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.

Update on Friday, February 1, 2013 by Cakespy

UPDATE: THE WINNER!

It's Jenna, who said "The plain donut of course! because she is subtle, understated, demure and oh so amazing on the inside!! :)"

Congratulations Jenna, and everyone else, tune in soon for the next giveaway! 

National Cupcake Day Cake Poll and Giveaway

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:

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.

Update on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 by Cakespy

Update: The winner! Mary from Winter Park, FL was chosen at random as the winner of this giveaway! Congratulations - and til next time, stay sweet!

Giveaway: An 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!

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.

Update on Monday, November 19, 2012 by Cakespy

UPDATE: THE WINNER!

I've chosen a winner at random! It's Cathy, who had this to say about her fall pie preference:

I LOVE so many pies it is hard to decide! I guess, well let me see...... oh my this is hard :-(
Fruit pies are great, so are cream filling pies, grandma always made her special recipe cheesecake, but, that is not a pie. :-[ I do love ice cream pies, do they count? A nice cool chocolate mint ice cream pie! It that doesn't count, then I pick fresh razzelberry pie with ice cream! 

Congratulations Cathy, and enjoy!

Giveaway: The Newlywed Cookbook by Sarah Copeland

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!

Update on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 by Cakespy

Update: The winner!

We have a winner! It is Margaret, who says:

I love to eat my favorite cake which is a family recipe- Bourbon pound cake! Maybe because we all drink bourbon with it :)

Congratulations, Margaret, and enjoy!

Bad Hot Chocolate, Awesome Book Giveaway

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? 

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:

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.

Update on Monday, October 22, 2012 by Cakespy

UPDATE: THE WINNER!

The winner, chosen at random, was Melissa C, who said "The best hot chocolate can be found on the streets of Spain. It is served warm and has almost a pudding like consistency. It is served to accompany a very special treat: The fresh, hot and dazzling cinnamon ladden churro....."

Yum! Thanks for playing! 

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!

Update on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 by Cakespy

UPDATE: The WINNER!

Randomly chosen as the winner was Gwynne! She says her final dessert would be "

might be the frozen Nanaimo bar yogurt, but I think it's a peaches and cream crumble bar. YUM.

"

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!

Update on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 by Cakespy

THE WINNERS!

They've been chosen at random! Here are their stories again:

Tracy: When I was 18, I was asked to bring a dessert to a university group pot luck. Instead of buying something because I had no money, I decided to raid my mom's cupboards and make chocolate mousse. I measured and stirred and slaved over it. I came to a part of the recipe with options. One of them was to add coffee. I was not a coffee drinker and had never considered what happened to make coffee edible but I loved the smell and all things coffee-flavored. I took out my mom's can of Folgers (1982), measured the grounds and poured them into my already amazing mousse. As you can guess, the recipe meant to add brewed coffee. I ruined the chocolate mousse. There was no way to save it! I showed up empty handed to the pot luck with my sad story. I'm pretty sure no one believed me.

Meg: My most embarrassing dessert moment was when I was making strawberry shortcakes (for the first time) for my date. He came over and I was cooking dinner and making dessert. I was so distracted by him that I put the ramekins in the oven quickly. Then, I noticed they were not rising at all. Panicking ensues and I begin going over the ingredients in the recipe. I realized that I did not add the flour!! So, I have to get the individual ramekins out of the oven, and I have a decision to make. Do I admit what I did and start over or try to salvage it? He was busy watching a basketball game, but in my apt. the t.v. faces the kitchen. So, I very discreetly begin scraping the hot liquid mix into a bowl and then add the flour. I was sure it would be a disaster. However, in a kitchen miracle the shortcakes rose perfectly and tasted great. He never knew. And now the recipe lasted longer than the date! Here's to recipes that stand the test of time.

Erin: When I was twelve, I was making a smoothie in the blender my parents had received many years before as a wedding present. For some reason, I thought it would be helpful to (while the blender was running) stick a fork inside to poke the stubborn fruits back to the bottom where they would be properly blended. Unfortunately, as you can imagine, this didn't go well. The heavy glass blender shattered COMPLETELY and sliced open my hand in the process. My mother still liked to remind me to this day that she got to clean up broken glass, peaches, and blood that had splattered ALL OVER our kitchen while I was getting doctored back up that night. 

I mean really... I was twelve. I should have known better. But apparently I was a total nincompoop. Haha.

Congratulations, gals, and til next time, stay sweet!

Giveaway: Win Paul Bradford Sugarcraft dvds

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. 

Update on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by Cakespy

UPDATE: THE WINNER! It's Courtney, whose name was chosen at random. Why is she deserving, though? "I deserve the Joy the Baker cookbook because Joy's blog is the first food blog I ever read. It inspired me to start my own food blog, and three years later, her blog is still the first one I read every day" :)

Of course, you also read THIS website, right Courtney? Congratulations!