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• by:
• McCloskey, Jess

Presented here are dozens of tempting recipes for edible gift packages--candies, cakes, jellies, fruit preserves, spreads, chutneys, pickles, soft pretzels, and other tasty food products that make wonderful gifts for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. But this is more than a recipe book. Author Jess McCloskey covers every gift-related detail, starting with buying ingredients and materials, progressing through the preparation of these wonderful confections, and finally wrapping them up in elegant, eye-catching packages. Both the cooking and the packaging directions are clearly spelled out and easy to follow. Also included are templates for making handsome gift boxes and perfect presentation pieces. An opening chapter describes the equipment needed for preparing many of these special treats, such as a double boiler, chocolate molds, a piping bag, cookie cutters, and other such items. Chapters that follow categorize the recipes under general headings that include--

• Truffles and Chocolates
• Cake Balls
• Soft Treats
• Candies and Fudges
• Preserves and Jellies
• Spreads and Chutneys
• Oils, Vinegars, and Sauces
• Savory Treats

The book is filled with more than 200 color photographs that illustrate the step-by-step preparation methods, the taste-tempting finished culinary masterpieces, and their beautiful presentation packages.