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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97 Responses to “Geoff and Drew’s Giveaway”

  1. #
    1
    Carol — January 31, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    I would love some Toffee Brownies–yummy!

  2. #
    2
    Carol — January 31, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    Tweeted!

  3. #
    3
    kelly — January 31, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    If I won I would definitely try the chocolate sampler basket.

  4. #
    4
    A Boston Food Diary — January 31, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    Yummmm Geoff and Drews ARE delicious! Brownies sound delicious right now!

  5. #
    5
    Ajgianna — January 31, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    Tweeted. Thanks!

  6. #
    6
    Audrey — January 31, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Oops! Tweeted under “Boston Food Finds”…ajgainna@hotmail.com.

  7. #
    7
    Susan (Oliepants) — January 31, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    I would order the silver celebration box of cookies and brownies! It really is hard to pick either or because the cookies and brownies look (and I’m sure taste!) delicious!!!! And the packaging is so pretty! I’m all over the double fudge! 🙂

  8. #
    8
    Ashley Tiblier — January 31, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    I would want to try all of the cookie and brownie flavors!

  9. #
    9
    Ashley Tiblier — January 31, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    I like Geoff and Drew’s on Facebook.

  10. #
    10
    Ljyoung85 — January 31, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    A cookie and brownie combo. I want to try both!

  11. #
    11
    Bianca Garcia — January 31, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    I’d love to try the signature brownies!

  12. #
    12
    Lecklund24 — January 31, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Ahh the variety sampler 🙂 🙂 Soooo much goodness in one little box 🙂

  13. #
    13
    krissy (dainty chef) — January 31, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    I think the white chocolate cranberry cookie box! Yum!

  14. #
    14
    Ashley — January 31, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    I would pick the I Love You Red box. Yummy stuff!

  15. #
    15
    BostonGirl — January 31, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    The Silver Sampler looks terrific, and I would send it to my friend Ali in Cali! 🙂

  16. #
    16
    kimz — January 31, 2011 at 11:06 pm

    Oh what I would do to send my boyfriend the Sweetheart Treats Crate. Sweets for my sweets!

  17. #
    17
    kimz — January 31, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Geoff & Drew’s FB page? Liked liked liked!

  18. #
    18
    starsquiggle — January 31, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    I would love to try the White Chocolate Cranberry

  19. #
    19
    starsquiggle — January 31, 2011 at 11:18 pm

    i “liked” Geoff and Drew on Facebook

  20. #
    20
    starsquiggle — January 31, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    I Tweeted on Geoff and Drew’s Twitter page

  21. #
    21
    Pam — January 31, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Yum! I would love to try the signature chocolate chip cookies!

  22. #
    22
    Pam — January 31, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    Also “liked Geoff and Drer’s” on Facebook

  23. #
    23
    Jen @ BakedByJen — January 31, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    I’d love the Assorted Brownies and Cookies!

  24. #
    24
    Danielle — January 31, 2011 at 11:55 pm

    I would love to get an assortment–try everything!

  25. #
    25
    Danielle — January 31, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    tweeted @danid320

  26. #
    26
    Danielle — January 31, 2011 at 11:57 pm

    Geoff and Dre’s facebook page has been “liked”!

  27. #
    27
    Missbrandy — January 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    I’d get the Pretty in Pink 8 cookies- 8 brownies box. They’d be perfect for a fund-raising event I’m doing for the Susan G Komen 3day for the cure walk!

  28. #
    28
    Missbrandy — February 1, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I’ve liked G&D on facebook!

  29. #
    29
    Christina — February 1, 2011 at 12:11 am

    I would order the Silver Celebration of cookies – variety is the spice of life! 🙂

  30. #
    30
    Ellen — February 1, 2011 at 12:57 am

    Mmmm, I would certainly order a box of just the white chocolate cranberry cookies.
    Sounds fantastic!

  31. #
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    Katy Sundararajan — February 1, 2011 at 1:11 am

    My choice would be the “I Love you Red – 8 Cookies & 8 Brownies,” the total chocolate version, as my Valentine has a serious sweet tooth. 🙂 Oo! I hope I win!

  32. #
    32
    Alexis Ellysse Adams — February 1, 2011 at 1:13 am

    I liked Geoff and Drew’s facebook page! 🙂 I LOVE cookies!!! YUM!

  33. #
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    FunandFearlessinBeantown — February 1, 2011 at 1:15 am

    What a great giveaway! I’m a big fan of the white chocolate cranberry cookies!

  34. #
    34
    sab1976 — February 1, 2011 at 1:26 am

    Yellow Celebration – 8 Cookies & 8 Brownies

  35. #
    35
    Jenny — February 1, 2011 at 1:27 am

    I’d love some double fudge cookies 🙂

  36. #
    36
    Jennifer Landers — February 1, 2011 at 1:30 am

    I would purchase the giant cookie heart…yummy!!

  37. #
    37
    Whitequiet — February 1, 2011 at 1:32 am

    I would love some of the assorted brownies!

  38. #
    38
    Patricia — February 1, 2011 at 1:32 am

    I would choose the Silver Sampler. It sounds delicious.

  39. #
    39
    Jennifer Landers — February 1, 2011 at 1:33 am

    I liked them!

  40. #
    40
    Kelly V — February 1, 2011 at 1:34 am

    I’d send my mom and her coworkers the giant heart brownie

  41. #
    41
    Alicia Fidalgo — February 1, 2011 at 1:35 am

    I would definitely get one of the assortment packs for my parent’s for valentine’s day! They’d love to try all the flavors of cookies!

  42. #
    42
    Annie H — February 1, 2011 at 2:02 am

    All of the brownie flavors sound delicious, so I would get a brownie assortment.

  43. #
    43
    Cara — February 1, 2011 at 2:08 am

    I’d never choose just one kind of cookie or brownie. I’d be all over the pretty in pink combo box!

  44. #
    44
    Cara — February 1, 2011 at 2:09 am

    tweeted for you!

  45. #
    45
    Sarah C — February 1, 2011 at 2:09 am

    I would have to go with the Silver Celebration of 16 Assorted Brownies. We LOVE brownies!

  46. #
    46
    Sarah C — February 1, 2011 at 2:19 am

    I liked them on FB!

  47. #
    47
    Susie — February 1, 2011 at 3:25 am

    I’m so getting the Valentine’s Day 12 cookie and 4 brownie combo. Mmm…cranberry and chocolate!

  48. #
    48
    Susie C — February 1, 2011 at 3:27 am

    I like Geoff and Drew’s on facebook, too!

  49. #
    49
    Lynne — February 1, 2011 at 3:28 am

    Probably the assorted pack of brownies. That way I can try more than one type!

  50. #
    50
    Shelly8806 — February 1, 2011 at 3:55 am

    I’d get the Pretty in Pink box so I can try a little bit of everything.

  51. #
    51
    Shelly8806 — February 1, 2011 at 3:56 am

    I liked Geoff & Drew’s on Facebook.

  52. #
    52
    Sarah — February 1, 2011 at 4:27 am

    I would go for the combination of brownies and cookies. They are all making me drool, omg!

  53. #
    53
    chelsea rose — February 1, 2011 at 6:06 am

    I would definitely get a cookie and brownie combination. Both are sooooo delicious!!

  54. #
    54
    chelsea rose — February 1, 2011 at 6:09 am

    and i like them on facebook 🙂

  55. #
    55
    kayla — February 1, 2011 at 6:19 am

    i’d order the valentine’s sampler to send to my mother 🙂

  56. #
    56
    kayla — February 1, 2011 at 6:20 am

    i like geoff and drew on facebook!

  57. #
    57
    Jodonnell — February 1, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    toffee brownies!!

  58. #
    58
    Eva — February 1, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    My best friend is having a baby girl in 2 weeks, so I’d order the Pastel Mini Tower for her!

  59. #
    59
    Jen — February 1, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    I would get a cookie-brownie combo…best of both worlds!! ; )

  60. #
    60
    HeatherLynne13 — February 1, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    I would go for a cookie/brownie combo. Definitely the white chocolate cranberry cookies though!

  61. #
    61
    Tiffany and Ryan — February 1, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    I would order the white chocolate cranberry cookies. Everything on their site looks yummy!

  62. #
    62
    Daisy — February 1, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I stand by that statement. These cookies are heaven. sign me up for chocolate chip!

  63. #
    63
    Erin — February 1, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    I’d get the Pretty in Pink-the 12 cookies & 4 brownies. Yum! 🙂

  64. #
    64
    Daisy — February 1, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Liked them on Facebook!

  65. #
    65
    Daisy — February 1, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Tweeted 🙂

  66. #
    66
    Caroline — February 1, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    That giant brownie heart has my name on it!

  67. #
    67
    Cheryl — February 1, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Mmm. I am in love with brownies and my husband loves chocolate chip cookies so I’d order some of each! I “liked” them on FB also. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway!

  68. #
    68
    Becky — February 1, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Yum Yum Yum – I’d definitely get the Double Fudge Cookies!

  69. #
    69
    Helen — February 1, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    Too many goodies to choose just one, so I’d go with the Cookies, Brownies, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels & Buttercrunch combo!

  70. #
    70
    Amandaaldi — February 1, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Oh my god, probably the mint or toffee brownies!! Everything looks so good!
    And no, I hadn’t heard of them and I live in Cambridge!!

  71. #
    71
    Amandaaldi — February 1, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    I also just liked them on Facebook! 🙂

  72. #
    72
    Coleen — February 1, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    I think brownie sampler would be amazing. I would love to try the mint and toffee brownies especially.

  73. #
    73
    Marcie — February 1, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Wow, these look delish, I would order some brownies for me and my honey!

  74. #
    74
    Marcie — February 1, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Liked them on Facebook

  75. #
    75
    Nicole — February 1, 2011 at 7:57 pm

    Yum! I would love any of the cookie assortments!

  76. #
    76
    Jessie — February 1, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I would choose the I Love You Red brownie / cookie combo. Looks delish!

  77. #
    77
    Amber-Lyn Johnson — February 2, 2011 at 12:15 am

    I would use my winning certificate on a brownie and cookie assortment. They look yummy!

  78. #
    78
    Amber-Lyn Johnson — February 2, 2011 at 12:16 am

    I like Geoff and Drew’s Facebook Page

  79. #
    79
    Amber-Lyn Johnson — February 2, 2011 at 12:16 am

    I tweeted about the giveaway. Good luck everyone.

  80. #
    80
    Anthea — February 2, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    I tweeted!

  81. #
    81
    Anthea — February 2, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    Oh yes, and I’d get the double fudge cookies!

  82. #
    82
    DC2ALB — February 2, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    I would order the Silver Sampler for my best friend’s birthday. Might do that anyway…

  83. #
    83
    DC2ALB — February 2, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Tweeted it as @DC2ALB

  84. #
    84
    Susan O — February 2, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    I would order the toffee brownies or double fudge cookies–yum!!

  85. #
    85
    Susan O — February 2, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    I like Geoff and Drew on facebook!

  86. #
    86
    Aimee — February 2, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    I like the Winter Snowflake assorted brownies

  87. #
    87
    eatrunread — February 2, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    Oh wow! I want the Silver Assorted Brownies box! Yummm!

  88. #
    88
    Carly — February 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    OMG toffee brownies and double chocolate cookies. I’m drooling

  89. #
    89
    Carly — February 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    I like Geoff and drew on fb!

  90. #
    90
    susitravl — February 3, 2011 at 2:22 am

    I would definitely get the Double Fudge Cookies.
    susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

  91. #
    91
    susitravl — February 3, 2011 at 2:25 am

    Like Geoff & Drew on FB
    susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

  92. #
    92
    Linda — February 3, 2011 at 4:11 pm

    I’d want the Fall Foliage Gift Box. Sounds yummy!

  93. #
    93
    Elina (Healthy and Sane) — February 3, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    I remember everyone raving about these. I’d get the Yellow Celebration – 8 Cookies & 8 Brownies. It sounds like the perfect sampler 🙂

  94. #
    94
    Amanda L. — February 4, 2011 at 1:53 am

    I would probably get one of the variety samplers. Try one of each!

  95. #
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    Amanda L. — February 4, 2011 at 1:54 am

    I tweeted the giveaway!

  96. #
    96
    Lilmeyoga — February 4, 2011 at 3:05 am

    We call the buttercrunch, heaven in a bag!! 🙂

  97. #
    97
    Mary — February 4, 2011 at 3:31 am

    These are the best cookies and brownies. I hope my husband orders me some! 🙂

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