Layer Cake Shop Giveaway - Winners!

Apologies are in order for my recent lack of posts.  There has been A LOT going on this summer and I would be lying if I said I'm not exhausted!  These are the days I wish I was in school again so I had the whooooooole summer free. Do you ever feel that way?

Thank you all for waiting so patiently for me to pick the winners of my first contest from the Layer Cake Shop! 

I promise (pinky pinky promise) to be prompt with these things next time! I had 24 total entries for this contest and that was awesome.  I loved hearing what flavor of cupcakes were your favorite.  As for myself - I love sooo many different flavors but if I had to pick just one, I would probably go with chocolate/peanut butter. YUM!

It was so much fun picking the winners that I decided to not only pick two...

That's right - I picked a third winner!

Congratulations to the below individuals on each winning a $15 gift certificate to the Layer Cake Shop.  Please e-mail me at bakingitonmyown@gmail.com to claim your prizes!

Winner #1 - Billie Hester

Winner #2 - Brittany L.

Winner #3 - Aireen Arellano

 

We have been entertaining my grandmother and dad for the past week and are looking forward to going to Maine this weekend for some delicious lobsta!  I am really excited to spend the weekend with them as well as my in-laws.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I can't wait to catch you up on all the fun stuff we've been up to next week!
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Disclaimer:  Layer Cake Shop kindly donated one of the three prizes in this giveaway and I am contributing the others. My opinions are my own - I just love the shop and wanted to let you have an opportunity to love their great products just as much as I do!

Giveaway! My Favorite Baking Supplies - 1st Edition

Happy Monday!!

My sincerest apologies for being a bit absent the past few weeks or so.  I've been working on some really great things that I can't wait to share with you all in the coming weeks/months.  I'm starting to feel like free time in the summers is almost non-existent.  Does anyone else feel that way!?

Anyway... to make it up to you I've got something GREAT to share with you today. And by great - I really mean: fantastic, wonderful and totally awesome!

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared this post?  And then shared one of my favorite recipes to make using said baking supplies.

Well - because I love ya AND because I very much so appreciate all the support you have given me and this blog, I am going to be giving away two $15 gift certificates to one of my absolute favorite online baking supply stores - LAYER CAKE SHOP!

I absolutely love every. single. thing. in this little vintage inspired baking supply shop!  If you are looking to jazz up your cookies or cupcakes - Layer Cake Shop definitely has all of the necessary supplies to get the job done (... and in the cutest way possible, might I add).

My absolute favorite thing to order are the grease proof cupcake liners that I mentioned in my Favorite Baking Supplies post.  These are the first liners that I have ever used that hold their vibrant colors after baking and I highly recommend them.

Here are the nitty gritty details on how to enter this giveaway.

(1) Leave a comment at the bottom of this post answering the following question:

What is your favorite cupcake flavor!?

If you would like additional opportunities to win you can do any or each of the bonus entry options below (for up to 4 additional entries).

(2) LIKE Baking it on My Own on Facebook.  Come back and leave a separate comment letting me know you did so.

(3) Follow @Baking it on My Own on Twitter.  Come back and leave a separate comment letting me know you followed.

(4) Add Layer Cake Shop as a friend on Facebook.  Come back and leave a separate comment letting me know you did so.

(5) Following Baking it on My Own on Pinterest! Come back and leave a separate comment letting me know you are following.

NOTE:  If you already are a fan of BIOMO on Facebook or already follow me on Twitter, just simply leave a comment (at the bottom of this post) letting me know you already do so!

This contest ends Monday, July 30th, 2012 at 6pm EST.  Winners will be chosen by Random.org and will be e-mailed/notified.  The two winners will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.  If no response is received with 48 hours - new winners will be chosen. 

GOOD LUCK!

Disclaimer:  Layer Cake Shop kindly donated one of the two prizes in this giveaway and I am contributing the other. My opinions are my own - I just love the shop and wanted to let you have an opportunity to love their great products just as much as I do!

Happy Birthday, America!

I hope you all had a wonderful July 4th holiday.  I really wish that I had taken some more time off of work because having a day off was definitely too good to be true.

Carl and I spent our day yesterday doing miscellaneous odds and ends around the house.  We also made sure we got a few naps, good food and games in as well.

Here is a little recap of our mini fourth of July celebration.



Wilmington Fireworks with Amanda and Tim! 
Pic courtesy of my BIL @beingboston



Lots of snuggles with my favorite little firecracker



Blockus Domination - even Carl's good luck charm couldn't help him!

But he redeemed himself winning three games in a row of ladderball.
Appropriately festive, eh?



Land of the free and home of the brave.
A true test of burger bravery - homemade Adirondack burgers. DELISH!

All in all it was a perfect low-key day!

Thank You to all who have served and continue to serve our great country.  It is because of you that our independence and freedom is maintained and honored.

God bless you all and God bless America!!

What did you do to celebrate America's birthday?

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a splendid weekend!!

Ours was filled with sunshine, air-conditioning, glutony, 

outdoor games, running, fun times with great friends,

endless episodes of Swamp People (creepily intriguing) 

and...

relaxation!

AHHHH - pure bliss.

Here's hoping your weekend was just as great!

xoxo

Please go and share your support for Baking it on My Own on Facebook. 

As soon as the page received 100 likes, I'll be doing a "sweet" giveaway you definitely don't want to miss!

Hint hint - it has to do with this.

HAPPY MONDAY!

The Best Banana Bread Ever

TGIF! 

Today I am sharing the perfect recipe to make this weekend - The moistest, tastiest, delicious banana bread... EVER!

I know... I know... there are no less than 48098264876500129858 banana bread recipes currently in existence - but this one is really special.  Something definitely worth bragging about.

You just have to trust me that this is as good as I say it is.  You do trust me, right?

The Best Banana Bread Ever

Makes 1 large loaf, two medium loaves or four small loaves

1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup butter - melted and slightly cooled
1 - 2 tablespoon(s) cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray large loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine the first 4 ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt and sugar) in a large mixing bowl.

Add mashed bananas and lightly beaten eggs.  Stir until just combined.

Gently stir melted butter into batter. 

Pour mixture into a large loaf pan and lightly sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean - about 40-50 minutes.

NOTE:  Cooking times are approximate.

If you have an abundance of ripe bananas but are not able to bake with them right away - don't fret!  Did you know that they freeze wonderfully?  Just stick them in the freezer whole and take them out a half hour to an hour before you are ready to bake.

This recipe is an equal opportunity appeal-er (HA) - feel free to mix in anything that suits your fancy.  Chocolate chips, walnuts, almonds, pecans - all taste great ... the possibilities are endless!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Stay cool!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.