Day 5 of 12 Days of Christmas Fun: Gringerbread Cucpakes w/ Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting & a GIVEAWAY!!!

♪♫ On the 5^th day of Christmas Food, Folks, and Fun gave to me…♪♫

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting & a GIVEAWAY!

Cranberry-Pecan Chicken Salad

CHRISTmas Subway Art Printable

Thick & Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Christmas To-Do List Printables

 

I made these again recently and changed the garnish to fondant gingerbread men, so cute!

 

This is another recipe I made for the crafting event I was a part of recently, and everyone seemed to love these cupcakes! What I like most about them is that the gingerbread is not wimpy by any sense of the word…it’s flavorful, spicy, and delicious!

I got this recipe from the cook book of the ladies who are the owners of Georgetown Cupcakes (they have a show on TLC called “DC Cupcakes”). The cookbook is called “The Cupcake Diaries”. This is the first recipe I made from their cookbook and I am thoroughly impressed! My only complaint is that the number of servings is a bit off. The recipe in the book says it makes 12 cupcakes, but I got 24 from the recipe. Also, the frosting recipe was just enough to cover 12 cupcakes with their “signature swirl”, so I had to whip up another batch of frosting half-way through icing (no worries, I adjusted the recipe below so you won’t run into this problem). Other than this oversight, I LOVE the cookbook so far…so much that I am giving a copy away to one lucky reader PLUS a Decorating Tip Set (see below)!!!

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes:

2 ¾ C flour

3 T ground ginger (I told you they’re nice and spicy!)

2 t baking soda

1 ½ t ground cinnamon

½ t ground cloves

½ t ground nutmeg

¼ t salt

10 T unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 C packed dark brown sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 ¼ C molasses

1 C hot water

For the Frosting:

8 T unsalted butter, at room temperature

12 ozs cream cheese, at room temperature

8 C Confectioners’ sugar, sifted

½ t pure vanilla extract

4 t ground cinnamon

Directions:

For the Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard cupcake tins with 24 paper baking cups.

Sift together the dry ingredients, except for the brown sugar, and set aside.

Cream together butter and dark brown sugar in a bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer on high speed, about 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating slowly after each addition. Add the molasses, mixing until well incorporated.

Add one third of the dry ingredients and one third of the water and mix thoroughly. Repeat. Stop to scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the last third of the dry ingredients and one third of the water, and mix thoroughly.

Scoop the batter into the cupcake pan using a 4 tablespoon scoop (I used my trusty scoop), or if you don’t have a scoop, fill to about 2/3-3/4 full.

Bake at 350°F for 16-18 minutes (start checking at 15 minutes) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting:

Place all butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat until well combines. Add in the remaining frosting ingredients and beat until well combined.

Frost the cupcakes using a large round tip (I use Ateco’s extra wide pastry decorating tips from this kit) and a disposable piping bag. Garnish with your choice of sprinkles.

Makes 24-28 cupcakes

Source: from “The Cupcake Diaries”

***Now for the GIVEAWAY!***

One lucky winner will win a copy of “The Cupcake Diaries” and Ateco’s Extra Wide Pastry Decorating Set! Enter below via Rafflecopter’s form!

I’m linking this post up at:
Metamorphosis Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Skip to My Lou, Tip Me Tuesday, Today’s Creative Blog

Day 1 of 12 Days of Christmas Fun: Christmas To-Do List Printable

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, I sure did! It kept me super busy and away from the blog, but I’m back now with some exciting news…

From now until Christmas I’ll be posting a series entitled the “12 Days of Christmas Fun”. I will be posting a combination of 12 recipes, craft projects, and printables, and not to mention a few GIVEAWAYS along the way! So let’s get started!

♪♫ On the 1^st day of Christmas Food, Folks, and Fun gave to me…♪♫

Christmas To-Do List Printables

I’ve been busy making these to-do list printables and for me, they’re a necessity. I like making to-do lists but even more I love crossing/checking things off my to-do list!

Snowmen Holiday To-Do List

Snowmen Top Print:


Snowmen Bottom Print:

Hootin' Holiday To-Do List

Hootin' Holiday Top Print:

Hootin' Holiday Bottom Print:

Nativity To-Do List

Nativity Top Print:

Nativity Bottom Print:

To assemble your to-do lists you’ll need:

• 1 12”x36” frame (I got mine from Michaels, they go on sale often. The size they have in stock is 11.75”x36” and this will work just fine.)
• 1 set of 12”x18” prints (make sure to print both the top and bottom).
• Tape
• Sharpie marker

Assembly directions:

1. Take off the backing to the frame, and pop the prints in (you may need to trim them slightly depending on your frame).
2. Tape them together at the seam.
3. Put the backing back on the frame.
4. Use a Sharpie marker to write your to-do list on the glass.
5. Hang and get crackin’ on your to-do list!

*Note: To remove the sharpie from the glass, use Windex or some Clorox wipes (I’d suggest removing the glass from the frame so you don’t smudge the frame with sharpie while cleaning the glass).

Direction on ordering these prints from Costco:

***Please note that these are 12”x18” files!

1.      Save the Subway Art to your computer. Then when you go to the Costco website, click on PHOTO at the top and log in.

2.      Choose UPLOAD PHOTOS on the right sidebar. Choose the album you want to upload it to or start a new album.

3.      Select your photo by clicking on the arrow in the box and find where you saved the subway art and OPEN it.

4.      Under STEP 3 Select the FULL RESOLUTION UPLOAD. Then click on START UPLOAD.

5.      After that's loaded, select ORDER PRINTS on the right sidebar. Select the one you want and ADD TO CART.

6.      Under PRINT OPTIONS, I always select LUSTRE, but that's up to you. Under PRINT ORDER, select the size you want. (make sure to delete the 4x6 they already have selected. Then click CONTINUE.

7.      Choose your warehouse... and then on the PLACE ORDER screen, click on the EDIT OPTIONS and select DO NOT AUTOCORRECT MY PRINTS. Click CONTINUE.

8.      Make sure your order is correct and PLACE ORDER!

I’m linking this post up at:
Metamorphosis Monday, Menu Plan Monday , Skip to My Lou, Tip Me Tuesday, Today’s Creative Blog

Cheerios "Cheer" Prize Pack GIVEAWAY

Everyone can use a little pick me up now and then. But for the millions of military families manning the fort at home while their loved ones are away serving, a gesture of Cheer is especially welcome.

When our troops are called to serve, their families must rise to meet the challenges of service as well. To thank them, Cheerios® and the USO have partnered in a postcard campaign that spreads Cheer directly to these honorable military families and supports USO programs.

Here’s how it works: Now through November, 2012 at your local grocer, specially-marked boxes of Cheerios cereal will feature Cheer postcards on the front of the box.  Consumers can simply cut out the postcard from the Cheerios logo, write a message of thanks on the back, add a stamp and mail the pre-addressed card to the USO.  The USO will deliver the Cheer card to military families across the country.

For each postcard received through November 2012, Cheerios will make a $1 donation to the USO to help fund programs that support military families.

To kick off the campaign, Cheerios has already donated $150,000 to the USO and will donate up to an additional $100,000 based upon the number of postcards received from specially marked boxes now through November 30th, 2012.

Sending a "Cheer" postcard is a simple way to say thanks and lift the spirits of our country’s military families.  So, take a moment out of your day to spread some Cheer and send a message of thanks!

The Prize Pack will contain:

1 Cheerios cereal bowl

1 Cheerios cereal spoon

1 Cereal dispenser

1 "Cheer" box of Cheerios

Use the Rafflecopter Form below to enter!

DISCLOSURE:

Cheerios cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

1 Year Blogoversary Giveaway Results

I am SO excited to announce the winner of my 1-Year Blogoversary Giveaway! The lucky winner will receive a $50 gift card to TOMS Shoes, “The Best Ever Cupcake Decorating Kit” from Bake It Pretty, PLUS a 1-year Subscription to AmericasTestKitchen.com!

……………..........…………And the Winner Is……………….............

Comment # 252: Ashley Nicole

Thank you all SO much for entering my giveaway and supporting Food, Folks, and Fun!



Georgetown Cupcake's Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes & My 1-Year Blogoversary GIVEAWAY!

What better way to celebrate my 1 Year Blogoversay than with a yummy cupcake recipe and an AWESOME giveaway, right?!?!

Here's the perfect combination: moist and chocolaty cake with just the right amount of rich ganache frosting on top, add a sprinkling of chopped, toasted Hazelnuts and now you’ve got something! These cupcakes taste amazing and I think the best thing about them is that each has only 200 calories!

The cupcakes are best when served on the same day they are made. If the cupcakes are dipped once, you'll have about 1/2 cup of ganache left over (perfect for chocolate fondue!).

Cook’s Note: I used Ghirardelli cocoa powder for the cupcake, and Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips for the ganache. You REALLY need to use good-quality products here (sorry, Nestle or Hershey’s just won’t do).

Georgetown Cupcake's Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

1 1/4 C flour, sifted

1/2 t baking soda, sifted

1/4 t salt

8 T (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/4 C sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/4 t vanilla extract, preferably Madagascar bourbon

1 C whole milk, at room temperature

1/2 C good-quality cocoa powder, sifted

For the ganache frosting:

1/2 C heavy cream

1 C good-quality semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 C Chopped, toasted Hazel nuts for garnish (optional)

Directions:

For the cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard cupcake pan with 12 baking cups, and a second pan with 6 baking cups.

Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt on a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper.

Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer. Beat on medium speed until fluffy. Stop to add the sugar; beat on medium speed until well incorporated.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition.

Combine the vanilla extract and milk in a large liquid measuring cup.

Reduce the speed to low. Add one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, then gradually add one-third of the milk mixture, beating until well incorporated. Add another one-third of the flour mixture, followed by one-third of the milk mixture. Stop to scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the remaining flour mixture, followed by the remaining milk mixture, and beat just until combined.

Add the cocoa powder, beating (on low speed) just until incorporated.

Use a standard-size ice cream scoop to fill each cupcake paper with batter, so that the wells are two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes (start checking at 15 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the ganache frosting:

Lay a large piece of wax paper on the work surface.

Combine the heavy cream and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Fill a medium saucepan with an inch or two of water and place over medium-low heat. Place the bowl over the saucepan and let the mixture melt, stirring until it is shiny and smooth.

To Assemble:

Remove the bowl of chocolate ganache from the saucepan; let it cool slightly, for 2 to 3 minutes. Working with 1 cupcake at a time, carefully dip each cupcake top in the warm ganache, twisting your wrist as needed to make sure the cupcake top gets completely coated. To prevent drips, quickly turn the cupcake right side up and place on the wax paper. Allow the ganache to set for 5 minutes before serving.

Garnish with chopped, toasted Hazel nuts if desired.

Makes 18 cupcakes

Source: Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis, co-owners of Georgetown Cupcake for The Washington Post, November 5^th, 2008 

*Now for the Giveaway*

One winner will receive a Prize Pack of all 3 of my Favorite Things:

1.   A 1-year subscription to America’s Test Kitchen

·         You may have noticed that I have an obsession with America’s Test Kitchen recipes. For me, they are hands-down THE best recipe source for the home cook.

2.   The Best-Ever Cupcake Icing Kit from Bake it Pretty

·         The tips in this kit are huge and just perfect for icing cupcakes. Almost every cupcake recipe on my blog has been iced using this kit. Here’s their Icing Kit video:

3.   A $50 gift card to TOMS SHOES

·         I love my TOMS and my daughter, Mia’s too. They are cute, comfy, and stylish. What I love even more about them is that for each pair of TOMS you buy, they’ll donate a pair to a child in need. Here, watch their video (the first time I watch it I totally cried!):

Mia rockin' her silver glitter TOMS.

***The Giveaway will end on Monday, October 24^th at 11:59 PM PST. I will pick a winner via random.org and I will announce and email the winner on Tuesday, October 25^th.

Entries:
There are 5 ways to enter! Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry. Make sure each comment includes your e-mail address so I can contact the winner!

1.  Follow Food Folks and Fun (look in the upper left-hand column)

2.  “Like” Food Folks and Fun on Facebook

3.  Follow Food Folks and Fun on Twitter

4.  Subscribe to Food Folks and Fun (form in the left-hand column)

5.  Blog/Tweet/or Facebook this giveaway for 3 ADDITIONAL ENTRIES!  

Restrictions: Open to US & Canadian residents only, age 18 and over.


Good Luck everyone and thanks for supporting me through my very first year of blogging! J

Disclaimer: I have not received any compensation, products, or services from any of the companies included in this post. This is a giveaway sponsored by and paid for by me!J

I’m linking this post up at:
Metamorphosis Monday
Menu Plan Monday
Skip to My Lou
Tip Me Tuesday
Today’s Creative Blog

And the Winner is...

Congratulations! Comment #5, Amy, you are the winner of the Uprinting.com customized labels giveaway! I will e-mail you shortly!

Thanks to Uprinting.com for hosting the giveaway and for all of you for entering!

Note: I picked the winner via Random.org

Customized Labels Giveaway!!!

I am so excited to host this giveaway! The fantastic folks at UPrinting.com are giving one lucky reader 250 customized labels that are 2″ x 3.5″ with 70lb label matte, front only printing, with a 4 business day turnaround! Valued at about $40!

Examples of the Customizable Product!

UPrinting labels are so versatile and can be used in different ways: getting your logo on your product (great for Etsy shop owners), organizing your kid’s schools supplies and other belongings, decorating water bottles and other food items for themed parties, branding and marketing, etc. I personally plan on putting my logo on packaged baked goods for customers or family & friends. It’s such an easy way to get your name or business out there and it looks so professional to boot!

The Label Templates that Uprinting provide make it so easy to get a professional-looking product. I love that they offer their templates in a variety of platforms (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, Publisher, etc) so you can use the one you feel most comfortable with!

Besides labels, UPrinting.com offers business cards, business card magnets, brochures, and more…go check them out!

*Now for the Giveaway*

One winner will receive–250 Labels: 2″ x 3.5″ 70lb Label Matte, Front Only Printing, with a 4 Business Day turnaround. Valued at about $40!
The Giveaway ends on Sunday, 8/14 at 11:59 PM PST. I will announce and email the lucky winner on Monday, 8/15.

Mandatory Entry:
*Leave a comment telling me what you’d use these fabulous, customized labels for. 

Bonus Entries:
*Follow UPrinting on Facebook and leave a comment below telling me so.
*Follow UPrinting on Twitter and leave a comment below telling me so.
*Become a follower of Food, Folks, and Fun and leave a comment below telling me so (or just simply leave a comment if you’re already a follower).
*Follow Food, Folks and Fun on Facebook or Twitter and leave a comment below telling me so (or just simply leave a comment if you’re already a follower).

Restriction: Limited to US residents, 18 years old and above only.

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive labels for hosting. Check out standard label templates at UPrinting.com.

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream and a GIVEAWAY!

*****PLEASE NOTE: This giveaway is now closed!


I am SO excited to share this post with you because not only does it include **THE** best ice cream recipe on the planet, it also includes a fabulous giveaway!

Bridgette from Oh So Girly is not only hooking up one lucky reader with a $15 credit to her store (with free shipping), but she is also sharing a recipe with you!

A couple of weeks ago Bridgette had us over for dessert and games and she entertained our taste buds with seriously THE best ice cream I’ve ever had! It’s called Strawberry & Pretzel Cheesecake Ice Cream…that’s right, you heard me correctly: strawberries, pretzels, cheesecake, AND ice cream! <squeal> If you’re a cheesecake fan, you’re going to especially love this recipe! Bridgette got the recipe from Hello my name is Heather. Click here for the recipe!

Now onto the giveaway!

Bridgette is giving away a $15 credit to her store (with free shipping)! $15 goes a LONG way in her shop because her prices are ridiculously reasonable for such high quality products. Here are some of my favorites from her site:

Perfect bow for the upcoming holiday and ONLY $3!

So cute and only $2!

$1...are you kidding me!?!

Super cute and only $3!





Now, here’s how to enter the giveaway:

Mandatory Entry: Check out Oh So Girly and write a comment telling me your favorite product.

Bonus Entries:

·        Follow Oh So Girly & tell me

·        “Like” Oh So Girly on Facebook & tell me

The Giveaway will end on Monday, June 27^th at 11:59 PM PST. I will pick a winner via random.org and I will email the winner on Tuesday, June 28^th. Good luck everyone!!

I’m linking this post up at:

Metamorphosis Monday

Menu Plan Monday

Skip to My Lou

Tip Me Tuesday

Today’s Creative Blog

And the Winner Is....

Congratulations, Amanda Thompson! You are the winner of the bamboo cutting board and free pizza certificate from Freschetta!

Thanks to all who entered!

Freschetta® Simply... Inspired™ Pizzas Giveaway

This post brought to you by FRESCHETTA®. All opinions are 100% mine.
I'm so excited today to share with you Freschetta's new pizza:  FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™(And not to mention a *GIVEAWAY* for a lucky reader!)

 

The FRESCHETTA® brand is all about fresh taste—they believe frozen pizzas shouldn’t simply taste better—it should be better. Fresh tomatoes, naturally rising crusts, all real cheese, and spring wheat flour all help create a high quality, fresher tasting frozen pizza. No other frozen pizza tastes like FRESCHETTA® because no other pizza is made like FRESCHETTA® - and their new line is no exception.
FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ pizzas feature larger cuts of fresh tasting vegetables, a thin, light crispy crust, flavorful, real cheeses and signature sauces - creating deliciously different pizzas from toppings to bottom.

The six distinctive flavor varieties include:
 

Southern BBQ Recipe Chicken ~ Classic Southern flavors blend to perfection: grilled white meat chicken and roasted red onions piled on a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and topped with real mozzarella and gouda.
Rustic Pepperoni Pomodoro ~ Classic meets cutting edge: thick slices of pepperoni, Shiite mushrooms and roasted red peppers layered over a zesty red sauce, topped with signature blend of cheeses and spices. 
Hawaiian Style ~ With a mix of savory Canadian bacon and bacon, mozzarella cheese, pineapple and a bold, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, our pizza is a fresh approach to a classic favorite.
Classic Bruschetta ~ Bringing vibrant flavors to life, this pizza offers a creamy tomato and garlic pesto sauce, roma tomatoes and roasted garlic topped by a blend of premium cheeses. 
Harvest Supreme ~ Enjoy the sensation of fresh-picked vegetables straight from the harvest, real cheeses and flavorful sauces in a pizza you would expect from your favorite restaurant. 
Farmers Market Veggie ~ It’s like a walk through the farmer’s market. With marinated and roasted portabella mushrooms, rough cut tomatoes, roasted red onion and zucchini, this pizza bursts with fresh tasting flavors.

Plus two Limited Edition flavors available now:
 

Chicken Bianco ~ Love it before it leaves. This limited edition pizza features grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, black olives and spinach. We add a creamy Alfredo sauce and savory herb blend. It’s a light, flavorful pizza for anytime.
Tuscan Farmhouse ~ The flavors of Italy run deep in this limited edition pizza. With marinated and roasted mushrooms, roasted red onion and spinach, mozzarella and parmesan. Try it before it’s gone! 

I had the pleasure of trying the Harvest Supreme this week and I have to say it was seriously the best tasting frozen pizza that I’ve ever had.  When it comes to pizza I am a sucker for thin, crispy crust and fresh ingredients…and this pizza had it all!

There’s also good news on the packaging as these pizzas are wrapped and sealed using the new Fresch-Taste Seal packaging. The seal locks in the vibrant flavors while using 30% less packaging material. Plus there is a clear window to take a peek at what you’re buying instead of it being a mystery.
To learn more about the FRESCHETTA® brand and locate a store near you check out the FRESCHETTA® site {{here}} - There is also a printable coupon available - just click on 'pizza coupons' at the top!

**And Now for the GIVEAWAY!**

As a special treat, my wonderful friends at FRESCHETTA® have graciously offered to give one lucky reader a Coupon for a Complimentary FRESCHETTA® Simply…Inspired™ Pizza and a Bamboo Cutting/Cheese Board (as shown below).

To Enter This Giveaway:

1.  Leave a comment telling us your own personal favorite pizza topping combinations (one entry)
For Additional Entries:
2. Follow FRESCHETTA® on Twitter (here) (leave a separate comment - one entry)
3.  Follow FRESCHETTA® on Facebook (here) (leave a separate comment - one entry)

**This giveaway will end Sunday, May 15^that 11:59 P.M. PST!