Sweet Giveaway: Happy Haul-idays With Chronicle Books!

Like, OMG!

Chronicle Books, only the sweetest publisher, like, on the planet, has launched a pretty freaking awesome promotion called Happy Haul-idays. The 411? By posting a wish-list of Chronicle Books valued at up to $500 that I'd like to "haul" in, I get automatically entered into a drawing to win said list. And--awesome overload--if I win, a CakeSpy reader who comments on this post will win the list, too!

So, here's my impeccably chosen list of Chronicle Books. Want to win this list too? Scroll below the list for entry instructions.

Whoopie Pies by Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell

Cake Pops! By Bakerella!

I Love Macarons by Hisako Ogita

Flour by Joanne Chang

Southern Pies by Nancie McDermott

Luscious Coconut Desserts by Lori Long

Chocolate Cakes by Elinor Klivans

All Cakes Considered by Melissa Gray

Gingerbread by Jennifer McGlinn

Field Guide to Candy by Anita Chu

Field Guide to Cookies by Anita Chu

Baking for All Occasions by Flo Braker

Pops! By Krystina Castella

Luscious Creamy Desserts by Lori Longbotham

Killer Pies by Stephanie Anderson

Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor

Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott

Sky High by Alisa Huntsman and Peter Wynne

Tartine by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson

See's Famous Old Time Candies by Margaret Moos Pick

Cupcakes! By Elinor Klivans

Big Fat Cookies by Elinor Klivans

Luscious Chocolate Desserts by Lori Longbotham

Want to win the list too? Comment below with which one you're most excited about. Seriously. I'm, like, so excited for us to both win this. 

Sweet Giveaway: Win an Original Framed CakeSpy Watercolor!

Today, for no particular reason other than the fact that it might sweeten your day, CakeSpy is offering a giveaway.

Totally sweet: you could win a framed and matted original watercolor by CakeSpy! It pictures a sweet scene of treats flying a kite on what looks like a carefree and sugar-filled day (of course, if you can't wait to see if you won, feel free to shop online here).

Want a piece of that sweetness? To enter to win, simply leave a comment on this post to satisfy the spy's curiosity:

What is the last dessert, sweet, or baked good that really knocked your socks off?

A buttery croissant? A decadent chocolate torte? Or perhaps a homespun apple pie? I want to hear all about it. Of course recipes are welcome too! 

This giveaway is open to entrants everywhere (US and abroad). The giveaway will close for entries on Thursday, November 18, at 12pm PST, and a winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Update on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 by Cakespy

Update: the winner!

Our winner has been chosen at random! It's Jessie from Brooklyn, NY, who says: "A black and white cookie from William Greenburg here in NYC. y-u-m."

Sweet Giveaway: Win a Copy of Mitford Cookbook by Bestselling Author Jan Karon

Who doesn't love having a sweet new recipe book? 

While you mull that one over, let me introduce a totally sweet giveaway: one lucky reader will receive the gorgeously designed Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader: Recipes from Mitford Cooks, Favorite Tales from Mitford Books. In case you're not familiar, Jan Karon is the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mitford Series (35 million copies in print). But even more importantly, this book is filled with over 150 delicious Southern recipes, including Esther Bolick’s delicious Orange Marmalade Cake, The Irish Lady Rhubarb Tart, and more! And, since we all love a good backstory, this four-color cookbook features Jan’s personal reminiscences, dozens of beloved scenes from the Mitford books, jokes, cooking tips, and a story never before published in the novels.

How do you put your name in the hat? It's easy. Simply answer in the comments below telling me what your favorite Southern dish is (either sweet OR savory, I am feeling generous!).

Details: The giveaway is open to US entrants only, please--the giveaway will close at Midnight next Friday, October 15.

Update on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by Cakespy

Update: the winner! The winner is Amy L., whose name was chosen at random and who just loves BISCUITS AND GRAVY! Congratulations!

Sweet Giveaway: Matryoshka M-Cups Giveaway!

Things that are sad: CakeSpy's birthday week is over. And (bad spy) the giveaway schedule had a slight hitch: friday's giveaway never went up! Yikes (must have been too busy eating Birthday Cake French Toast!).

Things that are glad: There's a final giveaway to cap the week and say thank you for the totally sweet memories. 

That's right: here's another giveaway, this time for the lovely and amazing M-Cups by super-creative company FRED! Here's a description:

This set of 6 dry-measure cups nests neatly just like traditional Russian matryoshkas. They accurately measure 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 full cup, and they’re built from heavy-duty, food-safe, long-life engineering plastics. M-Cups are useful, easy to store, and quite charming...so why not doll up YOUR kitchen with a little Russian folklore? Each set is packaged in a full-color printed giftbox.

They're a popular seller at CakeSpy Shop, and now you can win a set for free! How? Simply answer the following pressing cake question below. US and Canadian entrants only this time, please! The giveaway will close next Tuesday, September 7, at 12pm PST. Good luck!

Here's the question:

What is your least favorite dessert, and why?

Update on Thursday, September 9, 2010 by Cakespy

Update: The winner! 

We have a winner, friends! It's Andrea, who has a least favorite dessert which may prove controversial:

I'm not a huge fan of chocolate chip cookies. I'd rather eat the chocolate chips straight out of the bag or have the cookie minus the chips.

Well, she can just bake something else with these totally sweet cups, I guess! Congratulations!

Sweet Giveaway: Win a CakeSpy Mug and Tote!

Are you still drinking your coffee (or tea, or vodka--whatevs) from a nondescript cup like a jerk? 

Well, it's time to upgrade, by winning the sweetest giveaway prize, like, ever: a CakeSpy mug with a conversation-starting image: a cupcake surrounded by empty cupcake wrappers. 

And, because it's CakeSpy's birthday week blitz, you'll win a matching tote bag!

How do you put your name in the running? It's easy. Simply come up with your cleverest caption for the image shown on the tote and mug--leave it as a comment below.

I'll choose my favorite one (and declare a winner!) on next Thursday, September 2 at 12pm PST! US and Canadian entrants only, please.

Update on Friday, September 3, 2010 by Cakespy

Friends! The giveaway is closed, but give us a day or two to deliberate! There are so many good ones! Winner will be announced on Monday!

Update on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 by Cakespy

UPDATE: The winner!

It's Andrea, who sums it up sweetly with her caption: 

"Who's Next?"

Congratulations, Andrea!

Sweet Giveaway: Macaron Art!

Guess what? It's that special time of year when CakeSpy's Head Spy Jessie celebrates her birthday. Booyea!

What does that mean for you, though? Well, if you're in Seattle, it means that there will be free birthday cake every day this week (Tue-Sun) at the CakeSpy Shop! First come first served. 

But even if you're not in Seattle you can enter to win some totally sweet stuff! There will be giveaways all week, starting with this super sweet prize pack, perfect for macaron lovers: a miniature original watercolor CakeSpy painting (the original! Not a print!) of macarons and burger hanging out, and the cutest crochet macaron you've ever seen, made by the lovely and amazing Alicia Kachmar! 

Want to put yourself in the running? Simply put your answer to the important baked-good question below in the comments section below. This giveaway will close on Sunday, August 29 at 12 p.m. PST, and the winner will be contacted shortly after. US and Canada entries only this time, please!

Are macarons "the new cupcake"?

Update on Monday, August 30, 2010 by Cakespy

Update: The Winner!

We have a winner! The lucky girl is Amy, who says the cupcake isn't going anywhere (at least she hopes not!). Congratulations Amy!

Sweet Giveaway: Win a Handmade Apron by Curry Kay Designs!

Who is the cutest baker in the kitchen?

You, when you wear this adorable handmade apron by Curry Kay Designs!

First, why not get to know the artist? Here's what she has to say about herself:

I am a Connecticut based textile artist and event planner. I have always loved to bake in my free time (especially cookies and cheesecakes), but had difficulty finding textile kitchen accessories that fit my sense of style. Earlier this year I decided to leave my full-time corporate event planning job in order to pursue the perfect apron and dishtowel! I opened my Etsy shop in June with original aprons, dish towels and market totes that feature flattering styles, bright colors, and simple motifs. I especially enjoy creating custom pieces to match my customer's kitchen colors! Curry Kay Designs can be found on Etsy, Facebook, and Twitter.

So how do you put yourself in the running? It's easy: just weigh in on this important cake issue in the below section.

What is your favorite cheesecake flavor? 

Oreo? Key Lime? Strawberry? Thin Mint? Or just plain? Inquiring minds must know.

US entrants only, please. The cake poll will close one week from today, on Tuesday, August 24, at 12pm PST. The winner will be announced shortly after. Can't wait to see if you won? Shop for sweet stuff on the Etsy site!

Update on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by Cakespy

We have a winner! Our randomly chosen winner is Ellen, who says that Oreo is the finest flavor of cheesecake. Well, she'll be able to keep clean when making her next cheesecake in this totally sweet apron! Thanks everyone for participating.

Cake Poll: Cupcake Tote Giveaway!

Win it!You know what's tote-ally awesome?

Winning a free cupcake tote, as seen in Sex and the City 2, that's what! And the totally sweet folks at Wedding Things, who have plenty of awesome cupcake gear, have kindly offered one up for a giveaway--along with a few packs of designer cupcake liners!

How do you enter yourself in the running? It's tote-ally (stop it, I know!) easy: just put your response to the below pressing cake question in the comments section!

Which is a better combination: chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, or vanilla cake with chocolate frosting?

US or Canadian entrants only, please. The cake poll will close one week from today, on Tuesday, August 17, at 12pm PST. The winner will be announced shortly after. Can't wait to see if you won? Shop for sweet stuff at Wedding Things!

Update on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 by Cakespy

We have a winner! Congratulations to Debbie of Squirrel Bakes, whose name was chosen at random! Enjoy your totally sweet tote, Debbie!

CLOSED: Sweet Giveaway: Win a $100 Gift Card For CSN Stores!

We have Corelle to thank for this giveaway, friends.

Yup--you saw that dishware text link. For that, CSN Stores has kindly offered something that is of much interest to cake lovers and bakers: a $100 gift card good to be redeemed at any of their online stores! After reviewing the products available at their Cookware.com website, I find it worth the link, as all sorts of products of interest to bakers and baked-good enthusiasts are available there, including cake pans, cake plates, pastry molds, and my favorite Emile Henry Pie plates!

Want to be entered in the running? OK! Here's what you do: simply leave a comment on this post stating your opinion on this important baked-good subject: if you had to choose your "last meal" dessert, what would it be?

Chocolate cream pie? A banana split? Pop-tart ice cream sandwiches? An entire birthday cake? Inquiring minds need to know! This giveaway will close and a winner will be announced at 12 p.m. PST next Friday, August 6. Entrants only in the US and Canada this time, please!

UPDATE: THE WINNER! 

The randomly chosen winner is MEG, who says that "My last meal dessert would have to be the biggest peanut butter cup in the world." Well chosen, Meg! Congratulations!

CLOSED: United We Bake: A Totally Sweet United Cakes of America Giveaway!

America's about to get sweeter.

That's right, friends--it's time for a totally sweet giveaway!

This time, it's a super-exciting one: three lucky winners are going to win a copy of the delightful new book by Warren Brown (you may know him as the kind-of-a-big-deal owner of the Mid-Atlantic sweet empire CakeLove), United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State, in which you'll be treated to many, many delicious cake recipes inspired by different regions of the USA.

How do you get yourself in the running? 

It's easy. Just share your favorite regional cake recipe! It can be from the state or region you're in currently, or perhaps the place you grew up, or maybe just a place that has special meaning for you. Be sure to specify the region and why it has special meaning for you! You can either link to the recipe, or simply copy and paste the entire recipe in the comment section. 

The fine print: the giveaway will be open through next Friday, July 9th, at 12pm PST; the winners will be announced as soon as they have been contacted and their information has been confirmed (usually within a day or so). US residents only this time, please! Oh, and P.S. if you can't wait for a sneak peek of the book, check out some extras (videos, how-tos) here; and check out the recipe for Hartford Election Day Cupcakes I tried from the book here!