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Taste Test: Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Doughnut Mix

Tara Block — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:07:20 PST

I'll admit I'm a huge fan of doughnuts. I'll also admit the idea of making the delicious fried dough is a little intimidating. Enter, Stonewall Kitchen Chocolate Doughnut Mix and Wilton Doughnut Pan. The boxed mix was a piece of cake (pun intended) to make, and baking them in the doughnut pan meant less mess and less fat than the frying method. (Although frying is still the best tasting method, in my opinion.)

The sole ingredients for the batter and frosting were milk, butter, and an egg. The only tricky part was spooning the extremely thick and goopy batter into the doughnut pan, but I got the hang of it by the second batch.

After about 12 minutes in the oven, I simply turned the pan over onto a baking rack, dipped the rings in frosting, and enjoyed the very moist, super rich, and almost brownie-like chocolate doughnuts. While they are no substitute for the real deal, they were easy and tasty enough to make again - I can't wait to try the cinnamon sugar doughnut mix! Have you tried any good doughnut mixes?

Last Chance to Enter Our Grill and Chill Giveaway!

partysugar — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:13:11 PDT

Summer is our favorite time of year and to celebrate the arrival of the season of outdoor entertaining, we've partnered with Sur La Table to create an amazing giveaway. It's got everything you need to host a successful barbecue anywhere! There's the beach-side grill, stainless steel grill grids, folding grill tongs, brush, and spatula and a LED triple grill light that makes grilling at night a cinch. We're also throwing in a bunch of fabulous grilling accessories: Mario Batali granite piastras, the slider mini-burger 3-piece set, grill planks in alder, cedar, hickory, and maple, the combination vertical roaster and wok, a fish grill basket (I have this!), and stainless steel skewers with pakkawood handles. For your first grilled meal, we're providing four Niman Ranch choice New York bone-in strip steaks and a cast iron grill press that ensures even cooking. Since no spectacular barbecue is complete without a frozen treat for dessert, we're giving you a Cuisinart ice cream maker.

To enter for the chance to win this exciting prize, just log in to your PopSugar Community account and take our quiz below. If you're not already a member, register now. It doesn't matter how you score; if you are logged in and answer all the questions, you are entered for a chance to win. Read all the official rules here.

Take the Quiz

What Was Your Favorite Kitchen Store of 2009?

partysugar — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:00:43 PST

From male chefs to fast food restaurants, we want to find out who and what made your year memorable. Thus our Best of 2009 coverage continues! Tell me: where did you like to shop for pots, pans, tablecloths, cooking gadgets, etc.? Did I leave out your favorite store? Then join our Best of 2009 group in the YumSugar Community and tell me about it.

Source: Flickr User ScottInTheOC

Sale Alert: Sur La Table's Easter Basket Goodies

YumSugar — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:14:35 PDT

Hippity hop! Although Easter is still several weeks away, the folks at Sur La Table have just put all their Easter wares on sale. The Easter goodies are 30 percent off (or more). And while my kitchen doesn't have much room for any more seasonal products, I am sort of coveting this flower cake pan ($13.96). However, since I don't have room, I'll have to settle for some window shopping. Check out some of the Sur La Table finds I discovered by scrolling through below. There's a bunch of non-Easter things on sale too!

YumSugar Gift Guide: Handy to Have Gift Cards

YumSugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:31:31 PST

If you don't have the time - or energy - to come up with the perfect gift for those last few folks on your list, then go ahead and get them a gift card. It may seem like a cop-out gift, but it's easy on you and they'll be guaranteed to get something they want. For a food-oriented person you can get them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or grocery store. You might also consider their favorite kitchen gadget place. Sur La Table gift cards actually come in several different themes. If they're a baker, get one with a rolling pin on it; if they're a cook get them one with copper pots.

If you're pressed for time, don't forget, a lot of major grocery stores carry many different gift card options ranging from major restaurant chains to online vendors. Grab a few when you're picking up your last minute ingredients. This way you'll have some on hand in case an unexpected guest stops by - just be sure it's somewhere you'd like too!

For a few gift card ideas, scroll through below.

Beverages & More! Gift Card	Sur La Table Gift Card (Baking Theme)
Whole Foods Market Gift Card	Williams-Sonoma Gift Card
World Market Gift Cards	Restaurant.com Gift Cards

Off To Market: Decor For The Kitchen

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:38:39 PDT

While our favorite newlyweds, Julie & Scott, have all of the silverware, stemware, flatware, and kitchen gadgets they need to start their new life, their kitchen is far from complete. They need all of the homey decorations that make a kitchen livable: table, chairs, linens, candles, artwork, etc. Since they are both busy saving lives as doctors, we have to help them by finding the best decor for the kitchen. Scott will be painting the kitchen in aqua and butter yellow with green accents. Julie prefers cleanliness, modernity, and simplicity. Keep things in season by selecting items the couple can use now. Save your bookmarks in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Decor For The Kitchen.

Please read geeksugar's how to for more on TeamSugar's unique bookmarking features.

Summer Sale Alerts

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:36:20 PDT

If you're like me, you've got too many kitchen knick-knacks, placemats and serving dishes than you know what to do with. However, there's always room for more right? Or maybe it's just time to replace the ones you have? Either way I just discovered that Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table and Pottery Barn are holding summer sales right now. Some of the discounts are great (this Pottery Barn Magnum decanter is $19.99 down from $39), but I've noticed that the items are going fast. Scroll through for a few of my fave deals:

Know of any great summer sale deals? Let us know in the comments!

Hibiscus Ceramic Bowl: Love It Or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 03:38:19 PDT

I think these hibiscus ceramic bowls are absolutely adorable. I can just imagine them at a party filled with little bite sized treats, or full of ice cream. There are four colors to choose from and are $9.95 each. What do you guys think, love them or hate them?

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Love-ly Gifts For The House

partysugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 09:59:37 PST

After a post holiday letdown I look forward to Valentine's Day as an excuse to decorate my house with hearts and shower those I love with gifts. If you're looking for a present to give a friend, sister, or mom on February 14, I recommend buying them something fun for the home. They won't feel guilty about indulging in a fattening chocolatey dessert and in the years to come they can reuse it and remember your love for them.

Red toilet paper is a chic way to vibrantly and easily decorate the bathroom for Valentine's Day. I love this stuff (it also comes in black and orange!) and plan on sending a few rolls to all of my girlfriends who live far away. It's sure to make them smile and feel loved. They come in packs of three in an elegant canister and sell for $15 each.

The kitchen can immediately feel more festive with a heart shaped soap pump by the sink. Washing your hands is a vital step when cooking and during the month of February get in the spirit with this cute little pump. For only $5.39 (it's on sale!) you'll have money left over to splurge on something fabulous for yourself.

There's more love to spread, so

For everyday use, a heart border kitchen towel set ($8) is a must. It's adorable and homey. Or you could make your own Valentine's Day gift basket by giving both the towels and the hand pump!

A girl can never have too many candles and these heart candle sticks make a heart warming gift. For $28 you can see the world in a different, more loving light.

Welcome Warmth This Winter With Copper Tones

Elka Karl — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:25 PST

Brass is undeniably beautiful, but this Winter season I'm attracted to the burnished warm color of copper as it adorns chandeliers, napkin rings, chairs, and much more.

There are plenty of gorgeous copper decor pieces to choose from, but I do have my favorites. Right now, I have a serious love affair developing with the Modernist Copper and Clear Crystal Prism Chandelier by Camer ($3,000, top row, left). This '60s-era modern crystal-prism chandelier is made from hand-blown three-sided prisms in alternating clear and copper crystals. It would add a spectacular focal point to a hallway, dining room, or living room. So chic!

On the more humble end of things, the Sur La Table Honeycomb Votive ($3, middle row, middle left) is perfect for decorating a holiday tablescape. Pair it with black tableware and copper-toned flatware for a truly dramatic table, or opt for rich purples for a warmer effect.

Finally, I'd be remiss not to mention another favorite - the Redsmith Dining Chair in Copper ($200, middle row, left). Commonly fabricated in cool silvers, the copper patina creates an entirely new look for the classic bistro chair.

Have your eye on other favorite finds? Shop each look by clicking on the image.