We won't tell you what's next . . . but you can take a look at the past!

A little bit easier to pronounce, these Nut (Nuss) Corners (Ecken) – (there’s your German lesson for the day) – bring a sweet shortbread together with hazelnuts and a hidden layer of apricot jam – along with a quick chocolate dip. A classic German pastry you’ll find in every bakery shop.

The Stroopwafel originated in the town of Gouda (a little place also acknowledged for some sort of cheese, we hear) in the late 18th century. As many of the greatest dishes are, it started out as leftover scraps dipped in syrup, and today, well, who doesn’t love Stroopwafels? These thin biscuits with caramel filling are a delight when placed over your cup of coffee to melt the caramel. A great way to start the day.

World-famous (which means if you haven’t heard of them, where do YOU live?) custard tarts that offer a unique treat with minimal (premium) ingredients. A cinnamon custard in a flaky pastry shell – our suggestion is to heat them briefly first (although they’re great at room temp, too) – either in a toaster oven or microwave.

How clever are we – to combine the best of Italy into one incredible cookie? A little punch of espresso and cappuccino chips melds deliciously with hazelnut and chocolate for an on-my-way-out-the-door breakfast bite.

A cookie for the ages (seriously, since the Minoan civilization), Koulourakia are delicate butter-based pastries in the shape of a braid, ring, or other design with a distinctive sprinkle of sesame seeds. At one time an Easter treat, they’ve become one of the daily offerings found in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.

(Won’t You Let Me Take You On A) Sea Cruise

Now that we’ve got that old song stuck in your head – let’s move on to the task at hand — namely, our Leisurely Sea Cruise around the European continent. With, of course, stops for sweets in some of our favorite countries. Today’s tour will take us from FINLAND to GERMANY, on to the NETHERLANDS, with a stopover in PORTUGAL, a quick trip to ITALY, and we’ll end our journey in GREECE. All without anyone getting seasick! (It’s a gift) BON VOYAGE!!

Who was the first one in your house to grab this bag when it came home from the store? One of our favorites that somehow popped their way into our mouth over, and over, and …well, you get what we mean.

Not that there was anything wrong with the originals, but we’re sort of proud of our handmade, fresh-fig version. The flavor definitely delivers a more powerful punch!

Seriously, have you noticed that cookies pretty much define most of our childhood? To honor them with the basics, we present The Ultimate Cookie Collection: Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, and Chocolate Chip – all in a more grown-up version with a LITTLE twist here and there to improve on the originals. The perfect dunking trio!

It’s a bitty little unicorn-sprinkle birthday loaf – just in time for – or really late – or perhaps incredibly early – for your birthday! You know we’re always thinkin’ of ya!

Whoa! Don’t get all defensive now! We’re just saying, if mom would have added caramel to her apple pies, we know WE would have been happier! (Then again, we put caramel on everything.) Some nifty little Caramel Apple Hand Pies to remind you….. There’s No Place Like Home. (you had to see that one coming)

While your favorite retro candy may not be in here, we hope there’s a little bite of the past that will make you smile.

Are We There Yet?

That one simple question – takes us back to our childhood every time, doesn’t it? Images of family vacations or adventurous destinations that we couldn’t wait to get to- not realizing that the journey was all part of the fun. This month, we’re taking a little trip down memory lane with treats and tidbits we remember (hopefully fondly!) from our younger carefree days. But we’re doing it the grown-up way – with all the fun and the taste – but none of the chemicals.

Seriously. We mean, this jam is good with EVERYTHING. No doubt about it, it’s the perfect and lively addition to the above soda bread. But we’ve also noticed there are practically no foods this doesn’t make better. But start with the bread….we promise you won’t be disappointed. Cooked and canned by GiggleBake.

You SERIOUSLY didn’t think we’d be chatting up Ireland without including our favorite Irish belle, did you? In case you’re wondering, the quote is “You get your strength from this red earth of Tara, Scarlett,” says Rhett. But getting back to the granola – this is the real deal (as you’ll see from the ingredient list) – put some on your oatmeal or any other breakfast cereal – it adds a unique flavor and crunch!

Not always the richest country in the neighborhood throughout history, the Irish learned how to be creative with what they had on hand. You may have had English or other shortbreads in the past that you enjoyed – but the simple ingredients (only 5) and the addition of cornflour make these Irish Shortbread cookies a very special treat.

Stone ground oats. Try to find that in your local grocery store. In fact, we had to head straight to the source of the only stone ground mill left in Ireland to find these oats. The Walton family is still using the same stones their ancestors began with back in the 1700’s to make this oatmeal. And it makes a hearty, filling bar to keep you going through the day. One of our favorites this month.

Okay, maybe we had to give way just a little bit with these tiny Pistachio Bundlettes, with with their inherent green-ness and all. A generous helping of homemade Pistachio pudding and topping of chopped, sugared, Pistachios sort of made our day. So we thought we’d make your’s, too!

Top O’ The Morning

There’s a whole lot more to Ireland than Green Beer and Leprechauns. Just ask anyone who’s been there. So while it’s the month of St. Patrick, we want to celebrate some of the more earthy and wholesome foods of this ancient and magical country… many of which make great bites or accompaniments to your breakfast routine. Éirinn go Brách!

Bet you didn’t know these exquisite pastries (in their smaller version) were named for Palm Trees, huh? Delicate and flaky, walk into ANY room with one of these and you’ll be the star of the evening (if you share, that is).

Speaking of “Stars” – what Hollywood event is complete without a few “blondes” hanging around the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame? We thought these decadent Blondies were the perfect fit: Desirable Starlets with the occasional dark roots. heh. heh.

For lots of folks, this is the part where you head to the kitchen for refills. But take our word for it, these are French Winners you won’t want to miss. Kerrygold Butter-rich with a whiff of toasted almond – we shaped these French Sablés just like the diamonds you’d (probably be) wear(ing) on that designer gown.

Pomegranate and Pistachio Truffles. An incredible combination that delivers a tart punch of flavor tempered with salty Pistachios and (what else?) Guittard Bittersweet Chocolate. Not that all Starlets are sweet, too. We’re just giving the benefit of the doubt.

Tonight, everyone is a winner – and takes home a golden Oscar just begging to have his head bit off. Or, you could start with his feet. But don’t let this Guittard Organic Milk Chocolate award go to waste, whatever you do!

I’d Like to Thank the Academy . . .

…because it’s an honor just to be nominated!” Yeah, RIGHT. We all know they want to get their hands on that Oscar and thank everyone they ever met (much to our chagrin) But at least we made it easy for you to enjoy an Oscar of your own! Even better – no papparazzi, and it’s made of solid Guittard Milk Chocolate. But that’s just the beginning,. Because we’ve got some Red Carpet Quality Party Bites for you to enjoy during your favorite films, too. Break a leg!

That little something extra that we all need……an impossibly dark chocolate crust accompanies this dark and white chocolate tart with a divine whiff of citrus. Just one little note: If you cut it like a pie, you will have the most adorable piece of tiny pie you ever saw!

No Ordinary Cake Pops. These start out with a center of fragrant ground black sesame seeds that are the base of this deliciously different cake. The perfect not-quite-savory counterpart to the sweetness that encases each pop. Eat these slowly, you’re going to want to savor.

There are scones, and then there are delicious, glaze-soaked pieces of heaven with teeny-tiny Guittard chocolate chips throughout. Sorry to disappoint – but these are lots better than those wacky coffee shop scones you’ve tried.

Winter white macarons filled with a vanilla Russian Buttercream. Delicate little buggers, that’s for sure. So we want to say that even if they arrive a little worse for wear in transit, a broken macaron is better than a day without a macaron – any time.

Who looks at Houndstooth and doesn’t think of Sherlock Holmes? We certainly aren’t those people! We thought it would be fun to include some truffle-filled chocolates – with barely a touch of Sherlock’s favorite aperitif – Brandy. A little hair of the dog that bit you!

There’s something striking about black and white – whether it’s black tie or white, black and white photographcs, or seeing the world in black and white (or perhaps more accurately, in far more than just 50 shades of grey). The look is classic, like an historic moment frozen in time. From Young Frankenstein to Schindler’s List – we instinctively place all things black and white into a class of their own. It’s like reading the book instead of watching the movie.That’s the inspiration for our January GiggleBake Box – foods black & white (sort of, or at least by name – if someone would explain those Black & White Cookies to us). Historic and fun, new classics and old. Just take it and run!

Ah – to be young again! These caramel and chocolate layered oatmeal bites are just the thing for our playful reindeer teens who we imagine are feeling their oats right about now!

We like to picture our reindeer pals goofing off in the Lapland, and for us, just handing them a plain ol’ apple as a treat is , well, sorta lazy. So, we dressed them up a bit in sweet little pastry cages for the holidays.

It takes a lot of energy to be a reindeer, what with all that snow and playtime and hanging out with friends. While sweet bites help to maintain their calorie count, it still takes a little “oomph” once in awhile. But hey – no thumbs! So bite-sized cookies do the trick!   

We like to think of our snowy friends heading home down “The Truffle Road” at the end of their day – taking a wintry evening walk back home with starlight bouncing off the snow and rocks (marshmallow & walnuts). Just makes you want to eat it all up!

You don’t need to ‘believe’ in reindeer to enjoy their antics, because they’re real live critters that are part of the snowy landscape we all enjoy looking at (if not being in) this time of year. We wanted to celebrate their very (amazing) existence this month by letting our imagination go all ‘Pixar’ about what they’re doing when humans aren’t watching.

Originated in Czechoslovakia, these apple-filled doughs found their way to Texas and took up residence with a passion. (Who knew?)  

Just our crazy American way of making something already good even more delightful. By adding caramel, of course! Consider these Caramel Tarts our contribution to the International Collection of Really Amazing Holiday Desserts.

A traditional Scandanivian delight, these light and crunchy cookies are both aromatically and palatably almond. Your newest Nordic friend. Who’s nuts for you?       

We figured the real name was just as entertaining as any we could make up. Real Italian Plums slow-cooked for 24 hours to make a plum butter concoction that is stunning with everything from toast to marinade. A staple in Germany…a short season here.

Winter’s coming (or, okay – it’s here). So we may as well embrace it, RIGHT? To search out how other folks celebrate the season with their version of a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night, we’ve taken a tour around the world’s kitchens to bring you a variety of sweets you can explore without leaving home. So, go ahead – enjoy every international bite!

It’s like having your own little “Finding Nemo” crew – and then you eat them. (Yikes!) Tasty coconut glazed Pineapple cakes. What’s not to love?

What’s a GiggleBake box without a Guittard chocolate specialty? Delightfully “just right” brownie (Palauni) cups studded with Macadamia Nuts.

The Wizard of Whimsy had a decorative binge that we felt should be as good to eat as it is to look at. Hand-Painted Almond Sugar Cookies (if you can bring yourself to eat them, they’re so sweet to see!)

A Sweet greeting or sinfully delicious sendoff. However you manage to get your hands on them, just make sure you do. (Think of them as “Better than Almond Joys” – since they are!)

This is going to change how you think about Taffy. (As in, It should all taste this good!) We hit up our friend Steve at Big Wave Taffy to send it over from the islands. (We think you’ll thank us.)

Favor guide: Orange/Yellow: Mango;  Blue/Yellow: Passion Fruit;   White/Brown: Coconut;   Green /Yellow: Pineapple;   Purple/Pink: Tropical Punch

We’ve mentioned this before and promised to take action. Now we have –and you can too! FYI – Every time we tell our server to “keep the straw” it’s a really, really good feeling. Try it and see for yourself. with your very own Starter Pack!

Who isn’t thinking about escaping the heat, the job, the everything this summer? (We sure are.) So we thought an existential trip to Hawaii was called for – to take in all its beauty (even if it’s just through pretty pictures). And we’ve provided a whole bunch of the taste for the trip.

Hazelnuts in disguise. The perfect Halloween costume (if you’re a nut, anyway – fooled you, didn’t it?). Hazelnuts and chocolate dressed up as walnuts. Brilliant.

Walnuts are the star of these adorable (and very tall!) financiers – with a fair dose of coffee AND espresso for a quick pick-me-up.

Roasted Macadamia nuts add a tropical flair to this real honey honeycomb. Crunch in more ways than one with these sweeties.

When we started counting all the nuts in these nut and fruit bars, we recognized the resemblance. (har har!) No party affiliation necessary to enjoy these – we just think it’s all nuts!

Not satisfied with plain ol’ pistachios we can pick up in any grocery store – we were thrilled to discover this small-batch artisan who created a number of memorable flavors for these Jumbo California Pistachios. Our favorite was the Habanero Heat – but visit their website to find out if you agree! www.gildednut.com  (And say hi to John for us when you order more!)

We were just noticing that hey – things really ARE pretty nutty all around us these days. And “Ding!” – our box theme was born. (We’re a little dingie anyway.)  We’ve gathered some of our favorite nut-rich sweets (and savories, too) so we’d have an appropriate treat on hand to watch the news.

Did you know when you’re in a trendy coffee stop, Everyone eLSE Is completely self-absorbed? It’s true. That’s why no one will notice when you scoop up every crumb of this gem – don’t waste any.

No self-respecting espresso drink wants to pass up these sweet shells. But these madeleines add a little flair of their own – a rim of white chocolate dipped into chopped roasted and salted pistachios. Gah!

When you find yourself dragging, just pop one of these power-packed chocolates and get the “Oomph!” you need. It’s A sweet jolt of espresso that packs a punch. (One at a time, though – we’re not joking!)

Thought we’d bring a little bit of that “White Mocha” experience with us – and no one does it better than Guittard. No need to refrigerate (as though it would last that long!)

We’ve mentioned this before and promised to take action. Now we have –and you can too! FYI – Every time we tell our server to “keep the straw” it’s a really, really good feeling. Try it and see for yourself. with your very own Starter Pack!

Stay in your jammies this morning and enjoy a plethora of amazing cafe-style treats to go with that cuppa Joe. Better yet, liven it up with a spoonful of white chocolate sauce. All we ask in return is that you think of starting one new habit: Skip the Straw and Save Our Sea Life!

Every Lodgepole Pine has to start somewhere! Just imagine the heights these sweet and spicy cakes will climb to (if they last 100 years).

Out here the stars are plentiful, and we like to imagine the shooting ones would be as lovely and sweet as these light and airy meringues.

You might think you know what these one-bite macarons bring to your tastebuds, until you get to that burst of mountain huckleberry.

Only thing about these snowballs is they’d be a shame to waste throwing at someone else, with all their sweet pecan goodness.

Bittersweet truffles encased in white chocolate – All Guittard – with its own Alpenglow rooftop.

We felt such a view called for A tiny celebratory toast – in honor of nature and all its splendor. And hey – Mountains have bears – and bears + toast = Champagne Gummy Bears! (Seriously, Kelly hates gummy bears, but she makes an exception for these!) Direct from Sugarfina – and made with Dom Perignon. Yep.

If you’ve ever been witness to a snowy mountain range illuminated with the rosy light of an Alpenglow sunrise, well,- you know. For those who haven’t, we suggest you chase one down…it’s worth it. For a few brief moments, all is more than right in the world. This is what we thought it might taste like.

Your choice – these triple-chocolate hazelnut biscottis are great for coffee dunkin’ – or just scarfing down one after the other, no java necessary. (Get it? Dunk-er-nots? Giggle, snort!)

Forget those dainty little decorated gingerbread houses you see everywhere, because these towers of rich, gingerbread cakes from scratch are far more tasty, without the guilt of leaving a tiny family homeless. (Be sure to give ‘em a nuke, tho – that’s how they’re at their best!)

Smooth peanut butter and roasted pecans come together in this fudge that’s one of the most traditional of wintertime sweets. Just watch out for that sugar coma!

(Couldn’t resist that one!) These spicy little crackers are a little detour from our usual fare, but with a purpose: So you can sample the incredible Salsa Pecidini (next up!) – because it doesn’t go so good with chocolate.

A little respite from the “Sugars of the Season” – we found this amazing salsa from a small-batch artisan that only makes it twice a year. Which means, you are holding a very rare vintage of spicy wonderfulness in your hands. Not only “mwuah!” with tortilla chips and margaritas – but great to bake with (and to load onto hot dogs, so we’re told!)

One glimpse at that pattern, and all thoughts turn to cozy flannel, warm winter nights by the fire, and the familiar comforts of home during this season. (Not to mention a tiny touch of “country.”) We hope you find all that and more in this Box.

As all our animal friends begin preparing for winter, there are plenty of them to be seen in nature – but they probably don’t taste quiet as sweet as these iced and citrus-infused cookies!

In case anyone thought they’d escape the ‘call of the pumpkin’ this month – Gotcha! The mix of these soft biscotti bites with a hint of butterscotch and a splash of starry sprinkles will surely have you beggin’ for more.

A throwback to one of mom’s favorite recipes, these soft and crumbly mini- bites of just-the-right-amount-of-sweetness might just take you back in time for a quick moment. (Just close your eyes to get there.)

Sure, we can do “healthy” – just take a look at these tiny twigs of organic cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and almonds! But we can’t help it they were lured by the vessel of semi-sweet Guittard chocolate in our kitchen.

Look what we found! (And you’re going to want to keep it handy.) Just shave some of this perfect buttery, pure maple sugar cube on top of your favorite snacks, liven up your autumn vegetables – and even the main dish. It doesn’t get any better (or sweeter!) than this! More at TonewoodMaple.com.

All it takes is the glimpse of a golden leaf, to find ourselves swept back in time to familiar places and familiar faces. Autumn is a gift wrapped in glorious colors that reminds us to pause, reflect, and give thought to what we hold dear – and what we should release. Embrace the flavors of the season.

This tasty caramel glaze might disguise the apple-design beneath – but the spiced apple-pecan cake it covers is the perfect complement.

SO much inside these rustic-look apple cookies, we thought it only fair to warn you that consuming these might allow our cookies to worm their way into your tastebuds’ hard drives. A layer of butter, sugar, and cinnamon is topped with freshly made apple pie filling, and topped off with a dollop of apple cider caramel. What can we say? We got carried away!

Boiled Cider is about to become your new best friend. We’ve loaded two types of homemade caramels into these bags – the darker ones of Boiled Cider — the lighter ones are classic Pecan Caramels – because, making caramels is a disease we can’t control.

And one more thing . . . For a great finish on that salad? Toss a handful of these lightly candied and slightly spicy walnuts on top. We guarantee – they won’t disappoint. (Pretty damn good even without the salad, too!)

Concentrated Cider – nothing else added. Wood’s Boiled Cider has been family-made since 1882 by grinding, pressing, and cooking down this sweet cider to a 7-to-1 concentrate.

Use it to dress up your recipes from pies and desserts to seasonal vegetables (oy! imagine the brussels sprouts!), to main dishes like chicken,and pork, even add a touch to your bbq. Mix it in yogurt, pour it over pancakes or ice cream – or use it as we did to whip up an incredibly delicious, healthy, (and easy) vinaigrette salad dressing – like this:

CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Whisk together:

• 2 Tablespoons Boiled Cider
• 1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Minced Shallots
• 3/4 Cup Mild Olive Oil
• Add Salt & Pepper to taste

 Simply push it into the fruit – then use your thumb to lift the handle to open it up and release the core. Easy-peasy!

An apple a day? We’ve made that a no-brainer. But outside of the fresh ones, we’d also presenting  a small bushel of sweet apple treats to enjoy, too.  The height of the season brings sweet Honeycrisps and Tangos, tart Granny Smiths, and simply a “Gala” assortment of this crop’s goodness. Take a bite!

Tuscan flavors without the ricotta? Not happening here. But we took it in a new direction with aromatic and flavorful orange ricotta cookies with flavored glaze. Just call ‘em “Lays” – because nobody can eat just one.

There are chocolate cookies, and then there are gold mines like these. Take a look at that cocoa color – made possible by the good folks at Guittard, of course. So special we had to add a touch of gold.

Picture yourself enticed by the aromas into an a small family bakery tucked away in a picturesque Tuscan village. All those sweet delights right before your eyes. How do you choose? By taking some of each, of course! That’s what our Tuscan Trio offers – an assortment of hand-made Italian classics: Perfect size cookie bites of Pinolate (Pine Nut), Biscotti Regina (Sesame Seed), and Datteri e Noci (Date & Walnut). A nibble-y escape to an Italian countryside (in your mind, at least!).

Okay – we know you’re excited about the thought of a premium wheel of super-aged Parmesan Reggiano – but hold on a sec – because we found something even better: Formaticum Cheese Storage Paper that will allow you to keep your artisan cheeses fresher…for longer. No kidding. This paper simulates the environment of cheese caves used for aging – allowing your cheese to breathe and stay fresher – for longer. (No more “green cheese in the trash”!)

Just in case you missed out on your European vacation this summer, allow us to take your taste buds on a little tour of “the boot.” A collection of the traditional tastes of Tuscany (maybe with a little twist) should make up for that – right?

Too cute to eat? Don’t let them fool you. These almond-flavored cookies are filled with fresh Peach jam, dipped in Peach liqueur, and rolled in perfect sweetness. Truly the eye-candy of this month’s box.

Brown butter is what makes these fresh cherry bars so special. Oh – and the tons of cherries they’re packed with. (Seriously, we pitted all these fresh cherries by hand. Send Ben-Gay!)

Clever names just seem to burst forth from our lips this month. But these sweet little pastries filled with a tart burst of real apricot won’t escape yours once you bite in!

If you REALLY had to wait for breakfast to dig into this layered, fresh peach coffeecake, we’d understand. We recommend (as with many of our GiggleBake treats) – a quick warm-up first, tho.

We thought this Vintage Silverware Bud Vase Magnet had just the right “Georgia Peach” flair to complement this month’s Box. Love it? You can get one at “FlyMeHome” on Etsy – or visit www.flymehomedecor.com to see more of Sue Guzik’s handmade and upcycled decor.

Don’t get your hopes up with that title! Because the fact is we’re talking about an even more “natural” high – the one you get from the taste of ripe, sweet summer Stone Fruits – presented in all sorts of delicious manner.

Don’t let this sweet loaf deceive you – it packs a fair dose of The Good Stuff (aka Gosling’s Bermuda Black Seal Rum). Honestly, if we GiggleBake’rs were pirates, there’s a good chance all of all alcohol would be consumed this way.

Gluten-free and packed with (what else?) Guittard cocoa, these almond-sprinkled brownie cups are a triumph of chewy chocolate goodness. We were taking bets these would disappear first. (We won.)

Compact, filling, and ready to sail – these peanut butter and jelly bars bring a taste of your youth into your future travels. You can even eat ’em in your jammies!

Go ahead and wander the sandy shores without fear, because the only thing this sea glass candy will be breaking is your heart – when it’s all gone.

Stylin’ by the sea is what you’ll be doing with this unique set of four nautical-knot coasters. Why unique? Because they were made by hand right here at our very own GiggleBake headquarters. Every. Single. One. (Yeah – it took her awhile.) Sorry – Corona not included. 😉

“God, I wish I was sailing again.” –Jimmy Buffett

For those who know the feeling, sailing away to a foreign (or any) shore is an adventure filled with Water, Wind, & Wow. We think your “Boat Foods” should keep pace. Hand snacks with no mess. But still . . . Giggle-worthy. Time to cast off.

We couldn’t help including these glazed, cloud-soft scones packed with fresh Blackberries, Raspberries and Blueberries. (Not a bite without a berry!) Perfect fresh out of the packaging, or warmed up a tad. They’re not picky.

These may look like a crackle cookie, but the freshly made Strawberry puree we made them with adds a unique, light texture that just makes you want to go sit on the porch and chill. All summer long.

That name is no lie. These freshly-canned (by us!) ginormous Blackberries in simple blackberry syrup (made by us, of course) make anything they touch unforgettable. Buy the ice cream. Right now. Go! (You’ll thank us later.)

Yes. These would be their babies. Fresh Raspberries transformed. Un-believe-able.

The perfect, berry-sized colander that thought of everything for you. It’s the perfect size for a container of berries – collapsible, drains at the bottom, and even includes a detachable tray to catch water. (No more soggy countertops!)

Oh, admit it. You’ve been eyeballing these beauties in the grocery store produce department just like we have. Bushels of fresh Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, and Strawberries that – we admit – are definitely more than perfect in their natural state. But their loveliness also happens to inspire our GiggleBaking gene – so this month, it was All About the Berries!

Honest, we didn’t just pick these up from the beach. But they sure look like they belong there, eh?

Just enough of everything – Macadamia, coconut, white chocolate, and exotic fruits – baked into diamonds of perfection. This was an “omg-I-can’t-stop-eating-them!” entry.

Bold in appearance, flavor, and character – these baked orbs of sea-salted Guittard cocoa charm your socks right off. And who needs socks at the beach, anyway?

Because really, who’s gonna know? These lively little sweets aren’t so strong you’ll be caught doing the Desperation Samba – but they’ll take you away on a quick trip to Margaritaville just when you need it.

As we plotted and planned and baked this month, one thing became dazzlingly clear: Not one of the items in this Box wouldn’t benefit from a drizzle or a dunking in this Sea Salted Caramel. Heat it up a bit, and you can sea for yourself.

In true Parrothead style, this month’s extra bit of fun was designed to liven up your cocktails, freshen up your breath (with, what else? Juicy Fruit!), and give you a hand with lugging around all your coconut bras and Parrothead paraphenalia – in an adorable (and very compact) Fish tote. Time to Par-tay On!

Worthy of note: Always keep a pot of “Margarita Pops” cooking on the stove, and we guarantee – your day will automatically go better. 😉

Summer weather made us want to put on our Jimmy Buffett albums (yes albums) and sail, er, bake away! Wherever you find yourself, this should remind you of a favorite trip to the shore. FINS UP!

Whole hazelnuts, ground and livened up with a burst of candied orange peel – and a smidgen of chocolate. These are Nutty Tarts you’ll want to hang out with.

Dual bursts of dynamic citrus flavor these smooth, luxurious Pâte de Fruit. The richness of fresh Blood Orange layered with bright (and fresh) Grapefruit. Trust us, the French have nothing on these beauties.

Some lively slices of lime and mandarin await you in this shortbread – just the thing to keep you munching while pondering the rest of this Box O’ Wonder.

Yes – good enough for a song. (Besides, the word “curd” is so unpoetic.) Made with freshly juiced lemons by us Chuckleheads, spooning this atop just about anything can only make life better.

Direct from Georgia – and pinch us – Can honey really be this good? Bold sweetness with subtle citrus hints, straight from the nectar of Orange Blossom flowers. The results? Simply to die for.

A wooden reamer (trust us – this thing beats the heck out of those yellow lemon presses you see – no juice left behind!) – plus a mini-strainer, just in case “pulp” is not your thing. We simply wanted to make it a breeze for you to enjoy the scents and flavors of your favorite citrus fruits at home, too.

It was heaven just to inhale these recipes (never mind the taste-testing!). Lemon – Grapefruit – Blood Orange – Lime – Mandarin – these are the flavors that we all love, especially in the Spring. A fresh, aromatic reminder to us of all the lovely flowering trees and shrubs that deliver these tart and luscious fruits each year.

What goes better with a picnic under the cherry blossoms than pails of fresh cherry almond cake? Set the table! er, blanket!

Celebrating the origin of our amazing Washington D. C. cherry blossom trees, it only seemed right to add Japan to our menu. These Japanese Tea Treats add a quick Japanese flavor with one bite with green Matcha tea sweet buns, filled with sweet red bean paste.

These buttery shortbread sandwich cookies were made of freshly ground hazelnut flour, and featured a small window to the sweet cherry jam inside. Tied for this month’s favorite with those adorable Cherry Buckets.

How many of you knew the majority of our cherries come from Michigan? And they’re harvested and turned into incredible cherry-based products that give you new appreciate for the versatility of this deep, sweet fruit.

This month, we chose to include not just one, but two of their delicious products (maybe it had something to do with Cherry Republic’s fun and enticing website – and their commitment to their employees and creating incredible foods!).

Their Cherryaki Sauce and a healthy sampling of their amazing Dried Montmorency Cherries – presented together and the centerpiece of our presentation. (Just so you know, that sauce on salmon…..yowza! And you have NEVER had dried cherries and big and flavorful before.)  Huh – a GiggleBake philosophy, and a commitment to making fantastic products. We liked them immediately.

Traditionally, mid-March-April is the month the thousands of gifted Cherry Blossoms bloom in Washington D.C., and this year was no exception. To honor the beauty – and the original meaning – of these beautiful cherry trees, celebrating “Hanami” seemed only fitting. In Japan, it’s the time for family and friends to party under the cherry trees while surrounded by the beauty of “Sakura” (cherry blossoms). We brought it all right to you this month, to enjoy no matter how far the nearest cherry blossom tree might be.

Tiny hearts, moons, and stars sugar cookies (because we love you to the moon and back!) – marbled with color, and the perfectly poppable size. We probably should have included more…these got absorbed in a New York minute, we were told.

Our very own special recipe toffee – coated with melted Guittard chocolate, then covered with crushed almonds. It was a yowza-moment – just like you’d imagine a ‘crunchy kiss’ to be.

While we’re committed to an exciting new assortment for each monthly GiggleBake theme – we are such major fans of Apricot King Orchards that there are always going to be ways we sneak their extraordinary premium dried apricots into the mix. This was one…some plain (because, seriously – Apricot King!) – and some dipped in either milk or white Guittard chocolate, and presented with  a touch of edible gold or pink dust. Lots of our GiggleBake’rs followed our lead and began ordering their own direct from this orchard. Smart folks. And by the way, that’s always our plan with the special items we include in our boxes – we just love introducing amazing food and things we think are awesome!

Spicy or sweet – what’s your pick? We made that an easy choice with this mini collection of hand-rolled truffles that gives you a touch of each.

Spicy took us from Chipotle Chile and Tabasco, to a healthy dose of Kahlua with Sea Salt.

Sweet – well, that’s not hard, with a combination including almond, hazelnut, and Amaretto.

And Guittard chocolate. Of course.

Is February the ONLY month of Love? We don’t think so – but we’ll use any excuse to capitalize on The Beatles, and hearts, and chocolate. Mission accomplished!

In wintertime, we crave foods both delicious and filling – and when we crafted this particular bar recipe, we had to name them precisely the way they made us feel – filled with Joy. Hands-down, the favorite in this month’s box. (Hard to believe when there was HappeCake around, huh?)

Okay – we might have lied about those OatJoys. Or at least, we have to say this was a very, very, VERY close second. Because, you see, there’s Chocolate Fudge Sauce, and then there’s GiggleBake’s “All Better” Sauce. Aptly named, because you don’t even need to put it on food to feel all better about EVERYthing. Still getting requests for this one months later. The secret? It’s in the chocolate. The very, very, very, VERY dark chocolate. (By Guittard, of course.)

Ohmyfreakinggosh. Always big fans of Trader Joe’s over here at GiggleBake – but when we first discovered their amazing cookie butter, we filed that away under “S.C.F.” (Serious Comfort Food.) And that’s how it found its way into our Hygge Box – complete with the perfect-sized wooden spoon to encourage our GiggleBake’rs to just eat it out of the jar. (We heard they did.)

Of course we had to consider hot steaming mugs of something that warms our innards during this cold spell. So we crafted two wonderful styles of marshmallows to make your cocoa or warm milk a whole lot more fun.

Cloudz – Hand-crafted vanilla marshmallows (flavored with our own aged stock of Vanilla Extract), big and pillowy and just begging you to chase it around your mug with a spoon as it slowly releases its sweet goodness.

S’Mugs – Ahhhh….our own favorite recipe for turning our steamed milk into the most delightful hot Chai Tea Latte we’ve ever had. Hot milk, add S’Mugs, stir, and enter the bliss.

Blame It On Annie. (We always did.) Because the one thing she was “into” more than anything was cozy, comfortable warmth. And that’s what these Hand-Knit Ear Hugs with a matching Dog Scarf provided.

Hand-knit by our own GiggleBaker, Janine, this darling and snuggy duet not only keeps your ears warm with style – but lets you bring your favorite tiny buddy along to look just as cool. Or warm. Whatever.

Annie was the inspiration for many incredible creations through her Blame It On Annie line of dog and people luxury goods. And while she left us for greener pastures not long ago, she will never be forgotten. (Really – just check her Facebook page!)

Hygge – Let’s just say it’s how Scandanavians find their comfort zone. That safe place, your cozy spot – the sanctuary where everything falls into warm and comfortable space. We pondered mightily about the American version of food (& stuff) that makes the winter months a time to embrace.

“Snow” dusts the crown of these absolutely-to-crawl-across-broken-glass-for deep chocolate (Guittard, of course) and toasted hazelnut-studded biscotti. Nothing will make your first run of the day go more smoothly!

Couldn’t be simpler, more flavorful, or less complicated (ingredient-wise) – our Scarlet Snowballs bring a sweet, tangy, and crunchy burst of flavor to each pop into your mouth. You’ll never waste a cranberry by stringing it again….not when you can enjoy them like this!

We hid them on this plate so you’d know how simple it is to have your nuts in plain sight and camouflaged at the same time. (har, har!) They’re the white ones on the right – and one of the most-requested personal recipes in our kitchen. We brought this fan-favorite to our holiday box, and all everyone had to say was…..  Hey! Squirrel!

We thought a little thematic architectural spin on this classic cranberry and citrus recipe would fit right in – and we were right. (According to our GiggleBake’rs, they were unwrapped and gone first thing.) Sweet bread and home – is there a better combination?

The centerpiece (or we should say, “scent-erpiece”) of our Cardinals, Cinnamon and Cranberries Box was quite the presentation for the decorative – and tasteful – offerings it included.

–  That gorgeous Scented Snowflake is a premium, hand-decorated Gingerbread recipe that shared the aroma of fresh-ground Ceylon Cinnamon (the best!), Organic Nutmeg, Clove, and Cardamom. (We even punched a hole and included the ribbon to keep it as an ornament.)

–  A Microplane Premium Spice Grater – that everyone needed to make the fragrant most of the…

–  Fresh Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks, the perfect “grate” addition to just about any December food favorite, and

–  Organic Whole Nutmeg, which, you know, ditto the Cinnamon!

–  And, of course, a delightfully adorable Cardinal ornament to remember this extraordinary box.

Nothing (as far as we’re concerned, anyway) represents an instant snapshot of winter like seeing a bright red cardinal among the trees – so this menu was a cinch for us. Makes us giggle just looking at it.

Hand-made with fresh cherries, fresh peaches, and hand-mixed, rolled and shaped pie dough – with a sparkling sugar topping. No forks necessary.

We found three nuts that taste even better when you keep ’em together – so we created our very own brittle and tossed them in. Hazelnuts, Almonds, and Cashews. (We thought they looked sweet with our hand-made butterscotch suckers, too.)

Hand-pulled Raspberry Taffy – to help you get through those s-l-o-w love scenes without crunch.

For your future popping enjoyment – packaged and (bow) tied up – because we knew you’d want more of these big fluffy balls of goodness. Just Poppin‘s gourmet mushroom popcorn is the only kind we’ll pop at home now!

So we added two sweet shaker bottles – but filled them with the perfect popcorn toppers: 100% Pure Maple Sugar, and King Arthur’s Vermont Cheese Powder.

Remember those days when movies came with programs? (Ack! We’re showing our age!) Well, the Hollywood Premiers did, anyway. And we thought they should make a bit of a comeback for our “Movie Night” Box.

Everyone wants to be a cowboy – at least once. It’s the “once” part that reminds us that not everyone is cut out to a life in the wilderness. So we came prepared for that with our authentic “City Slickers” – a tasty reminder of what’s waiting for some folks when they leave the Dude Ranch and head back to the city. New York Crumb Cake that hit the spot.

Our handmade salted caramel sauce seemed to be more like “Cowboy Gravy” than syrup – since the reports we got back showed that it goes good on EVERYthing. No lie. You can catch the bubbling goodness in the making on our Facebook page right here. As mesmerizing as the delicious enjoyment. This one . . . will be back.

What’s caramel and espresso and coffee without the chocolate? We thought so, too. These Broncs were the perfect accompaniment of cake-y, bite-sized brownies that absolutely hit the spot. Word was they were the first casualty of the Wyoming Sunrise box. (Gone before anyone else could steal ’em, they say.)

Appropriately titled, we must say – and ohmygosh was this custom roasted coffee a hit with our GiggleBake’rs. Ordered special from Jackson Hole Roasters in Jackson, Wyoming – it still remains the favorite coffee EVER of many who received it. Because it was Just That Special – we added a little something (appropriately) extra: That Clip-On Stainless Steel Coffee Scoop you see attached to the top of the bag. We still get comments today.

Including “Your Guide to All Things Delicious and Western” in the Wyoming Sunrise Box.

Across the Channel to London:  English Scones, the quintessential sweet recognized around the world for its British roots. Ours were handmade, included some fresh, sweet apricots and the whole topped with a dusting of crunchy, sparkling sugar. (Jam on the side…we thought of that, too.)

Sailing to Italy, we encounter Italian Torrone Nougat Candy (2 ways). Why on earth make something sweet with things like honey and pistachios – when you can do it twice? To-die-for pieces of morbido (soft) and friabile (hard) style traditional nougat – we even had a little extra fun by customizing the Morbido style with our logo on the delicate rice paper layer. What can we say, we’re hams for having fun.

Fortunately, China came to us to bring this Roasted Wild Tree Purple Tea from Leaves of Cha. Since we were taking our food travels around the world, it only made sense to complement this month’s box with tea (silicone tea infuser included!). And in our opinion, there’s no better or more knowledgeable source about tea than Jay Davis, owner of Leaves of Cha.

Like we said, it’s only natural to want the best preserves for your fresh English Apricot Scones. That’s why we included a jar of Blake Hill with each box. Third-generation English fruit preservatory that was nice and handy to our original Vermont location. All we can tell you is . . . it wasn’t enough. (Is there ever enough preserves?)

A quick trip around the world – foodie-style. The “International Mother’s Day” GiggleBake Box.

FRieNdly Bars. The best energy-boost to take with you on a hike, or when something healthy, filling, and fruity is on your mind. Three types of fruits with toasted hazelnuts and almonds – and yeah, chocolate chips were inevitable. (That just made it even better.)

A light and refreshing option made with the best of the best. Edamame, Cashews, Pumpkin Seeds, Honey, and Brown Rice Syrup. Great crunch with a touch of sweet, and flavors that go together like the birds and the bees.

Just the right amount of sweetness and light as air. We’re told our honeycomb was the first thing consumed, and rarely shared. (One of the perks of opening your GiggleBake Box first!)

Lending the honeybees a hand was our plan, and some of our GiggleBake’rs were great enough to share the results of their wildflower seeds gardens, too! Enough to plant a 100 sf garden….direct and re-packaged from John Scheepers’ seed collection.

You may not know this, but GiggleBake originally launched from Vermont – which made it easy for us to find some of the best producers of small-batch items up-close-and-personal. Champlain Apiaries was one of them, and sharing a smidgen of these delicious harvest was a must for this box.

Simple and pure ingredients, with a reminder to “Bee the change” to make the planet a more bee-friendly environment. One of our early beta-program packages. So well-received, some items may make a curtain call someday soon.

One thing about GiggleBake, if it comes from us – it’s made with happy thoughts, fine ingredients – and by hand. Just like these giant hand-piped Easter Egg Cookies, and their accompanying friends of Easter-themed shapes and sizes.

There is a reason the French adore their financiers – and even more reason to love this striking presentation of a true classic. Fresh raspberries for some, fresh blackberries for others, the intricate starburst tart form simply adds more “taste” for the eyes, as well.

One thing that definitely makes an appearance in multiple forms with GiggleBake is caramel. Quite frankly, we’re not picky about how it shows up – in syrups, cakes, drizzles, or candy – we’re always looking for new ways to offer it. These pecan caramels made the cut for our Easter box, and we always think two candies are better than one. (Move over, truffles!)

When we have a new creation at GiggleBake and discover “if you just do a little of this before you eat it….” things, we love to share. So, to help our GiggleBake’rs enjoy their fresh berry Financiers even more (like, “just out of the oven” more) – we included the perfect discovery: The OXO Sugar Duster” – aka: “The GiggleWand.”  (Seen here with a little yellow friend who hopped in for the trip.) Because a little warmth, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar brought us a bit closer to our fans. And besides, it’s a hoot to play with – and what doesn’t go better with a dusting of sugar?

Too. Much. Fun. Let us loose with an authentic King Cake and colored sprinkles, and we’re just gonna have fun. See?

Espresso Marshmallows with a dollop of deep and dark Guittard chocolate. Drop one of those in your coffee cup – and greet the day with a smile.