Favorite Find Fridays - Precut Parchment

I know.  It's been weeks since I posted a Favorite Find Friday.  I've failed you.  Again.  But, I'm here now and that's what counts, right?

Right.

This is probably my absolute favorite kitchen find:  Precut Parchment sheets!  Woohoo!  I found these on The Webstaurant Store's site while I was searching for sheet pans.  They are perfect and I use them nearly every day.  If I roll dough, bake cookies, decorate cookies, roast vegetables, or use a sheet pan in any way, I use one of these flat (and not curling under from being wound into a roll), perfectly sized sheets of parchment paper.  The best part?  They come in packs of 100.  Oh, and the other best part?  Those 100 sheets are only $4.49/pack.

You see, I found these while I was contemplating buying Silpat mats because I so despised those supermarket rolls of parchment paper that curled under and made accurately lining pans nearly impossible.  But, I already have one Silpat mat and I hate it.  It works great, but I hate cleaning it.  It's just a pain.  But, I was willing to give in and spend the money to avoid that roll.  Until I found these and took a chance.  I am now in love!  

And, the other great part?  The Webstaurant Store.  It's fantastic with great prices and great service.  Most restaurant supply stores will not sell to individuals, but thankfully, the Webstaurant Store will.  And, their delivery times are great and shipping rates reasonable.  I feel like a genius for finding them! 

Favorite Find Fridays - Progressive International Collapsible Cupcake Carrier

I know.  I started this whole Favorite Find Fridays idea, posted once and now it's been a couple weeks.  Slacker.  I know.  In my defense, I have a 5 month old, and well, that's it.  She generally sleeps fine.  She's typically happy.  My toddler sleeps fine.  She's happy.  But, that's my defense.  I have a 5 month old.  Might as well use it while I can, right?

Or, we can just say this find is so great, I needed a few weeks to build the suspense before the big reveal.  I like that.  That's our new reason.

So, here it is (ta daaa!)...the Progressive Collapsible Cupcake Carrier!

(Please forgive the photo ripped from the Progressive website.  I haven't been able to get a shot of mine because it's been in use, and covered in frosting and chocolate, but I couldn't put off this post any longer.)

My fabulous (and pregnant - yay!) sister-in-law, gave me this for Christmas last year.  I was happy to receive it then, but my excitement has only grown since.  Oh, and before you ask - no, Progressive does not know about this.  In any way.  I just genuinely love this product.

It collapses, hence the name, down to the height for a one layer cake, or tart, or pie, or 12 cupcakes, all of which I have transported successfully.  It then expands out to fit a taller cake.

Or, stack the included second cupcake tier and transport 24 cupcakes.

One of the nicest things about this, too, is that it is tall enough that I have been able to easily carry all of my cupcakes, even the very tall hi hat ones, without any damage from the container.  The sides are high enough and wide enough, the lack of which is the fatal flaw of other cupcake carriers.

It's also nice just to use as a cake stand.  I don't have a rotating cake stand, but the wide, flat base easily turns on the counter so I can frost a cake without having to contort my body into strange positions so I can reach it all.  And, of course, the cover keeps room temperature treats fresh for days.

The only down side?  It is too large to fit in my fridge, but that's really a statement about the inadequacy of my side-by-side fridge.  Truthfully, the only change I would make would be to add a strap that wraps around the entire thing (or something along those lines), to be doubled as a handle, in order to secure the bottom a little.  It has always been perfectly fine, and I've never had it fall apart in any way, but I do always worry I will catch it just right and the bottom will drop out.  But, overall, It really does fill a void in the world of baking.  And you should each own one.

(FYI:  the best price I have seen is at Amazon, for ~ $25).

Favorite Find Fridays - Reynolds StayBrite Baking Cups

I know posting has been sparse lately, but I've got lots of recipes coming up soon.  We've just been in a bit of a chaotic state around here with my toddler turning two (2!?  When did that happen?), and my infant having a little cold (i.e. no sleeping), and making and decorating around 100 cookies.  So, blogging has certainly fallen behind.  In the meantime, though, I wanted to start a new feature for this blog...

Favorite Find Fridays.  As I'm working in the kitchen, I often stumble across products that I think are so wonderful that I must share them with the world, because after all, the world is desperately waiting for my opinion.  And, I know all of you in particular have been secretly wishing I would share my obviously expert tips with you, right?  I knew it.  Well, here they are - one at a time, once per week (and maybe now I can stop having fake, late-night infomercials in my kitchen. 

To start, let's look at my new favorite item, Reynolds Baked For You StayBrite Baking Cups.  I know, what's all that exciting about a baking cup?  Well, when you're me, and the little things make your skirt fly up (in the words of the Pioneer Woman), baking cups can be exciting.  I do think a cute little pattern can add quite a bit to the presentation of cupcakes or muffins.  Often, though, I find a package I must have, because they are just too stinking adorable, bake something delicious in them, and wow, the pattern has just about disappeared.  The cups often become translucent and just, well, blah.  And then my cupcakes look sad.  Yuck.  These baking cups from Reynolds, though, are fantastic.  I stumbled across them in the grocery store on a late night quest for cups.  I was annoyed I had to go to the grocery store because the cups there are always just so dang boring and bought these in a huff.  But, I was soon impressed.  You see, these, these, are lined with aluminum foil.  Aluminum foil, people.  That's so...obvious.  And genius.  I mean, why didn't I think of that?  The pattern just stays so perfect and vibrant.  Just look at them:

  
My only complaint?  The lack of patterns.  Reynolds should partner with a fun designer or web-retailer and come up with all sorts of fun patterns.  I see polka dots and paisley and flowers and...I would snatch each of them up in a heartbeat.

And, I promise Reynolds has no idea I'm here.  I really do think these are the greatest find I have come across in a while, and I like to pat myself on the back for having discovered them on my own.