Saturday, April 30, 2011

Blog Carnival and Cook Book Giveaway



Welcome To the Freak Show!
For the Blog Carnival giveaway, one commentor will win their choice of cookbooks.  One freakin winner will be able to  choose between Biscuit Bliss by James Villas or Cupcakes From the Cakedoctor by Ann Byrn.  Both are brand new books and you can see my reviews below.  Please leave a comment and tell me which book you would prefer and around midnight at the end of the blog hop on May 8th, the winner will be randomly chosen.  Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you will come back soon!  Thank you also to the ladies at Pure Imagination Blog, Candaces Book Blog, Book Swarm and Reading Angel  for hosting this Hop!

This book makes my mouth water!  I love biscuits!  I will list one of my favorite biscuit recipes here.  It is for Angel Biscuits.  If you have never tasted an Angel biscuit, you must try this because they taste like they are straight from Heaven.  This recipe says these books are often called Brides Biscuits because using double leavening can guarantee them to be feather light. (the first taste I had of these was at a Bridal Breakfast in Natchez Ms and I embarrased myself because I couldn't stop eating them!)
Ingredients:
1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 TBS sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chilled vegetable shortening
1 cup buttermilk

1.  In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water, stir and set aside to proof.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Add the shortening and cut in with a pastry cutter or rub with your fingers until the mixture is mealy.  Add the yeast mixture and buttermilk and stir with a fork until soft, sticky dough forms.
3.  Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, form into a ball, roll out 1/2" thick and cut out more rounds.  Arrange the rounds close together on a baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm area about 1 hour.
4.  preheat oven to 400 degrees.
5.  Bake the biscuits in the center of the oven till golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

Some of the other recipes in this book are, Cloud Biscuits, Cathead Biscuits, Butter ogurt Biscuits, Stovetop Biscuits, Cheddar BiscuitsOrange Cream Scones and many more.
Makes about 20 biscuits.

This great book is full of cupcake ideas and they are all easy to make!  It also has icing recipes and muffin recipes.  There are Wedding Day Cupcakes, Ice cream cone cupcakes, Monster Monkies, Groundhog Day Cupcakes, Lemonade Angel Cupcakes and oh so many more.  This will be a great book for anyone with children, while at the same time being great for anyone with a sweet tooth.  Here is recipe from the book for : 

Key Lime cupcakes
These are part Pie and Part Cupcake
Ingredients
1 large lime, scrubbed for 1 tsp zest and 2 Tbs juice
4 large eggs
1 pkg(18.25 ounces) plain yellow cake mix
1 pkg(3.4 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp coconut flavoring
Filling
1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup key lime Juice
Coconut Meringue
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
Reserved 3 large egg whites1/2 tsp coconut flavoring
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1.  Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners.  Set the pans aside.
2.  Prepare the cupcake batter; zest the lime and cut and juice and reserve 2 Tbs of juice.  Separate 3 of the eggs, place whites in a large bowl and the yolks in another.
3.  Add the remaining egg, cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, coconut flavoring and lime zest and juice to the yolks.  Blend with electric mixer on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more.  spoon or scoop 1/4 cup batter into each lined cup, filling 2/3 full.  Place in oven.
4.  Bake until golden, 18-22 minutes.  Remove the pans and place on wire racks to cool 5 minutes.  Increase oven to 450 degrees.
5.  Prepare filling.  Place condensed milk and key lime juice in a small bowl and stir to combine.  Spoon mixture into a pastry bag with medium tip.  Press tip 1/4 inch into top center of each cake and squeeze about 1 Tbs into each cooked  cupcake.
6.  Prepare Meringue.  Add the cream of tarter to the reserved egg whites and beat with electric mixer on high until frothy, about 45 seconds.  Add the coconut flavoring and 1 Tbs of sugar at a time, until the whites form stiff peaks.  Spoon 2 Tbs meringue onto neach cupcake and swirl.  Place them in the oven and bake until golden, 5-6inutes. Serve at once or cool 10 minutes.
Makes 24 Cupcakes
Don't forget to leave a comment stating which cookbook you would like to win!  This giveaway is open to all, I will mail the book internationally!

57 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway~
    I would love to win Biscuit Bliss =D

    my email is serenekua AT gmail DOT com

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  2. Great giveaway..my mouth is watering.
    kr_moreau at doglover dot com

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  3. I would love the biscuit bliss cookbook.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  4. Great cookbooks. My husband would love Biscuit Bliss.


    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  5. I love Cupcakes!
    USMMeg@aol.com

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  6. I would LOVE to get cupcakes: Cake Doctor!!! my huband might kill me for all the sweets (Military member) but who can say no to CUPCAKES!!!?? =D
    Great Giveaway!

    Tezza
    TValeros18 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  7. I would love to win Biscuit Bliss. rhisomers(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Biscuit Bliss would be my book to win because I
    still can't make a decent biscuit.
    Actually, either book would be nice.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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  9. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Would love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor
    jenhedger at hotmail dot com

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  10. Yummy! I'd like the Cupcakes from the Cake Dr.
    Thanks for the giveaway and recipes~
    grantandannette(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. I would love CUPCAKES FROM THE CAKE DOCTOR.

    marypres@gmail.com

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  12. Thanks for the giveaway I would love to have Biscuit Bliss.

    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  13. Yummy I'm hungry now. Biscuit Bliss please.

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. The recipes and book covers really have me going here. I would love to win either book really but in all honesty, I would reach for the "Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor" book first. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.

    LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

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  15. Both look and sound awesome. I think I'd like the Cupcakes one.
    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

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  16. I'd love to win Cupcakes! :)

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

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  17. Thanks for being a part of the carnival blogs. Both books look good. Thanks for sharing a recipe from both. But I'm currently big into baking cupcakes so I'd probably lean more towards Cupcakes from the Cupcake Doctor by Ann Byrn.
    Jessica
    jessangil at gmail dot com

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  18. I would love Cupcakes From the Cakedoctor by Ann Byrn! Thanks for the chance to win!
    mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

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  19. I'd love a chance at cupcakes from the cake doctor. Thanks.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  20. Cupcakes from the cake doctor looks awesome.

    jlkalman26 at gmail dot com

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  21. Cake Doctor book is my pick, mahalo!!!!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. Both books sound great but I think the Cupcakes From the Cakedoctor book would be amazing. Thanks!
    amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  23. "Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor" Hooray would love to win this book.
    Thank you for the chance to win
    cindymacbeth at gmail dot com

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  24. I would love to win Biscuit Bliss.

    hopester777 at gmail dot com

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  25. I'd love a chance to win Biscuit Bliss, please.

    ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca

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  26. Wow, I love them both-makes my mouth water. I think I'll go with cupcakes though and go crazy eating the batter ;) I love your doggle picture at the top of the page, he is so funny and cute! edysicecreamlover18@gmail.com Krystal L.

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  27. You can imagine the waterfall that is my mouth right now. Haha.
    I'd love Biscuit Bliss, especially as a gift to my mom. She loves desserts, and so do I!
    Thank you so much for this chance :D
    I'm a GFC follower - Jade Teo

    legally_write[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  28. I would like either one but would choose Biscuit Bliss first.
    Thank you for the giveaway! :D

    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'd like Biscuit Bliss. Thanks so much for the giveaway.

    jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'd love to win Biscuit Bliss by James Villas. Thanks bunches for the giveaway! :)

    Kris
    elfdrop AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win Cupcakes From the Cakedoctor by Ann Byrn

    Christie
    swaggirl01 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for the giveaway! I would love to win Cupcakes From the Cakedoctor by Ann Byrn
    greekpatty13(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'd love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor! Thanks for the giveaway!
    jackie_love35@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for the chance to win!

    I would love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor.

    methom@earthlink.net

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  35. Biscuit Bliss!

    simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

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  36. I'd love to win, I can always use more recipes :)

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

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  37. Thanks for the chance. i would love Cupcakes from the cake doctor. love to make them for my toddler :)

    uniquas at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank you for the great giveaway! I would happy with either book, they both look delicious :-D

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

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  39. Thanks for the giveaway! Please enter me for the cupcake book!

    xxsquigglesxx(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is an awesome blog!!!! I can't believe I've never seen it before!! As much as I love to bake sweets & Cakes.....I have to go with the Biscuit book.

    Those Biscuits are awesome!! So, if I win.....I would love to have the Biscuit Bliss book!

    I love cookbooks, recipes, anything to do with cooking! This is a great blog!

    blazesandbubbles AT gmail DOT com
    readingwithbakingoddess.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Cupcakes please! om nomnomnom!

    Thank you for the giveaway. :)

    ceeenndee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great giveaway! This is a hard decision but I think Im going to go with Biscuit Bliss! Thanks

    elainareads AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would love to have Biscuit Bliss cookbook.

    dl(dot)love(dot)freedom(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I would like the Cupcakes From the Cakedoctor by Ann Byrn

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thank you for the excellent giveaway. I would love to be entered for the cupcake cookbook.

    GFC follow as seriousreader

    seriousreader at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would love to win Biscuit Bliss :)

    jo.tee35 AT gmail DOT com

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  47. Thanks for the great giveaway.
    It's great that your giving away cookbooks, I think that even if I don't win I will buy Biscuit Bliss (it looks great :P)

    please enter me for Bicuit Bliss.

    shawrebecca13@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Great giveaway! I'd love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor.

    crackaspinebookreviews[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Ooo Biscuit Bliss please!

    Thanks so much for this chance!

    reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor.
    sarahthehobbit at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'd love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor :D They look nommy :)

    aprilxu2222@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'd love to win Cupcakes from the Cake Doctor!
    Best wishes and thanks for a chance to win this fantabulous giveaway!
    Chanticlear1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Biscuit Bliss would make my little girls VERY happy! They LOVE biscuits!

    stimble(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Yum! I'm a new GFC follower.

    annettekz2@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. What an awesome giveaway.. I'm like drooling on myself over here.. they both look super delicious but I'd go for the cupcake one myself :) Yum!


    email swtlilangel4jc at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Book of Biscuits for me thanks
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete