12 Gourmet, Easy-To-Order Gifts Made In California

If you want to keep this year's holiday shopping fast and simple, consider sending delectable and edible gifts with the unique flair of California. We've rounded up an array of such online-purchase possibilities as firefighters' hot sauce, a peppermint-mocha churro cake, Christmas tree sourdough bread, artichoke latkes (Oprah's favorite!), eggnog cookies and more. All made in the Golden State!

Take a look, and Happy Holidays from Patch ...

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The Model Bakery: English Muffin Set

English muffins as a holiday gift? This muffin set, available online and sale-priced at $28 from The Model Bakery in St. Helena and Napa, made "Oprah's Favorite Things 2017." Last year, Model Bakery's "English Muffins and Preserves" also were given an Oprah thumb's up on her "Favorite Things 2016" tally. And if Oprah likes them two years in a row, they must be gift-worthy!

Read her review: "I've given away hundreds of these crunchy yet fluffy artisanal English muffins from Napa just to say 'happy Sunday.' I travel with them and even brought a batch to the set of A Wrinkle in Time." —Oprah

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Sweet Lady Jane: Piña Colada Cake

You'll get more hugs than Santa if you bestow to friends and family this $85 delectable masterpiece: the Piña Colada Cake from Los Angeles bakery Sweet Lady Jane, a confection new to the menu, a Tommy Bahama-collaboration and crafted with white mousse, pineapple, toasted coconut and a touch of rum! Too pricey? Sweet Lady Jane also sells a Triple Berry Christmas Tree Cake for $40 or a variety of cookies and pies.

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Elegant Brie: Creamy Brie Appetizers

Delicious, elegant and priced from $25 to $45, these pastry poufs from Pleasanton come with such filling options as: Garlic, Basil, & Pine Nut; Jalapeno; Mushroom; Cranberry; Blue Cheese and Apricot. Send this ideal appetizer to friends or family as a holiday gift, then add one for yourself. Thank us later.

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Palo Alto Firefighters Pepper Sauce:

We love this item's start-up story as much as we love the pepper sauce, itself! A Palo Alto firefighter for years grew peppers behind the station and harvested it into a zesty sauce for the crews, until it became such a hot commodity, it was bottled and sold to the public. $6 for a 8.5-ounce bottle ranging in hotness from Original to Habanero to the hottest "Ghost" variety, with proceeds benefiting the Palo Alto Firefighters Charitable Fund. Stocking stuffer?

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The Cravory: Holiday Cookies

Baked to gooey and crispy perfection in San Diego, Cravory cookies are easy to order and ship. The company was started in 2009 by self-professed cookie addicts, with the first shop opening in 2014 in Point Loma. Storefronts and outlets now are numerous. This year, December cookie flavors include Gingerbread, Candy Cane, Nutella Banana and Poppin Eggnog. Surprise the hard-core cookie lovers on your gift lists with "Cookies of the Month Club" memberships!

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Large Marge: Peppermint Mocha Churro Cake

"Helping people party since 2014," Large Marge Cooks of Los Angeles makes a Peppermint Mocha Churro Cake that gets nothing but raves and is available online. "Handmade with brown butter cinnamon cake layered with Peppermint Bark Ganache, Cinnamon Mocha frosting and topped with peppermint churro snaps for a crispy, crunchy, churro-y finish." $69 for a 10-person cake or $89 for a cake that serves 20. Don't delay ordering as the availability window for the holidays closes soon!

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Oasis Date Gardens:

This Thermal-based certified organic farming company sells dates, date butter, date bread, date cake and ... you get the idea ... in a variety of combinations and gift packs. While you are selecting from the sweet-fruit options, consider adding in the $10.95 "Date Recipes Cookbook," chock-full of ideas for tasty appetizers, salads, pies, muffins and more. The cookbook is available online through Oasis Date Gardens.

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Linda's Gourmet Latkes:

Latkes are a Hanukkah staple, to be sure, but we love them year-round! And the variety from Linda's Gourmet Latkes of Los Angeles is outstanding with the traditional potato, plus curry, "Southwest," artichoke, sweet potato, green onion, vegan and gluten-free. (Artichoke ranked as "Oprah's Favorite, November 2014.") Latke sizes range from bite-size to extra large. Feeling generous? Toss in a jar of Trout Roe Caviar for $49.

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Boudin Bakery: Sourdough Bread Bowls & More

Some may claim a certain rice is the San Francisco treat, but we cast our vote for clam chowder served in a sourdough-bread bowl! You can share that unique wharf atmosphere with friends and family with Boudin Bakery mail-order gifts. In addition to the chowder option, Boudin also markets versions with Cioppino soup and Texas chili, plus holiday cookies in a red tin and specialty sourdough breads shaped like Christmas trees, wreaths and candy canes. Could be a lovely present for Christmas morning brunch!

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Clif Family Winery: Seasonal Preserves

This trio of sweet preserves is made in small-batches from fruit harvested locally at the St. Helena-based Clif Family's organic farm and vineyards and sold under the winery's artisan food collection. The set, priced at $36, even earned the Oprah stamp of approval, landing on her "Favorite Things 2017" list.

Her review: "These three seasonal preserves are the most outstanding trio since Destiny's Child. I’ve been enjoying the pluot with lavender and peach all year, and I’m so excited to try the strawberry with lavender." —Oprah

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The Art of Caramel: Liquor-Flavored Caramel Corn

"The Art of Caramel features all-natural air-popped corn blanketed in light, flaky caramel, all flavored with notes from fresh, gourmet ingredients and premium liquors," according to the company, which started in Pasadena. What else can we add? Oh! ... Flavors include Vanilla Bean Cocoa Nib, Bananas Foster With Dark Rum, Mayan Chile Chocolate and Kentucky Bourbon Black Pepper. Yum! A $25 gift box included four, 4-ounce bags.

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See's Candies:

Loved and popular on the West Coast, this iconic candy brand, launched in the 1920s in Los Angeles, is an easy gift option. Any Midwesterners, Southerners and East Coasters on your gift lists will love See's, too! Online ordering is easy. The toughest part is selecting what to order, as options abound at varying price levels. This year's winter flavors include white mint truffles, egg nog truffles, mint cream lollipops and assorted peppermints.

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ALSO FROM THE PATCH HOLIDAY FILES:

• Holiday Ice Rinks In California: Get Your Skate On

• Hanukkah Happenings & Menorah Lightings 2017 In California

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FIND YOUR HOMETOWN HOLIDAY FUN!

• SF Bay Area 2017
• Los Angeles Co. 2017
• Orange County 2017
• San Diego Co. 2017
• Riverside Co. 2017

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--Pixabay image via annca