Food Gifts

Or, if you're all thumbs ...

by Scott Yorko

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Published: Dec 2, 2009

Phluff by Betty's Speakeasy

Tasting this lightweight marshmallow treat is like licking magical air. Maybe it's the organic cane sugar, honey, malted barley syrup or the vanilla bean paste that enchants this stout little jar. Whatever it is, this phluff is our phavorite. $5/9-ounce jar at Betty's Speakeasy, 2241 Grays Ferry Ave., 215-735-9060, bettysfudge.com.

Old City Blend by Old City Coffee

The initial bittersweet taste of this four-bean blend yields a smooth, full-mouthed finish. An added bonus for your locavore love: The coffee is roasted daily in tiny batches in Old City. But be warned — its high caffeine content may lead to extra-loud caroling and the violent opening of presents. $12/pound at Old City Coffee, 221 Church St., 215-629-9262, oldcitycoffee.com.

Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat and Obsession by Julie Powell

Julie Powell, author of blogging expedition turned best selling book Julie & Julia, is back for another soul-saving food journey. Only this time, she's out for blood. Powell embarks on an apprenticeship with a butcher, sawing through flesh and life's problems while discovering the true whereabouts of the heart. Little, Brown and Co., 320 pp., $24.99, Dec. 1. (Snag an autographed copy after Powell's free talk on Tue., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., Free Library, Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., 215-686-5322, library.phila.gov.)

Phillies Fruited Rum Cake by Imagicakes

If your creepy old neighbor drops one of these off on your doorstep, do not feed it to the dog. It's quite possibly the booziest, moistest loaf of holiday cake you'll ingest this season, with surprise pockets of fresh peach, pineapple, coconut, maraschino cherry and mandarin orange throughout. $29/cake (serves six to eight) at Imagicakes Cake Designers, 5028 Haverford Ave., 215-978-5834, imagicakes.com.

Variety Pack By Lancaster Brewing Co.

A few sips of the not-too-sweet English Milk Stout (lactose-tolerable) or the balanced, methodically layered Amish Four Grain Pale Ale will warm you up just enough to shed that reindeer sweater. Cleanse your palate with the refreshing Strawberry Wheat or the citrus-y Hop Hog IPA, with hops that taste like they've just been plucked off a budding grapefruit tree. $39.99/case at Bella Vista Beverage, 755 S. 11th St., 215-627-6465, lancasterbrewing.com.

Hack The Holidays
Nano Gardening
A Piece of Me
Dropping The Bomb
Bleu Christmas
Screen Saver
Page Turner
T-Shirt Gifts
Green Thumb Gifts
Book Gifts
Kids' Gifts
Bath/Body Gifts
Book Quarterly: The Big Four
Book Quarterly: Small Fortune