Giveaway: CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar Filled Life

UPDATE: THE WINNERS!

I have chosen and contacted all of the winners who were chosen at random from the comments on this post and on Facebook - Congratulations!

Winners:

  • Katrina, who chose Biscoff Pop-Tarts 
  • Donna, who chose (good idea) 
  • Mary, who had thoughts of strawberry rhubarb or cafe au lait Pop-Tarts. 

All tasty! Cgongratulations again!

 

--------

Original post:

Hi friends! Happy Wednesday, sugary wishes, etc. Let me get straight to the point: I feel like giving away a few copies of my awesome first book, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life. 

Why? Because if you are what you eat, then we should all eat more awesome and sweet desserts. It will likely make us all better people.

So what do you have to do to enter one of the three copies I am giving away? All you have to do is think about Pop-Tarts. Namely, Pop-Tarts that *should* exist. Like these: 

All you have to do is comment on this post, or on my Facebook page, with an answer to the following important question:

What flavor of Pop-Tart do you think should exist, that doesn't quite yet?

It can be one of the ones that I've drawn on the above illustration, or perhaps a flavor that you've invented in your imagination. 

I'll let you weigh in on this important subject for the next few days, and I'll choose three winners at random on Wednesday, March 11, at 5pm MST. Because shipping overseas is prohibitively expensive, this time the contest is only open to entrants with US shipping addresses. 

Good luck! 

Giveaway: Cupcake Royale Cupcake Mix Kit

UPDATE: THE WINNER! Giveaway has closed!

I have chosen a winner at random: Jasmine!

How does she eat a cupcake? Like so: "Oh dear! I love to rip off the top and eat them together that way."

Congratulations, Jasmine!


One of the things that I miss most about Seattle is the easy access to Cupcake Royale. This cupcake bakery, which opened just around the time I moved to Seattle, has really expanded over the years, adding location after location and then changing my entire life (for the better) when they debuted their ice cream line.

 

Over the eight years I lived in Seattle, I had a lot of good times at Cupcake Royale, from my birthday party to book signings to many a trip just to snack. 

Yes, I miss Cupcake Royale. But I no longer have to cry every day I'm away from it, because now they are offering a cupcake mix! That's right: we can all have the Seattle cupcake experience, sans rain, with Cupcake Royale baking mix! It even comes with sprinkles.

I'm so excited about this new product launch that I'm offering a giveaway of a cupcake mix kit to one lucky reader! 

How can you enter? It's easy. All you have to do is answer the below question in the comments. I'll choose a winner one week from today (10/17) and Cupcake Royale will send the mix out to whoever I choose at random. While you wait for me to choose a winner, if you feel like it, you can follow CCR on Twitter and Facebook, too (though not necessary for entry). 

OK, here we go! Here's the question to answer to enter:

How do you eat a cupcake? 

Giveaway: Decorating Cookies Party by Bridget Edwards

UPDATE: WE HAVE A WINNER!!

 

It's Joanna, whose comment was chosen at random: "My favorite cookie EVER is a bar cookie that's a family recipe called "Revel Bars" ... they're an oatmeal cookie with a thick layer of fudge, and topped with dots of salty oatmeal cookie on top and they're to DIE for. Starbucks used to make a version of it that was not nearly as good."
Sounds like a tasty cookie to me!



Listen up. I want to give you a book!

 

I don't know if you're familiar with Bridget Edwards of Bake at 350, but if not, you're in for a treat. She is a cookie decorator ROYALE. And she is willing to teach you her secrets in two books: her previous release (which I loved) entitled Decorating Cookies: 60+ Designs for Holidays, Celebrations & Everyday, and now, her brand new book, Decorating Cookies Party: 10 Celebratory Themes. The new book includes 50 designs to be made from a few master cookie recipes (one of them is even gluten-free, people). 

So, you want to win the book?

All you have to do is tell me the following:

What is your favorite cookie in the world and why? 

Yes, that's an open ended question. It could be a store bought cookie, your grandma's recipe, or one you make. Just tell me why it's so special!

I'll choose a winner one week from today (that's Friday, October 3rd). Meantime, you can buy the book here if you need it ASAP! Since the publisher is sending this out directly, I'm honoring their request that the entrants for this giveaway have US or Canadian shipping addresses, please.

The Secret to Perfect Pie Crust? It's in Your Hands (Plus a Giveaway)

Pie crust technique

Note: this post includes a giveaway at the bottom! Lucky you.

You're always taught the same basic rules with pie crust. Cut small pieces of cold butter into a mixture of flour and salt; blend until the pieces are like peas. Add cold water, a little at a time, until the dough will come together in a clump. Gather, flatten into a disc, chill, and proceed. 

But recently, I learned a method that basically rocked my everloving, pie-eating world. Because it involves using your fingers to attain the perfect consistency.

This was very exciting to me because I actually kind of despise most kitchen tools. Especially the pastry cutter, because it is such a pain to wash. In general, the more functions I can get out of one tool, the more I like it. Wooden spoons and wire whisks? Awesome. Garlic press? Not so much. 

But enough about me--back to the pie. You're probably wondering some things. Let me try to answer:

Where the method came from

I learned this method at the Bake For Good event in Los Angeles, part of the Bake For Good Tour, where baker Robyn told us it was a method she'd learned from famed foodie Marion Cunningham.

By the way, if you want to know more about the event, check out this video.

Cherry cream walnut pie

How it works

Basically, the method includes working in larger than usual hunks of butter, and instead of mashing them with a pastry cutter, you squeeze the butter pieces with your fingers to flatten them.

    Cherry cream walnut pie

Why you should immediately adopt this practice

Those pieces of flat butter will make for the coveted "VB" (visible butter) in your rolled crust, and the taste is flaky and fantastic on your resulting pie.

Pie crust technique

I have co-opted and adapted it for my own use at home with a sort of mashup between traditional and by hand methods. Best of both worlds, and still, minimal stuff to clean.

And here, I will share it with you. Aren't you lucky?

Making Pie Crust with Your Hands

adapted from King Arthur Flour, who adapted it from Marion Cunningham

enough for a double crust pie

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup very cold water

Procedure

  1. Sift together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Set to the side.
  2. Size your butter. One stick cut into small pieces, the other cut into fairly large pieces (double the size you'd usually cut for a pie crust.
    3. Cherry cream walnut pie
  3. Work in the stick of smaller butter with a plastic dough scraper (my new favorite tool and very easy to clean). It's not going to have the same impact that double the butter would in terms of working in, but go for the regular pea sized consistency.
  4. Now, add the bigger hunks of butter. Gently coat them with flour in the mixture, so they won't stick to you when you squeeze them. 
    5. Cherry cream walnut pie
  5. Now, one by one, squeeze all of those pieces of butter until they're flat like pancakes. Cherry cream walnut pie You don't have to be too precious about it. Grab, squeeze, then move on to the next one.
  6. Got 'em all? OK. Give the mixture another stir with your pastry scraper. Now, start adding the water. Switch back to your dough scraper.
  7. Keep on adding it bit by bit until the dough forms a shaggy consistency, still floury but you can clump it together.
    8. Pie crust method
  8. Gather, form into a ball, and place on top of a sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic on top of it, not too snugly, and then flatten it into a disc with your hand. Doing it this way, I learned, helps the dough spread out into the plastic and is just less messy.
    9. Pie crust method

Proceed with your recipe as usual. 

GIVEAWAY!

Hooray! King Arthur Flour has offered to reward one lucky reader with one of their mega cool dough scrapers, a cookbook, AND some of their highly patented and extremely delicious boiled apple cider (perfect for flavoring apple pie and using as a slightly fancy pancake syrup). Want to win? All you have to do is leave a comment (don't panic if it doesn't pop up right away; comment moderation is enabled) answering the following question:

What's your favorite type of pie to eat, and how do you like it served?

Apple pie with cheese for breakfast? French silk pie à la mode for dessert? It's all game here. I'll choose a winner by EOD Pacific time one week from today!

Giveaway: Craft-A-Doodle Book

Guess what? Last year, I was asked to contribute to a book called Craft-a-Doodle: 75 Creative Exercises from 18 Artists. Of course I was happy to do it. Basically, the idea was that 18 creative types like myself were to contribute idea prompts, to inspire the reader to get moving, creatively speaking. 

So, I did it! And now, a year later, the book is out! Hooray! You'll find some great creative prompts by myself, and other talented people. It was all put together by the lovely Jenny Doh.

So, I'll bet you're pretty interested in the book, yes? Want to win a copy?

OK! Let's do a giveaway, right here, right now. How do you enter? It's so easy.

To enter: All you have to do is leave a comment on this post (comment moderation is enabled, so if it does not pop up right away, don't panic) saying what gets YOU inspired. Is it dancing in your living room? Drawing stars on notebook paper? Drunk-texting ex boyfriends? (Wait...) Whatever it is that gets you inspired, get the rest of us inspired by letting us know! 

I'll choose a winner at random one week from today, on August 7, at 5pm PST, and announce it shortly thereafter. Because the publisher will be sending the book directly from their US warehouse, they have asked that only US entrants be eligible. Good luck!

Meantime, buy the book here: Craft-a-Doodle: 75 Creative Exercises from 18 Artists

Batter Chatter: Citi of Sweets, North Carolina

Citi of Sweets

Oh, hi. You know what kind of city I love? One made of sweets. That's sort of the idea behind Citi of Sweets, a boutique baking business which specializes in homemade treats like whoopie pies, cake truffles, and other decadent goodies. 

Now, it's exciting to share this business with you for two reasons: one, it's always fun to discover a new baking business. Two, they're offering a giveaway! See the bottom of this post for how to enter. 

Please describe your business in 6 words or less? Non-traditional, sweet, fun, creative, challenging and friendly.

Citi of Sweets

What's your personal favorite item on your menu? Ayesha: whoopie pies(strawberry with buttercream) Chanel: Cookies N Cream cake truffles

What made you take the jump from amateur to professional baking? Chanel:It started as just something i wanted to try and i asked my best friend ayesha to help me experiment and it turned out horrible at first the cake was just not staying on the sticks and it was just a chocolate disaster so we left it alone and then we ended up trying again a month or so later and we were way better at it and we started doing them more and getting better and better with practice and time. We then came up with our name and menu and we've been baking ever since we started with our co-workers at our job and we haven't had a bad complaint ever in 2 years. We like being creative and making our customers happy.

What's the best thing to happen to you in the past 48 hours? We went grocery shopping to get more supplies to make more sweets!

Citi of Sweets

Cake or Pie? Cake

If you had to wear one pair of shoes for the rest of my life what would they be? Chanel: Purple Fuzzy Slippers Ayesha: Angry Birds Slippers

What's your favorite non-sweet food? Ayesha: hot wings Chanel: fries

What quality do you most value in others? Honesty

What is your biggest dream? Our biggest dream is to have Citi of Sweets all across the world.

Citi of Sweets

What's your next hope for your business? to open our first storefront in Charlotte.

Now... back to that giveaway! Here's what two lucky winners will receive: 2 Cake Pop Samplers Dozens one to each winner. They will be available for pick up, or shipping. The flavors will be (3) trrriple threat(chocolate) (3) butter pecan, (3) cookies n cream and (3) french vanilla.

Yum! So how to enter? It's easy. Just do this:

1. Simply "like" Citi of Sweets on Facebook or follow them on Twitter

2. Leave a comment on this post (don't worry if it doesn't show up right away, moderation is enabled!) stating your favorite flavor of cake.

I'll choose a winner at random 1 week from today (Saturday, June 23, 12pm PST). To ensure fresh tastiness of the prize, we're only going to allow US entrants on this particular giveaway!

For more, check 'em out online: Citi of Sweets! 

Batter Chatter: Interview with Mei of Tiny Hands Jewelry, and a Giveaway!

Much sweeter than wearing your heart on your sleeve? Wearing sweets around your neck, or on your finger, or around your wrist! I'm talking about food-themed jewelry of course, and I'm pretty sure that Tiny Hands makes the absolute cutest stuff around. From teeny-tiny waffles with butter to sno-cones (pictured above) to slices of pie to doughnuts and cookies and now, even cupcake rings, these charms are not only adorable, but they are scented, too. What a fantastic way to declare your love of sweets!

Now. I really want to share this great company with you, so I'm going to do two things in this post: first, I'm going to introduce you to the company owner, Mei Pak, via interview. And then second, I'm offering a giveaway! You can scroll to the bottom of the post to figure out how to enter, ok?

Here's the interview:
Please describe your business in 6 words or less. Super cute scented food jewelry!
What is the best thing to happen to you in the past 48 hours? Wow, it's like you're in my mind! My husband and I just bought our FIRST home!! We're so excited - it's the perfect house for us and where we're at in our lives now. We just finished moving in. We're really stressed with the transition, but we're also super happy about our new home!
Can you describe your office (or where you work)? Our new Tiny Hands headquarters has hot pink walls, rainbow colored curtains and a large U-shaped white desk with pink chairs for us to make and ship our food jewelry across the world! What was once a boring built in cabinet, will be a really nice and neat storage space for all our materials and shipping supplies. We removed the doors and installed white curtains so our storage area looks really pretty too! We have some modular Ikea furniture for more organized space as well.
What quality do you most value in others? Kindness -- a year ago I was featured on local TV for the first time. We don't have TV at home so there was no way I could record the show. That weekend I was doing a craft show, and a really sweet older woman said she saw me on TV and had the recording. A few weeks later, I received the tape in the mail! This woman's kindness really touched me and I won't forget what she did for the rest of my life!
If you could instantly conjure up any dessert or sweet in the world at this moment, what would it be? French macarons! There aren't many french bakeries here in the Twin Cities, and I know making macarons can be super tedious!
One of my favorite things about your line is that it's all scented. Have you ever gotten mixed up and given one of your pieces of jewelry the wrong scent? Hmm... if I have I don't remember it! I have everything labeled so it's really hard to screw up!
How do you stay motivated? I love looking at pictures of real food! Pinterest is great for that. When I see a delicious looking cake, I just want to miniaturize it!
Cake for breakfast. Thoughts? Oh, heck yes! Cake for second breakfast too!
In your opinion, do people tend to gravitate toward the jewelry that reflects their food tastes, or do they just choose what they find cutest? I think people pick jewelry they've had a personal connection with. I had a grandma buy a chocolate chip cookie necklace for her granddaughter, who she nicknamed Cookie!

What's the product you're personally most excited about now? Ice cream cone and cupcake rings! Everyone keeps asking for them, and I'm stoked to put them up for sale!
What is a dream you'd love to see realized within the next 10 years? It would be awesome that in the next 10 years, I can open my own restaurant or bakery! I love food and know so many people do too, so I can't think of a better way to share that kind of experience with people.
If you want more info, or to go shopping, visit Tiny Hands online!
And as for that giveaway...want to enter? OK! It's easy. Here's how you enter.
  1. First, choose any item equal or lesser than $30 from the store.
  2. Next, post a link to it, and why you chose that piece, either in the comments section on this post (moderation is enabled!) or post your response on the CakeSpy facebook page.
We'll choose one lucky entrant at random one week from today, (end of day on Wednesday, June 5) and send them their chosen item! Because shipping rates overseas and abroad can be hefty, though, we have to ask that only US entrants participate. 
Good luck!

Giveaway: Entenmann's Prize Pack

I'll admit it: I find the current Entenmann's promotion highly adorable.

In it, their most popular donut, named Rich, last name Frosted, is finally making an honest lady of his "Mrs. Rich Frosted". I mean, the jig is up--where did all those mini donuts and "pop-ems" (donut holes) come from? 

So finally, on his 40th Birthday, which is coming up on January 31, "Rich" the donut dude is going to reveal who his baby-mama is (on facebook, natch). What flavor is she, do you think?


• Glazed Buttermilk Donut?
• Crumb Cake Donut?
• Plain Donut?
• Powdered Donut?

Well, you can guess, but the big reveal will happen soon--the “Mrs.” will be revealed on Rich’s birthday on January 31, 2013, plus a variety of prizes for all Entenmann’s Facebook fans!

But wait, there's more. Not only will "Rich" be celebrating the New Year and his 40th birthday- he’ll also be celebrating the 400,000,000th Rich Frosted Donut to be coming off the production line in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. That's a "hole" lotta dough!

And for you, dear readers, there's a possible prize pack. It includes:

 

  • 1 Rich Frosted T-shirt
  • Entenmann's Travel Mug
  • 2 Entenmann's Coupons

 

Personally, I love giveaways like this because the merch is the kind of stuff that is really kitschy and fun as the years go by--I love buying stuff like this at second hand stores, so I think it's fun to have the original promotional stuff.

How do you enter? It's so easy. Either leave a comment on this post, or on my Facebook page, saying what flavor donut you think Rich's missus should be. I'll choose a winner on the 31st, to coincide with the "reveal"! The prize will be sent directly to the recipient from Entenmann's.


More info about the Entenmann's product line can be found at bimbobakeriesusa.com and entenmanns.com.

National Cupcake Day Cake Poll and Giveaway

How do you eat yours?

Let me be the first to wish you a very happy National Cupcake Day. Yes, you heard me correctly. Today (December 15) is National Cupcake Day.

And in honor of this momentous day, I'd like to bring back a question I asked a long while back, that I'd love to ask again--you know, in case old readers' preferences have changed, or in case there are new readers who didn't weigh in the last time!

The question is a most important one: how do you eat a cupcake? 

Do you eat it with a knife and fork, pinkies out?
Do you tear it in half and discard the bottom so as to increase the frosting-to-cake ratio?
Do you invert it, sandwich-style, to keep your fingers free of frosting?
Do you eat yours with a spoon, served in a dish of milk?
...Or do you just dig in?

 

I can't wait to hear your responses. Oh, and to make it slightly more fun, I'm going to choose one commenter at random and send them a copy of  Cupcakes: More Than 50 Fun Recipes for Creative Cakes! This is an adorable book wherein you'll find recipes and decorating tutorials such as:

Cupcakes Cupcakes Cupcakes

Awesome! So, once again, to enter to win the book, just leave a comment saying how YOU eat a cupcake! I'll close the poll and choose a winner one week from today, on December 23rd at 5pm PST.

CakeSpy is Thankful for You. Now Win a book!

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to get a little cheesy. So here I go:

I am thankful for you. And by "you" I mean any and everyone who has taken or is taking the time to read my website.

When I began CakeSpy in 2007, I thought it would be a way of combining my three greatest loves (writing, illustration, baked goods) in one place. As a hobby. 

But it has become so much more--it has become not only my livelihood, but a big part of my identity and life.

So I guess I'm saying...thanks for supporting my life and livelihood by reading this sweet site. It makes my day that you might leave this site a little happier than when you came. 

But you know what? I'm not just going to get cheesy in this post. I'm also going to give away a copy of MY BOOK, CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life. It's not only a great read, it's full of sweet recipes!It's perfect to keep, or to give to a friend for the holidays (don't worry, I won't tell them you won it rather than buying). Oh, and I'll sign it for you too, and draw a unicorn in it. YES!

How to enter to win? It's so, so easy. All you have to do is a leave a comment on this post (don't panic if it doesn't show up RIGHT away--comment moderation is enabled) saying something you're thankful for. It can be sweet or savory or not even food at all--what is making you feel thankful this Thanksgiving?

This giveaway is open to everyone (US, abroad, whatevs), but it will close one week from today, November 29 at 5pm EST. Can't stand the idea of not winning? You can always shop online here, and use code AWESOME12 through next Monday for free shipping on all orders over $25.00.

Giveaway: An Amish Kitchen

Amish Kitchen

I don't know about you, but I love it when fiction incorporates food. A heartwarming story that is punctuated by recipes? Sign me up, yo.

And now, I'm ready to give away a copy of An Amish Kitchen, just such a book. Here's the synopsis:

- - - - -

The Amish Kitchen is the Heart of the Home – and the Ideal Setting for Stories of Love and Hope.

Fall in Paradise, Pennsylvania always brings a brisk change in the weather. This time also provides unexpected visitors, new love, and renewed hope for three women.

Fern has a green thumb for healing herbs and flowers, but longs for love to bloom in her life. The next-door neighbor’s oldest son Abram comes running into Fern’s kitchen seeking help for his little sister. The crisis soon leads to a promise of romance—until an incident threatens to end their growing attraction.

Nearby, Hannah runs her parents’ bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn—but her life feels nothing like Paradise. She longs for a man of integrity to enter her life, but never expected him to knock on the front door looking for a room. Will she be able trust Stephen with her future once she discovers his mysterious past?

When a storm blows a tree onto Eve’s farmhouse, she has little choice but to temporarily move her family into her parents’ home. Outside of cooking together in the kitchen, Eve and her mother can’t agree on anything. But this may be just the recipe for hope in healing old wounds.

Three Amish stories—each celebrating love, family, and faith—all taking place in a tight-knit community where the kitchen truly is the heart of the home.

- - - - -

Oh, and it has recipes, too. Here's one of them, with one of the authors pictured holding the pie!

Pie Pic1

 

Rosemary’s Apple Crumb Pie

  • 6 cups peeled and sliced (or chopped) apples
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup ½ & ½ cream
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Crumbs:

  • ½ cup butter, cold
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients and place in an unbaked pie shell.
  • Combine crumb mixture and sprinkle on top.
  •  Bake at 325°F for 55 minutes or until apples are done.

Now. Back to the giveaway. Want to win a copy of An Amish Kitchen? Cool, dudes. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post, or on the CakeSpy Facebook page, telling me your favorite type of fall pie. Traditional Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie? Rich pecan pie with cranberry? You tell me. But do it before next Monday, the 19th, at 5pm EST - cos the giveaway will close then! Because the book will be shipped from the publisher, US residents only, please.

Giveaway: The Newlywed Cookbook by Sarah Copeland

Newlywed Cookbook

I have a book to tell you about. It's called The Newlywed Cookbook: Fresh Ideas and Modern Recipes for Cooking With and for Each Other. I know what you're thinking. Why should you care about this book? 

Well, because the couple that cooks together stays together. And because there's a killer dessert chapter. It includes cocoa, carrot cake bars, upside-down rhubarb cake, etc, and there are also some brunch recipes that are on the sweet side as well. So while the cookbook isn't completely dessert-focused, there's a large, decadent dessert section.

The book was donated for this giveaway by BHLDN, Anthropologie’s one year old sister store. Who are they? Well, I'll let them explain: "a wedding and special occasion retailer that provides attire and accessories for unique, fun-loving brides and their guests. They also sell uncommon, vintage-inspired décor to create the perfect atmosphere for any special occasion. From cake stands to pinwheels, BHLDN’s décor works for any soiree, from a sweet wedding to a special birthday brunch."

But back to that book and its desserts. Want to win a copy? I feel you. All you have to do to enter is this: leave a comment, either here or on the CakeSpy Facebook page, saying your favorite sweet to eat with others. It could be the chocolate torte you love to share with your sweetie, the double popsicle you like to split with your BFF, or maybe even the 2-pack of pop-tarts that you split with your toddler. What's your favorite sweet to share?

This giveaway will close next Monday, November 12, at 5pm EST. Per the request of BHLDN, this giveaway is only open to US residents. Good luck!

Bad Hot Chocolate, Awesome Book Giveaway

Worst Hot Chocolate Ever

Yesterday, I had a really terrible hot chocolate. I mean awful.

It was surprising because it was at a cafe where the food is quite good. It was on the menu, for $3.50, advertised as "hot chocolate with whipped cream". Yum.

But when it was delivered, there were some things wrong.

First, there was no whipped cream.

Second, it was made with a mix. Already bad enough, but to add insult to injury, it was improperly mixed, and still lumpy.

Third, it was made with water, not milk. Gross!

So, I sent it back. They were apologetic and offered to re-make it...but I declined. And I got to thinking: what makes a really good hot chocolate? Is it the chocolate itself? The milk? The temperature? The texture? Well, kind of all of the above. For me, it's a rich drinking chocolate like I had at Cafe Angelina in Paris.

What about you? What is your ideal hot chocolate? 

Real Snacks

Feel free to chime in, and you'll be entered to win a copy of this AWESOME book by Lara Ferroni entitled Real Snacks: Make Your Favorite Childhood Treats Without All the Junk. I'm a huge fan of Lara's work, and also love her previous recipe book, Doughnuts: Simple and Delicious Recipes to Make at Home.

This time, she's back with homemade versions of popular snack treats. Sweet and savory. Some examples:

Cereal Bars Animal Crackers

I do believe I spied a unicorn on those pages! 

OK. So, to review: 

Leave a comment telling me about what makes the ideal hot chocolate, in your opinion (is it from a place? Made with heavy cream, at home? Or perhaps it's just Swiss Miss? I'm curious!). And on October 15 at 5pm EST, I will choose one lucky winner (at random) to get a copy of this great new book by Lara Ferroni. Due to the price of shipping overseas, I can only open this one to US residents.

Giveaway: Verizon Jetpack!

This custom painting I did seemed appropriate for this post!

There's a saying (made up by me) that goes "how do I know it really happened if I didn't Twitter or Facebook it?".

What I mean to say by that is: technology is important. For everything. Including eating and baking cakes (it enables us to find recipes and post pictures!). My site wouldn't exist without technology. And I'm part of the Verizon Wireless Savvy Gourmets group to celebrate this fact.

And as part of that group, they've offered me a Verizon Jetpack to give away!!

If you win, Verizon will be sending you the Jetpack, a SIM card (needed for activation), a $150 Verizon Wireless gift card (to purchase other equipment or use toward bills), and instructions for how to activate the device. 

Now that's totally sweet!

So. the giveaway is open through October 1, at which point it will close and I will announce a winner (I'll choose at random!). For shipping purposes, I am only able to offer this giveaway to US residents. So how do you enter?

It's easy. Simply leave a comment on this post (I have comment moderation enabled, so DO NOT FREAK OUT if it doesn't post right away) stating the following: if zombies were going to attack tomorrow, what dessert would you choose for your last meal?

Fine print about my involvement with the program: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Midwest Savvy Gourmets program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

Good luck!

Win It: CakeSpy Tee by WhoopTee!

We can't all be t-shirt designers.

Wait...YES WE CAN!

It's proven by WhoopTee, where you can easily design-your-own tee online. Their easy to use custom design tool makes it a snap to look snazzy (yes I just said that) in the t-shirt of your own design.

It's fun, easy, and they are a great idea for gifts. I say use it!

You can ALSO win a CakeSpy tee that was designed using the WhoopTee design tool - they've offered up four of these sweet tees pictured above for me to give away! It's artwork taken from this bigger piece that you may remember:

But I digress. Down to tacks. HOW DO YOU WIN ONE?

It's so easy. All you have to do is this:

1. Respond to this post by commenting (don't panic if it does not show up right away. I have comment moderation enabled and I will get to it!) on this post. In that comment, riddle me this important question: what is your MOST EMBARRASSING DESSERT MOMENT? Ooh, I can't wait to judge you--I mean, carefully view your responses.

This giveaway will close one week from today, on Monday, September 24th; I'll announce the winners shortly after!

Giveaway: Win Paul Bradford Sugarcraft dvds

Paul Bradford Magical Unicorn for CakeSpy

OMG! Remember that magical unicorn cupcake topper tutorial I shared with you earlier this week? Well, the good times aren't over. The Paul Bradford Sugarcraft School has offered some of their DVDs featuring other awesome tutorials, for a giveaway on this site! YES!

There are 4 dvds in total which are going to be given away to four separate winners. The DVDs you could win are:

Pirate Ship Cake Tutorial

Teddy Bear Cake Tutorial

Chocolate Wrap Cake Tutorial

Rose Wedding Cake Tutorial

So how do you enter? It's so easy. Just leave a comment on this post with a suggestion for what you think would be a great name for this magical unicorn (pictured above!). We'll choose our 5 favorites and offer up a DVD to you. Bonus points if you add why!

The giveaway is open to US residents only (so I can afford shipping!), and the giveaway will close one week from today, on July 27 at 3pm EST. Oh, and don't panic if your comment isn't instantly view-able--I have comment moderation enabled. Good luck!

Giveaway: Joy the Baker Cookbook!

This Saturday, one of my favorite sweet and awesome people in the world, Joy Wilson (but you can call her Joy the Baker) is coming to CakeSpy Shop in Seattle to promote her new book, Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes !

You can buy her book, buy my book too, and hang out with both of us as well as the winner of the and the winner of the "So You Wanna Be a CakeSpy?" contest, Molly Allen!

But. In the odd event that you are not able to make it -- be it that you've recently lost a limb, found yourself stranded in a blizzard, or perhaps just live 2000 miles away from Seattle--there's a silver lining to that cloud: I'm giving away a copy of Joy's amazing book right here!

How do you enter? It's totally easy. You just tell me why YOU deserve it. Now, I'll be honest: the winner will be chosen at random, so cleverness is not vital in your response, but it sure will amuse me.

That's right: the heat is on. Tell me why YOU deserve the Joy the Baker cookbook ! The winner will be chosen on March 17 at noon PST. 

Sweet Giveaway: Win a Copy of Rosie's All-Butter Fresh Cream Sugar-Packed Baking Book

 Hey! You! Want to win something sweet for your sweetie this Valentine's Day?

Well, are you ever in luck: I've got a copy of Rosie's All-Butter Fresh Cream Sugar-Packed Baking Book to give away. As you remember, I recently featured the recipe for Chocolate Delirium from this book. 

Now, Valentine's Day is very special to bakery proprietress Judy Rosenberg--Valentine’s Day 1974 is the anniversary of the first cookies that Judy made that put her into the business. Le nom!

So what do you have to do to enter to win? 

It's easy. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post (comments are moderated, so don't panic if it doesn't show up right away!) with your response to the below question. But before I get to that, some important contest notes. CakeSpy Note: The giveaway will close on February 14, Valentine's Day, at 12pm PST. The randomly chosen winner will be contacted privately afterward. Because this prize is being donated and shipped by the publisher, they have requested that this giveaway be open to US entrants only. But I'd still love to hear your memories, foreign friends!

OK! That having been said, the question to answer to enter:

What is your favorite Valentine's Day dessert memory?


So You Wanna Be a CakeSpy? Official Contest Rules

Legally, I have to give you the nitty gritty for this awesome contest. Here it is:

Official Rules for the Are You a CakeSpy? Contest

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT ENHANCE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older.

How to Enter:

1) To enter the SO YOU WANNA BE A CAKESPY Contest ("contest"), review these Official Rules and complete the entry requirements, including your first and last name, and email address. Contest begins December 1, 2011. Entries may be sent via this website only and must be received no later than January 15, 2012, 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time. Limit one entry per person. The sole determinant of time for the purposes of receipt of a valid entry will be the computer servers of CakeSpy and Sasquatch Books ("Sponsor"). Proof of transmission (screenshots or captures, etc.) does not constitute proof of receipt.

2) Entries are void if they are in whole or in part incomplete. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for incomplete entries.

3) Sponsor is not responsible for technical, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications caused by the sender, or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this contest which may limit the ability to participate, or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries in this contest. If for any reason the contest is not capable of being conducted as described in these rules, Sponsor shall have the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest. In the event of a dispute over the identity of an online entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized holder of the email account associated with the entry.

Winners:

1) From all eligible entries received, one grand-prize winner, one second place winner, and one third place winner will be chosen based on creativity, documentation, and presentation on or about January 30, 2012 by Jessie Oleson.  Decisions concerning all matters related to this contest are final and binding.

2) Winners will be contacted via e-mail. The odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received.

Prizes: 

1) A round-trip trip for two to Seattle, Washington, with accommodations for two nights; a visit to the CakeSpy headquarters; and a dessert tasting with Jessie Oleson.

2) A custom framed watercolor painting by Jessie Oleson, featuring the (pastry) theme or scenario of your choice, as well as a signed copy of CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life.

3) A $50 gift card, good for use at CakeSpy Shop in Seattle or online at cakespyshop.com; a signed copy of CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life.

4) Runners-up (4): Signed copies of CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life.

5) In the event that there is an insufficient number of eligible entries, Sponsor reserves the right not to award the prizes. 

Eligibility: 

This Sweepstakes is open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Employees of Sponsor, subsidiaries, affiliates or other parties in anyway involved in the development, production, or distribution of this contest, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible to participate in the contest. Void where prohibited by law. All state and local restrictions apply.

General:

1) No substitutions, transfers or assignments of prizes allowed.

2) All expenses, including taxes (if any), related to receipt and use of prizes are the sole responsibility of the winners.

3) Winners may be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility and Release ("Affidavit") and if so, the Affidavit must be completed and returned within fourteen (14) days of notification or winner will forfeit their prize and another winner will be selected. Should the ARV of the prize equal or exceed $600.00, winners shall be required to provide a Social Security Number or a Taxpayer Identification Number to Sponsor for issuance of a 1099 Form.

4) By accepting a prize, winners grant to Sponsor the right to use their names, likenesses, contest entries, hometowns, and biographical information in advertising and promotional materials, including posting on the Sponsor's and author's website, without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.

5) By competing in this contest and/or accepting a prize, entrants release Sponsor and the authors and/or editors of any books promoted hereby from any and all liability for any loss, harm, injuries, damages, cost or expense arising out of or relating to participation in this contest or the acceptance, use or misuse of the prize.

6) Any dispute arising from this contest will be determined according to the laws of the State of Washington, without reference to its conflict of law principles, and the entrants consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in King County and agree that such courts have exclusive jurisdiction over all such disputes.

Winners List:

To receive a full list of winners, please email custserv@sasquatchbooks.com

Sponsor:

Sasquatch Books
119 S Main St Suite 400
Seattle WA 98104
(206) 467-4300

Tour de Sweet: CakeSpy in Washington DC on November 15! And a Giveaway!

Guess what, Washington DC? You thought you were sweet, but you're about to get SWEETER.

That's right: CakeSpy's Tour de Sweet is coming to town! As I said on the Facebook event page,

OMG. This is your chance--your BIG CHANCE-- to come eat cake, hang out with me, and buy a copy of my lovely and amazing new book, "CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life"! And I will even sign it and draw a unicorn in it, if you'd like.

This is one of the best spots for cake in DC, so even if you have no interest in seeing me, come for the cake. I'll understand.

But wait, there's more! GIVEAWAYS And some sweet items to give away, like notecards and maybe even a pair or two of my cupcake-unicorn-robot socks.

Missing this would be a big mistake.

Here's the 411: Tuesday, November 15 · 7:00pm - 9pm; Location Baked and Wired, 1052 Thomas Jefferson NW Washington, District of Columbia. Online here.

BONUS GIVEAWAY!

But wait, there's more! Book signings always make me feel like giving away a copy of my book, so here's the giveaway of the week. Even if you're not in the DC area, you can enter to win! Simply visit the Baked & Wired website and tell me what sweet treat you'd most love to try from their menu. Enter this in the comments section below or on the Event page, and next Sunday at noon PST, I'll choose one winner at random!