife sharpness (and my fingers). Here are other recommended chef’s knives as well.

Amazon

Zojirushi has an excellent reputation for countertop appliances that hit the high-water mark. I’ve been beyond happy with my Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker since I bought it earlier this year. My pantry is stuffed with six kinds of rice and at least four other grains I routinely cook up. The settings are easy to use and whether I wash the grains or not, whatever I’m making comes out evenly cooked. Plus, it plays a song when starting and ending a cycle, which is much nicer than a loud beep or buzz.

The Neuro Fuzzy in particular takes up more counter space than the most compact models, and rice can take an hour for a typical cycle of even cooking. But there are lots of settings, including a quick cook mode, and cleanup is easy. (Here are meals you can make in the rice cooker other than rice.)

You’re receiving price alerts for Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker: $185

Breville

Buying the Breville Smart Oven Pro Toaster Oven (BOV845BSS) was one of my best kitchen decisions. It toasts, it broils, it roasts. And since it has a convection oven function, you can totally skip the separate air fryer — and cook more stuff at once. I love the countdown clock that takes the mystery out of when your food will be done, and I love that I can bake a single batch of cookies or toast walnuts faster than a standard oven, and without having to heat the whole thing first. Plus, the brushed stainless steel body looks pretty great on my countertop.

You’re receiving price alerts for Breville Smart Oven Pro toaster oven: $260 (Save $90)

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

Le Creuset dutch ovens are all the rage (I actually really love my Staub Cocotte), but one of the best gifts I ever received was this Le Creuset casserole dish that can go straight from oven to table (to fridge!) while cooking food evenly and looking awesome. I would buy this all over again, and gift it, too. It comes in a range of striking colors, and shockingly cleans easily — with a little soak in soapy hot water and a dirt-cheap pan scraper. I’m the kind of person who excels at ruining dutch ovens with burned-on spots. After a couple years, this dish has remained spot-free, even after roasting dark, sticky stews (yum!).

You’re receiving price alerts for Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Rectangular Casserole, 4 qt. (12″ x 9″), Oyster

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

A workhorse apron is worth its weight in gold. I’m thankful I finally stumbled on Hedley & Bennett, which makes a seemingly endless supply of thick, sturdy aprons I now can’t fail to miss seeing seemingly any time I walk into a restaurant. If these aprons can handle the stresses of a professional kitchen, they can handle the flying sauces and batter in mine. I bought myself two styles, including a Cookie Monster print that never fails to make my inner child giggle. The apron’s neck loop is adjustable, there are a lot of pockets, and so far the waist straps haven’t gotten scrunched, twisted or mangled in the washer or dryer.

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

I’m not the kind of wine enthusiast who owns a different glass for every varietal — not yet, anyway. Instead, I opt for one all-rounder that will work beautifully no matter which bottle I open, erring on the side of big, bold reds. I’ve been using these “Burgundy” glasses from Schott Zwiesel for years, and my Amazon search history told me I bought them five times, twice for myself and three times as a gift. Yes, I do drink white wine, rose and sparkling out of them (gasp!), and they all taste terrific. Better in my mind to drink from a glass with a too-big bowl than a cramped glass that stifles all that great wine nose.

You’re receiving price alerts for Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass Forte Stemware Collection Claret Burgundy Red Wine Glass, 25-Ounce, Set of 6

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

If you don’t use an electric kettle yet, drop everything and get yourself one. This indispensable kitchen savior rapidly heats water for tea, coffee and hot chocolate, and it gives you a head start on boiling vats of water for pasta, blanching or anything else you need. I’ve owned and gifted a lot of electric kettles, and most work about the same way. This Zwilling Enfingy Electric Kettle has a sleeker, more sophisticated look and variable temperature controls. I also like that it’s got a cool-touch exterior that won’t burn you when you pick it up. 

There’s no viewing window for water height and you have to feel comfortable with capacitive controls that you press and hold, but these aren’t deal-breakers for me by any means.

You’re receiving price alerts for Zwilling Enfingy electric kettle: $120

For even more top kitchen picks, see these best kitchen gifts under $25 and CNET’s roundup of best stainless steel frying pans. If you’re looking for warm toes this seasons, here are the best socks that are worth the money. And finally, for those Target fans, 15 hilarious or useful impulse buys to get now.

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Why I’m Obsessed With These 11 Kitchen Tools. P.S. They’re Also Killer Gifts

Why I’m Obsessed With These 11 Kitchen Tools. P.S. They’re Also Killer Gifts

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

OK, I admit it. I like the good stuff. While I won’t stop gushing about these kitchen tools under $25 that I don’t want to live without, I also wanted to share my current all-time favorite cooking tools that are absolutely worth the bigger bucks. 

I’m not talking about dropping $500 on a single-use gadget that you’d use once a year. All my picks are tools I actually use every week, if not multiple times a day, and I stand behind every single one of them. And since I have a really tiny galley kitchen with some limited storage space, I’m confident that if any of these strikes your fancy, you’ll find room in your home, too.

Oh, and one more thing. I would give any single one of these as a gift for someone else (lucky them!), especially after gifting them all to myself (lucky me!).

Staub

Lodge and Le Creuset are terrific, tried-and-tested Dutch ovens that cook a variety of food evenly. But I couldn’t be happier with this tall-sided 5-quart Staub Cocotte, which comes in an array of colors for pretty much any style. With a cast iron core, it isn’t light, but it is uniformly excellent. In fact, it’s my go-to cooking vessel for most things, and it goes from stove to oven to table to fridge flawlessly. My brother got a smaller model that he uses for proofing and baking bread, which goes to show the versatility of this pot. 

You’re receiving price alerts for Staub Cocotte Cast Iron Dutch Oven: $149

Breville

I had an inexpensive pair of electric beaters that always gave me trouble — ditching it for this Breville Handy Mix Scraper was one of the best decisions I made, especially during this season of abundant baking. This mixer seriously does it all: It comes with whisks, creamer inserts and dough hooks! It has a built-in light so you can see what’s in the bowl! There’s a stopwatch feature so you can see how long you’ve been mixing and a pause button that keeps track of your speed settings and time while you take a break to scrape down the bowl! The cord base can rotate to get out of your way! And it has a convenient storage situation where you can keep all the beater wands!

You’re receiving price alerts for Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer, Silver, BHM800SIL

Shun

I have lusted after Shun Premier knives for over a decade and finally bought two for my new kitchen: the 8-inch chef’s knife and a 3.5-inch paring knife. Over Black Friday, I added a 7-inch Santoku blade to the mix. I adore the way the rounded handles balance, and the stunning, wavy pattern on the forged blade boasts an edge designed to hold sharpness far longer than average. That’s good for me, because the sound of knife sharpening sets my every tooth, bone and neuron on fire.

Shun Premier knives come in gray and brown wood handle options. The Classic knives are cheaper and also very good (yes, I’ve tried them out, too). But my heart belongs to the Premier line for the way they feel in my hand, and the extra aesthetics on the blade (69 layers of Damascus steel, if you’re wondering). I store them in a drawer with a blade guard case to protect the knife sharpness (and my fingers). Here are other recommended chef’s knives as well.

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

I’ve owned an immersion blender for years, but recently upgraded myself to the Braun MultiQuick 7 for its robust design, powerful motor and fun extras, like a mini food processor attachment (like, for making quick work of onions and herbs) and a balloon whisk attachment for quickly whipping or whisking without having to go full-bore with the electric beaters. 

I use this tool constantly, to process soups right in the pan, make salsa in the included beaker, whip cream into soft peaks and make quick work of pulverizing onion without hefting the food processor to the counter. It’s also wonderfully easy to clean and dry, and small and light enough to pull out from the pantry any time I need it. I can’t recommend it enough.

You’re receiving price alerts for Braun MQ7027X Multiquick 7 ACTIVEBlade Technology Hand Blender

Chris Monroe/CNET

I may have spoiled myself buying the Google Nest Hub smart speaker display for my kitchen. I have it set up on a riser shelf on my counter, next to a phone stand where I can also keep my phone away from the worst of tea splatters and flying onions. I use the Nest Hub for everyday things like checking the weather as I’m making my morning cuppa and playing music (with song lyrics!) while I cook. I use the two hands-free timers multiple times a day, and look up recipes on the screen (you can follow these step-by-step). 

There’s also an extra function where you can program the Nest Hub to forgo the “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google” wake word when you look at it and start listening to you with just a glance (Google calls this Look and Talk). That’s ultra convenient for saving some time and breath every time you want to ask for unit conversion measures, adding to or canceling a timer and skipping to the next track.

Read our Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) review.

 

You’re receiving price alerts for Google Nest Hub (2nd gen, Sand)

Amazon

Zojirushi has an excellent reputation for countertop appliances that hit the high-water mark. I’ve been beyond happy with my Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker since I bought it earlier this year. My pantry is stuffed with six kinds of rice and at least four other grains I routinely cook up. The settings are easy to use and whether I wash the grains or not, whatever I’m making comes out evenly cooked. Plus, it plays a song when starting and ending a cycle, which is much nicer than a loud beep or buzz.

The Neuro Fuzzy in particular takes up more counter space than the most compact models, and rice can take an hour for a typical cycle of even cooking. But there are lots of settings, including a quick cook mode, and cleanup is easy. (Here are meals you can make in the rice cooker other than rice.)

You’re receiving price alerts for Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker: $185

Breville

Buying the Breville Smart Oven Pro Toaster Oven (BOV845BSS) was one of my best kitchen decisions. It toasts, it broils, it roasts. And since it has a convection oven function, you can totally skip the separate air fryer — and cook more stuff at once. I love the countdown clock that takes the mystery out of when your food will be done, and I love that I can bake a single batch of cookies or toast walnuts faster than a standard oven, and without having to heat the whole thing first. Plus, the brushed stainless steel body looks pretty great on my countertop.

You’re receiving price alerts for Breville Smart Oven Pro toaster oven: $260 (Save $90)

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

Le Creuset dutch ovens are all the rage (I actually really love my Staub Cocotte), but one of the best gifts I ever received was this Le Creuset casserole dish that can go straight from oven to table (to fridge!) while cooking food evenly and looking awesome. I would buy this all over again, and gift it, too. It comes in a range of striking colors, and shockingly cleans easily — with a little soak in soapy hot water and a dirt-cheap pan scraper. I’m the kind of person who excels at ruining dutch ovens with burned-on spots. After a couple years, this dish has remained spot-free, even after roasting dark, sticky stews (yum!).

You’re receiving price alerts for Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Rectangular Casserole, 4 qt. (12″ x 9″), Oyster

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

A workhorse apron is worth its weight in gold. I’m thankful I finally stumbled on Hedley & Bennett, which makes a seemingly endless supply of thick, sturdy aprons I now can’t fail to miss seeing seemingly any time I walk into a restaurant. If these aprons can handle the stresses of a professional kitchen, they can handle the flying sauces and batter in mine. I bought myself two styles, including a Cookie Monster print that never fails to make my inner child giggle. The apron’s neck loop is adjustable, there are a lot of pockets, and so far the waist straps haven’t gotten scrunched, twisted or mangled in the washer or dryer.

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

I’m not the kind of wine enthusiast who owns a different glass for every varietal — not yet, anyway. Instead, I opt for one all-rounder that will work beautifully no matter which bottle I open, erring on the side of big, bold reds. I’ve been using these “Burgundy” glasses from Schott Zwiesel for years, and my Amazon search history told me I bought them five times, twice for myself and three times as a gift. Yes, I do drink white wine, rose and sparkling out of them (gasp!), and they all taste terrific. Better in my mind to drink from a glass with a too-big bowl than a cramped glass that stifles all that great wine nose.

You’re receiving price alerts for Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass Forte Stemware Collection Claret Burgundy Red Wine Glass, 25-Ounce, Set of 6

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

If you don’t use an electric kettle yet, drop everything and get yourself one. This indispensable kitchen savior rapidly heats water for tea, coffee and hot chocolate, and it gives you a head start on boiling vats of water for pasta, blanching or anything else you need. I’ve owned and gifted a lot of electric kettles, and most work about the same way. This Zwilling Enfingy Electric Kettle has a sleeker, more sophisticated look and variable temperature controls. I also like that it’s got a cool-touch exterior that won’t burn you when you pick it up. 

There’s no viewing window for water height and you have to feel comfortable with capacitive controls that you press and hold, but these aren’t deal-breakers for me by any means.

You’re receiving price alerts for Zwilling Enfingy electric kettle: $120

For even more top kitchen picks, see our best kitchen gifts under $25 and best stainless steel frying pans.

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Quirkiy kitchen gadgets that make great last-minute gifts!

Quirkiy kitchen gadgets that make great last-minute gifts!
A vampire garlic crusher, a loch ness monster tea infuser mug, and a bear cheese grater

Give the gift of whimsy this holiday with these adorable kitchen gadgets!

Quirky might not be your first thought when it comes to holiday gift-giving, but these kitchen gadgets will put a little fun into an otherwise stressful time. Anyone — from expert to novice — can appreciate these innovative ideas because they’re practical tools as well. Plus, they’re all available on Amazon, so you can get them in time. Don’t wait too long though, you only have a week left!

This Magic Mushroom looks like a mushroom, but actually turns inside out to become a funnel! It fits either wide mouth jars or skinny bottles, so it’s good for transferring liquids, cooking oil, ground coffee, and more.

“This is the cutest little funnel and I love it,” said an Amazon reviewer. “The “mushroom cap” folds up in order to make a funnel, then folds back when not in use. The funnel hole isn’t super big, and you’ll want to only use liquids in this…but it’s perfectly adorable sitting on the kitchen counter…”

No need to be crabby with this cute gift! You can use this adorable red silicone crab as a spoon rest or a steam releaser — simply position it to keep the pot lid open as you cook.

It’s a hit with this Amazon reviewer: “One of the best of the best purchases I’ve made! I love this little guy so much. He fits on saucepans and skillets perfectly and can hold spoons (and scissors) when sitting on a flat surface. He’s so victorious! So pleased with his culinary skills!”

Have a tea drinker in your life? Consider this Cup of Nessie tea infuser mug. Just fill Baby Nessie’s “body” with loose tea, and then add hot water. It looks like a Loch Ness Monster floating in a teacup. Cute!

One Amazon shopper calls it the perfect gift. “This is the perfect gift for anyone who has ever even HEARD of the Loch Ness Monster! Or TEA! The tea infuser is not only adorable, it’s fun to use and easy to clean! The tin cup makes you feel outdoorsy, like you’re sitting in from of a loch in Scotland.”

Now this is a bear you actually want in your kitchen. Barry the Bear is a box grater not just for cheese, but also for carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, or anything else you want to shred.

“Barry the grater is wonderful,” said this five-star review. “Works great for zesting, grating garlic, and a small amount of cheese. He’s great for small jobs. His belly only holds about a cup of volume, that’s plenty for a one/two person meal prep. Bonus he’s cute and easy to clean.”

Add even more fun to pizza night with this amusing axe-shaped pizza cutter. It’s a great idea for kids and lumberjack wannabes alike.

This Amazon shopper agrees it’s a fun gift: “It’s super sharp, cuts well and definitely it is a super cool gift, affordable, that will put a smile on everyone’s faces. Only having as a decoration already worth the money! We absolutely love this pizza cutter!”

Keep the vampires away with this amusing garlic crusher. It peels and crushes multiple garlic cloves in seconds without a knife. Perfect for the garlic lovers in your life!

One Amazon shopper said it’s actually bought it as a joke, then fell in love with it. “THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PURCHASES I HAVE EVER MADE!!! This little buddy handles about 3-5 cloves at a time (depending on size) and is the easiest garlic-processing-item to clean IN THE HISTORY OF EVER!!”

This Hello Kitty ramen bowl set comes with a pair of chopsticks built right in. Perfect for noodle soups of all kinds.

“Ordered this for my Granddaughters 9th birthday,” said this happy buyer. “She has only just discovered non-US foods and she loves Ramen style soups…This is a nice weight bowl, the graphics are very clear & bright.”

Imprint Baby Grogu on every grilled sandwich you ever make with this clever panini press. Perfect for the Mandalorian fan in your life, or anyone who can’t get enough of baby Grogu.

“I bought this for Christmas, everyone loves it,” said a five-star review. “It’s super easy to use and clean up is easy too. Every Wednesday (when new Boba Fett episodes come on) is officially grilled cheese night.”

Separating yolks from egg whites just got easier — and more fun. This adorable silicone egg separator will bring a smile to the whole family.

“This thing is a time and egg saver,” said this enthusiastic shopper. “This little frog gets the job done efficiently and prevents the waste that happens when the yolk breaks. Plus, it’s just plain fun to use in the morning. Wish it were a bit easier to clean, but otherwise, a great purchase.”

With the Marna Pink Piggy Steamer, you can microwave leftovers without making a big mess. Simply place it over your food and nuke it for a few minutes. It’s also great for steaming veggies!

One Amazon shopper said it was life-changing. “I wish I’d bought this long before I did, it’s so useful. It’s perfect for covering a bowl of soup or other leftovers. (We use the IKEA 365+ soup bowls and it fits exactly.) It holds tight to the bowl and I’ve never had any spillover…One month after getting this smaller size, I ordered the larger one.”

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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    $26$61Save $35

Kitchen

  • Lodge LCC3 Cast Iron Combo Cooker

    $40$80Save $40

  • Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven

    $92$160Save $68

  • Amazon Basics Ceramic Non-Stick 12.5-inch Skillet

    $27$28Save $1

  • Ninja NJ601AMZ Professional Blender

    $90$100Save $10

Bedding and home

  • Cozsinoor Bed Pillows 2-Pack

    $26$90Save $64

  • LuxClub 6-piece Queen Sheet Set

    $28$57Save $29

  • Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows, Set of 2

    $30$47Save $17

  • Topcee Twin Size Weighted Blanket, 15 lbs.

    $44$65Save $21

More Holiday Gift Ideas

Find more expert picks like the best tech gifts on Engadget, the best gift ideas for car lovers at Autoblog, gifts for the young (and young at heart) at In the Know, and picks for just about everyone else on your list (moms, dads, teens, nurses, you name it!) in Yahoo’s holiday gift ideas section. On AOL, you’ll find for gift ideas for seniors shopping for moms, dads, teens and toddlers.

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The best gifts for home cooks in Oakland and Berkeley

The best gifts for home cooks in Oakland and Berkeley

For thoughtfully designed gifts that blend both practicality and style, look no further than kitchen tools and accessories. These are the gifts that they’ll reach for again and again throughout the year, truly relying on essential cookbooks and sharp knives, and taking pleasure in speckled ceramics and soft linens. 

Sure, it’s easy to stock up at Williams-Sonoma, a Bay Area tastemaker since 1956. But there are so many small and independent shops that are actually local to the East Bay, places where you can find gifts that go way beyond the same-day-shipped.

Here are the highlights this holiday season, whether you’re shopping for your best food friend, or craving something for your own wishlist.  

For someone who eats everything in bowls

Oakland ceramicist Sarah Kersten’s basin collection. Courtsey: Sarah Kersten

Listen, eating food in bowls is no longer a trend, it’s officially a lifestyle. And local ceramicist Sarah Kersten’s new basin bowl collection is breathtakingly pretty: wide and shallow bowls, speckled as naturally as quail eggs or Appaloosa ponies. 

She handshapes them all in her studio in Oakland, and supplies many cool restaurants across the Bay, from Sister and Jo’s Modern Thai in Oakland to Octavia in SF and Valley Bar + Bottle in Sonoma. And they come in a range of colors and sizes, from the tidiest olive dish to the broadest pasta bowl. 

Sarah Kersten, 2725 Magnolia St. (near 28th Street), Oakland. Check website for in-person shopping hours most Saturdays in December, or order online.

For someone who’s into sustainability with style

These Palm + Perkins napkins embrace the mismatch. Courtesy: Palm + Perkins

This local general store carries a wide range of clothing, homewares, and other gifts, and they love featuring sustainability this season. But it doesn’t feel like a lecture with these handsome napkins, mismatched in blues and grays, and sporting jaunty stripes and checks. 

The fabric just happens to be made from 100 percent recycled materials (80 percent cotton from clothing and 20 percent poly yarn from plastic bottles, to be precise). Plus, it’s a festive time of year to set out cloth napkins, and inspiration to avoid tossing so many paper towels. 

Palm + Perkins, 2950 College Ave. (near Ashby Avenue), Berkeley. Shop in person 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, or purchase online.

For the cocktail connoisseur living that highball life

Even tap water tastes better when it’s from a cool glass, like this one from Aderia. Credit: Umami Mart

The highball craze keeps high rolling across cocktail menus in the East Bay. And they do go down easy, don’t they? Thanks to good whisky, lots of ice and bubbly mix-ins, which help lower the ABV. Everyone’s favorite Japanese market has several cool sets of tall glasses, so you can keep chilling and sipping at home. 

They’re made by Aderia, a collectible glass maker in Japan, whose whimsical and retro designs date back more than 200 years. Umami Mart carries several of their patterns, including this “slash” design, with cuts fanning around the base of the drink. Of course, Umami Mart also stocks excellent Japanese whiskies, if you want to pair with a bottle.  

Umami Mart, 4027 Broadway (near 40th Street), Oakland. Open 12-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 12-7 p.m. Saturday, also available online.

For the gastro-traveler who won’t shut up about their trip to Portugal

This little terracotta pig does double duty as a cute centerpiece and as a showy assador. Credit: The Spanish Table

May we present the real party animal of this holiday season: A little terracotta pig who serves as an assador — a mini tabletop grill for sausages. Set him out with drinks and snacks, pour alcohol into his belly and strike a match. Then throw chourico or linguica sausage onto his back, and let it roast in the flame. 

Is he a one-trick pig? Maybe, but look, that’s never stopped anyone from gifting a Swiss fondue set. So for the friend who keeps going on about the anchovies they ate in Lisbon, this could be a fun party trick. Plus, how cute!  

The Spanish Table, 1814 San Pablo Ave. (near Hearst Avenue), Berkeley. Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11-5 Sunday, or order online.

For the dedicated diner who still misses Brown Sugar Kitchen

The cover of Oakland chef Tanya Holland’s latest book, California Soul. Credit: Ten Speed Press

Chef Tanya Holland closed iconic soul food restaurant Brown Sugar Kitchen in January 2022, serving her last fried chicken and waffles. The Oakland chef remains front-and-center, however, with her latest cookbook, California Soul.

Holland’s book features Black farmers and foodmakers from across California, while serving fresh interpretations of Dungeness crab gumbo, collard green tabbouleh and lavender buttermilk pie, among 80 recipes. It’s available wherever good cookbooks are sold, but if you pick up a copy at local Marcus Books, you’ll be supporting another Black-owned business in the East Bay. 

Marcus Books, 3900 Martin L King Jr Way (near 39th Street), Oakland, open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12-4 Sunday, also available online.

For the serious cook who deserves a Japanese knife

The Hida Santoku at Hida Tool is serious knife business. Credit: Hida Tool

Berkeley cooks get their knives sharpened at Hida Tool, a hardware store that sources the finest kitchen, woodworking, and gardening tools from Japan. For serious cooks, they carry an array of chef’s knives, from straight to western handles, and with different lengths and curves of blade. 

The Hida Santoku is their own original creation, crafted in collaboration with knifemaker Sakai Kikumori. It features modern and durable stainless steel, but finely sharpened to a Japanese bevel, and fitted with a traditional octagonal handle made of lightweight magnolia. Your minced herbs may never be the same. 

Hida Tool, 1333 San Pablo Ave. (near Gilman Avenue), Berkeley. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, or purchase online.

For the neat freak who lives for pantry organization

Hard to imagine a spice rack more Instagrammable than this one from Sweet July. Credit: Sweet July

For anyone who thinks heaven must resemble the Container Store, here’s a sweet little slice of organization. At Sweet July, Ayesha Curry’s airy retail shop in Oakland, the television star and domestic polymath stocks a variety of different ceramics, linens and other home goods. Including this simply perfect spice rack, made of blonde acacia wood, petite enough to slide into most cabinets, and offering a triplet of tiered steps. 

So you can easily spy what’s inside every bottle! No more rummaging around in the spice cabinet up to your armpit. Either place existing bottles on the rack, or invest in the matching glass set with acacia stoppers (sold separately). At only twenty-something bucks for the rack, you could even throw in a bottle of Jamaican curry or jerk seasoning from Oaktown.  

Sweet July, 455 23rd St. (near Valley Street), Oakland. Open Monday, and Wednesday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11-6 (closed Tuesday), or order online.

For the farmer’s market rat who stalks seasonal produce

If time must pass, a calendar from Maria Schoettler makes it do so more deliciously. Credit: Maria Schoettler

She’s an icon. She’s a legend. She is the iconic vegetable calendar from Oakland illustrator Maria Schoettler. If you’ve ever stood in a kitchen, scrutinizing the brushstrokes of a lovingly hand-painted red kabocha or leaf of dino kale, perhaps you already understand. 

Schoettler has been making these kitchen calendars since 2008, and she paints them fresh every single year. “Fresh produce for a fresh year, baby,” as she writes on Instagram. They’re printed on thick and textured art stock and hang on a sturdy wire hook, so you can flip through the months and get excited for every microseason. There is no greater gift for hyperlocal produce obsessives in the East Bay. 

Maria Schoettler, stocked at shops across the Bay Area (and beyond) or available online.

Featured image: the blueberry, cornmeal and candied lemon teacakes with olive oil from California Soul. Credit: Aubrie Pick

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10 Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With This Christmas Season That Also Make Amazing Gifts

10 Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With This Christmas Season That Also Make Amazing Gifts

Hands smeared with butter, flour spraying out of the bowl, I gushed about my electric mixer for a good 10 minutes in a live demo for an audience of two. More specifically, I was trying to convince my close friends I gathered to bake with last weekend that I wasn’t crazy for bringing my own electric beaters (and apron, and baking sheets…) to someone else’s house. So I launched into a passionate show-and-tell (while making cookie dough, of course) about why my electric beaters are superior to theirs.

Here’s the thing. I can get pretty obsessive over the gear, gadgets and tools I love to use most. And with good reason. I’ve spent a lot of time, energy and money over the years upgrading from good-but-basic tools to items I actually love and am convinced make me a better cook. While many terrific kitchen tools I love cost under $25, I also wanted to share my running list of favorite kitchen items that cost a little bit more and are worth every penny. I bought (or was gifted) every one of these tools and I use them weekly, if not daily.

If you’re looking for a kitchen gift for an aspiring or established foodie, these are tried and tested in the crucible of my galley kitchen. Better yet, you might even want to give one of these to yourself. After all, you can never have too many aprons. 

Breville

I had an inexpensive pair of electric beaters that always gave me trouble — ditching it for this Breville Handy Mix Scraper was one of the best decisions I made, especially during this season of abundant baking. This mixer seriously does it all: It comes with whisks, creamer inserts and dough hooks! It has a built-in light so you can see what’s in the bowl! There’s a stopwatch feature so you can see how long you’ve been mixing and a pause button that keeps track of your speed settings and time while you take a break to scrape down the bowl! The cord base can rotate to get out of your way! And it has a convenient storage situation where you can keep all the beater wands!

You’re receiving price alerts for Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer, Silver, BHM800SIL

Shun

I have lusted after Shun Premier knives for over a decade and finally bought two for my new kitchen: the 8-inch chef’s knife and a 3.5-inch paring knife. Over Black Friday, I added a 7-inch Santoku blade to the mix. I adore the way the rounded handles balance, and the stunning, wavy pattern on the forged blade boasts an edge designed to hold sharpness far longer than average. That’s good for me, because the sound of knife sharpening sets my every tooth, bone and neuron on fire.

Shun Premier knives come in gray and brown wood handle options. The Classic knives are cheaper and also very good (yes, I’ve tried them out, too). But my heart belongs to the Premier line for the way they feel in my hand, and the extra aesthetics on the blade (69 layers of Damascus steel, if you’re wondering). I store them in a drawer with a blade guard case to protect the knife sharpness (and my fingers). Here are other recommended chef’s knives as well.

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

I’ve owned an immersion blender for years, but recently upgraded myself to the Braun MultiQuick 7 for its robust design, powerful motor and fun extras, like a mini food processor attachment (like, for making quick work of onions and herbs) and a balloon whisk attachment for quickly whipping or whisking without having to go full-bore with the electric beaters. 

I use this tool constantly, to process soups right in the pan, make salsa in the included beaker, whip cream into soft peaks and make quick work of pulverizing onion without hefting the food processor to the counter. It’s also wonderfully easy to clean and dry, and small and light enough to pull out from the pantry any time I need it. I can’t recommend it enough.

You’re receiving price alerts for Braun MQ7027X Multiquick 7 ACTIVEBlade Technology Hand Blender

Chris Monroe/CNET

I may have spoiled myself buying the Google Nest Hub smart speaker display for my kitchen. I have it set up on a riser shelf on my counter, next to a phone stand where I can also keep my phone away from the worst of tea splatters and flying onions. I use the Nest Hub for everyday things like checking the weather as I’m making my morning cuppa and playing music (with song lyrics!) while I cook. I use the two hands-free timers multiple times a day, and look up recipes on the screen (you can follow these step-by-step). 

There’s also an extra function where you can program the Nest Hub to forgo the “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google” wake word when you look at it and start listening to you with just a glance (Google calls this Look and Talk). That’s ultra convenient for saving some time and breath every time you want to ask for unit conversion measures, adding to or canceling a timer and skipping to the next track.

Read our Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) review.

 

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Amazon

Zojirushi has an excellent reputation for countertop appliances that hit the high-water mark. I’ve been beyond happy with my Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker since I bought it earlier this year. My pantry is stuffed with six kinds of rice and at least four other grains I routinely cook up. The settings are easy to use and whether I wash the grains or not, whatever I’m making comes out evenly cooked. Plus, it plays a song when starting and ending a cycle, which is much nicer than a loud beep or buzz.

The Neuro Fuzzy in particular takes up more counter space than the most compact models, and rice can take an hour for a typical cycle of even cooking. But there are lots of settings, including a quick cook mode, and cleanup is easy. (Here are meals you can make in the rice cooker other than rice.)

You’re receiving price alerts for Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker: $185

Breville

Buying the Breville Smart Oven Pro Toaster Oven (BOV845BSS) was one of my best kitchen decisions. It toasts, it broils, it roasts. And since it has a convection oven function, you can totally skip the separate air fryer — and cook more stuff at once. I love the countdown clock that takes the mystery out of when your food will be done, and I love that I can bake a single batch of cookies or toast walnuts faster than a standard oven, and without having to heat the whole thing first. Plus, the brushed stainless steel body looks pretty great on my countertop.

You’re receiving price alerts for Breville Smart Oven Pro toaster oven: $260 (Save $90)

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

Le Creuset dutch ovens are all the rage (I actually really love my Staub Cocotte), but one of the best gifts I ever received was this Le Creuset casserole dish that can go straight from oven to table (to fridge!) while cooking food evenly and looking awesome. I would buy this all over again, and gift it, too. It comes in a range of striking colors, and shockingly cleans easily — with a little soak in soapy hot water and a dirt-cheap pan scraper. I’m the kind of person who excels at ruining dutch ovens with burned-on spots. After a couple years, this dish has remained spot-free, even after roasting dark, sticky stews (yum!).

You’re receiving price alerts for Le Creuset Stoneware Heritage Covered Rectangular Casserole, 4 qt. (12″ x 9″), Oyster

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

A workhorse apron is worth its weight in gold. I’m thankful I finally stumbled on Hedley & Bennett, which makes a seemingly endless supply of thick, sturdy aprons I now can’t fail to miss seeing seemingly any time I walk into a restaurant. If these aprons can handle the stresses of a professional kitchen, they can handle the flying sauces and batter in mine. I bought myself two styles, including a Cookie Monster print that never fails to make my inner child giggle. The apron’s neck loop is adjustable, there are a lot of pockets, and so far the waist straps haven’t gotten scrunched, twisted or mangled in the washer or dryer.  

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

I’m not the kind of wine enthusiast who owns a different glass for every varietal — not yet, anyway. Instead, I opt for one all-rounder that will work beautifully no matter which bottle I open, erring on the side of big, bold reds. I’ve been using these “Burgundy” glasses from Schott Zwiesel for years, and my Amazon search history told me I bought them five times, twice for myself and three times as a gift. Yes, I do drink white wine, rose and sparkling out of them (gasp!), and they all taste terrific. Better in my mind to drink from a glass with a too-big bowl than a cramped glass that stifles all that great wine nose.

You’re receiving price alerts for Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal Glass Forte Stemware Collection Claret Burgundy Red Wine Glass, 25-Ounce, Set of 6

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/CNET

If you don’t use an electric kettle yet, drop everything and get yourself one. This indispensable kitchen savior rapidly heats water for tea, coffee and hot chocolate, and it gives you a head start on boiling vats of water for pasta, blanching or anything else you need. I’ve owned and gifted a lot of electric kettles, and most work about the same way. This Zwilling Enfingy Electric Kettle has a sleeker, more sophisticated look and variable temperature controls. I also like that it’s got a cool-touch exterior that won’t burn you when you pick it up. 

There’s no viewing window for water height and you have to feel comfortable with capacitive controls that you press and hold, but these aren’t deal-breakers for me by any means.

You’re receiving price alerts for Zwilling Enfingy electric kettle: $120

For even more top kitchen picks, see our best kitchen gifts under $25 and best stainless steel frying pans.