by Pat Merewether

Created on: August 26, 2007

One of the most important ingredients for a Southern baker, or any baker is 'quality'. Make a decorative goodie basket full of some of the items listed below and I promise your Southern baker will be very happy.

1. Cocoa powder. Many of us know about the cocoa powder from that town in Pennsylvania. However, a friend brought me a small box of cocoa powder from Germany and I never looked back. Bakers in Europe use only pure, dark, cocoa that has no fillers or extenders and your Southern baker deserves the same quality as well.

2. Vanilla Beans. Good vanilla beans are literally worth their weight in gold these days. You may have to pay up to $4 a bean, but only buy a few and put them a decorative glass bottle. A bottle of the best vanilla is also a good idea.

3. Pecans. Southern bakers put pecans in just about everything. Most of the pecans we find in the grocery store are of poor quality and often stale or even rancid. If you've never had fresh pecans, you owe it to yourself to try them as well. Order them in the shell or shelled from a pecan farm.

4. Unique cookie cutters. I'm always on the lookout for fun and rare cookie cutters. I often find them in antique shops or even garage sales.

5. Wine is always a hit. This is usually used to help the baker more than the baked goods.

6. Cook books. Antique or vintage cook books are always appreciated. I have quite a collection of cookbooks and there are many devoted to baking or even Southern baking recipes.

7. A for-real chef's apron. They are a white, light weight cotton, with a bib and long strings that you wrap around you and tie in front. Every baker should have at least one.

8. Quality chef's knives are wonderful gifts. These are quite expensive; however, but worth the money as they'll last forever.

9. Vintage or antique kitchen towels, rolling pins, or mixing bowls. I still have my Grandmother's bread bowl. it's a large, tan ceramic bowl with a rough unglazed edge that she used to sharpen her knives on. It's a treasure and was used by a true Southern baker! Check out antique shops or Ebay. These make great containers for your other goodies as well.

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