Sugarbaby Book Giveaway

Happy Wednesday! Really happy for me because I am done with my holiday baking, all baskets are wrap, some of them delivered and the rest will make their way out tomorrow and Friday.
I am tired. I am happy. Nothing like a homemade gift for the holidays.

I wanted to thank you. Thank you for taking the time and reading my little blog, for leaving sweet comments, sending me nice and also not so nice emails, well sometimes..
As a thank you to my readers I am giving away Sugarbaby by Gesine Bullock-Prado.I love Gesine's books, they are well written, with great recipes and put together in a wonderful funny manner. She has a great blog "Confections of a (Closet) Master Baker".

 In her own words about this book...
"It's a book about working with sugar but it's not a candy book".

If you are lucky and win, you can make treats like this

Yesterday I made her Chocolate Fudge...

I almost end up with a diabetic coma from all the fudge I ate.

This is next on my list.

To enter the giveaway:

Just leave me a comment telling me if you are making any homemade gift this holiday season.

For extra entries you can Tweet about the giveaway and leave me a comment letting me know you did

Giveaway open to everyone.

The giveaway will be open until Sunday DEC 25th at 11 p.m. and then a winner will be chosen by  Random and announce on this post on Monday 26th.

Good luck!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER:

Gerdy said...

I make some snowflake sugar cookies and brownie for Christmas.

Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway.

Fall Cookies and Fantastic Giveaway by The Cookie Cutter Company

Welcome to my first post for The Cookie Cutter Company!
When I was contacted to make some tutorials for their site I was absolutely thrilled !

Just in case you haven't heard, they have over 500 designs of cookie cutters, great prices ( $1 per cookie cutter), fast and low shipping and a great customer service.
The Cookie Cutter Company  is in the process of launching a page on their site where their customers can maximize their cookie making enjoyment, see different ways the cutters could be used, and more importantly, not feel overwhelmed baking and decorating cookies.
They want to show you cookie crafting ideas that will allow you to create treats that are as delightful to the eye as they are to your taste buds.

Make sure you check the end of this post for a FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY AND A PROMO CODE JUST FOR MY READERS!


For those of you who have never decorated cookies before I have broken down the various steps as thoroughly as possible, I am sure you will have fun decorating your cookies!

FALL COOKIES

I like to plan the design of my cookies before I start decorating them ,specially now,with a 2 week old new born and a 4 week old puppy,my head is pretty much spinning around!

To make these FALL Cookies you will need:

• Oak Leaf cookie cutter
• Maple Leaf cookie cutter
• Acorn cookie cutter
• Red, orange and brown royal icing ( thick for pipping and thin to flood the cookies)
• Pastry bags, couplers and tips #1 and #2
• Red and gold sanding sugar
• White Nonpareils
• Gold luster dust ( optional)
• Paintbrush
• Thin paste of meringue powder and water
• Toothpicks

 Making the Maple Leaf Cookies

 While the cookie is still wet, pipe brown veins and let the cookie dry for a few hours. When the cookie is completely dry,use a paintbrush dipped in the mix of meringue powder and water and outline the cookie, then dust with the red sanding sugar. Let it dry for a couple of minutes and brush off excess sugar.

 After you blend the icing let the cookie dry for a few hours. Then get some inspiration from some of the leaves of your backyard :),outline the cookie with brown icing and pipe veins on the cookie using tip #1.

 Making the Oak Leaf cookies

 This is a pretty simple desing. After you flood the cookie let the icing dry and then pipe the leaf veins ( I used tip #2)

 For this other leaf, after I flooded the cookie I piped orange veins on the wet icing and draw a toothpick throughout the cookie, then I piped  red veins on the still wet icing.

When the cookie is completely dry,use a paintbrush dipped in the mix of meringue powder and water and outline the cookie's veins, then dust with the red sanding sugar. Let it dry for a couple of minutes and brush off excess sugar.

 I let the cookie dry for a few hours and use a paintbrush dipped in the mix of meringue powder and water and outline the cookie's veins, then dust with the red sanding sugar. Let it dry for a couple of minutes and brush off excess sugar

 Making the Acorn cookies

Outline and flood acorns and let them dry for a few hours.

 For the gold acorn: Use a paintbrush dipped in the mix of meringue powder and water and brush the acorn's cupule, then dust with the gold sanding sugar. Let it dry for a couple of minutes and brush off excess sugar.
Mix some gold luster dust with a few drops of vodka and paint the acorn.

 For the white acorns:  After the cookies are dry use a paintbrush dipped in meringue powder mixture and brush the acorns, then dust one with the white nonpareils and the other one with the sanding sugar. Let it dry for a couple of minutes and brush off excess sugar

 

Well I hope you can have as much fun as I did decorating your own cookies.

NOW, ARE YOU READY FOR THE GIVEAWAY?



Is going to give away 3 CHRITSMAS COOKIE  CUTTER SETS TO 3 lucky readers. Isn't that fun? so you can start getting ready for your holiday baking!

Giveaway will remain open until Thursday, October 27st. 2011 at 11 p.m. CST. Winner will be chosen at random, announce in this post,notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.

Enter to win your Chritsmas cookie cutter set by leaving a comment on my blog, for extra entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)

Like The Cookie Cutter Company on Facebook
Follow The Cookie Cutter Company on Twitter @CutMyCookie
Like Pink Little Cake on Facebook

Also, if you go to The Cookie Cutter Company site and want to start shopping right away, please use

CODE: PLK20

FOR 20% OFF YOUR SHOPPING!

It can't get any better than that! Happy shopping and good luck!

THE WINNERS OF THE GIVEAWAY ARE:

Mindy Percival said...

Thanks for the tutorial! They look like fun to make. Thanks for the chance to win the cookie cutters, I love your blog! :)

mariela said...



I always fallow your block..and love your hard work.you make woondefull cookies the derails on your cookies are amazing special on those cookies they look so real.i hope one day tasted them


Platinum Rose said...



I "liked" The Cookie Cutter Company on Facebook. mconrad333@gmail.com. I really hope to win this giveaway, would be a great "push" to make some adorable cookies for the holidays!

Congratulations and thank you for entering the giveaway.

Disclosure:
This is a sponsored post by The Cookie Cutter Company, all opinions are my own.

My Memories Suite-Digital Scrapbook Software GIVEAWAY

 Since my family is growing and my time is shrinking, I have been looking into ways to simplify my life enjoying the hobbies I love.One of the things I love happens to be scrapbooking.
5 years ago, I used to enjoyed traditional scrapbooking. I had drawers full of papers,stickers and embellishments.The first year after Cami was born I finished a scrapbook album for her,then space in my apartment got smaller, with a toddler and working ,my time became so little. Then, my love for cakes made me get rid of every single paper in the house to get space for my cake tools. That's when scrapbooking was pretty much over for me.


I have been thinking for a long time in getting a digital scrapbooking software but I just didn't  know which one was the right for me since I do not have a lot of computer skills.

When I was asked to review My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software I thought it couldn't have come in a better time.

What I loved about My Memories Suite is how easy, affordable and mess free this digital scrapbooking software is compared to dealing with paper scrapbooking.For me the biggest appeal of this type of software is that those that do not have the time, resources or patience for traditional scrapbooking can enjoy scrapbooking without purchasing fancy scissors,acid-free glue, papers and albums.


 This past weekend I made a few photo albums for all our summer pictures and I am so happy with the results,these are some of the album pages...

My Memories Suite comes with a lot of template sets, paper patterns and embellishments. To add even more options,they offer free design downloads and hundreds of low-priced papers, templates and packs in their Design Shop. Using this scrapbook software, you not only can create digital scrapbooks but also calendars, photobooks, videos and cards.

I can honestly say that this digital scrapbooking software is very friendly to use. 

 My Memories Suite wants you to have your very own copy of the digital Software for FREE! and i want you to have it too!! you.are.going.to.love.it.

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES and open to everyone:

1 winner will receive My Memory Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software 

This giveaway will remain open until Wednesday Sept 28th and the winner will be announce in this post.

The winner will be chosen at random, notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.

IN ORDER TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY, go to My Memories Suite site and leave me a comment telling me which is your  favorite digital paper pack or layout.


BONUS ENTRIES: Please leave a separate comment for each entry

Like  My Memories Suite on Facebook
Follow My Memories Suite on Twitter
Like Pink Little Cake on Facebook

Readers of my blog can also receive a 10% discount of the fabulous digital software using the code STMMMS57101



Disclosure: I received  a copy of My Memories Suite to review and I am very happy I did, all the opinions are my own.

Southern Living Magazine Giveaway and Cake Contest

Each month the Southern Living magazine and southernliving.com readers find ideas for cooking, gardening,entertaining, decorating, regional travel and locally made products.

For the past 15 years Southern Living has had a white cake on the cover of the December issue, and this month they are asking their readers to submit their own white cake renditions to be considered for this December’s cover.  The winning cake will be on the cover and also receive $1000, and two runners up will have recipes in the issue and win $500.

I thought this will be a great opportunity if any of you want to enter the contest, I think it will be so much fun. Hurry because Deadline for Entries is July 31st

If you want information in how to enter the contest you can go here. You can also get inspiration from past cakes in their site visiting the gallery of past cover cakes.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY:

Southern Living has kindly offered 2 magazine subscriptions to my readers. To enter the contest just leave me a comment describing your ideal white cake.

Winners will be announce Friday 29th in this post.

Good luck everyone!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Jenniffer said...

I have to second the coconut cake as my favorite white cake. With coconut flakes on top of the icing to give it that wintery snowball look!

Mini Baker said...



oh my goodness, if I will this, I will have one very happy fiance (soon to be hubby!)! I LOVE this magazine. My ideal white cake is fluffy, moist and has a significant amount of vanilla ... and must have some kind of vanilla bean frosting!
YUMMY!!!
Thank you for the opportunity!
xo,
minibaker


I will be contacting you today.

Naturally Nora Cookie Mix Review and Giveaway

I have told you before that I'm not a fan of baking mixes,I sell cakes and cookies , therefore I feel the responsibility that everything I bake has to be from scratch.
But being a busy mom, working full time and having a baby on the way I feel that is ok to "cheat" sometimes. Time around my house is so tight, and I am sure some of you are in the same boat as me, so I want to go the easy but still nutritious way specially if I can use a good  quality mix. .

Look at this Chocolate Chunk Cookies... they were so good and moist, so yummy!

and I also added some caramel candy to some of them, you know, to make them extra special.

I made these cookies using a cookie mix, a really good one.

Have you heard of Naturally Nora?

Their products  are made entirely from all natural ingredients. No artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or hydrogenated oils. They also can be prepared dairy or soy-free and are kosher.

Not only naturally Nora has cookie mixes, but they also have frostings, cake mixes and brownie mixes.They think that great tasting food should be created in a kitchen, not a laboratory.

Don't we agree with that? 

 Naturally Nora send me a box of goodies to try and they also want to send some your way. I added two small cookie baking sheets along with the mixes, so there is no excuse and the winner can start baking right away.

To enter the giveaway for a box of goodies from Naturally Nora:

-Just leave me a comment on your thoughts about using cake, cupcake or cookie mixes.
-For an EXTRA entry, like Naturally Nora on Facebook and leave a separate comment letting me know that you did.

Giveaway is open for residents of the US only.
Winner will have 48 hours to respond  with shipping info,if no response, another winner will be chosen .
A winner will be randomly chosen and announce in this post on Monday June 27th. 
Good luck everyone !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions about the cookie mixes are mine, I really, really love them.
I was not paid to write this post.


AND THE WINNER IS....


Jane said...



I use brownie mixes fairly often and cake mixes occasionally. I almost never use cookie mixes, but would love to try!
jcottey at aol dot com
June 24, 2011 1:17 PM

Thank you so much for entering the giveaway everyone!

Cake Boss Book review and giveaway

I am totally sure that by now the entire world knows who Cake Boss is. My love for cake decorating and learning new techniques has taken me to watch his show many times, I think that he and his staff are so talented. Buddy prides himself in that all of the shop's cakes and pastries are made from scratch, with no artificial flavorings or preservatives. I also love the fact that  he brings together his passion for baking and his high-energy family stories in the pages of this book complete with recipes and tips that will make every reader start baking.

I was lucky enough to be given a copy of the book for review and a giveaway from Free Press Publicity
and also a book to keep for myself ( thanks to the TLC Cake Crew organizers) .

This past weekend I decided to make Buddy's Red Velvet Cake, the recipe on his book calls for the use of shortening which I am not a fan of, but I have to say the cake was really good.

Would you like to win the book?

CAKE BOSS: The Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia (Free Press; November 2, 2010).


Just leave me a comment letting me know if you watch the show and what do you like about it? I am just curious.
The winner will be announce in this post on Monday Nov 29th.
Good luck and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Debra "Deb" Dresden Disney-Dior said...


I adore this show and LOVE every person who works in the bakery -- behind the counter and in the back/downstairs. What I love most about this family is the way they LOVE one another and the CRAZY pranks they pull on each other. It's sheer zaniness -- something like watching the "Three Stooges" only on a grander scale. I also LOVE how Buddy listens to his Mama. He's such a "good boy!" I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! Thank you!

November 26, 2010 5:46 PM

She is the giveaway winner, please contact me with your information so I can ship the book for you.

Thank you everyone for entering the giveaway.

CSN Stores $45 Giveaway

As you may recall, I have worked with CSN Stores.com in the past.So, when I was offered another opportunity to work with them, I jumped at the chance.
I love the fact that they have free shipping in many of their items and the site is very easy to navigate.
Do you know that CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from coffee tables , school supplies,cookware and many more.

CSN Stores have graciously offered to give one of my readers a $45 gift card in the form of a promotional code that can be used on any product on their site.


To Enter:

You must visit CSN Stores and tell me what you would spend the gift certificate on if you were the lucky winner.



The giveaway winner will be announce in this post on Monday the 13th. Please,be sure to leave a valid email address, otherwise I won't be able to contact you if you win. Winner will be chosen via a random number generator. If the winner does not contact me within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.


Good luck!
Random.org's automatic random number generator chose number 3.
             

AND THE WINNER IS:


Jenniffer said...  



Hey Kathia! I would love to get an outdoor patio heater ( http://www.csnstores.com/Fire-Sense-2412-FRS1065.html ).
jen [at] cupadeecakes [dot] com
September 9, 2010 3:44 PM

Congratulations!! and thank you everyone for entering the giveaway.

Elmo Cake and a NEW Giveaway Winner

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

 Unfortunately the winner of my past giveaway never got in touch with me, I do not have any contact information and I have been waiting for a week to hear from him.

I am so sorry, but I decided to selected a new giveaway winner,

this time all the names were put in hat and my little girl picked a winner.

Congratulations Maranda, you got a $50 gift card to shop at CSN Stores, please email me at castrokm@hotmail.com for details.

Now on to the cake... Two tier Elmo cake for a little girl's Sesame Street theme birthday party, the bottom tier is white cake with strawberry mousse and the top tier is red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

This cake is pretty much copy of a cake a made a few years ago for Cami.

Elmo is made of rice crispy treats and royal icing. The #1 is made out of gumpaste. I also got to use my cricut cake. With a little help from a friend, I finally figure it out how to use it,  I made the little girl's name with it. I am totally in love with the cricut cake, I can't wait to use it more often.

I hope you all have a great week !

And the winner is...

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my giveaway. But I only have one winner....

Random.org, automatic random number generator chose number 22

CONGRATULATIONS DEIGE!!
Please contact me !

Excuse my lack of posting this week, next week I have to make my first wedding cake and I am so excited. I have been doing sugar flowers , getting my boards ready and making sure I have everything I need. I also have a big order of a candyland cake and a big cupcake order for a baby shower, so as you can see, I am running around like a chicken.
Have a nice weekend !

What's New Cupcake Book Giveaway!

Rainy weekend here in NJ, the perfect excuse to go book shopping. I love baking books and cake decorating books, I do have a lot but there is always  a new one out there waiting for me. I purchased a copy of  "What's New, Cupcake?"

 I also got one for one lucky Pink Little Cake reader.  Oh, I can see myself already making all these little cute cupcakes.This book is loaded with wonderful  instructions, techniques,tips, sources and is also full of wonderful photographs .

These flowers would look just lovely for a Mother's Day cupcake order that I have.

So, what do you think...  do you want it?

To participate in the giveaway:

*Just leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite cupcake?

*For a second chance to win, just "follow" me, well if you want...I guess  you can always remove me later!! 

 Please leave me a second comment to let me know that you are now a follower. If you are already a follower just let me know in a second comment also. 

Two chances of winning is better than one ! Remember to make sure  there is a link to your blog or email  where I can contact you if you win.

Good luck and have a nice week everyone.

 WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCE FRIDAY NIGHT.

UPDATE: giveaway is closed. Thanks to everyone who participated! You guys are the best!!

Elmo Cookies and the Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway. It was so interesting to read about your baking fears, because I do share  most of them  with you. 

The automatic random generator chose:

Hil said...I am afraid of making cheesecakes...I must conquer that fear. I would love to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity.  Congratulations Hil, please email me at castrokm@ hotmail.com

Here are some Elmo cookies I delivered today. I hope they really look like Elmo ( at least Cami thought so)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Giveaway and ...a Confession

Spring has finally arrived here in NJ. Today we spent most of the day outside, playing, eating ice cream and getting some sun, which I really need. Cami started her swimming lessons today, we had so much fun at the pool. ( well my husband, I just watched them from the sitting area). And to celebrate Spring a little giveaway for you... This little book has tons of yummy recipes and ideas. To participate in the giveaway ,please leave a comment for my question. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF WHEN YOU BAKE? (I I hope this question make sense to you)I will randomly pick one winner from the comments left on this post. For multiple chances to win, simply mention this post (including a link to it) on your twitter page or facebook page.

I will be announcing the winner next Friday, March 26.

Good luck!

And this is what I am most afraid of...Buttercream cakes! I have no talent for them.