ChipItHoliday Giveaway – WINNER :)

The most difficult part of hosting a Giveaway is not being able to respond to all of your great answers!! I LOVED ALL of festive cookies you guys would make around the holiday season.

 This year, my family holiday cookie box consists of ;

•  Pecan bourbon snowballs
• Cream cheese walnut shorties
• Chocolate Brittle Surprise
• Coconut Oat Chocolate Macaroons
• Brule Orange Rosemary Shortbread cookies
• Cranberry Citrus Smoked Vanilla Bourbon cookies
• Sugar Cookies
• Strawberry Cheesecake Thumbprints
• Smoked Sea Salt Mocha Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Chewy Ginger Cookies … which are my family’s go to holiday cookie

 Let’s just say my box of ChipIts came in EXTRA Handy – adding an little sprinkle of extra holiday cheer into each recipe!! Again, thank you so much Hershey’s & Food Bloggers of Canada, this was seriously such an amazing experience.

 I would also like to thank all of you who commented, tweeted, followed me on facebook & liked my page on Instagram – you fine folks rock my socks. And while, I would love to give every single jingle one of you a crate of 20 bags of chips … there are only be one winner.

 HOLIDAY DRUM ROLL PLLLEEAAASSSEEEE ….. pa rum pum pum pum

 And the winner is Lucky Number :

 

WOOO HOOOO Glogirl!!

Your new year just got a little sweeter!! CONGRATULATIONS – I’ll be e-mailing you shortly for your mailing address!!

And for the rest of you, I’m sure you’re knee deep in butter – sugar & flour for the holiday season – Be safe, be sweet and hug your loved ones a little tighter this holiday season.

From the LTSL Family to you and yours :

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Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

When a box chockfull of chipits chips show up at your front door two immediate thoughts came to my mind

1)      I need to dump all of this into my bathtub and swim around in it … or at least dump it in a hot tub and have a chocolate bath.

2)      I wonder how many bags I can eat before I get a tummy ache

I did try doing either. But I knew I had to do something spectacular. When Hershey’s Canada sponsors you with 20 bags of chips … what I actually thought was WOOO HOOO CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY!! I wanted to make everything under the sun if possible, and throw some chips in!!

I got milk chocolate, dark chocolate, skor bits, butterscotch chips, chocolate mint, minis, white chocolate and even a bottle of cocoa powder. AKA I hit the jackpot!!

I’d like to THANK Hershey’s Canada ChipIts a million times over for sending me these goodies, and of course none of this would be possible without the amazing team at Food Bloggers of Canada. For a humble little blog like this … you seriously made a Christmas miracle  a reality!!

 Note: While ChipIts (Hershey’s Canada) did supplement all chips used, all thoughts, opinions, criticisms, hugs, kisses and bowl licking is all mine!!

 Verdict of the goods : I FREAKING LOVED IT!! To be honest, I’ve been using chipit chips for the longest time, I remember growing up making chocolate chip cookies with my mom – we throw butterscotch chips into our oatmeals all the time – and the cocoa powder … darling, I refuse to use any other!! Am I biased … yes. Am I sorry … no.

 

Here’s the fun part … I want to get you in all this chip action!! One lucky winner will ring in the new year with their very own box of 20 bags of ChipIt chips — MERRY CHIRSTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, HAPPY BAKING!!

There are 6 Different ways to win ( please comment each time you complete each of the steps below – or if you already do)

1)      Answer the following question : Growing Up, what was your go to cookie to make around this time of year?

2)      Like Me on Facebook : Facebook.com/LivingThesweetLifeBlog

3)      Follow Me on Instagram : Instagram.com/LivinLovinSweet

4)      Follow Hershey’s Canada on Instagram : Instagram.com/hersheyscanada

5)      Follow Living The Sweet Life Blog on Twitter: @LivinLovinSweet

6)      Tweet the following : @LivinLovinSweet ’s #ChipItsHoliday Giveaway leaves me Chipper

 Rules/Regulations/nitty-gritty

1)      Contest Closes TUESDAY DECEMBER 23^rd – you will receive your lovely loot in the new year!!

2)      Contest open to those living in Canada only

3)      The Winner will be chosen by a random number generator

4)      You must love chocolate and be willing to share your baked goods with me … just kidding.

 And so, what did I make?!?! Obviously the most indulgent –decadent – amazing treat I could conjure up. What happens when you mix Chocolate Chip Cookies – Rich Chocolate Fudge & Cheese cake?!?! … Happiness.

 

Happiness is what happens.

Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Layers

 1 cup margarine

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

2 tbsp cornstarch

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups ChipIts Semi-Sweet chocolate chips

    

Preheat oven to 350 oc. Grease and line 2 large spring form cake pans with parchment paper.

 In a large bowl, cream margarine & sugars. Add  vanilla extract and eggs.

Add baking soda, sea salt, cornstarch and flour.

Last, throw in  your chocolate chips.

Divide equally between both cake pans, and bake for 20 minuets.

 Remove from oven and allow to cool … aka, revert from attacking the giant cookies!!

Fudge Layer:

1 can of condensed milk

2 cups of Hershey’s Cocoa powder

2 tablespoons of evaporated milk

1 cup of unsalted butter, melted

  

In a large bowl, mix condensed milk, 2 cups of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of milk and the melted butter. Set aside, until you are ready to layer.

Cheesecake Layer: 

2 packages cream cheese, room temperature

1 can (1 1/4 cups) sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup ChipIts Mini chocolate chips

  

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, condensed milk, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Mix until silky and smooth ( approximately 7 minutes). Gently fold in chocolate chips.

Now, let’s get our layering on!! 

  

Remove one of your cookie layers from the cake pan ( leave the other one in the  .. trust me, it will make your life SO much easier!!) using the cookie, that was left in the pan as your bottom layer – carefully spread your prepared chocolate fudge ( the more even, the better … but if not – it’s okay, it still tastes damn good!). Next, layer on your cheesecake batter.

Carefully top your cake with your last chocolate chip cookie.

Refrigerate for at least an hour – best overnight – but I totally understand if you want to faceplant into this beautiful disaster 🙂

Happy ChipItHoliday-ing … don’t forget to enter below for your chance to win!! The Holiday season, is about to get a little sweeter for one of you sweethearts.

We Have Winner : Decorate your cake like a Boss with Sugar Tiers

We have a winner!!
We have a winner!!

I hope everyone had a great weekend – for one special reader – the weekend is about to get a little sweeter! For everyone that entered the Decorate your cake like a boss with Sugar Tiers Contest – thank you ( yes, all 3 or 4 of you 😉 lol). I loved reading all of your entries, and though each answer was different one thing was for sure – we all look forward to the weekend to just relax.

So whether you treat yourself to a sweet treat to kick off the weekend – or choose to sleep in come Saturday morning to celebrate the goodness that is the weekend – celebrate we should.

So let’s give some goods away.

And our winner is ….

post numero 2 – – and who could that be?

Woooohooooo – – congratulations!! Sanjana says her favourite way to celebrate the weekend is dinner with friends, lounging around in pjs and squishing her nephew. Sounds like a great weekend to moi.

Sanjana, please keep an eye out as you will be receiving your prize very soon – enjoy decorating your cake like a boss!!

  

For everyone else, keep sweet

xox

Decorate your cake like a Boss with Sugar Tiers

It’s Friday.

FINALLY.

I love fridays … the notion of an other week over, so much accomplished and the fact the next day there’s no guilt involved when I hit my snooze button. Friday’s have always been my favourite day, even when I was a lot younger, we would celebrate in the littlest of ways.

Now, I still host mini self celebrations – treat myself to a hot chocolate – buy myself one of my favourite cookies …   dress up a little extra … wear a sassy coloured lipstick … it’s nothing major, but it’s my way of saying … congratulations, you made it!

And when we’re celebrating (even the little things) we need cake.

It’s a must.

And it’s major.

Except, I want cake without the calories ( it’s my blog, I’m going to dream if I want to 😉 ) – Ideally I want to be able to eat like Marie Antoinette and have Jackie O’s body … too much to ask? – what’s that, I’m lazy. Maybe. Probably.

… back to cake!

So instead of going to town on a slice .. or two. I want to give Y-O-U the chance to Decorate your cake like a boss!!

Photo Source : http://sugartiers.ca/joomla

I have, for 1 lucky winner the opportunity to take part in 2-hour Basic Introduction to Cake Decorating class OR a 2-hour hands on Cupcake Workshop with the amazing and ever so talented team at Sugar Tiers!!

These two ladies are taking the term sugar-high to a whole new level, not only talented but extensively trained in the fine art of cake decorating. This is your chance to learn the tricks of the trade and make Martha Stewart and Buddy Valastro seem like old news … and let’s be honest, there will be some chomping too 🙂 

So, what do you have to do to get in on your own little sweet fantasy?

Please leave a comment below after completing each of the following activities ( every individual comment you leave, will count as one entry – for a maximum of 7 entries per person)

1. Answer the following question : What is your favourite flavour of cake?
2. Fill in the blank : My favourite way to celebrate the weekend is :__________________!!
3. Follow Living The Sweet Life on Twitter
4. Tweet the following phrase ” I’m about to get my sprinkle on & Decorate my cake like a Boss with @SugarTiersCA after winning @LivinLovinSweet ‘s delicious #giveaway “
5. Subscribe the the Living The Sweet Life Blog
6. Like Living the Sweet Life on Facebook
7. After liking, Share the Living The Sweet Life Facebook Page

Greater Toronto Area, this contest is calling your name!! Sugar Tiers is located at : 735 Markland Street, Unit 4, Markham Ontario, Canada, L6C 0G6. However, don’t let the location stop you from entering … this contest is open to one and all, and the lucky winner will be announced on Friday March 8, 2013 !! 

Good Luck my sugar pies, have a great weekend

xox

100+ Cookies and Goodies Giveaway WINNER

Do you hear what I hear…

Jingle Bells are ringing …

Sleds are dashing though the snow…

and Santa Clause is coming to town…

There’s exactly ONE MONTH until Christmas 🙂

So let’s start giving away some goodies, to guarantee Santa is well fed come Christmas eve.

  

First, I must thank every single one of you for entering. I can’t believe how many cookie monsters shared their favorite sweet treat – tweeted and shared on Facebook! Thank you. I love you … every single one of you!! My favorite part was reading about your favorite Christmas memories.

I hope this Christmas brings you a chance to continue your traditions and make brand new ones with those you love.

And now …

Little drummer boy, do your thing!!

* Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum *

Our 100+ Cookies & Goodies Giveaway WINNER is

CONGRATULATIONS AMY!!

Please check your e-mail for further details on how to obtain your winnings. I hope you enjoy your cookies & all of the goodies that come along with this sweet package, let this be the begging of a very sweet season for you!

❤

For everyone else, never fear – – there’s another giveaway going on right now at LTSL – – don’t forget to enter! And between you and me, I have a funny feeling there will be a couple more before the end of the year 😉

Have a sweet Sunday my dears

xox

Favourite Flavours of Christmas Giveaway

Remember last year, when I participated in The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap, where swarms and swarms of cookies floated through the air reaching new homes and creating brand spankin’ new friendships. My heart skipped a beat to find out over 1000 cookies were being shipped around the world!! Over 1000 cookies, I think the Cookie Monster was going in for the Jack pot!!

 Last year I made these scrumptious Caribbean Spice Sorrel Cookies. They were so much fun – bright red – notes of green pistachios and a little coconut action to resemble the snow.

This year, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to participate again. I’ve signed up. Received my matches and now … now is the fun part. I get to come up with one recipe, make at least three dozen cookies and then ship them to the lucky cookie monsters to feed them and their familia. Sounds fun right?

It is … but it’s also SO FREAKING HARD!

I love coming up with new recipes. Love it. I get inspiration from all over the place. Talking to friends, looking in my cupboards, walking into the grocery store. But this is a whole new game!! There’s all this pressure to this game of poker. I want my cookies to scream Christmas / holiday season – I want them to be fun – yet different – I want them to be festive yet relatable. They must ship well, which means a low cracking rate – low melting rate – but a

super high yuuumtastic rate!

HOLY MOTHER OF PRESSURE … right?

But that’s why I have you. I need your help 😀 .

Please comment below with your favourite holiday flavours. I’m talking tastes and scents that remind you of the holiday / winter season. Feel free to be creative, and you’re more than welcome to comment more than once. The more options presented the easier (I hope) it will be to come up with a cookie.

After, I will read through all of your entries and create a cookie based on one lucky reader’s suggestion. That reader in turn will of course be compensated for their great idea and receive a dozen cookies right to their door step!!

Giveaway details:

This giveaway is open to all those located within North America. The contest will close Wednesday November 28^th 2012, so please have all of your entries in by this date. Also, remember you are more than welcome to comment more than once – – so go ahead, the more you take part the greater your chance of getting some delicious cookies in the mail!!  

Please complete the following tasks,

–                    Fill in the blank: Tastes of ________________ and smells of ______________ remind me that the elves are working hard, Rudolph is training and Mr. Clause is on his way.

–                    Tweet the following “@LivinLovinSweet needs your help deciding on her #FBCookieSwap Cookie flavours, make a suggestions & if chosen you can win 1 dozen : “

Good luck everyone, and thank you SO much for your help!!

xo

100+ Cookies & Goodies Giveaway

Good Morning Sunshine’s,

I have quite the surprise for you this morning!!

Cookies.

Lots and lots annnnd lots of cookies.

Over 100 to be exact. And I want to give them all to Y-O-U!!

Did you know we have exactly 7 weeks until Christmas?

Seven weeks, that sounds like quite a while, right? But then when you plan for Thanksgiving, and Christmas shopping, putting up the Christmas tree, sending out your christmas cards, decorating the house, visiting family, holiday parties and lets not even begin talking about all the baking and cooking that needs to be done – – 7 weeks really isn’t that long. It’s going to fly by faster than “ho ho ho ”

So, how do I feel about the rush of holiday cheer?

WOOOHOOOOO – YIPPEEE – WOOT WOOT!!
I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED!!

In case you didn’t know, or could not tell ( since I’m not obvious at all) I L-O-V-E Christmas!! I love the time with family, the feeling of joy in the air, kids on their best behavior waiting for the magic of Christmas morning, I love the cookies and the parties and the chance to relax. I love the traditions and the memories.

I love it all.

And that also has to do with the fact that there are a million special traditions my family and I share over the holiday season, creating amazing memories and so much to laugh about.

Whether it’s coming up with the special cookies that will be included in my annual family cookie box, going out to find the perfect tree, staying up late wrapping gifts, hanging the lights around the house, placing our Christmas ornaments on the tree, singing at the top of my lungs to Christmas carols as I bake late into the morning or dancing around the kitchen with Mama LTSL as we cook and fill the kitchen with Christmas scents on Christmas Eve.

I love every bit of it.

But let’s be honest, the holiday season can also be an incredibly busy time of year. It can be exhausting, and overwhelming. Though you’d love to leave a plate out of fresh baked cookies for Santa – – it’s not always possible.

I’ve got your back Living The Sweet Life Readers!!

I’ve taken care of the cookie situation. I want to send you 3 different cookie dough’s that have been featured on Living The Sweet Life;

Citrus Cranberry White Chocolate Chip

* Popped* Toasty Chocolate Chip Cookies

and Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a little

Peace, Love and Joy

… one lucky LTSL reader, will get enough cookie dough to make 3 dozen of each cookie!! Now that’s some serious cookie action. But that’s not it…

I’ll also be giving you my favourite cookie scoop.

And three special cookie cutters, so all you have to do is preheat your oven – prep your pan and let the memories unfold.

So, what do you got to do to get in on the Jingle Bell Goodness? It’s simple – you’ll have SEVEN different chances to be the lucky little elf.

Please remember to comment on this blog post, for each task you complete. The winner will be chosen by random draw and this contest is open to all readers across North America.

1) Answer the following question: what is your favourite holiday cookie or sweet treat?

2) Describe your favourite holiday memory or tradition growing up?

3) Subscribe to the Living The Sweet Life Blog

4) Like and Share Living The Sweet Life on Facebook

5) Share this contest on Facebook by clicking the link below

6)Follow @LivinLovinSweet on Twitter

6) Tweet the following : ” I want to win @LivinLovinSweet ‘s 100+ Cookies & Goodies Giveaway to make sure Santa is well fed this Christmas !! https://livingthesweetlifeblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/100-cookies-goodies-giveaway/ ”

The contest winner will be announced Sunday November 25th, exactly one month before Christmas day.

Good Luck everyone, let the holiday shenanigans begin!!