True North cabin cookbook, Vol II.
by Stephanie Hansen
This is truly a northern cookbook. The recipes and stories are from her time at her Northern Minnesota cabin (on an island!). It’s a fun read and has great recipes.
Recipes, cooking classes, design, and good, clean fun
I hope you enjoy this little gift guide, everything mentioned is truly my fav, and fyi, no one has paid me to list their goods and/or service, I’m just a true believer in it, promise.
Minnesota Makers gift guide
Be sure to check this guide out. Tons of local businesses, from cooking classes (that’s right, I’m in there!) to art, jewelry. You’ll for sure find something for that hard-to-find person with this list. Thanks, Michelle!
DotPlaid
Hand-dyed and hand-lettered paper goods, stationery, and linens. Chris’s work is beautiful. I ordered some beautiful Christmas cards. She also holds art classes, making cards and stationery in Stillwater, which are really fun! She has a great style!
Moloney's Irish Imports
Hands down, the best place in town for imported goods from Ireland. From cookbooks, Irish meats (they are from Chicago, but as close as we’ll get!), goodies, pottery, jewelry, and of course, gorgeous Irish sweaters. The owners, Emma and James, are darling, too. Head on over to Grand Ave. and say hi.
Burnt sugar
Melinda is a pastry chef by trade and started Burnt Sugar to reintroduce some old favorites to us all. She also creates new ones, like her Coal (as she says, ‘A little something for the mischief makers.’) Now, who will get this Coal in their stocking this year? 🙂
Tasty Tin
Show up with a gift that feels thoughtful and delicious. Thembi’s herb and spice combinations are the bomb. She’s known for her Garlic Dust, and it’s fantastic! It makes the perfect hostess gift, too.
A-Jar opener
This is my friend Angie’s business (formerly Gustola Granola Queen), her grandpa invented this years ago, and Angie brought it back to life. The A-Jar Opener opens jars easily and mounts under a cabinet, so it’s always within reach. Your aging hands will thank you, mine already do!
Forage to Fromage
Artisan Cheese Pairing and Education. The exciting world of artisan cheese can be intimidating but Kerry here to help guide you. From cheese selection for your cheese board or pairing with your favorite libation! Private classes available.
Salad Girl
Why wouldn’t you give this delicious dressing as a gift? These gorgeous elixirs are locally made and all organic. Use it for so much more than just salads.
Edible Minnesota
This publications hits all that is free, but you can also be a subscriber and get it in your mailbox (and who doens’t like getting ‘real’ mail, not junk!).Â
This magazine supports a vibrant, regional food system here in the Midwest. They will be publishing a few of my recipes in the Winter 2026 issue, woot!
Homemade Irish Cream
This is one hostess gift your friends will use (I mean drink!). This stuff is so good, but sure to make some for yourself.
The Buttered Tin
My new friend Alicia has been feeding Saint Paul sweets and breakfast since 2013. Catering, bakery, breakfast, and brunch. Bring a friend, or order up some yum.
Good things cookbook
by Samin Nosrat
The author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. She’s brilliant and funny, too. She really makes sense of flavor combinations and good food.
Clay Coyote
Clay Coyote makes art you can cook with, and they make it right here in Minnie. ‘Nough,’ said. This bad-boy is on my Christmas list, please Santa!
sunrise flour mill
I’m not joking (iykyk), this is the only flour I use, and I bake a lot of sourdough. Sunrise Flour is consistent, locally milled, and grown from heritage wheat, for the baker in your life.
Plus, they are darn nice peeps.
Emerald lounge
This is one of my favorite spots to go for a drink and some nibbles. Super cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and they take reservations, gotta love that. I love it there.
O'Shaughnessy Distilling
What a beautiful spot for a drink and dinner. If you like an occasional spot of Irish Whiskey (I like mine neat), this is the place to go. They hold distillery tours, and you can host an event there, too. But don’t go just for the whiskey, their food is delicious too, can you say Spice Bag!Â
The Dubliner Pub
Now, we don’t frequent ‘bars’ much anymore, but when we do…it’s the Dub. I’d say it’s the closest place in the Twin Cities to a real Irish pub. The music starts early, if not all day, you can even go to a sesh (impromptu music ‘session’) and learn to cĂ©ilĂ dance. And they pour a damn good pint.
