Williams-Sonoma always has some great mixes and kits. Here’s one that makes a great gift.

Their Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix comes in a reusable glass jar and already has everything you need to make delicious chewy oatmeal cookies. All you need to do is add butter and eggs and you’ll end up with three dozen cookies.

The presentation is like artwork itself. Each of the ingredients is beautifully layered. It’s a gift that’s clever, pretty, and useful, all at the same time.

20% will be donated to Share Our Strength to help that organization’s goal to end childhood hunger in America.

You know that new fad where people buy toasters that burn an extra bit of the toast to make an image (see this Yankees logo toaster to see what I mean).

Well, the Grain Foods Foundation has put up a very, very cool Web site called The Bread Art Project. In it, you can use all kinds of artistic tools to design your own piece of bread and have it become part of their “art gallery”, complete with beautiful virtual frame!

Created in 2009 to help increase awareness of the growing hunger problem in America, last year the Bread Art Project raised more than $50,000 for Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit that help children get the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.

For each piece of “bread art” you create, the Grain Foods Foundation will donate $1 to Share Our Strength. Browse around the galleries and you’ll see the fun creations of artists who came before you, as well as read important facts about hunger.

Seems that baked goods are making a comeback. Maybe it’s because we need more comfort food during uncertain economic times, but it seems that everywhere you turn there’s a cupcake or a huge cookie there to make you smile.

Some of the best baked cupcakes, brownies, cookies, muffins, and cakes I’ve had in my life weren’t out of a slick professional bakery. They were from a little neighborhood bake sale. As delicious as those slick new boutique bakeries in the big City are, sometimes they’re missing a little ingredient that those little fingers baking for their softball team or band or local charity: TLC.

Share Our Strength is an organization based out of Washington whose goal is to eradicate childhood hunger in the U.S. They’ve done something clever. They’ve reached out to volunteers around the country, but instead of going door to door and asking for money, they’re telling them to open a bake sale in their community. It’s called the Great American Bake Sale.

If you to go their Bake Sale Finder, chances are you’ll find one near you. And if you don’t, just go to their Bake Sale Home Page and you’ll find all kinds of information on how you can start your own.

They’ve recruited professional chef Sandra Lee (no relation to Sara Lee…or Duncan Hines for that matter) to be their spokesperson. Sandra even wrote a cookbook called the Bake Sale Cookbook where 25% of proceeds will support Great American Bake Sale.

During good times, it’s easy to give to those who are less fortunate. But it’s during tough times that it’s not so easy–and when those less fortunate people need help most of all. Start this tax year off right by making a generous donation to help Share our Strength feed hungry children in our own backyard, and support those who are giving of their time and ovens to help.

Great Gatherings: Star Chefs Entertain at Home Cookbook is a special cookbook exclusively available at Macy’s which puts together over 100 amazing recipes from the top chefs in Macy’s “Culinary Council”.

There are 16 occasions highlighted, with six amazing recipes for each. The recipes are what you’d expect from top chefs as far as their flavor and gourmet style, but they are simple enough for anyone to make.

The chefs also give great gourmet advice, from fiestas, to a fantastic brunches, to great drinks, to amazing desserts.

The photography is beautiful, and there’s even a foreword by Martha Stewart.

For each copy sold, Macy’s is donated $1 to Share Our Strength, dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

Finding the perfect set of knifes for cooking is not an easy task. But just read the reviews for this knife set on Cooking.Com, and you’ll see how thrilled people are with it.

 The Rachael Ray from Furi 4-pc. Rachael Ray Gusto-Grip Trio Cutlery Set with Case is a set of the knives that Rachael Ray uses on her show. They’re among the sharpest knives you’ll find, made of German CrMoV stainless steel and manufactured by Füritechnics, a producer of professional cooking equipment.

The handle is manufactured in a way that is ergonomically designed, making the grip safe and secure in your hand–the harder you cut, the more the knife locks in your hand, making it extremely safe and easy to control.

The material of the grip is specially manufactured to prevent degradation the handle material over time, something common in other knives. This kit contains three knives: a six-inch utility knife, a five-inch east-west knife (a cook’s knife and chopper), and a 3 1/2 inch paring knife, as well as a carrying box.

As with many of Rachael Ray’s licensed products, a portion of this purchase goes to charity, in this case Share our Strength, a wonderful charity that is committed to ending childhood hunger.