Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Cookie no-dough ice cream and bake it pretty giveaway


Bake it pretty giveaway after recipe!




Sugar. It's my weakness. For the past few months (read: years) I've been battling the addiction. I really love my sweets. I love ice cream, cookies, cakes, muffins, and candy. Even really cheap "gross" candy.

I don't want to be addicted to the stuff but I also don't want to give up something that I get so much enjoyment from. That is where balance comes in.

I'm sugar "fasting" for six days a week. No brown sugar on my steel-cut oats in the morning, no sweet and sour tofu, no spaghetti sauce (unless homemade without sugar), ect. But one day a week I'll bake and eat whatever sweet I desire.

As a result, I don't feel sluggish all day, everyday. But I still get to indulge once a week. It's been working out great.

This week I could not decide for the life of me what I wanted to make. I had about 1001 ideas but nothing was popping out at me. Until I remembered this recipe I had bookmarked. I guess I have a thing for chocolate chip cookie dough.





Cookie no-dough ice cream
(adapted from joythebaker)

Note #1 from Abi: I used whole milk instead of half and half. I understood this would result in a less creamy ice cream but I was okay with that. And it was still absolutely divine. But if you want super creamy ice cream, go with the half and half.

Note #2 from Abi: After you pour the egg mixture back into the sauce pan, keep stirring the entire time! otherwise you might end up cooking some of the egg. If you do end up with some graininess (cooked egg), no worries. Just strain through a fine mesh strainer a few times until smooth.

1 cup chopped dark or semi-sweet chocolate
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
4 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups whole milk (or reduced fat, if you prefer)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
pinch of salt

Directions:
In a small sauce pan, melt the butter until it is a deep golden brown color. There will be charming little brown bits at the bottom of the pan. You don’t want it too burnt, otherwise it’ll taste, for lack of a better word, weird. Add the half and half and heat until scalding (not quite boiling).
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg yolks until pale and fluffy. Take the half and half mixture off the heat, and add a little to the egg mixture while mixing. This is called tempering the eggs: introducing hot liquid a little at a time to eggs while stirring, as to not cook the eggs with the hot liquid. Add a little more (just over half of the hot mixture total) and the healthy pinch of salt, then pour everything back into the sauce pan.
Heat, stirring very often or constantly, until about 170 degrees, or until it coats a metal spoon. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and chill. Once the mixture is chilled, whisk in the additional 1 1/2 cups of milk and add it to your ice cream machine. When it’s almost fully churned, add your chopped chocolate. Eat directly from the ice cream maker or freeze overnight. Enjoy!


Now for the best part of this post.


I am sure many of you already know and love bake it pretty. If you don't, click on that link and you'll see what I'm talking about.

It is the cutest store you'll ever see. I seriously want ten of EVERYTHING they sell.

On bake it pretty, you'll find tons of cute cupcake liners like these: (Pictures via bakeitpretty.com)




ever adorable cookie cutters like these:






and even cute cupcake toppers like these




Plus sprinkles, cupcake kits, and tons more


To enter:

Head on over to bake it pretty and have a peek, then come back and leave a comment to tell me which item/s you'd want. And be sure to leave an email address so we can contact you if you win.

If you want to double your chances, post a link on twitter or your blog and link it back here in an additional comment.

The giveaway will be open until Sunday (3/21) at 9pm EST. I'll select the winner randomly, and announce on Monday.

118 comments:

  1. I would definitely want some of those baking cups! What cute designs! My favorites are probably the polka dot baking cups - so so adorable! :)

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  2. I would probably buy baking cups. I love the red cowboy cups!

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  3. I would get the squirrel cookie cutter. I had a run-in with a squirrel... I'm trying to be at peace about it. No one was hurt, just scared. The gingham baking cups look like something I need to get me through my spring and summer baking and gift giving. They're so cute.

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  4. More like what wouldn't I get -- I want the flavoring oils, the gnome mold, the edible glitter....

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  5. Oh my gosh I've never seen this site before! I would love the cookie cutters, some baking cups, the sugar sprinkles... So great!

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  6. I would get the Vintage Damask Baking Cups. They would look great at any occasion!

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  7. The whole site?! But mainly the cookie cutters or baking cups. I can't resist either of the two despite my husband's head shakes. :o)

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  8. Must I choose?! Well, if I must, then it would be the TeaCupCakes molds! So cute!

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  9. I love all the cookie cutters! I think my favorite is the milk bottle one...it would be so cute to decorate and have milk and cookies!

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  10. I love Bake it Pretty! I've been resisting the urge to buy more of their lovely products as I don't have much space in my kitchen for any other baking goodies. I totally want to splurge when I have more cabinet space in the future! I love all their baking cups and their new TeaCupCakes baking molds are FANTASTIC! Really hard to resist!

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  11. It is sad but I have never heard of this site before! Hard to choose BUT I would probably want the chocolate molds or the flavoring oils. Thanks for writing such a fabulous blog!

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  12. I think I would get the pastry bag and a pastry tip, since I don't have anything to decorate... or perhaps some flavor oils, those seem pretty yummy!

    silviajose95@hotmail.com

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  13. My daughter has a thing for owls. That owl cookie cutter is adorable! I have never heard of Bake it Pretty, thanks for sharing. Denise@cottageisters

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  14. Cupcake liners. I can never have too many of those.

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  15. I would definitely get either the owl cookie cutter or the skull and crossbones cookie cutter. both are so cute!

    soundofmelodies@gmail.com

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  16. Oh my! My wish list is probably a foot long, but the three things I would want the most would be:

    the elephant cookie cutter: because it could be friends with the hippopotamus cookie cutter I already have, elephant and hippopotamus cookies together would be great!
    the unicorn cookie cutter: because I've never seen one before and it is the sweetest thing ever
    the teapot cookie cutter: because I am soon to be throwing a tea party and it would go with the event so well!

    dana@thefunkykitchen.com

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  17. The baking molds or some baking cups. really cute site

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  18. what a wonderful shop!! I’d love the teapot cookie cutter, the start shaped baking mold and one of the chocolate moulds – there’s just so much choice!!! Thanks for doing this really cool giveaway

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  19. I, too, love this store! I completely covet the "Cupcakes 101" kit. Everything you could need. Okay, until you run out, but still... Thanks for the giveaway.

    mom2ross@gmail.com

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  20. I really want the best ever icing kit

    thefanchers04 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  21. i love Bake it Pretty!!! I really am in need of some new and fun cookie cutters.

    rowecarrie at yahoo dot com

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  22. I love the pink springtime cupcake wrappers(:
    ~Rebekah

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  23. I would totally get some of those beautiful baking cups and some edible glitter.

    musesdragon at hotmail dot com

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  24. I really want/need those adorable TeaCupCakes silicone baking molds... J'adore!!

    Stephanie.i.Kuo [at] gmail.com

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  25. Is it fair to say I want every single cookie cutter they have? It's true.

    farihahkamali@live.com

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  26. I would get some of the adorable polka dot cupcake liners!

    sara.mitchell1 at gmail dot com

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  27. I love the mushroom and gnome cookie cutters. I would definitely buy those and probably the sea creature cupcake toppers, too.

    mossviolets (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  28. Oh, man, what wouldn't I get? I love the metallic cupcake liners, and the Best-Ever Cupcake Icing Kit, and all of the heart-shaped cookie cutters...well, you get the picture. ;)

    Also, I wish I had your willpower when it comes to sugar! I've been slowly trying to cut back, but it's hard!

    allyson(dot)ayers(at)gmail(dot)come

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  29. I love everything on their site! Edible Disco Dust, Cotton Candy Crunch Topping, Elenor Green Jumbo Baking Cups, a Sloth Grinder, and the list goes on and on and on. hehe

    lianne-nichols at hotmail dot com

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  30. I've never seen this site before, but everything looks awesome. I'd love to have some of those cookie cutters, preferably the unicorn. :)

    murderbyjill at gmail dot com

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  31. I would get the polka dot baking cups! They are the cutest.

    michmartinetti@gmail.com

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  32. http://rollingpinsneedlesanddiapers.blogspot.com

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  33. I really want pretty much all of the cookie cutters! But the one I want most is the owl. Definitely the owl... or the elephant.

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  34. I love bake it prett! I would stock up on cupcake liners and buy some of the strawberry candy molds if I won. Thanks for the chance.

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  35. Polka-dot cupcake liners, unicorn cookie cutter, and edible glitter!

    elissasuhr (at) gmail.com

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  36. I would definitely get some polka-dot liners. They are so cute!

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  37. They have Bento Boxes. That's what I want.

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  38. I would be most interested in the flavoring oils. No one carries things like that around here.

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  39. oh wow...I've never seen or heard of mint julep taffy or violet gum before! How fun is that? I could do some serious spending damage in her store! :)

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  40. Oh my! If one of everything isn't a valid choice, it's a toss up between those luscious baking cups and the flavoring oils. I'm working to "step it up" with my cupcake creations, and both products would help me out!
    traceyrmr@yahoo.com

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  41. I love Bake It Pretty! Definitely hands down my favourite things there there are all the pretty polka dot cupcake liners. They would be perfect for all my cupcake needs.

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  42. I Love Bake It Pretty!
    It is a tie as to what i would get, It would either be some of the awesome cups or the button candy molds, which i love also. So much great stuff on one site!

    Alisha.Roper@yahoo.com

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  43. they have so many great things that it is hard to narrow it down, but I have always wanted to buy their metallic edible glitter. since I love it so much - and I love all that glitters - I would sprinkle some on my veggies to *hopefully* make them taste better!!!
    I would also want ANY of their cupcake wrappers :)
    jaholloway1124@gmail.com

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  44. Love your blog - so pretty & simple. Beautiful photos too! If I won, I'd definitely get some disco dust. I've been dying to try some out. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  45. I got my friend Lauren an assortment of bake it pretty cupcake liners for her birthday...and I must confess that I held back a portion of each kind of liner for my own baking needs. Haha. I've had my eye on the Magical Forest Sampler for AGES. So enchanting!

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  46. Geez - I LOVE that store. I'd probably get some more cupcake liners to add to my horde... Or maybe I'd splurge a little and get some flavoring oils?

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  47. What a fun store! So much eye candy....love the cupcake kits!! Thanks!!
    Marilyn (te_mk@comcast.net)

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  48. I'm in need of some red polka dot baking cups... I already have bought much of their store...

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  49. You are speaking my language. I'm also trying to find a balance in the amount of sugar I consume. But when you bake as much as I do, it gets really tough! I've used every type of tactic plan - only eat sweets on one day (like you are doing), limit my daily sweet intake to just one piece, etc. I've finally landed on how I feel after consuming sugar. I agree with you that I just feel plain better when I haven't eaten a giant cookie or slice of cake. So now I just weigh the option - do I want to feel good later in the day or gross and heavy? Most of the times its an easy answer. Other times, like tonight, not so much. :)
    But enough with my rambling...about the giveaway...I would love some of the mini designer cupcake liners. I love mini cupcakes and I've never seen liners like these. So cute!

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  50. I would definitely buy mini baking cups; for some reason I can't find mini baking cups around here anywhere...I have to order them online. I think I'd get the paisley ones- so cute!

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  51. I love all of the baking cups -- so cute!!!

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  52. I like the flexible mini heart mold!


    -heidi
    h-angulo@hotmail.com

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  53. Love, love, love the baking cups :)

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  54. eek so cute! i love the animal print baking cups...actually i love ALL the baking cups. they're such a nice touch!

    g.gracekim@gmail.com

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  55. I have the same love/addiction to sugar and have been trying to balance, as well. I like the 6 day sugar fast idea. I may be adopting that myself. I also LOVE Bake It Pretty! Thanks for having a giveaway. Nice to find your site! :) -Rachel

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  56. Eek! I love Bake It Pretty....they have the most darling baking accessories. I would love a little bit of everything but I can always use cute cupcake liners (like Hot Polka Dot) or some fun cookie cutters!

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  57. ALL of the cupcake liners and the cupcake kit!! ADORABLE!!!

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  58. I would like some molds - especially the button, Eiffel Tower and mini tea cup and tea pot. I've also got my eye on some cookie cutters. It's just way too hard to choose!

    S.W.A.K.

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  59. I LOVE the Owl cookie cutter! I have long loved owls. My great grandmother had all kinds of owls all over her house and I have been lucky enough to give some of her figurines and earrings and jewlery a home here with me after her passing.

    The baking cups are amazing and those alone make a cupcake tempting to anyone!

    amberlerickson@yahoo.com

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  60. I recently ordered some baking cups and sprinkles from bake it pretty and I need to fill up on the mini cups... Desperatley!

    osmilia@comhem.se

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  61. Any one of those Merri Merri cupcake kits!

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  62. I want cookie cutters, all shapes and sizes, what fun.

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  63. I absoletly LOVE bake it pretty! I visit their website everyday hoping that they will have something new everytime I visit. I recently bought the most adorable teapot cookie cutters and lolipop molds. Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe and for mentioning bake it pretty. :)

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  64. I think its more what don't I want! I love their cupcake liners! =D

    Love the tilt-a-whirl cups!!
    and I REALLY love the sweet spot baking cups!

    lmm_lisa@hotmail.com

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  65. That ice cream looks delicious!

    I want one of everything, but seriously I've been
    eyeing the Cupcakes 101 decorating kit.

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  66. This ice cream looks great!!!! I would love to have one of everything on Bake It Pretty!!!

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  67. There is just too much to choose from. I would love to stock up on some cookie cutters. Maybe some of the baby ones, or the girly ones like the shoes, purse, and nail polish.

    gavinsmom@cox.net

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  68. Love the cute cookie cutters: frog, bee, beehive, owl etc. Awesome!

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  69. Definitely the Cupcakes 101 baking and decorating kit. A little bit of everything to play with, just the way it should be.

    traci . starkebaum @ gmail . com

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  70. Oh I just love all those cookie cutters! What unique shapes and just the things for people's parties -- cookies tailored to theirs favs! Perfect!

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  71. I would get one of the chocolate molds - probably the heart cupcake picks one!

    -Nichole

    threesidedorchid at yahoo dot com

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  72. I have a one tracked mind, so the Deer and garden rabbit (buntys) cupcake toppers. And the Bavarian rose baking cups!

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  73. Oooo-la-la! I love the zebra baking cups! Annnd the kits with the whole kit&kaboodle (the cups, toppers, etc. for wedding parties, baby showers, etc.)!

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  74. I love the polka dot baking cups!!!

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  75. how could I choose just one thing...I love all of the fun cupcake liners, I think I would choose some of those if I win

    alevitus (at) gmail (dot) com

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  76. i would probably buy all baking cups :)

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  77. I love the gnome and owl cookie cutters. So cute!

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  78. Oh the Cupcake Icing Kit, without a doubt.. hours of fun!
    popthenbang (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  79. Cupcake liners!!! and more than likely the cupcake icing kit!!

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  80. I so love baking cups - I want them all!
    kbcarpenter@gmail.com

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  81. I'm loving the edible flower decorations... especially the gerber daisies!

    Love your blog!!

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  82. I love the sugar buttons and the pretty pansies. So many fun things!

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  83. I tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/Songberries/status/10702233735

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  84. Everything! Right now particularly the button molds and flavoring oils....

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  85. ... my email address...
    meganannpeterson (at) yahoo (.) com

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  86. I like the "Eat More Cake" cupcake kit...an excuse to have a party!

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  87. I would want to get the adorable cupcake cups and the cookie cutters... but what I often find myself in need is packaging material since I usually give away all of my baking, so... packaging would probably be it, too!

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  88. I love love love bake it pretty!!!

    I need some new tilt a whirl baking cups.

    I feel like a naked baker without their baking cups.

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  89. Ohh, I'd LOVE to have the Cupcakes 101: honors club kit. So amazing!
    http://www.bakeitpretty.com/item_914/Cupcakes-101--Honors-Club.htm

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  90. Here's my tweet http://twitter.com/dinoriot/status/10735932683

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  91. I would love edible glitter in a pretty metallic color!

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  92. Polka dot baking cups, for sure.

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  93. Baking Cups...decisions, decisions!

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  94. I love bake it pretty! I can't think of just one thing that i want. Everything is too cute, from the awesome cupcake liners (which would be a big hit at my house, or the adorable cookie cutters. I too would buy one of everything!

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  95. I love everything!! The cookie cutters are my faves, love the baking cups of course, and also really like alot of their paper lanterns/party decor!

    So happy to have found your blog....you have a cute little space over here:)

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  96. Definitely about to break out some baking stuff after looking at that site..
    Pale blue cupcakes 101 honors club looks amazing. I'm also totally in love with the love birds toast stamp and the farmer's market berry baskets.

    keburdick@gmail.com

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  97. I have never heard of this site, but glad I know about it now. I want some of the hard candy molds, polka dot and sweet spot baking cups, all of the mini baking cups, and some of the suitcase/snack boxes.

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  98. i adore the floral baking cups and the owl cookie cutter. too cute!

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  99. so hard to choose..
    i would get cookie cutters
    i love the owl one!

    also maybe some cat toppers :P

    vik.tor.ia@hotmail.com

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  100. I would LOVE to get the zebra cupcake liners and the metallic edible glitter..wouldn't that just make a beautiful start to a party?

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  101. Such a cute site - would love to win!

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  102. Oh, and I linked you!
    http://dirtrebellion.blogspot.com

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  103. Well, really there is so much (like everything!). I really want those little button molds - would be great for a tea party.

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  104. My Niece would love the pony cookie cutter. She absolutely adores My Little Pony!

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  105. I would definitely get some cupcake liners in green for my wedding this fall. I love their products!

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  106. I LOVE all of their cookie cutters. It would be REALLY hard to decide. I also adore those colorful cupcake liners. Hope I win!

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  107. oh my it would be hard to choose, like you, I want 10 of everything!! LOL Even though I'm a grandmother now, I love baking cute things for my little granddaughter. She loves decorated cookies and cupcakes. The cupcake liners are so cute and I love all the sugar sprinkles and cookie cutters!

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  108. I love that site!! I would really like to have the Vintage Damask Baking Cups.

    clutie-girl@hotmail.com

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  109. The cookie cutters....how about one of each...i do love the cupcake liners....but i don't love cupcakes....

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  110. I'd love the cutout flower cupcake wrappers. So cool!

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  111. Stephanie dragonmama14@hotmail.comMarch 21, 2010 at 5:55 PM

    Purple Polkadot Cupcake liners and an Owl Cookie cutter because one of my sons LOVES owls!

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  112. The Chocolate Molds, the TeacupCakes Baking Mold, so much cute stuff!

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  113. I recently ordered from there to help make a friend's birthday extra special - would love to win the GC! Good luck to all!

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  114. I don't think I could pick one thing, I want the whole store!
    hails_18@hotmail.com

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