Local bookstore gift card. She'll get a lot for her money if she buys sale books or she can get that one special book that she would never pay that much for herself. Or give her a WalMart gift card & she can buy what she wants. Just because someone has a hobby or talks about some things more than others; does not mean they would not like to buy themselves something different as a treat; especially for the holidays. Thirty years ago I gave my 70 some year old neighbor a $15.00 gift card (a lot back then). She said she bought herself a special gift but never said more. Finally I said I wanted to know exactly what she bought. I was in my 20's then. To my surprise she bought her a sheer nightie set & makeup. I about died then; but I understand now. She said she just wanted to feel free and sexy and pretty and since it was gift money = she bought it. I had never seen her in makeup or anything other than shirts and slacks & her old mumu's. Still makes me laugh when I think about it to this day.
2006-12-01 14:24:44
·
answer #1
·
answered by GEOCACHING*GAL 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
A "BUTTER BELL"
You probably don't have time for mail order, or I would recommend kingarthurflour.com
There are ideas there for you if you want to take a look. Does she prefer baking breads, cakes, cookies or ??
A pretty pie plate, the deep pictured kind would be nice, and so would a decorative bundt cake mold. Do you have a LaSurDeTable in your city? They have great gifts for the kitchen, for all budgets.
Something I love (and I love to bake)...
a "butter bell". They keep butter at the perfect spreading consistency, and I would never be without one on my table.
Eggnog-Toffee Teacake
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This rich nutmeg-scented cake can be made ahead, frozen, then thawed when you need it.
Batter
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks, 12 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (14 ounces) sugar
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon eggnog flavor
1 teaspoon salt
5 large eggs
3 3/4 cups (1 pound) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) eggnog or half and half
Topping
1/3 cup (5 1/3 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/3 cup (21/4 ounces) brown sugar
1/3 cup (3 1/4 ounces) light corn syrup
pinch of salt
2 drops butter-rum flavor or 1 tablespoon rum
1/2 cup (2 ounces) toasted chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts)
Preheat the oven to 350°F, and grease the pan(s) of your choice: a large (10") tube or bundt-style pan; six small loaf pans (about 3 1/2" x 7"); or two 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pans.
Batter: Beat the butter, sugar, nutmeg, eggnog flavor and salt until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Whisk the flour and baking powder together, and add to batter alternately with the eggnog, 1/3 at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour the batter into the pans.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes for the small loaf pans, or 60 to 65 minutes for the large loaves or tube pan, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack set atop parchment, to catch any drips.
Topping: Melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to boil for several minutes, until it reaches 240°F (soft ball stage) on a candy or instant-read thermometer. Add the flavor and nuts, and pour the toffee topping over the cake. Cool completely before serving.
©2006 The King Arthur Flour Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
2006-12-01 17:11:31
·
answer #2
·
answered by Deb 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
you can get a cook book about baking or you can get her a complete set of baking goods like a rolling pin,apron,muffin pans..anything else that will add to your $20 gift then put it in a nice basket. I am sure your secret santa will love it. If you are willing to put out more money that would be great as well. hey, its christmas! "time to give"
2006-12-01 13:44:32
·
answer #3
·
answered by cher'rie 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
A quality set of batter spatulas would be nice. They do wear out and it's usually the last thing anyone who bakes would buy for themselves. If that doesn't meet the $20.00, add a couple of nice oven mitts and a dish towel. Tie it all together with a pretty ribbon and there you go!
2006-12-01 13:40:10
·
answer #4
·
answered by Decoy Duck 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Those new silicone baking pan and gadget sets are really nice! Nothing sticks in them and pershaps she'll bake you something nice with them! There's a few out there for less than $20.00
2006-12-01 13:37:41
·
answer #5
·
answered by miladybc 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Some of those new silicone baking utensils that can withstand high heat. The silicone mitts for oven use.
Some Silpats for baking cookies
http://www.famousfoods.com/sibaut.html
http://www.bridgekitchenware.com/category.cfm?Category=53
http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/601-0257890-7036161?field-keywords=Silicone%20Utensils&AFID=Google&LNM=Silicone_Utensils&LID=1011666&ref=tgt_adv_XSGT0529
You can order them a lot cheaper on Ebay but I use that link for your reference.
Cheers Santa, maybe she will bake you some cookies for the New Year
2006-12-01 13:43:29
·
answer #6
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
If its secret as is no one ever knows (not just before Christmas) then I say you gotta go funny, no one will know who it came from anyway so youre free to get almost anything, plus ya may as well get a laugh out of it
2006-12-01 13:39:06
·
answer #7
·
answered by mrbait33 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Get her a nice baking pan.
2006-12-01 13:50:09
·
answer #8
·
answered by Yo it's Me 7
·
0⤊
0⤋
silicone bake-ware. I've seen silicone oven mitts, silicone muffin pans, pot holders, etc. They are really great because they are non stick and easy to clean. They seem to not wear out easy either.
2006-12-01 13:46:43
·
answer #9
·
answered by Rhino-Jo 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
get her a cookie sheet or maybe a set of christmas cookie cutters. Also, u could get her cooking equipment like maybe a big bowl for mixing cookie batter!
2006-12-01 13:37:41
·
answer #10
·
answered by P!ATD GIRL! Luvn Brendon Urie! 3
·
0⤊
0⤋