1. Subscribe Now
  2. Follow Us
  3. Follow us on Facebook Follow us at Twitter Subscribe to our global feed
  4. |
  5. Advertise

Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

Holiday Gifts: Dutch-style Gouda, Caroline's Cakes, and Chocolaterie Wanders

Does anybody really need a box of 24 grapefruits? Probably not. Check out these three gift ideas from local purveyors instead.

By Ann Limpert , Sherri Dalphonse

A Charlottesville pastry chef we know raved about a Dutch-style Gouda made by nuns at Our Lady of the Angels, a Cistercian monastery near the Blue Ridge Mountains. We tried it and agree it’s terrific—a great snacking cheese by itself or on crackers (from fancy ones to good old Ritz). To order, send a letter—the old-fashioned way, on paper—and a check for $27 to Monastery Country Cheese, 3365 Monastery Dr., Crozet, VA 22932. You or your loved one will receive a two-pound, red-waxed round in about a week or on another date you specify.

Seven layers of caramel decadence from Caroline's Cakes in Annapolis.

Seven layers of caramel decadence from Caroline's Cakes in Annapolis.

Baker Caroline Ragsdale Reutter grew up in the city of heavenly layer cakes, aka Charleston, South Carolina. So it’s no surprise that the cake she’s best known for—a seven-layer caramel confection—tastes as though it came straight from a Southern dessert buffet. Reutter ships that and a variety of other cakes—we also like coconut cloud and Southern chocolate—from her Annapolis headquarters, Caroline’s Cakes (888-801-2253; carolinescakes.com; all cakes $39.50). Stored in the freezer, the nine-inch cakes can be enjoyed for months.

Earl Grey-infused dark chocolate ganache from Chocolaterie Wanders in Manassas.

Earl Grey-infused dark chocolate ganache from Chocolaterie Wanders in Manassas.

If you’re giving chocolate as a gift, make it worth every calorie. Chocolaterie Wanders (866-792-6337; chocolateriewanders.com) is the area’s newest chocolate maker. Confections, handmade in small batches in Manassas, are so fresh they’re best eaten within two weeks—and trust us, that won’t be a problem. An assortment—with such flavors as Earl Grey, raspberry, and cinnamon—is $14.95 for a quarter pound, $24.95 for a half pound, plus shipping.


Category Tags: Holiday Eats


Comments


Caroline's Cakes are the most amazing cakes EVER! I was shipped one as a gift and then became HOOKED. The caramel is a little sweet for me, but her chocolate cakes are devine... and her coconut is to die for! Her cakes are fabulous hostess gifts and presents. I love them! Plus the company is so friendly when you call!

Posted by: Anne,

The icing on the cakes is so GROSS. It tastes like straight butter, is extremely dense, and leaves a yucky film in your mouth b/c sooo much butter is used. Go elsewhere. Their presentation looks like that of a grocery store. I looked through a book of wedding cake creations and I was not impressed. It was horrible. Highly disappointed.

Posted by: Sarah, Jan 31, 2010 11:58:13 PM

Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.

Click to download our new iPhone mobile app

 

  1. Burger Brackets (34 Entries)
  2. Chefs Tell All (10 Entries)
  3. Chefs to Watch (6 Entries)
  4. Cheftestants (14 Entries)
  5. Cooking at Home (73 Entries)
  1. More
  1. February 2012 (15 Entries)
  2. January 2012 (77 Entries)
  3. December 2011 (84 Entries)
  4. November 2011 (72 Entries)
  5. October 2011 (53 Entries)
  1. More
Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  
Find A Hotel


  1.   


  2. Reviewed by Washingtonian
  3. Kid Friendly     Valet Parking
    Handicap Accessible    

  4. Childcare
    WiFi
    Pet Friendly
    Bar/Lounge/Dining
    Airport Shuttle
    Salon/Spa
    Swimming Pool
    Fitness Room
    On-site Drycleaning
    Meeting Rooms
    Golf
    Tennis Courts
    Game Room
  5. search_finda.gif
Newsletter Signup
  1. Washingtonian Deals
  2. Bridal Party
  3. Dining Out
  4. Kliman Online
  5. Shop Around
  6. Where & When
  7. Photo Opps
  8. Learn more sign_up.gif
 

What to Do This Week: February 6 to 9

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Kennedy Center, pianist and vocalist Tony DeSare at Strathmore, and “Un-American” at Signature Theatre. more

The Opera Party Goes On, Even When the Opera Doesn’t

After mezzo-soprano Susan Graham fell ill, the Kennedy Center canceled her performance, but philanthropist Bonnie McElveen-Hunter went ahead with the fete in her honor. more

Follow Us Follow us on Facebook Follow us at Twitter Subscribe to our global feed
Get the Magazine Washington Lives By

It's your source for dining, nightlife, news, health, shopping and more in Washington.

Subscribe to Washingtonian

Washingtonian Magazine provides the best insights on:

Subscribe today for only $29.95 for 12 issues.