Let me introduce you to Julia Usher. You may know her from the book Cookie Swap.
To enter:
- leave a comment on this post telling me your current favorite cookbook.
Giveaway closed...congrats, Meredith!!!
Good luck!
*Giveaway now closed!*
Showing posts with label giveaways. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaways. Show all posts
Wanna kick your cookies up a notch?
Are you tired of *just* making decorated cookies? Wanna take cookie decorating to the next level?
Let me introduce you to Julia Usher. You may know her from the book Cookie Swap.
Well, Julia has a new book called Ultimate Cookies...and let me tell you, the cookie projects in here might just blow your mind.
These are not your everyday cookies. These are cookie projects that will impress even your mother-in-law.
Julia explains the how-to's in detail...and her cookies are flawless and perfect in every way. I'm going to call her "Cookie Ninja."
Ultimate Cookies isn't officially out yet (although, you can pre-order it), but guess what? You can win a copy!
To enter:
One random winner will be chosen on October 20th at 8pm CST.
Let me introduce you to Julia Usher. You may know her from the book Cookie Swap.
To enter:
Chocolate Amaretto Pie (& Home Made cookbook giveaway)
Cookbooks: I read them like novels. I even get teary. I love reading how recipes came about and the family stories that go along with them.
I want to introduce you to a beautiful cookbook called Home Made by Yvette Von Boven. Yvette runs a restaurant and catering business in Amsterdam, along with being a food stylist and recipe developer.
How glamorous is this....she splits her time between Amsterdam and Paris.
{I split my time between the suburbs of Houston and the other suburbs of Houston.}
Home Made is a substantial book, weighing 4 & 1/2 pounds...that's heavier than kiddo when he was born. The book has everything...cocktails, main courses, desserts, pasta, soups...you name it. Yvette walks you through making bread, making ice cream (without an ice cream maker), building a simple outdoor grill, making cheese, making chocolates, and more!
And, the book is beautiful.
I tried a recipe called "Chocolate Fondant Cake" which I renamed pie. To me, fondant means the roll out icing that goes over a cake. Whatever you call it, the cake/pie is sinfully creamy and delicious!
It starts with a cookie crust. Crust supposed to be made with Amaretti cookies. I love these little Italian cookies. In my grocery store, they're not found with the cookies, but over in the "Italian section." I knew I had a bag in my pantry.
I opened the bag and ate one, you know, for quality control. Good thing I did, because, oh, they were NOT good. Turns out, they expired over a year ago. I.Let.Cookies.Expire. (hangs head in shame)
Okaaaay....
Gingersnaps to the rescue!
Melt some chocolate,
whip up some cream, add amaretto...chill (you and the pie)...and you have yourself a glorious dessert.
{...aka Chocolate Fondant Cake, adapted from Home Made, serves 12}
1 & 1/4 sticks butter
8 oz amaretti cookies (or gingersnaps)
4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 & 1/2 c. heavy cream
2 TBSP sugar
1/3 c. Amaretto (or Frangelico)
cocoa powder
Line an 8 or 9" cake pan with plastic wrap, allowing excess to hang over the sides.
Melt the butter. Process cookies in a food processor until evenly ground. Stir the butter and crumbs together; press into the bottom of the pan.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Let cool slightly.
Beat the cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently stir in the melted chocolate. Add the Amaretto and stir.
Fill the pan with the mixture and smooth with an offset spatula. Cover with the excess plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (I put mine in the freezer for 30 mins - one hour before serving to set it up a bit more.)
Before serving, lift the pie out of the pan , remove the plastic wrap and sift cocoa powder over the top. Serve small wedges...it's rich!
Want a copy of Home Made for your very own?
Just leave a comment answering this question...
"What is something you've always wanted to make or bake at home, but have never tried?"
Random winner will be chosen on September 19th at 9pm CST. Good luck! :)
{Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book at no charge...my opinions and weight I have gained from this recipe are my own.}
I want to introduce you to a beautiful cookbook called Home Made by Yvette Von Boven. Yvette runs a restaurant and catering business in Amsterdam, along with being a food stylist and recipe developer.
How glamorous is this....she splits her time between Amsterdam and Paris.
{I split my time between the suburbs of Houston and the other suburbs of Houston.}
Home Made is a substantial book, weighing 4 & 1/2 pounds...that's heavier than kiddo when he was born. The book has everything...cocktails, main courses, desserts, pasta, soups...you name it. Yvette walks you through making bread, making ice cream (without an ice cream maker), building a simple outdoor grill, making cheese, making chocolates, and more!
And, the book is beautiful.
I tried a recipe called "Chocolate Fondant Cake" which I renamed pie. To me, fondant means the roll out icing that goes over a cake. Whatever you call it, the cake/pie is sinfully creamy and delicious!
It starts with a cookie crust. Crust supposed to be made with Amaretti cookies. I love these little Italian cookies. In my grocery store, they're not found with the cookies, but over in the "Italian section." I knew I had a bag in my pantry.
I opened the bag and ate one, you know, for quality control. Good thing I did, because, oh, they were NOT good. Turns out, they expired over a year ago. I.Let.Cookies.Expire. (hangs head in shame)
Okaaaay....
Gingersnaps to the rescue!
Melt some chocolate,
whip up some cream, add amaretto...chill (you and the pie)...and you have yourself a glorious dessert.
{...aka Chocolate Fondant Cake, adapted from Home Made, serves 12}
1 & 1/4 sticks butter
8 oz amaretti cookies (or gingersnaps)
4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 & 1/2 c. heavy cream
2 TBSP sugar
1/3 c. Amaretto (or Frangelico)
cocoa powder
Line an 8 or 9" cake pan with plastic wrap, allowing excess to hang over the sides.
Melt the butter. Process cookies in a food processor until evenly ground. Stir the butter and crumbs together; press into the bottom of the pan.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Let cool slightly.
Beat the cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently stir in the melted chocolate. Add the Amaretto and stir.
Fill the pan with the mixture and smooth with an offset spatula. Cover with the excess plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (I put mine in the freezer for 30 mins - one hour before serving to set it up a bit more.)
Before serving, lift the pie out of the pan , remove the plastic wrap and sift cocoa powder over the top. Serve small wedges...it's rich!
Want a copy of Home Made for your very own?
Giveaway closed...Jane is the lucky winner! Yay, Jane!
Random winner will be chosen on September 19th at 9pm CST. Good luck! :)
{Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book at no charge...my opinions and weight I have gained from this recipe are my own.}
KitchenAid, Reality TV and Exercise. Yes, exercise.
{Hang on, hang on...we're going to get to this little beauty in a minute.}
Let's talk first about exercise. You might be surprised to learn that I have a piece of exercise equipment that I actually use. It's this: a mini stair-stepper. Yes, I owe this body to that mini stair-stepper.
{Makes you want to run right out and buy one, right?}
The key to using it is to DVR TV shows that make you forget that you might be breaking a sweat. Hard-hitting, serious, current events-type programming, like What Not to Wear, Barefoot Contessa, and most recently, to my shame, Real Housewives of New Jersey. (It's better than you think, people.)
Anyway...I have a new show to watch now...Top Chef Just Desserts on Bravo. A show about DESSERTS! It's really riveting. I watched the first episode while on the stair-stepper last week and almost forgot I was exercising.
Here's a little clip, so you can get an idea of the show...
{Those are REAL pastry chefs, my friends. I already have a few favorite contenders picked out...and they don't include that guy with the creepy laugh. ;)}
OK...so what does this have to do with this lovely KitchenAid mixer? Well, the folks at Bravo thought we might like to celebrate this new season of Top Chef Just Desserts. One of you is going to win this mixer!!! Woot!
*leave a comment on this post answering this question:
"If you were in a dessert competition, what would you make?"
Giveaway closed! Congrats to Jessica!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE make sure your comment includes an email address or links to one. It would be really, really sad if your name was chosen and I couldn't contact you.
*Random winner will be chosen Monday, September 5th at 8am CST. US residents only. Good luck!*
{{psst...the second episode of Just Desserts airs Wednesday, August 31st and 10/9c.}}
{disclaimer: This prize was provided by the BRAVO Network but BRAVO is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of BRAVO. Although, I'm pretty sure they'd approve of my exercise regimen.}
You choose . . .
I couldn't decide.
Give away 2 jars of Biscoff Spread...
....or a beautiful, red Cuisinart ice cream maker?
How about both?
You choose.
Does your bowl look like this:
{You might need an ice cream maker.}
You know, to make...
Dark Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ice Cream,
Key Lime Pie Ice Cream,
or, 3-Ingredient Chocolate Sorbet,
or, even Coke Icees!
But, maybe you have an ice cream maker, and you feel like you need to make some...
....Biscoff brownies. (You do *need* them, by the way.)
giveaway closed.
winners: jrlemkemann (ice cream maker)
Jennifer Rzasa (Biscoff Spread)
- If you would like the ice cream maker, tell me so and your favorite ice cream flavor.
- If you would like the Biscoff Spread, tell me so and what you would do with it.
- Yes, if you *need* both, you may leave 2 separate comments. ;)
giveaway closed; winners have been notified and are listed above.
Good luck! ♥
You might be a baking enthusiast if. . .
...if upon seeing this store, you jump out of the car before it comes to a complete stop.
...if reading this sign at the entrance causes you to reach for the shopping cart instead of the little basket.
...if a wall of silicone spatulas in every color makes your heart go pitter-patter.
...if you are so enthralled with the store that you forget to check your camera settings and your hand is shaking just a bit so that all of your pictures are blurry and off-color.
...if this mixer at a discount price makes you go weak in the knees.
Yep, you must be a baking enthusiast.
Don't worry...I couldn't make a trip to the Williams-Sonoma Outlet without thinking of you guys!
Who wants some cupcake and cookie decorating goodies?
Here's what you'll get:
- sanding sugar: pink, yellow, white, and blue
- silver shimmering sugar
- set of gel paste food colorings
- vanilla bean paste
- and, a cute, little, yellow WS apron
To enter, leave a comment telling me...
your favorite dessert!
giveaway closed. :) Congrats, Jewel!
Learning Something New . . . Works for Me Wednesday
I did not make this cake:
You see, decorating cakes is not my forte. Exhibit A and B.
But, you're never too old to learn, right? RIGHT?!?
Have you heard of MyCakeSchool.com? It is a beautiful site filled with videos and tutorials all about making gorgeous cakes.
Melissa, the owner of My Cake School, is a natural teacher. Watching her videos makes me think, "Hey, I can DO that!" It's like having a personal instructor right in your very own kitchen. (Even though, I think I'd trade my kitchen for hers.)
For $30 a year, members have access to 100's of videos (don't take my word for it; here's a list). Learn everything from a basic crumb coat to gumpaste to buttercream flowers.
The video on scrollwork alone opened up a world of possibilities!
(And I can't wait to learn to make a pretty ruffle cake. I've been thinking about Amanda's ruffle cake since December!)
Guess what? Melissa is offering TWO Bake at 350 readers year-long memberships! Yay! Come learn along with me!
To enter:
giveaway closed! Congrats to Rachel & Chelsea!!!
You see, decorating cakes is not my forte. Exhibit A and B.
But, you're never too old to learn, right? RIGHT?!?
Have you heard of MyCakeSchool.com? It is a beautiful site filled with videos and tutorials all about making gorgeous cakes.
Melissa, the owner of My Cake School, is a natural teacher. Watching her videos makes me think, "Hey, I can DO that!" It's like having a personal instructor right in your very own kitchen. (Even though, I think I'd trade my kitchen for hers.)
For $30 a year, members have access to 100's of videos (don't take my word for it; here's a list). Learn everything from a basic crumb coat to gumpaste to buttercream flowers.
The video on scrollwork alone opened up a world of possibilities!
(And I can't wait to learn to make a pretty ruffle cake. I've been thinking about Amanda's ruffle cake since December!)
Guess what? Melissa is offering TWO Bake at 350 readers year-long memberships! Yay! Come learn along with me!
giveaway closed! Congrats to Rachel & Chelsea!!!
- Leave a comment with a technique you would really like to learn (here's a list with some ideas)
Let's make some pretty cakes together! Works for me!
Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet
Michelle Stern is the woman responsible for my child uttering these words,
"Will you call Dad and ask him to pick up some kale on his way home?"
Yes. My child. Said. Those. Words. All thanks to Michelle's Kale Chips.
So, when Michelle asked if I would like to try a recipe from her new book, The Whole Family Cookbook
, and share it with you on the blog, I said, "sure!" (And flipped straight to the dessert section.)
The Whole Family Cookbook is perfect if you want to get your kids involved in the kitchen. I think my favorite part of the book is how Michelle has each recipe's steps color coded for different aged helpers.
The book also contains lots of "green" tips, tips on eating healthy and local, and I'm guessing she probably wouldn't be happy to know I like canned frosting. I think the kale chips balance that out.
But, anyhoo...
Michelle's Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet is super tangy and really refreshing in the warmer weather we've been having here in Texas. Kiddo & I both love lemon...and the combination of the lemon and buttermilk really packs a tart punch! And it couldn't be easier to make.
Lemon Buttermilk Sherbet
{directions slightly adapted from The Whole Family Cookbook}
4 c. buttermilk
4 large lemons
1/2 c. sugar
Pour the buttermilk into a large bowl.
Zest the lemons and set the zest aside. Juice the lemons to measure 1/2 cup.
Add the lemon juice and sugar to the buttermilk; whisk to combine.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes to chill and let the sugar dissolve.
Pour the mixture into the (prepared/frozen) bowl of an ice cream maker. Process according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5-10 minutes before the sherbet is finished, add the zest.
Once finished, pour into an airtight container and place in the freezer for 2 hours to firm up. At the point the sherbet is scoopable and creamy.
(Kiddo & I loved it this way. Goofy face optional.)
After several hours, or overnight, the sherbet becomes more like a sorbet....icier. If sorbet is your favorite, you'll love it this way. Take it out of the freezer and let sit for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to scoop.
Guess what? Michelle was nice enough to offer a copy of her book to a Bake at 350 reader!
"What is your favorite warm weather sweet treat?"
And, PLEASE, please leave a way to contact you in your comment. Make sure your name links to an email or blog where I can contact you, or leave your email in your comment.
***Oh! And since I've had a couple people ask....winners are emailed within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Usually a week...or two...or FIVE....when I remember...I will update the original post with the winner's name. Sometimes I forget. I'm sorry! I PROMISE I am not hoarding the giveaway prizes! ;) I'm just forgetful when it comes to updating those posts.***
Congrats, Erica!
Faces to Love
Here's a face I love...
...my next-door neighbor and friend, Kristen from We are THAT Family. Do you know she has a book
? {I might have mentioned it....and if you're a mom, I think you might need it. It's GOOOOOOD.}
Kristen had her first book signing this weekend and I was so happy to be able to go...and so happy to call her a friend. Y'all, she's just as funny and sweet and good in person as she is on her blog and in her book.
Here's the deal... Amy & Angie took photos of bloggers to use as their profile image! The are calling it Faces to Love - Blogger Makeover Project. To make it even more fun... they want to give one of you and one of their readers a photo makeover as well!
My picture was taken by the fabulous Angie (if you live in Ohio, seriously look into Angie taking your family photos...she's amazing!):
To be entered to win a make-over for your photo. Just leave a comment below!
To be entered for more chances to win:
• Visit I Heart Faces and leave a comment on their site.
• For even more chances to win, visit the other two bloggers' sites (Cheryl & Rachel) featured on I Heart Faces today as well...and leave a comment on their blogs.
Winner chosen and notified. Congrats to The Perfect Trio!
...my next-door neighbor and friend, Kristen from We are THAT Family. Do you know she has a book
? {I might have mentioned it....and if you're a mom, I think you might need it. It's GOOOOOOD.}Kristen had her first book signing
this weekend and I was so happy to be able to go...and so happy to call her a friend. Y'all, she's just as funny and sweet and good in person as she is on her blog and in her book. {I brought cookies.}
Now, Kristen doesn't need a photoshop makeover, but her neighbor (me) does.
Have you heard of the I Heart Faces:
Faces to Love, Blogger Makeover Project?
I Heart Faces is a photography website with weekly photo challenges for all levels of photographers. Co-Founders, Amy & Angie make sure you'll find great photo editing tutorials, camera tutorials, photography tips and giveaways each week.
Well, at the Blissdom conference, I knew Angie and Amy, the founders of I Heart Faces, were up to something, but they wouldn't spill the beans.Here's the deal... Amy & Angie took photos of bloggers to use as their profile image! The are calling it Faces to Love - Blogger Makeover Project. To make it even more fun... they want to give one of you and one of their readers a photo makeover as well!
My picture was taken by the fabulous Angie (if you live in Ohio, seriously look into Angie taking your family photos...she's amazing!):
{Look ma, no wrinkles!}
One lucky Bake at 350 reader will get themselves made over photoshop style! Amy & Angie will work their magic on a photo you provide them. They will then send you several images to use on your blog, Facebook profile or Twitter Avatar, or whatever. Hmm....can I take this to the DMV?
To be entered for more chances to win:
• Visit I Heart Faces and leave a comment on their site.
• For even more chances to win, visit the other two bloggers' sites (Cheryl & Rachel) featured on I Heart Faces today as well...and leave a comment on their blogs.
Winner chosen and notified. Congrats to The Perfect Trio!
This contest ends on Wed. April. 13th at 10 pm. Good luck!
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