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Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes and Amazing Glazes Review

November 26, 2010 By 2 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to prepare and try Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes, as well as their new Amazing Glazes line, for this review.  While I am known for switching things up, and customizing recipes to suite me, I decided to stick to suggested preparation for these.

duncan hines decadent cakes review

As these came in not long before Thanksgiving, I decided to prepare the Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake first, and save the Apple Caramel one for Thanksgiving Day.  The box for the Chocolate cake contained two pouches of dry mix.  The smaller pouch contained the fudge chocolate gooey spots for the cake, while the other held the batter for the cake itself.  The prep of the mixes was very simple.  I had decided to make cupcakes, so the batter was poured into the cups, next a dollop of fudgy goodness was plopped on each cupcake, then into the oven.  Since I had both the chocolate and the vanilla Duncan Hines Amazing Glazes on hand, I tried my hand at making a feathered pattern on each cupcake, by coating in chocolate glaze, then stripes of vanilla, which I dragged a pick through in each direction.  As this was my first time doing this, the results were not so, as good as, they could be, but I still think they were pretty cool, and Duncan Hines Amazing Glazes sure made it a lot easier.

My husband did not know the name of these cakes when he announced that the cupcakes were %#$* chocolate decadence.  I guess they picked the right name, sans expletives…lol.

duncan hines apple caramel cake review

I made the Apple Caramel cake yesterday, for the holiday, and it ended out being the most popular dessert of the day.  It was incredibly moist, and the bits of apple had nice texture.  The caramel added a lush moistness to the dessert.  I drizzled a little of the vanilla Amazing Glaze over the cake, but I think this cake would stand on it’s own just fine.

Although I love chocolate cake, I would have to say the Apple Caramel cake was my favorite of the two.  I will definitely be trying the carrot cake from this line, after I take a little break from desserts.  I like that these inexpensive and easy to make mixes come across as carefully cultivated desserts, leaving me able to focus on meal preparation.  I also like that they are free of hydrogenated oils and trans fats.

Disclosure:  I was sent product samples, through the Family Review Network, for the purpose of this review .  All opinions presented here are my own.

Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts & Sweet Baked Goods, Food & Beverage Tagged With: , , ,

Dassant Premium Baking Mixes: Review and Giveaway (2 winners)

November 11, 2010 By

dassant LogoI was recently sent some premium baking mixes from Dassant, to try out for review.  The company has been producing quality baking mixes for over 30 years.  The purpose of these mixes is to produce made from scratch results, with an easy to prepare mix.

Last week I made their Chocolate Chocolate Chip cake, while the directions called for a single layer cake, I made a traditional round layer cake with chocolate frosting.  I just cut the baking time down, to make up for the shallowness of the layers.  The cake was truly a decadent chocolate experience, with a triple punch of chocolate.  The chips did have some subtle texture, but overall the cake was quite smooth, the little chips were a nice addition.  Next time I make this cake, I think I will make it Black Forest style, by adding some homemade cherry filling between the layers and decorating with white butter cream, chocolate covered cherries and chocolate shavings.

lemon curd filled lemon cake

This week, I made a Lemon Butter Cake with Lemon Curd Filling, with the Dassant Meyer Lemon Cake mix.  This is a must try cake.  It truly does not come across as a cake made from box mix, at all. Once again, I opted the make a double layer cake, I also substituted a butter & olive mixture in place of the vegetable oil, called for.  I simply melted around 4 tbs. of butter in my measuring cup, then topped off with olive oil to reach the necessary 1/2 cup of oil.  I also cut bake time down to 20 mins, to adjust for the difference in pans I used (2 – 9″ rounds).   I whipped up a small batch of lemon curd, from scratch, while the cake was cooking, but jarred lemon curd would do just fine.  Since, the cake was already very moist, and I didn’t want to take focus away from the cake & filling, I merely dusted the cake with confectioner’s sugar to finish.  My husband who is usually just a chocolate cake guy, has already made a big dent in this cake.  I will be making it again.

Dassant Baking Mixes can be made just as the instructions dictate, but they encourage their customers to get creative, and use their mixes as a foundation for more extravagant creations.  Dassant actually offers a large collection of recipes to try out with their mixes right on their website.

For a Limited Time Dassant is offering a 4-box trial package of their premium mixes,  for just $19.92 shipped.  These come nicely boxed and would make an excellent gift, for your favorite baker, or wannabe baker.  They would also be great to have on hand for holiday entertaining, as well.

Disclosure: While I was sent samples to try for the purpose of this review, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

dassant giveaway

Giveaway

(two winners)

Two lucky Blommi readers will each win a 6-pack of premium baking mixes, courtesy of Dassant.

Mandatory Entry (must be done for all other entries to count): Visit Dassant Premium Baking Mixes, and tell me which mix you most want to try.

For additional entries:

  • Follow this blog via email
  • Follow this blog via RSS
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow both @DassantBaking and @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to one time per day (account must be public and have at least 50 followers).
  • Become a fan (now called like) Blommi on Facebook
  • Become a fan (now called like)  Dassant on Facebook
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post (be sure to leave 2 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn.  Contest ends November 26, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to US residents , age 18+.

Confirmed winners Cynthia & Kelly

Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts & Sweet Baked Goods, Food, Food & Beverage Tagged With: , , , ,

Ann Clark Ltd. Cookie Cutters: Review and Giveaway

November 1, 2010 By

Ann Clark Ltd. offers a huge selection of American made cookie cutters, handcrafted in Vermont.  Cutters can be purchased individually, or in sets, and are available in copper, as well as, tin.  The shop has many unique styles, which you don’t commonly see, and prices are reasonable.

ann clark cookie cutters

I was sent a tea cup, gingerbread house, beehive and a haunted house cookie cutter, which came with a little ghost cutter with it.  The cutters were a little bigger than I expected, and all except the little ghost had a metal loop handle.  They are nice and sturdy, so should survive making cookies with the kids, quite fine.

Free Shipping & a Discount!    Ann Clark  offers free shipping on all orders of 3 or more items.  Blommi readers can also save 10% off their order with the code: BLGA32

Disclosure: While I received a sample for the purpose of this review, all opinions presented are entirely my own.  No compensation was given.

Giveaway

cookie cutter set

One lucky Blommi reader will win a Kids in the Kitchen 4 piece cookie cutter set.

Mandatory Entry (must be done for all other entries to count):  Visit the Ann Clark website and tell me your favorite cookie cutter (not mentioned above).

For additional entries:

  • Follow this blog via email
  • Follow this blog via feed.
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (can be done once daily) 
  • For 2 entries! “Like”  Blommi on Facebook (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 entries! “Like” Ann Clark on Facebook. (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post (blog must be public & have a minimum of 25 followers) 

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn.  Contest ends November 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to  US residents, age 18+.

Confirmed winner Britta

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Household Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Haunted House Cookies

October 20, 2010 By 11 Comments

haunted house cookies

I made this batch of haunted house cookies  a couple days ago.  A simple butter cookie dough recipe was used.  I then divided off a third of the dough and set aside for ghosts.  To the rest of the dough I added 1/3 cup cocoa powder & a 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.  After baking & cooling, the ghosts were dipped in a simple glaze of confectioners sugar with a splash of milk.  I was missing several food coloring colors, so I skipped ghost faces on this batch. I have to admit I was tempted to use a magic marker, and sacrifice one for a picture, but I have managed to avoid inedible tricks in all my pictures so far, and decided to stick with that pattern.

The crooked haunted house & ghost cookie cutter set used here is available at Ann Clark Ltd.  for just $3.99.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: , ,

Giveaway: Chocolate Bliss Cookbook & Nielsen-Massey Vanilla

July 8, 2010 By

At first it seemed a bit odd to receive a review offer, for a book about chocolate, from the representative of a high end vanilla company, but as I thought further on the subject, it all began to make sense. Chocolate and vanilla so often work hand in hand. The flavor of one, helping the other to reach higher heights in taste satisfaction. Many of the recipes in Chocolate Bliss make generous use of vanilla, and when one is using high quality cacao products, a cheap vanilla will simply not do. Hence, the connection with Nielson-Massey Vanilla.

chocolate bliss nielsen massey vanilla giveaway

Chocolate Bliss, by Susie Norris, is sort of an ode to chocolate, in all it’s forms. It is packed with information about the types of chocolate, health benefits, history, tasting, techniques and anything else a well informed chocolatier should know. In addition to edible recipes, there is also a health and beauty chapter, which features  recipes like Chocolate Soap and Hint of Cocoa Body Lotion.

Some of the more scrumptious looking offerings in this book are Artisan Caramel Bonbons (shown in cover pic), Black Forest Cupcakes (pictured below), and the enticingly exotic savory dish, Chicken with Mole Negro Sauce, which I am dying to try once I gather the extensive ingredient list.

blackforest cupcakes

All in all Chocolate Bliss is a nice little book which covers the ingredient of chocolate well.  It would make an excellent gift for the chocolate lover in your life.

Disclosure:  While I received a complimentary copy of the book for the purose of review, and have reviewed Nielsen-Massey vanilla in the past, all opinions presented here are my own and no monetary compensation was given.

Giveaway

The winner of this giveaway will receive both a copy of  Chocolate Bliss and a bottle of  Nielson-Massey Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, so they can get on with making terrific chocolate-vanilla concoctions.

Mandatory Entry (must be done for all other entries to count): Visit either the Chocolate Bliss website or the Nielsen-Massey website, and tell me something you learned (if you visit both make 2 separate comments, for an extra entry).

For additional entries:

  • Follow this blog via email or RSS
  • Follow me through Google Friend Connect
  • Follow @TwiMommi on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway up to one time per day.
  • Become a fan (now called like) Nielsen Massey Vanillason Facebook
  •  Become a fan (now called like) Blommi on Facebook 
  • For 2 entries! Grab my button and post it on your blog, or add Blommi.com to your blogroll.  Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment.  (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
  • For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post (be sure to leave 3 separate comments)

One winner will be selected from all valid entries, using the “and the winner is..” plug-in, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification.  If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn.  Contest ends July 22 , 2010 at 11:59 pm CT.  Open to US residents , age 18+.

Confirmed winner WCC 

Filed Under: Books, Food & Beverage Tagged With: , , ,

Wilton Giant Cupcake Pan Review

May 28, 2010 By 353 Comments

wilton giant cupcake pan

The Giant Cupcake cake pan from Wilton just came in for review,  so I of course, made a Giant cupcake for my daughter’s birthday.  I wanted something simple to make but cute, and this was just the thing.  I enjoy making cakes from scratch, but this time I went with box mix and a tub of white frosting.  Not only was this a time saver for me, but it ensures that anyone reading this can get the same results.

After unpackaging,cleaning the giant cupcake pan & preheating the oven, I covered the inside of the pan with a coat of non-stick spray, and a thin coat of flour, making sure to bang the pan well, to shake off any excess flour.

Giant Cupcake pan floured

I then prepared the batter according to directions and added it to the cake pan.

Wilton Giant cupcake pan filled with batter

The Giant Cupcake Cake ended out taking about the same amount of time, as the bundt cake timing listed on the cake mix box, before the tester pulled out clean.  I let it cool a couple minutes then turned the halves of the cake out on to racks to finish cooling.

I only had to cut off about a 1/4″ of the cake tops, to make them fit well together. here is how the giant cupcake would look without frosting.

Wilton Giant cupcake unfrosted

I decided to frost the whole giant cupcake.  While this will keep it moist, I would do it differently next time.  Instead, I would baste the sides of the bottom with glaze, and just frost the top of the cake.  I think it would look cuter than the results got today and still lock the moisture in.

Wilton Giant Cupcake

It is cute now, but I definitely think glazing the bottom half of the giant cupcake cake would have made for a much more successful presentation, and would have been easy to do. Even though my giant cupcake looked a little rough (due to my lame frosting job), it still tasted great and everyone thought it was cute.  My daughter liked it, and that was what was most important :)

The Wilton Dimensions Giant Cupcake pan is a nice heavy pan, providing even heat distribution.  The  pan also has a  good quality non-stick coating, ensuring easy release and cleanup.  With proper care, this cake pan should last for many years, in fact Wilton provides a lifetime warranty on it .  I will be making giant cupcakes in mine, for many years to come.

Disclosure: While I received a sample for the purpose of review, all opinions presented here are entirely my own.

Wilton Logo

The Wilton Giveaway is closed.

Congratulations to the confirmed winner ~ Debra F.  She won a Dimensions Giant Cupcake pan of her very own

Filed Under: Food & Beverage, Household Tagged With: , , ,

Apple-Cranberry Wheat Muffins Recipe

October 19, 2009 By 2 Comments
These tasty Apple-Cranberry Wheat muffins are easy to make, and the recipe is high in vitamins and fiber.

apple-cranberry_wheat_muffins

Apple-Cranberry Wheat Muffins Recipe
Print
Recipe type: Muffins
Author: Robin Gagnon
Prep time: 7 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 37 mins
Serves: 12-18
Ingredients
  • 1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 23 oz. jar of Applesauce
  • 2 lg. eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 5 oz. of dried cranberries
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add all the dry ingredients listed above applesauce and mix.
  3. Add remaining ingredients stir after each addition, add the cranberries last.
  4. Pour batter into greased (or non stick sprayed) muffin tins. Fill pretty much up to the top.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes. (larger muffins will take longer)
  6. Let cool for a few minutes, then remove muffins.
Notes

This recipe should produce 12-18 muffins depending on the size of your tins. ( I use tart pans that make 18 small/medium size muffins)

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Filed Under: Desserts & Sweet Baked Goods, Food, muffins, Recipes Tagged With: , ,
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