Q: I love your column on Sunday mornings, and enjoy reading about all the hard-to-find items that fellow readers are looking for. I never thought I’d need help, but I cannot find McCormick’s cinnamon grinder in the grocery store. When I look online, it appears to be discontinued. I see that Drogheria and Alimentari have a cinnamon spice mill through Amazon for $8.89. That seems a bit steep, so thought I’d ask you before ordering that. Thanks for any help or assistance. S. Harrison, Alpharetta
A: I don't know why most of the cinnamon grinders went by the wayside, but it seems many have. However, there are still a couple available. As you mentioned, Drogheria and Alimentari, an Italian import, still offers a glass mill that holds .82 ounces of cinnamon. However, I found another option, but you'll have to order it as well. Check out Spice Islands Saigon cinnamon in a glass jar with an adjustable grinder at Spiceislands.com. A 1.7-ounce jar costs $5.70, not including shipping.
Q: Will you please help this vegetarian find Better than Bouillon no-chicken base? It’s the best seasoning around, and gives my vegetables a very good flavor without the meat. DeKalb Farmers Market used to sell it, then Publix had it for a few minutes, now I have to order it online. I thank you so very much in advance. Teresa Martin, Conyers
A: You'll find jars of vegetarian Better than Bouillon no-chicken base for $6.99 at Whole Foods Market, 2111 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, 404-634-8981. Ingredients include carrots, celery, onion, salt, hydrolyzed corn protein, maltodextrin, sugar, canola oil, yeast extract and corn syrup.
Q: I am writing you as a last resort, hoping for information. It is very frustrating to have an ingredient that disappears into the wind and, all of a sudden, a favorite recipe doesn’t work. For the last year, I have looked in numerous grocery stores for Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Fudge cake mix. If you know where I can find this, it would mean a lot. It’s the integral ingredient for Gooey Politicians. Many thanks. Betsy Bird, email
A: Betsy, I received a couple of different answers from the folks I contacted at Duncan Hines. First, I was told that the Butter Recipe Fudge cake mix was discontinued — completely wiped from the company's system. Then, there was a shift. The discontinued cake mix was the 16.5-ounce size, but the new (not to be confused with improved) size, 15.25 ounces, was now available. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be stocked in most stores. By the way, a few years ago, that now-defunct 16.5-ounce box of Duncan Hines cake mix weighed 18.25 ounces. Bakers using the new size in recipes other than those on the box will need to adjust their measurements. You can still whip up plenty of those Gooey Politicians by ordering a 12-pack of Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Fudge cake mix for $33.44 through Amazon.com.
Q: Where can I find Pond’s Cucumber Cleanser? I have used it for years. It is not greasy like Pond’s cold cream, and leaves my skin so soft. I have checked all the local stores. Many carry Pond’s products, but not the Cucumber Cleanser. I had to order my last supply and have it shipped. Shipping is expensive. I would like to find it locally. Thank you. P. Skelton, Fayetteville
A: Pond's Cucumber Cleanser is available at a few Bed Bath and Beyond stores that feature a Harmond discount health and beauty section. I found 10.1-ounce jars for $8.49 each at Bed Bath and Beyond, 1 Buckhead Loop, Atlanta, 404-869-0457.
