Cookbook Review and GIVEAWAY!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Cookbook Review and GIVEAWAY!

That’s right! My first review and my first giveaway!! I am very excited about this!

Confetti Cakes for Kids is written by Elisa Strauss, founder of Confetti Cakes in New York City. She has created confections as elaborate as a platter of sushi, a wine bottle in a crate and a designer handbag. Now she focuses her talents on her younger fans with this enchanting collection of cakes, cookies and cupcakes for kids.

Since my cookbook arrived the other day, I thought I’d include a review of the book. First of all, this is a very beautiful book. It has a nice hardback and book cover that is colorful and fun. It is broken into a few key sections:
-Introduction
-Cake Basics
-Techniques
-Basic Recipes
-Cookies
-Cupcakes
-Mini cakes
-Cakes
I love how the hard cover book is actually different than the bookcover. Both are very cute.

After flipping through the book, I realized that it is geared towards decorating techniques, ideas, inspiration, and how-tos. There are some step-by-step photographs to accompany many of these techniques. There are also templates in the back that you can copy and use for your designs.

I personally love new recipes in cookbooks. Funky new flavor combos to inspire my creativity. I didn’t get a whole lot of that from this book (although I can’t wait to try the apple-cinnamon cake with brown sugar buttercream). The recipes are in fact all the basics. There are recipes for a few varieties of cookies, a brownie recipe and a few standard flavors of cake. There are also a few basic frosting recipes including a recipe for lemon curd and rolled fondant.

I decided that in order to complete this review properly, I should make something from the cookbook. I was initially leaning towards yellow cake with chocolate buttercream because I’ve never made a yellow cake. But then I realized I should make something that I know and love. Basically have a mini-throw-down right here in my own kitchen. As loyal readers know, I have a go-to chocolate-cupcake recipe that I got from Laurie (founder of Cupcake Hero, Tuesdays with Dorie, and Layers of Cake). I make this chocolate cupcake a LOT. Everyone loves it and it’s so easy.

So I decided to make the chocolate cake recipe from Confetti Cakes for Kids. Watch for the thrown-down results in a couple days… I’m not going to post the recipe here. Maybe you’ll win a copy of the book to try this and other recipes and techniques yourself.

So here are the rules. Post a comment here and you’ll be entered into the drawing. I will be giving away 5 copies of the book. Entries will be taken until Midnight (EST) on Wednesday, October 15. Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. Feel free to use the DOT COM format to prevent spam.

Good luck!!

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80 comments »

23 Responses to “Peanut Butter and Co Giveaway”

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1

PowerCakes — January 3, 2012 at 5:07 am

On a daily basis I eat oats, chia seeds, coconut oil, and protein powder! I call it a power breakfast! 😉
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2

PowerCakes — January 3, 2012 at 5:09 am

Tweeted it! @powercakes
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3

Betsy — January 3, 2012 at 5:10 am

I tweeted! @dancerkitchen
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4

Erin D. — January 3, 2012 at 5:15 am

I have a bagel During my work commute, but I’m a cereal girl on the weekends. 🙂

I’m kteerin@yahoo.com, btw. Thanks!
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5

Jason — January 3, 2012 at 9:16 am

I eat oatmeal made with almond milk, 1tbsp peanut butter, 1tsp chia seed, 1tsp flax meal, 1tsp wheat germ and a sliced banana. Oh and of course coffee (decaf after the workout)
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6

Jason — January 3, 2012 at 9:19 am

I tweeted the statement out from @cooktraineatrce

Thank you for hosting.
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Anne — January 3, 2012 at 9:50 am

I typically eat milk and cereal.
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Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen} — January 3, 2012 at 10:45 am

I’m a cereal girl 🙂 I really want to try the white chocolate one. Our local store carries them all except that one.
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Katrina {In Katrina's Kitchen} — January 3, 2012 at 10:46 am

I tweeted! @katrinaskitchen
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10

Kayleigh — January 3, 2012 at 12:26 pm

For breakfast I usually have oatmeal and peanut butter! I love peanut butter 😉
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Matteson@ Healthy High Schooler — January 3, 2012 at 12:43 pm

I always eat oatmeal with granola and a spoonful of nut butter on top! 🙂
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Matteson@ Healthy High Schooler — January 3, 2012 at 12:51 pm

I tweeted! @HealthyHS
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Kattreena — January 3, 2012 at 1:55 pm

Hi! My name is Kattreena! On a daily basis, I eat oatmeal for breakfast! I love adding a banana, blueberries, honey, and chopped walnuts! Recently I’ve begun adding flaxseed and chia seeds! Delicious and super healthy!
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Brooke — January 3, 2012 at 2:58 pm

I typically eat a Bagel-ful or oatmeal with pumpkin added in.
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Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's — January 3, 2012 at 4:45 pm

I eat oatmeal with a scoop of granola and a spoonful of peanut butter & co 🙂
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Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly's — January 3, 2012 at 4:46 pm

I tweeted! @cupcakekellys
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Eva @ Eva Bakes — January 3, 2012 at 5:57 pm

I am boring and have an English muffin with jam and a banana everyday. I drink a glass of soy milk too.
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jean — January 3, 2012 at 6:01 pm

I normally have a smoothie or pumpkin oatmeal. I love their peanut butter!
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19

Jenny — January 3, 2012 at 6:53 pm

An Apple!
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Carrie — January 3, 2012 at 8:24 pm

I change my breakfast daily.
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21

Heather — January 4, 2012 at 12:52 am

Probably hard boiled eggs, fruit or yogurt. I change it up here and there.
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22

The Rookie Baker — January 4, 2012 at 1:21 am

I don’t eat breakfast that often, but when I do, I go for scrambled eggs with toast.
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Teri B — January 4, 2012 at 3:10 am

Bacon the weekend. Greek Yogurt during the week.