Fabulous festive present suggestions for the foodies in your life.
Antigravity ‘pouring cake’ device
The sky is the limit when it comes to making a “pouring” cake – thanks to a device (base plate, two rods and corner piece) that sits on the cake and can be concealed under frosting – create anything from a torrent of truffles to milk flowing from a jug.
• Dh75; www.lakeland.ae
Smoothie to go
For those always on the move – fill the glass tumbler with smoothie ingredients, click it in place on the base and give it a whizz. Pop on the lid, detach the tumbler and you’re ready to go.
• Dh270; www.lakeland.ae
Tree pan
Holiday baking just got easier with this Wilton Christmas tree non-stick pan. Great for cakes, or a giant cookie. Requires one packet of cake mix, or 4.5 cups of batter. There’s also a gingerbread-man cake pan on offer.
• Dh39; www.tavolashop.com/ae
’Houb’ mould
This cake mould from Melting Pots spells out “houb”, the Arabic word for “love”. Perfect not just for Christmas, but every other occasion, too.
• Dh145; shopatsauce.com
Salt and pepper shakers
Bring a little whimsy to a loved one’s stocking with the Alessi Lilliput salt and pepper set. The shakers are magnetised so they can be placed on the base or attached in playful positions on the steel stem. Also available in blue, orange and yellow.
• Dh140; www.tavolashop.com/ae
Mug cake for one
The ceramic mug comes with ingredient quantities marked on the inside, and instructions printed on the outside. Fill up, pop in the microwave and enjoy your just desserts in three minutes. Should go down a treat with children and lazy bakers.
• Dh60; www.lakeland.com
Chemex pour-over coffee maker
Said to be the best method for brewing, pour-over coffee was invented in 1941 and produces a clear, pure cup of coffee sans bitterness and sediment. Just place medium-ground coffee in a filter, add a small amount of boiled water to the grounds, then slowly pour the remaining water in a circular motion. One for coffee connoisseurs.
• Dh280 for 3-cup size; Dh300 for 6-cup size; available at Jones the Grocer
Cookie-decorating workshop
Give your friends the gift of a Christmas cookie-decorating class from Wilton, where they will learn how to use icing and fondant to decorate cookies in six designs. Wilton also offers cake-decorating classes. Classes are held in the Tavola studio in Dubai. The Christmas cookie decorating class is on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. • Dh300. To book, visit www.tavolashop.com
Table grill
Friends without gardens or balconies will appreciate this grill from Philips. It has a dual plate – the smooth side is great for veggies, fish and shrimp; while the ribbed side is perfect for steaks, hamburgers and sausages. The detachable plate is dishwasher safe and there’s an integrated grease tray to collect excess fat.
• Dh239; uae.souq.com
Electric pie-maker
This handy little appliance bakes up to four individual pies, tarts or quiches in 10 minutes. The non-stick coating makes for easy clean-up. Best of all, it comes with a pastry cutter, pastry pusher and 13 recipes.
• Dh230. www.lakeland.ae
