Mix and magic
Saxon Chocolates dessert mixes are easy to make (like a mix should be) and the finished products are decadently delicious. Each of the three varieties (molten cake, brownies and chocolate bread–which is more like a poundcake) uses high-quality Belgian chocolate. A box costs $12-$14 at Fox & Obel, 401 E. Illinois St., and online, saxonchocolates.com.
Cheese to please
Sargento Artisan Blends shredded cheeses deliver nice flavors in products sourced from domestic and European cheesemakers. The shredded Parmesan includes grana padano (another hard cow’s-milk cheese) from Italy; the Swiss is blended with gruyere from Wisconsin’s Roth KM-dse USA. A variety of other blends also are in the line. Each 5- ounce bag costs $3.40-$4 at Sunset Foods, Treasure Island, Dominick’s, Jewel and Meijer (Parmesan only).
Seasonal sprinkles
Cake Mate’s cinnamon- and peppermint-flavored sugars provide a sweet solution for fast decorating. Each 2.3-ounce jar costs $1-$2.30 in the baking aisles at Jewel, Meijer and Dominick’s (cinnamon only).
