The Leading Resource for Entertaining Tips and Handcrafted Food Gift Ideas
With a history of selling fine Wisconsin cheeses, hams and sausages since 1926 and the largest hand-decorating bakery in the country, The Swiss Colony is America's premier resource for gourmet food gifts...from traditional fruitcakes to delicate petits fours and gift boxes and baskets brimming with sweet and savory treats.
We have established this learning center to present more in-depth knowledge of our products than is available in our catalog—the very first and longest-running specialty food catalog in the United States. In addition to providing food history and entertaining tips, of course, we hope it inspires you to think of The Swiss Colony when you need gift ideas for the holidays or any occasion.
Dobosh Torte: Layers of Luxury
Dobosh Torte: Layers of Luxury
Aug 23 2022
Dobosh Torte (Dobos Torte) is a classic among cakes. With 15 layers, this version of the chocolate torte takes the layered dessert trend to new…
Best Types of Ham: Which Do I Buy for the Holiday?
What is the best ham to buy for Easter or Christmas, or any season? Do you want a smoked ham? A honey ham? We’ll show…
History of Petits Fours: Luscious Little Layer Cakes
The history of petits fours (often Americanized to pettifor) goes back hundreds of years. But, what are petits fours? Learn the origin of petits fours…
Share Your Spring Holiday Traditions and Stories
Share Your Spring Holiday Traditions and Stories
Apr 13 2022
The Swiss Colony has been making gift giving easy since 1926. We’d like to know if we’ve touched your family over the generations. Do you…
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
Apr 08 2022
Looking for unique gift ideas your mom will really appreciate? Mother’s Day food gifts are always great, but the best gifts are the ones that…
Spring Food Gift Ideas (Lookbook)
Spring Food Gift Ideas (Lookbook)
Feb 09 2022
Browse Spring cookies, colorful Petits Fours and other handcrafted favorites to find delicious Easter food gifts…or treats for any occasion!
Share Your Holiday Traditions and Stories
Share Your Holiday Traditions and Stories
Dec 10 2021
The Swiss Colony has been delivering holiday traditions since 1926. We’d like to know if we’ve touched your family over the generations. Do you have…
Are Pistachio Nuts Good for You? (& Other Pistachio Facts)
For National Pistachio Day, learn the health benefits of pistachios and other pistachio facts. Also, where do pistachios come from? How do you pronounce pistachios?…
Food Gifts
Food Gifts
Dec 12 2017
Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, The Swiss Colony began by bringing fine regional cheeses to a wider audience. And nothing goes better with cheese than our very own summer sausage recipes. Add handcrafted pastries and candies from our bakery, and you’ve got endless combinations of holiday treats. Each assortment provides a delicious sampler of our best-selling products to liven up any party or delight a treasured friend or family member.
Fruitcake
Fruitcake
Dec 11 2017
We’ve all heard the jokes about how fruitcakes are passed down through the generations. But while fruitcakes really will last for months with proper storage—even more with an occasional application of brandy, rum or whiskey—it’s the tradition of the fruitcake that has the most longevity. This rich treat has been around in one form or another since Roman times.
Dobosh Torte
Dobosh Torte
Dec 10 2017
The Swiss Colony’s reputation was built on selling Wisconsin cheese…but founder Ray Kubly wanted to utilize the state’s other dairy products—like butter—so in 1959 he built a bakery staffed with meister konditors (master pastry chefs) recruited from Austria. The bakery’s very first product was a multi-layered cake fashioned after one from the bakers’ homeland: Dobosh Torte.
Christmas Food Gift Guide
Christmas Food Gift Guide
Nov 15 2017
Food Gifts for Christmas Shop our Christmas Gift Guide and discover “buy now, pay later” Christmas gift ideas that are easy on your holiday budget!…
Gifts for Candy Lovers: National Candy Month
Gifts for Candy Lovers: National Candy Month
May 15 2017
No matter the time of year, gifts for candy lovers are always in season. Celebrate National Candy Month with a gift of gourmet candy for…
National Popcorn Day (Actually, There Are Three of Them)
When is Popcorn Day? Take your pick—there are three of them! Learn popcorn facts, and even how to make caramel popcorn. It’s not just for…
Cheese Days in Monroe, Wisconsin
Cheese Days in Monroe, Wisconsin
Aug 08 2016
The Swiss Colony has been selling cheese since 1926, but there’s even an older tradition in its hometown. It’s Green County Cheese Days in Monroe,…
How to Make Iced Coffee and Cold-Brew Coffee
How to Make Iced Coffee and Cold-Brew Coffee
Jul 08 2016
Cold-brew coffee is the newest coffee trend…and iced coffee is pretty awesome, too. There’s a difference between the two, and they’re both easy to make.…
Mini Desserts: a Big Trend in Sweetness
Mini Desserts: a Big Trend in Sweetness
May 02 2016
Mini cakes and other bite-size desserts are making a big splash in the food world. See why mini desserts like petits fours are perfect for…
Breakfast Gift Basket Ideas: Bacon and Beyond
Breakfast Gift Basket Ideas: Bacon and Beyond
Feb 01 2016
Celebrate National Hot Breakfast Month by learning how to cook bacon in the oven and breakfast casserole with bacon, and help others celebrate with breakfast…
Cookie Exchange Ideas: Things to Do with Cookies
Cookie Exchange Ideas: Things to Do with Cookies
Dec 07 2015
What are the best Christmas cookies for gifting ? What to do with leftover cookies? Get some cookie exchange ideas and invite friends to join…
The Best Corporate Food Gifts…In Good Taste
The Best Corporate Food Gifts…In Good Taste
Dec 04 2015
With more at stake than the rest of your gift giving, corporate gifting is something you want to do right. Let us help you find…