9/10/12

Interview: Heather Baird of Sprinkle Bakes +Giveaway!

(contest closed)
Today I’m beyond excited to have Heather Baird of the award-winning blog sprinklebakes.com as our guest interview.
Heather has her first cookbook out “Sprinkle Bakes”. A delightful book about unleashing your inner creative self with her easy, foolproof recipes, baker and artist Heather offers us a fresh and innovative approach to creating anything from cookies, cakes, spoon desserts, pastries and candy to look and tastes like works of art.

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She also teaches us the finer points to making the perfect icings, best tips for perfect piping, ways to make culinary paints, crushed pigments—even informs us on brushes and how to create a template for piping, gum paste or fondant. Literally every area of fine cake decorating is covered and with ease or as I like to call it “no fear”. Heather truly shows us how easy it really is to take an image we see in a book, magazine or the Internet and transform it unto a cake or cookie.

Her cookbook Sprinkle Bakes is perfectly laid out with:

baking equipment, art supplies & decorating tools.
cookies, cakes, candies, spoon desserts, icings, pastries & crusts.
culinary paints, crushed pigments, gel food coloring paints, brushes, creating a template.
sculpture: carving, hand-modeling, armature, building,, manipulating, subtracting, assembling, impasto, casting.
color: color wheel, color harmony, natural hues, color icings & batters.
templates, baking websites, useful suppliers, index.

Biography: She is an accomplished painter and photographer whose works are in public and private collections across the United States, but her passion is creating eye-popping, mouthwatering desserts. She is a devoted practitioner of international confectionery technique who explores the outer limits of patisserie. She writes about her adventures in the world of creative dessert-making in her award-winning blog at sprinklebakes.com. Heather lives in Knoxville, TN, with her husband Mark and a mischievous pug named Biscuit.

Heather has also, generously shared with us a special recipe that just for the vanilla sugar blog readers. (see recipe after the interview).
Thank you so much Heather!

Questions:
Heather, first off, congratulations on the book! When my copy arrived in the mail I literally sat at my desk for a straight hour, mouth open, heart racing, feet tapping at all the culinary creations. I was shocked, as I read through how easy these are to make. I mean you really show us how easy it is to create fancy/edible works of art.
Always had it in my mind that the actual creations you make need a ton of specials tools, or fancy pastry schooling—but no, most of them are just so easy. Case in point, the “Impasto” you used on a cake (see photo below) to make flames is nothing more than candy melts painted (thinly) on parchment paper.

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Impasto: is a form of painting that crosses over into sculpture. It refers to a technique in which a heavy bodied paint is laid on a surface very thickly. A palette knife is used to create three-dimensional strokes.

You don’t necessarily need any pastry skills – or art skills - to make the creations in this book. At my last book signing someone said “I could never make that!”(pointing to the impasto cake), but the technique is really easy and we’ve worked very hard to describe the steps for each recipe in great detail.

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extremely helpful hints throughout the book on colors for doughs, frostings, icings, candies.....

I know you were, and still are a painter. What medium?

I work in oils and acrylics. I love painting but it’s been difficult to find the time when elbow-deep in frosting.

Were you behind the scenes of a gallery? Or an at-home designer for various clients?

I’ve been involved in nearly every aspect of gallery work, but I was behind the scenes for many years. In 2004 I was trained as an archival picture framer, which taught me patience and discipline when handling valuable art.
I actually think that experience has helped me with my cake decorating!
My favorite job was being a fine artist.
With painting, you get to be part of something long-lasting, something that has the potential to survive for ages.
Of course, the same cannot be said for dessert.
But sometimes the art is in the creating, and not the finished product.


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Hard caramel, step by step instructions, pg. 54

What kind of works of art did you create? Mixed media?
Were you classically trained in the culinary world?

As a young artist I was drawn to abstract cubism (think Picasso) and that’s what I practiced and had success selling, but through the years my artwork has become more figurative.
I have never taken a cooking or pastry class – not even a cake decorating class!
I read and research if there’s a baking or decorating technique I want to learn. I learn best from trial and error.


Were you ever intimidated by sugar crafting? I know I am, a lot actually.

Yes! There are still projects that I haven’t tried because they are so intricate.
The process can’t be rushed. You have to be good to yourself and allow plenty of time to create and get in “the zone”.
That’s half the work. The finished product is so worth it, though.
Afterward I find that I just want to keep going, trying new crafts and bettering myself through this medium.


What made you switch over to food? What drove you or inspired to give it a go?

There are events in life that are really hard on a person’s creativity – like moving house.
My canvas and brushes were in moving boxes and I decided to explore baking because, well – my muffin tins and cookie cutters were the only things accessible at the time!


(I got a couple questions from fans on this one)
How were you approached to do a cookbook?

A literary agent had browsed my blog after finding the Mehndi hand cookies I created.
She read my bio and saw that I was an artist and felt the art angle could work for a baking book.


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blue velvet cupcakes (look at that color!) pg. 195

Are there any recipes that you had a really hard time with?

I didn’t have many problems with the recipes, most of the time it was photography with which I struggled. I was shooting during the winter months and was desperate for some natural light. My dining room had to become a full-blown photography studio.

Any that didn’t make the book?

Yes, a few. A pumpkin-spice cake covered with autumnal-hued leaf tuiles was one of my favorites that didn’t make it. It was very pretty, but I decided against submitting it when informed that the book was brimming at 386 pages.
Originally, this book was expected to be around 170 pages. It was finally edited down to 277 pages.
The recipe I’m sharing today is from a sketch in my recipe journal (see below for recipe).
I had planned to make it for the book, but I had one too many ideas for hard caramel. It’s great to finally see this cake come to life – and it’s so delicious! Who doesn’t love Hummingbird Cake?!


What is your favorite creation in the book? The one that gave you the most satisfaction?

I really love the yule log cake. It was so fun to make because it looks just like a plank of wood. It’s made of orange genoise and chocolate ganache, so it’s really delicious too.

How did you come up with all your creations (for the book and the blog)?
Do you get a creative idea in your head, write it down? Or see a recipe elsewhere and think of ways to “kick it up a notch?”

All of those things.
But I am constantly sketching ideas in my recipe journal.
I usually have a picture of what I want to make in my head and then think to myself “how do I get there from here?


One of Heather’s most recent creations (on her blog) the cappuccino mousse with coffee caviar: dessert caviar without the molecular gastronomy! Here is a video of that creation.

Coffee Caviar from Heather Baird on Vimeo.

What made you think of this?

It’s really neat to see all the things molecular gastronomists come up with, but most of the techniques are not accessible to the home baker. As the latter, I just wanted to have some fun, too!

Who were your taste-testers?

My friends and family were well fed throughout the writing of this book.
I love how enthusiastic they were, even at the end when everyone’s eyeballs were floating in cake they never turned down a bite.


What do you like to do in your leisure time?

Coffee, books, music. I also love to watch Star Trek re-runs.

In a typical day, what do you eat? I know sugar is a staple in your diet for recipe taste-testing.

I’m a minimalist when it comes to solid food.
I like simple; multigrain toast with real butter almost every morning for breakfast and I eat salmon and tuna nigiri about twice a week.


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sweet coconut sushi w/ chocolate "soy" sauce. pg. 159

Any foods that you don’t care for?

Well, this isn’t exactly food per se, but I don’t like mint chewing gum.
When I was a child my mom would give me a piece when I got squirmy in church.
Chewing a piece takes me right back to that restless feeling.


Favorite pig out foods?

Onion rings and a grilled cheese with pickles.
Cherry limeade to go with that.
Chocolate-chunk cookie dough ice cream.


Did you grow up in a “foodie family”?

I have a family of great cooks – great southern cooks.
Growing up there was never pink Himalayan sea-salt on our dinner table. Nothing fancy.
One of my favorite family meals is “soup” beans (pintos) with cornbread and slices of home-grown tomato on the side.
The food was, and still is, simply but expertly prepared.
The fanciest dessert my grandmother ever made was apple stack cake.


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postcard cookies. pg. 109

Is your husband a foodie?

He is!
He’s given me some great insight on some of the recipes I develop, and he never spares my feelings.
I think that’s great but I don’t always take his advice.


In the culinary world, who are your favorite chefs/bakers?

Stella Parks of Table 310 in Lexington KY, and author of the blog BraveTart.
I just love her spin on nostalgic treats. I must give some love to my favorite local bakery, too.
Magpie’s in Knoxville TN. has the best Strawberry cake I’ve ever tasted.


Favorite places to travel just for the food?

When I was in New York, my agent took me to The Breslin for breakfast.
They have an amazing fried peanut butter-banana bourbon sandwich.
I would travel long distances for that sandwich.


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tuile cookie spoons w/ peanut butter mousse. pg. 162

A second cookbook in the works? If so, what will it be about?

My editor encouraged me to think about a second cookbook.
We’ll see what happens.
I’d definitely love the opportunity to create another book.


Any advice to your fans who wish to achieve your level of culinary creations?

Grow some patience, and don’t get too discouraged if a recipe doesn’t turn out as planned.
I’ve had plenty of failures and that’s a valuable lesson in what not to do.


Also, any sensible advice to people who wish to get published?

I didn’t actively seek out an agent, so I’m afraid I don’t have a great answer to this question.
I can only say that if you do your best and if your passion shines through your writing, then others will take notice!


One of the recipes that didn't make the book: Hummingbird Cake. Thanks again Heather for sharing this.

sprinklebakes_hummingbird_in_a_cage_1

Hummingbird in a Cage
by heather baird of sprinklebakes. com
print recipe

This recipe was once destined for the pages of my baking book, but because of limited space it was only realized as a sketch – until now!

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I hope you’ll enjoy my take on this popular southern dessert called Hummingbird Cake. The “cage” is made of deep amber hard caramel pieces that are pressed into the top of the cake. A single walnut halve is placed in the top center of the cake inside the “cage” to represent a hummingbird.

Cake:
3 cups cake flour (sifted all-purpose may be used)
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large slightly over-ripe bananas, chopped
1 cup drained crushed pineapple
1 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup (4 ounces) finely chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease and flour three 6-inch (pictured) or two 9-inch round cake pans.
Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt into a bowl. In another bowl, stir or whisk (by hand, not with an electric mixer!) the bananas, pineapple, oil, eggs and vanilla until combined. Pour into the dry mixture and fold together with a rubber spatula just until well combined. Do not over mix. Fold in the walnuts. Spread evenly into the pans.
Bake until the cake springs back when pressed in the center, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto a piece of parchment or wax paper. Invert them onto a cooling rack so the cakes are right-side up. Cool completely.
The cake can be prepared up to 1 day ahead and stored, uncovered in the refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

Frosting:
1 cup white chocolate morsels
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar

Place white chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 30 second intervals in the microwave until melted and smooth. Set aside.
Combine cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl; beat at high speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add melted chocolate; beat well. Gradually add in powdered sugar, beating at low speed at first, then increasing to medium speed until mixture reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost cooled cake layers.

Caramel cage pieces:
1 cup (225 g.) sugar
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 walnut halve(for garnish)

Fold a large piece of baking parchment over the bottom dome of an 8 or 9-inch heat-proof bowl. Place the bowl dome-side-up on another piece of parchment.
Combine sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan with a metal kitchen spoon stirring until the sugar resembles wet sand. Place on medium heat; heat without stirring until sugar starts to melt around the sides of the pan and the center begins to smoke. Begin to stir sugar. Continue heating, stirring occasionally until the sugar is a clear, deep amber color. Remove from heat immediately; place bottom of pan in ice water to stop the cooking.
Drizzle caramel from the tip of a metal spoon onto and over the entire surface of the parchment dome. Repeat until all the caramel is used. Let caramel harden, then break caramel pieces off the parchment paper in tall shards. Press hard caramel pieces into the top of the cake, so that the curved pieces are pointing inward to create a “cage”. Place a single walnut halve in the center of the cake to represent the “hummingbird”.

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Giveaway!
Heather is donating two of her books for a giveaway.
All you have to do to enter is leave ONE comment telling us what is your favorite recipe over at sprinklebakes.com.
Anything there you might be inspired to create yourself?
Please leave one comment, have a valid email address in post or in the comment.
We'll do the drawing on September 18, 2012

294 comments:

  1. Favorite recipe from Heather would be the Chocolate-raspberry Bavarian torte -- visually stunning and looks amazingly delicious! Thanks :)

    jmfaus@gmail.com
    Jaime

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  2. I've had my eye on her no-bake strawberry milk cheesecake!

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  3. I'd love to make the colorful spiral cookies, they're just so bright and cheery and reasonably easy. Perfect!

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  4. I already made the salted caramel cupcakes, and I really want to make the pecan pie taffy and the gingerbread pie. They sound so unique and amazing!

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  5. Love SprinkleBakes!!! I've already make the no-bake strawberry cheesecake and I think for the next family birthday I want to make the cherry vanilla cake. I absolutely love the Tiffany Blue with the sprinkles on top. Beautiful!

    Stef
    stefkow@sbcglobal.net

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  6. I've heard rave reviews about the book and I'm dying to try the salted caramel cupcake recipe.

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  7. Holy cow these are awesome cakes/cupcakes/etc. The triple salted caramel cupcakes sound awesome!!

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  8. That hummingbird cake is super fancy.

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  9. I love the idea of Blue Velvet! My friend saw her Mehndi cookies and became a Mehndi artist because of that influence.

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  10. I have actually made the Coconut Panna Cotta from Sprinkle Bakes a number of times (although I haven't made the accompanying reduction). It always gets rave reviews and feels fancy even though it is so simple. Bonus points for being able to make it the day before a dinner party. Love it!

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  11. i love SprinkleBakes,! I think I will be making the Peanut butter cup brownie cake for my birthday this month! I'm on a PB and Chocolate kick lately and that cake speaks to me!

    Veronica
    vero.bero@yahoo.com

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  12. Love sprinklebakes - my favourite so far would have to be the Mint Chocolate Mousse Cake, love mint and chocolate its my favourite sweet combination.

    Trina H
    trinahain@hotmail.com

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  13. I love the coffee bean cookies!

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  14. Triple Salted Caramel Cupcakes! Actually there are many other recipes I will try but these are awesome and fun to make!

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  15. Hummingbird cake is right up my alley!

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  16. I think Heather's match cake sushi rolls are so very awesome! They are exquisitely made, and her photography is always perfect. I have a special place for Japanese things, and this fits right in there. :)

    Melanie ~ shop@curiouslittlebird.ca

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  17. I love cheesecake, I love mint, and I love lime. I would probably start with the Mojito Cheesecake Pops if I got this book because it's simple enough that even a shmuck like me could make it!

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  18. I made the Cherry Vanilla Cake for my friends 21st birthday this year, she (and her dad) loved it! Next i'd like to try the Lemon Cream Roulade. LOVE lemon.
    Amie x

    a.g.roebuck@gmail.com

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  19. Still love the flaming strawberry cupcakes that first drew me into her blog. Waiting to make so many of these recipes when I have a full-sized oven again!

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  20. I LOVE Sprinkle Bakes!!! I have made her Coca-Cola Cupcakes with the Salted Peanut Butter Frosting...and if your from the South, you know peanuts and a Coke is a CLASSIC combination...they were a hit! I think next I want to try her White Wedding Cake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream for my moms small wedding next month!

    amandawm4@gmail.com

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  21. The bellini wedding pops look so beautiful

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  22. The Vanilla Bean Baby Donuts recipe was the first one that I saw from the website. I was hooked on the incredible recipes and even more beautiful delectables!

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  23. Reading through everyone's comments & I really must say I'm glad I read this post & found out about Sprinkle Bakes! I really want to do the sculptural "fire-like" decorations for a cake. So cool!! And Lemon Cream Roulade! ANd cheesecake pops! And - haha I'll stop now.

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  24. I am addicted to her triple salted caramel cupcakes! Of course I also love her red velvet heart shaped cake. It's hard to choose, I love so many of her recipes. I'd love to win a cookbook!
    Sandor777@gmail.com

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  25. The first cake I saw on FB by Sprinklesbakes was the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Devils Food Cake Cheesecake. I ran to the grocery store, picked up all the ingredients and got to work! I have been dying to up the anty with my skills and this cake really showcased what some would think would be a difficult cake to recreate, but Sprinklesbakes gives such easy instructions that anyone can follow along! I would love to try other recipes from her book!!!

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  26. Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake is my favorite.

    Marygonzaba@yahoo.com

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  27. the hummingbird cake in this post looks so good! But I'd also like to try the elephant bread - less common but oh so good! I would love to see all the cookbook recipes and make them with my sister.

    just realized both of the things I want to try involve animals...that was just a coincidence :)

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  28. I've been a fan of Heather's for a while now as everything she makes looks absolutely divine. Coming from a baking background, cakes have never been my strong suit, but hers are always incredible. That said, even though it's not one of her more inventive flavor combinations, I hope to make her Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake soon. So decadent!

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  29. I love the macaron recipe! It's fool proof! Before this recipe all my macarons would go straight in the trashbag, with this recipe it's easy peasy 100% perfect every time! I guess it's the cream of tartar that's the secret! (email address via my facebook link).

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  30. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Peanut Butter Cup Cake Cheesecake. I've made this twice times and is a huge hit every time with everyone who eats it. Also made the triple salted caramel cupcakes that I would only share with two others because they were too good.

    nightblue20@hotmail.com

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  31. I've been on Sprinklebakes before and I always want to make everything I see! But if I had to pick one recipe to make next, it would have to be the coffee and donuts cake. I don't know if I could make it as pretty as Heather did but I will try!

    zachek@wisc.edu

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  32. Forgot my email above! thearsenichour@gmail.com

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  33. Coca-Cola Cupcakes with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting

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  34. I want to try the postcard cookies! They look so neat.

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  35. My favorite recipe is the Peanut Butter cup Chocolate cake! It is absolutely amazing!
    keshakeke@aol.com

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  36. Matcha cake sushi rolls! But I have to say that the day I saw video on the coffee caviar I swooned. She makes such lovely desserts how can you not want to quickly get in the kitchen and try to create something as fantastic. :)

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  37. I want to try baking her latest post of the black sesame cupcakes with a sunshine surprise! My email address is dcconnor@bigpond.com :)

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  38. I love the Spaghetti Western cupcakes! They're so adorable and I just stare at them in jealous admiration because I fear piping. The sweet sushi in this post is also super cute. The cookbook in general just looks too gosh darn cute!

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  39. That peanut butter cup birthday cake has me drooling all over the keyboard! YUM! I need to make that for the next birthday in my family... or tonight, just because.
    ovenofhappiness@gmail.com

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  40. I love every post I read on Heather's blog ! Especially her Lucky Vanilla Cupcakes !

    Corisa
    jubinsky2114@yahoo.com

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  41. It is definitely Raspberry Cream Cheese Paninis with Chocolate Ganash Dipping Sauce :)
    pewrocks@comcast.net

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  42. The Italian Layer Cookie sounds so so good.

    msgb245 at gmail dot com

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  43. The Vanilla Bean baby doughnut was the first post I read and I went out the next day to get the mini doughnut pan! I would like to attempt her Peanut Butter Brownie Cake for my boyfriend's birthday.

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  44. for sure the chocolate amaretto crepe cake! (michelle.schrank [at] gmail.com)

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  45. I LOVE the confetti cake recipe! It beats out ANY boxed cake mix anyday!!!
    -Jill
    bakejillbake@gmail.com

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  46. I LOVE SPRINKLE BAKES!! I will be attempting the colorful spiral cookies tomorrow! I cant wait!

    Lumik28@gmail.com

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  47. Love her sprinkly pinwheel cookies!

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  48. I love sprinklebakees! I really want to try the Seven Sins Chocolate Cake :D Also, the newest recipe post of black sesame cupcakes filled with lemon curd sounds delightful!

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  49. I've had the Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Cake Cheesecake bookmarked for a while now. It looks *amazing*!!!

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  50. The triple salted caramel cupcakes are amazing. I made a batch and they were a huge hit and well worth the effort. http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/05/triple-salted-caramel-cupcakes.html

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  51. I have been reading her blog for a few months now and I have been dying to try the Croquembouche and the coffee caviar! Plus about 20 others!

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  52. This would be the perfect gift for my sister, who is both a baker and an artist!

    I love anything bread pudding - that salted caramel one looks divine!

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  53. I would love to try making the pink snowball cake. Just like the Hostess snacks! All her recipes sound amazing!

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  54. The tuille spoons! I WILL try them. Looks like a book to spend lots of time absorbing. Hope I win!!!!
    bweaver@uaex.edu

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  55. I love this blog! That french toasted angel food cake is fantastic!

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  56. I've many favourites but the No-Bake Strawberry Milk Cheesecake is very high on my to-do list!

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  57. Oh so many, but two that I return to pretty regularly are the Orange Yogurt Loaf Cake and the Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes!

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  58. The orange yogurt loaf cake is my go-to for brining to potlucks.
    rachelnelson06@gmail.com

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  59. I LOVE your blog! The photography is particularly amazing. Kudos to you on a job well done. You clearly put a lot of time into it.

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  60. I stopped browsing at the Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake. Two of my most absolute favorites combined@

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  61. The Patriotic Panna Cotta Shooters but everything on the website looks great and colorful.mtl166@verizon.net

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  62. pecan pie taffy
    gkuroda(at)hawaii(dot)edu

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  63. Seven Sins Chocolate cake!!

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  64. Chocolate orange pots de creme. I have always wanted to try them !

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  65. Love her Browned Butter Pumpkin cake. I am using it in a wedding cake this fall. We also had her confetti cake for my birthday this year. It was great because it was easy enough for my (non-baking) husband to mix up and bake the cake while I was out of town. Delish. :)
    [annajvos@gmail.com]

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  66. Definitely Lemongrass Snowball Cookies, because of my hardcore lemon addiction, which manifests itself in -grass form or otherwise. I do leave off the coconut though -- I find the cookies just as tasty naked of nut.

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  67. The coffee and donuts cake looks amazing. I have to try it.

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  68. I have pinned a couple of recipes, including the Pink Vanilla Pocky Cake and Chantilly aux Framboises. I would love to make these for my daughters' birthdays.

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  69. Adore Sprinkle Bakes!! keeping fingers crossed for a copy of the book :)
    Her pinwheel swirl sprinkle cookies are the best... thanks! linda marie

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  70. I made the peanut butter cup brownie cake for my husbands birthday, it was a big hit!

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  71. This was such a fun post. I learned a lot about Heather, she is definitely one of my top 5 favorite bloggers. :) Most of the stuff she makes I am intimidated by, but there are a few things I would love to try and make myself. The one I really want to make is the strawberry milk cheesecake. It just seems so interesting! The second one is her rent elephant bread cookies. They look so cute and use a method I wouldn't have ever thought of.

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  72. I have made and LOVE the Cherry-Vanilla Layer Cake. The next thing I want to make is the Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake.
    lleanmunro@gmail.com

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  73. I heart Heather! She has inspired many of my baking attempts. The two recipes that stand out the most are her edible flower lollipop and her port wine lollipop. I've made many a version of those two. She really needs a second volume to her cookbook! -krismuscookie@gmail.com

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  74. My favorite are the sparkling champagne cupcakes! I made them last New Years and they were awesome :)

    maggiekathleengill at gmail dot com

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  75. Heather's hibiscus shortbread cookies are seriously mind boggling! I need some of her art tips!

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  76. The heritage red velvet cake is my favorite!

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  77. All of her desserts with red wine look delicious - especially the Red Wine Chocolate Truffles. I've been meaning to try my hand at those!

    katie.kwal@gmail.com

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  78. I love her pink snowball cake...mine wasn't nearly as pretty as hers when I made it, but it was fun and tasty! noodle5@sbcglobal.net

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  79. The Seven Deadly Sins cake is awesome
    mhillman@gmail.com

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  80. I am in love with her key lime cheesecake bars! Luckily, the recipe for the lime curd makes enough for multiple batches, so I always have an excuse to make more.

    smelanie88 at gmail dot com

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  81. I love the Red Velvet Cake Minis...yum!

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  82. I've always wanted to make her version of Cotton Soft Japanese Cheesecake!

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  83. Ale and Pretzel Caramels!

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  84. This Chocolate Raspberry Bavarian Torte looks amazing, and aesthetically is my favorite. meaghanmae@gmail.com

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  85. love the sushi, delicious AND adorable!! Congratulations on your book!
    carolyncjam@aol.com

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  86. The Lattice Pie Bars are on my "To-Bake" list. They are so lovely!

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  87. Love love LOVE sweet and savory so I have to go with the salted caramel cupcakes!!!

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  88. Salted caramel cupcakes!
    Vanillakindagal04@yahoo.com

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  89. Her recipe for Cayenne Pepper Macarons is definitely my favorite as it helped me to make the perfect macaron!

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  90. For sure it would be the salted caramel cupcakes. I have made them a number of times and they are always a big hit.

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  91. i've made those spiral rainbow sprinkle cookies at least eighteen times! i add different flavoring agents every time but they're always great. raspberry and frangelico spirals are my favorite. my neatnik boy panics when he sees me getting ready to bake - i'm not known for my tidiness, and he worries for the kitchen - but those cookies are so quick and have such a high deliciousness to cleanliness ratio that he breathes a sigh of relief when i tell him what i am making.

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  92. Obviously it's super hard to narrow down, but the peanut butter cup brownie cake looks so good right now!

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  93. I love her Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Devil's Food Cake Cheesecake, I would like to make it.

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  94. Love the triple salted caramel cupcakes!

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  95. No Bake Strawberry Milk Cheesecake. It just looks so happy.

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  96. The chocolate raspberry bavarian torte is my favorite!

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  97. I haven't had the chance to bake anything from SB, but now that I have a new oven I can't wait to try the Chocolate-Raspberry Bavarian Torte. newflensgroove at gmail dot com

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  98. that coffee caviar is ingenious. i tried it, it worked, and i felt like a superstar. :)

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  99. I just made the confetti cupcakes for my son's birthday last week! He LOVED them...they were so, so pretty to look at. jessicaclarklee@gmail.com

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  100. I woud def say I love the easy White Chocolate No-Bake Cheesecake - So easy and hard to mess up!! :)

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  101. I would absolutely love to try my hand at the Pomegranate Christmas Cake.

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  102. I'm ready for autumnal treats... Pumpkin Brown Butter Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting

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  103. I love everything Heather makes, but my favourites to make at home are her "Colourful Spiral Cookies" - They are SO CUTE and yum! Surprisingly easy to make, and my family thinks they're fantastic!

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  104. I can't believe I'm picking a favorite child but....'Peanuts in my Coke' cupcakes. Can a person be summed up in a food? If yes, then these cupcakes are Katie in an edible form :D

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  105. I baked the Chocolate Quake cake and Cotton soft Japanese Cheesecake. They were both a huge hit! I hope to try more new recipes.
    ghsong426@gmail.com

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  106. I love the triple salted caramel cupcakes and have made them on numerous occasions.

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  107. Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes!!!!

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  108. The Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake! Oh My Word! My two favorite flavors! I made this for a co-workers birthday and it was absolutely delicious! None left for the birthday guy to take home! I made it again for the family weekend dessert! We couldn't stay out of it! LOVE this!
    CmeNmyVette@yahoo.com
    Judy

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  109. I have heard nothing but accolades about this book!!! I would love to have the recipe for the salted caramel cupcakes :)

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  110. The Cupcake Butter Mints are just wonderful...easy and perfectly adorable for showers, holidays, or Spring luncheons!

    leustace70@gmail.com

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  111. Peanut Butter cup brownie cake is amazing!
    barbgilmore@suddenlink.net

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  112. The Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake is my absolute favorite! Its one of my top 10 favorite cake recipes of all time!

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  113. My girls fell in love with the black sesame seed cupcakes recently and they have been pestering me to make them. As soon as we can find the ingredients I promised we would.

    kris.adair@middlebrow.com

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  114. I think I'd have to try making that Deep Dish Berry Pie Tart......it looks amazing! And I can't believe I didn't pick something with chocolate! Sheesh!

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  115. joanne_k@live.com.au9/11/12, 6:17 PM

    I've been looking for the perfect opportunity to make the poured fondant petit fours and it has finally arrived :) I can't wait!!!!!
    Love Heather's work!!!

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  116. My favorite is, hands down, the triple salted caramel cupcakes. Pumpkin tirimisu comes in at a pretty close second though!

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  117. I am in love with the cabbage embroidered rose cake, there wasn't a recipe that week, but I'm positive it was delicious. My favorite recipe was the homemade confetti cupcakes! One million times better than the box mix and wayyyyy prettier!
    Laurenadriennepolk@gmail.com

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  118. Banana Bread Balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  119. Peanut Butter Mousse in Tuile Cookie Spoons -- So cool and a nice simple few bites! Would love the book. Thanks

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  120. I haven't actually made it, but the Jane Austen birthday cake looks AMAZING!
    flgirl1987 AT yahoo DOT com

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  121. The execution of the Peanut Butter Mousse in Tuile Cookie Spoons was amazing, although with a hint of autumn in the air, the Whiteout Cocoa sounds rather lovely!
    lbarlowflournoy@gmail.com

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  122. Just thumbing through the book (as I don't have my own copy... yet) it is hard to decide but Salted Carmel Cupcakes would probably be the one!
    donna@doseofdonna.com

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  123. Love love love the sweet potato whoopie pies with maple buttercream! Definitely going to try those this fall. Can't wait to get the new book and try things I've never even imagined - am intoxicated by food art! mkmb2006@yahoo.com

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  124. love her Red Velvet Cake Minis- so simple and yummy!

    thanks for the giveaway!

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  125. I think my favorite of her recipes is the "Matcha Cake Sushi Rolls." Combing sushi and desert without using tacky fruit leather is an amazing thing!

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  126. The Key Lime Cheesecake Bars are incredible!

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  127. I have made the Prince William's groom cake and it is wonderful! I'd definitely make it again.

    jlbixler at gmail dot com

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  128. Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies

    vklmarie78 at gmail dot com

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  129. There are tons of recipes that I love on her site! The one I want to do next though are the Spring Flower Lollipops. I'd love to make them for my best friend's wedding!

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  130. FRENCH TOASTED ANGEL FOOD CAKE! It is the BOMB! LOVE :)

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  131. My absolute favorite is Heather's Pink Pocky Cake! I made it this past July for my sister's birthday. What a creative (and delicious) use of strawberry pocky sticks! And it looked as beautiful as it tasted! I think I'm going to try it with the chocolate sticks and a mocha frosting next. :)

    Thanks for all of the yummy recipes. I can't wait to try this new hummingbird cake. The recipe is already printed and filed!

    Allie
    accessorizeyourparty@gmail.com

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  132. I love Italian Layer cookies. So many that sound good over there :)

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

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  133. My favorite recipe is the cherry vanilla layer cake. Yum!

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  134. I was inspired to actually make the Chocolate-raspberry Bavarian Torte for my partner's 30th Birthday! Made it last weekend and all the guests oohed and aahed over the appearance, and then went back for 2nd helpings! You know it's a success when people go for seconds, even though there were plenty of other desserts to choose from there.

    To me, it is important to make something that looks spectacular, but is also delicious - plain old vanilla or chocolate doesn't cut it inspiration-wise.

    This amazing cake was definitely a huge hit & I can't wait to make it again, I am trying to come up with other flavours I could use... passionfruit & basil, maybe? I had macarons with that filling and it was divine, might work in a cake too!

    Email inimitable_creature@hotmail.com

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  135. That's not fair, I love all of Heather's recipes! But I especially like the strawberry milk ones, such as the whoopies.

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  136. I love the Pumpkin Brown Butter Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting. Everyone always has one more whenever I make these as cupcakes or as a picnic cake!

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  137. I am loving Heather's Chocolate Raspberry Bavarian Torte!

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  138. I have been a big fan of Heathers for a long time! I follow her blog always excitedly waiting for the next recipe! she is a GREAT artist!!!I hope to one day make every recipe that she post, but for right now I'd have to say my favorite is the Cherry-Vanilla layer cake! I have been trying to win her book for several weeks now, who knows? maybe this time!!!!!if not, I do have a birthday coming up at the end of this month, so it will be first on my wish list!!! Thanks so much for the new recipe!

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  139. I'm intrigued with the cherry vanilla layer cake. It's beautiful and sounds delicious. Heather is so talented. I would LOVE to win one of her cookbooks!

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  140. the chocolate french toast with panera bread... how can it get any better?

    jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

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  141. Everything is so visually appearing. But I love the spiral cookies. Made the mocha espresso kind. Love the strawberry swirl with nonpareils too.... Amazing

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  142. Gee! Do I have to really choose? What drew me to her blog first was the assortment of cookies with all those sprinkles!!!

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  143. I think you are a fabulous baker! My favorites are your heritage red velvet cake and the salted caramel cupcakes. I would love to win a copy of your new cookbook to ad to my collection! Leslie Gagne

    P.S. I am having trouble figuring out how to make my name appear, but I am one of your "LIKES"

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  144. Everything looks so good how can one decide!?

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  145. Salted Caramel Cupcakes....so delicious!!

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  146. The red velvet cake minis are so cute! I'd love to make them for a special occasion!

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  147. I've been following SprinkleBakes for a few months now, and it truly is an original, gorgeous and mouthwatering blog. Her hibiscus tea butter turned shortbread cookies were some of the most amazing cookies to dunk into tea (I had to use a different tea as I could not find hibiscus) but wow, Everything there is a delight :)

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  148. tuile cookie spoons w/ peanut butter mousse thats my favourite recipe ! You are such creative. i hope to win the books.
    my email: jenn5821@gmail.com

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  149. I love the champagne cupcakes! I made them this New Year's Eve and they were a big hit!

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  150. The chocolate quake cake! I've made it for a birthday and it is delicious!

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  151. Monica Miller9/12/12, 12:35 AM

    I love her Blue velvet cupcake recipe!

    monirr04@yahoo.com

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  152. So many to choose from! I would love to one day try my hand at creating the french toast muffins. thanks! eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com

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  153. I obsessed with everything Heather bakes! But my all-time fave has to be her triple salted caramel cupcakes...they're to die for!

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  154. It has to be the Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberries.

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  155. My favorite are chocolate cupcakes with flaming strawberries, they are amazing!

    allegra855@gmail.com

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  156. I was just perusing all of her recipes yesterday and was super excited to find that pink snoball cake. My mom always loved those marshmallowy convenience store treats... Can't wait to blow her away with a fresh, from scratch cake-sized snoball!

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  157. I recently made Heather's peanut butter frosting...Umm to die for!! Great interview with a boat load of talent!

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  158. I would love to try the Cotton Soft Japanese Cheesecake. Normally I don't like cheesecake that much because of the heavy texture, so I am looking forward to trying this one and sharing with my mum who absolutely adores cheesecake.

    endraca(at)gmail(dot)com

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  159. I actually like the recent post that Heather wrote, about the black sesame lemon curd cupcakes. I'm a big fan of using Japanese ingredients to make Western sweets, and this cupcake hits home.

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  160. I love her creations over at Sprinkle Bakes! The only thing I've made so far has been the Vanilla Bean Mini Donuts and they were amazing.

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  161. Oh there are so many delicious looking recipes to choose from... but I've been eyeing that mint-white chocolate cake!

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  162. Crystal Sell9/12/12, 3:42 AM

    My favorite recipe are the Macaron Mania! cookies. They look so fun to eat. I plan on making these next week and I hope they turn out as good as your picture looks.
    sellcrystal2 at yahoo dot com

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  163. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake for my sweet tooth! hammlee23@yahoo.com

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  164. My favorite recipe is " deep dish berry pie tart" because it has rich taste and also looks amazing :)
    bsktanesi@gmail.com

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  165. I am totally in love with the Seven Deadly Sins Chocolate Cake. I dream of making it myself one day, because I've been drooling over it for a houndred times. Ooooh, chocolate!
    fine112@hotmail.com

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  166. I love all of Heathers creations they are just so visually stunning and drool worthy..if i were to chose one it would have to be the white cake with fruits on top....project wedding i guess...it looked so dainty and pretty
    Reena
    reenathomasg@gmail.com

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  167. Wow there are waaaay too many recipes on Heather's website that I adore, and choosing a favourite is certainly tough, but some recipes/posts I reeally love include the seven sins chocolate cake, the pink vanilla pocky cake, the coffee and doughnuts cake, the peanut butter cup chocolate cheesecake, and the chocolate amaretto crepe cake <3

    email: abracadebra96@gmail.com

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  168. I'm not an awesome baker. I can make cookies and simple cakes. But one of my friends is a pretty talented pastry chef and I think she would love a copy of the book. So if I somehow win, beacuse boy that is a lot of comments, I want her to have it.

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  169. My favourite is her Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake, looks incredible! http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2012/08/peanut-butter-cup-brownie-cake.html

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  170. I love the chocolate peanut butter cup cake!

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  171. I love the chocoalte peanut butter cup cake! I made it for my birthday cake this year!

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  172. My favorite is the Coca Cola Salted Caramel Cupcakes!

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  173. Oh gawd... I could just stare at her websites pictures allll day!!
    My favorite recipe is the White Ricotta Tart with Sugared Fruit.
    It's inspiring, fun and yet has a classy feel about it.

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  174. I really like the merengues... You can do so many creative things with them!

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  175. Chocolate-raspberry Bavarian torte - it's amazing!

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  176. Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Cake!!! I'm saving this one for my birthday! That's right - I'm going to be making my OWN birthday cake! LOL! Love Sprinkle Bakes!!!

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  177. My favorite recipe of hers is the pink vanilla cotton candy cake. It's so whimsical and fun :)

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  178. Megan C. (mlcoggins@hotmail.com)9/12/12, 9:24 AM

    I'm dying to try the Seven Sins Chocolate Cake...it looks awesome!

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  179. peanut butter cup chocolate cake cheesecake. it looks divine!

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  180. Red Velvet Cake Minis are too cute! vypassetticakepops@gmail.com

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  181. Hi there!!! Sprinkle Bakes has help feed my un natural obsession with French Macarons. Her most recent being the Tiffany Blue with Orange Blossom Buttercream. I have been so inspired that I am doing something I never thought I would do. I am taking a French Macaron baking class at our local Sur La Table next week. Thank you Sprinkle Bakes and Vanilla Sugar Blog for BOTH inspring us moms who just want to add a little fun and creativity into our lives. Both of your Blogs are wonderful and educational!!!! Corinne
    palmtree1328@gmail.com

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  182. The Spring Battenburg cake, I have made it over a dozen times and it never gets old. Always fun to bake!

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  183. natashamann23@yahoo.com9/12/12, 10:09 AM

    I made Heathers Jane Austen cake aand Edgar Alan Poe cake and she has inspired about half of my favorite things, especaillay when it comes to using sprinkles!

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  184. My favorite is the Chocolate Raspberry Bavarian Torte - I am having an early Oktoberfest party this weekend - what a perfect dessert this would make! kristinpotpie@yahoo.com

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  185. If I was ever lucky enough to have enough berries, the Deep Dish Berry Pie Tart would be fun to make!

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  186. Theres too many to choose from but chocolate-raspberry bavarian Torte because i'm a huge chocolate and fruit lover, plus i've never thought of the idea of putting the cake in a tin before icing it. Love the idea!

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  187. I love the mojito pops! Mojitos are the official summer drink of my family since we went to Cuba in 2007. We all even grow our own mint.

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  188. Haven't tried any of Heather's creations yet, but I've got my eye on the Key Lime Cheesecake Bars for the future... :-) Would LOVE to get hold of her book too!

    Diane
    ladydi1330@yahoo.com

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  189. I love the peanut butter cup brownie cake! I made one for my housewarming party... you can see my attempt here (#04 in the list): http://chrystinanoel.com/2012/09/10/party-hosting-tips-and-tricks-from-the-pros/
    Everyone loved it!!!

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  190. Hummingbird cake for sure!

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  191. I've been following the SprinkleBakes blog for about a year now and although I've tried and loved many of her recipes, I think the cutest thing ever is the "Sunshine Inside" cupcakes. They are so gorgeous and remind me of the You are My Sunshine song that my mom used to sing when I was little. I also posted it on Pinterest and got about a million repins!

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  192. Lord.... where to begin???? ALL OF THEM???? :-) I love the colors and the mixes of flavors......

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  193. I've recently tried her Chocolate-Raspberry Bavarian Torte and I think it's become my favorite of hers that I've tried!

    - Toni
    - toniplayzsoccer@hotmail.com

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  194. I can't wait to make the chocolate raspberry bavarian torte it look absolutely yummy!

    Danielle
    dansqueak@hotmail.com

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  195. I'd like to try the Peanut Butter Cup Brownie cake she recently posted. LOVE peanut butter!

    Stefanie
    sandersonmrcc@gmail.com

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  196. I've been eyeing the peanut butter cup brownie cake!!!

    Alyssa
    ajaakobs@eden.rutgers.edu

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  197. I love the recipe that is black sesame cupcakes! I've never used black sesame paste so I'm eager to try it out!
    Megan.jones2245@yahoo.com

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