Monster Cookie Mix & Desserts in Jars Giveaway
You know what's really awesome? Being friends with super smart people. I don't claim to be the smartest person on the block, but I do claim to know some of them. Case in point: Shaina Olmanson.
Shaina and I've been friends for a while, meeting in person for the first time at BlogHer Food in 2010. I noticed her out of the corner of my eye, and kid you not, thought she was 18. I know it drives the mother of four crazy, but she really does look like a gorgeous girl no older than 20.
So let me tell you about my friend Shaina. She's wicked smart. She was once a musician, though I've never heard her play (it's on my bucket list, actually). She has four great kids, and her youngest, Magnus, may have stolen my heart entirely. (Don't tell David, Ava, Noah, Mateo, Clara, or Reese!)
And quite simply, she's one of the best food writers there is. Seriously. Have you read her posts? If you're one of those folks that eyes the recipe and glances at the editorial, I beg you - don't do that over at Shaina's blog, Food For My Family. Every post is filled with beautiful prose that has inspired me, brought me to tears, or made me smile ridiculously (and sometimes all in the same post!).
You might have heard that Shaina wrote a book, called Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats that Shine. You might worry that 50 recipes of desserts in jars would get repetitive, or the writing a bit monotonous. I'm here to tell you unequivocally: Desserts in Jars is a book you want in your cookbook collection. Each recipe is unique, and each page is a pleasure to read. The photos are gorgeous, and I want to eat every single thing in it*
*I reserve the right to refuse to eat anything containing blueberries, of which there are only two recipes in the book. A win in my anti-blueberry column, if I do say so.
All that being said, one of my favorite things about the book is the section on make ahead mixes that can be given as gifts. Nothing says love like a homemade gift, and they aren't so hard on the pocketbook either. Combined with Shaina's book, you've got an excellent hostess gift or gift for a fellow cook in your life that they'll be delighted to receive.
How'd you like to win a signed copy of Desserts in Jars, plus the Monster Cookie Mix from the book, made by yours truly?
Now for the recipe so you can make your own Desserts in Jars gift!
Monster Cookies Mix
Ingredients
½ up granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 ¼ cup rolled oats
¾ cup candy-coated chocolate candies or chocolate chips (I used Peanut Butter M&Ms)
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Wash and dry a 1 quart Mason jar.
In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix well, then pour into the Mason jar.
Top with 1 ⅛ cup rolled oats. Add the candies in one layer, then the brown sugar. Add the remaining 1 ⅛ cup rolled oats, and then the walnuts.
Close and seal the lid, and attach a label with the following instructions:
To Make Monster Cookies
¾ cup smooth or chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and eggs in a large bowl. Add the contents of the jar. Use a cookie scoop to scoop 2" balls, and set them on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the tops of the cookies begin to brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Important Details:
-This giveaway is open to USA residents only and will run until Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.
-Winner(s) will be generated via a random number generator software program. Winner will be notified via the contact email provided on the comment contact form.
-Winner(s) will have until 12/20/12 to claim their Desserts in Jars giftpack or we will choose another winner.
-Winner will receive (1) autographed Desserts in Jars: 50 Sweet Treats that Shine book (1) quart jar recipe of Monster Cookies Mix made by Amber Bracegirdle. Product will be shipped by Amber Bracegirdle.
-This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
Disclosure:
This giveaway is provided to you by Amber Bracegirdle of Bluebonnets & Brownies. The book, jar, and ingredients were purchased by me. All opinions stated here are my own.
Links to Amazon contained within this post are Amazon affiliate links. If you click this link and then later buy something on Amazon, Bluebonnets & Brownies will make a few cents from your purchase.
[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Monster Cookie Mix & Desserts in Jars Giveaway - - - [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
I'll never out smart my smartest friend, I turn to her for advise, chit chat or just hang out. 🙂
My smartest friend is my hubby. I love him dearly and I also admire him and his ability to handle any situation with aplomb.
My smartest friend is my oldest sister! I love her so much because she has never given me bad advice and she let me make my own mistakes but yet was there to catch me when I would fall!
My husband is DEFINITELY the smartest friend i have. he is an amazing, clever writer and i am always in awe of him. 🙂
great giveaway!
I appreciate all my friends for who they are and that includes my family. I have a brother though that skipped 1st grade .they wanted him to skip second too. But my parents didn't want him to. Then when he was in college they wanted him to skip a year and just go onto another year. I love my brother for who he is
My husband is the smartest guy on the planet! I'm so glad he's mine! Now, if I can just win that book you're so generously giving away ... !!
One of the smartest people I know is my husband, you tell him he can't do something and he will prove it can be done. He can fix anything.
She's witty and smart and that combo is perfect!
My smartset friend is my CAT.
My smartest friend is my college roommate Angelyn! I love that she and I can quote all of our favorite shows together and that she always knows what to say to make me smile!
My smartest friend is my other half. He's so intelligent and my bestest friend ever!
I have a lot of smart friends, but the smartest is probably my little sister - she's 7, but so bright, such a quick learner, and so socially perceptive!
My smartest friend is my Grandma. She seems to know just about everything 🙂
I have many smart friends. The most creative is Julie who can look at things at craft shows and figure out how to make them; see junk in a thrift store and know how to make it into something cute; and buy new items to decorate in a unique and clever way. She's also got way with a recipe and brings a cooler full of treats to our get-togethers.
My smartest friend is my husband, who can whip me at Scrabble with such an evil sparkle in his blue eyes! I love him, even as I kick him under the table.