Product Review/ Giveaway: Mrs. Fields Cookie Cuttables Easter (CLOSED)

Remember when I did two product reviews for the Love Cooking Company about the Half and Half Pan and the Cool Bake Pan? Well, just last month, Love Cooking Company launched two new products that are from their new Cookie Cuttables collection. This collection is a line of innovative cookie cutting grids that makes baking time easier than before. I happen to be given the chance to try out one of the two Cookie Cuttables and the one I got is the Easter. 

With the Valentine Season over, and now the Easter Celebration is drawing near, I see all kinds of Easter decoration going on at the stores, online, or in people's houses. Of course, part of celebrating the Easter season is baking some Easter Cookies. 

Mrs. Fields Cookie Cuttables Easter

Retail value for each cutter is $9.99

Create adorable Easter-themed cookies with the Mrs. Fields Cookie Cuttables™ Easter! Simply roll out your cookie dough and press the cookie cutter grid on top. When you remove the grid, you'll have 10 Easter-themed cookies: Four (4) Easter eggs, three (3) Easter bunny faces and three (3) baby chicks. Just decorate and celebrate!

Size: 16” x 10.2” x 0.8”

Materials: Polypropylene

- The grids allow you to cut out several themed cookie shapes at one time. These grids reduce clutter in your kitchen drawers by eliminating the need for several individual cutters that take up lots of space, break and can get easily lost. Plus it saves you time by not having to make so many individual cuts. 

- They will be available in-stores and online starting middle of February. Amazon.com will be selling these, Joann's Fabric Stores and Kitchen Collection will also be selling them among others.

Instructions for use:

1. Prepare your cookie dough according to recipe

2. Wash your cookie grid thoroughly before use. Grid is top rack dishwasher safe.

3. Roll out dough onto your counter top to at least the size of the cutter

4. Add a little flour to the top of the dough to help minimize stickiness

5. Place the cutter centered over the dough & press downward all the way and shimmy the cutter slightly back and forth to deepen the cut marks, which will make removal easier.

6. Slowly lift the cutter, pushing down on any shapes that may stick with your finger then place each shape onto your greased cookie sheet for baking.

(My 2-year old little Baker-in-the-making.)

Before we could decorate these cut-out cookies with icing and sprinkles, my family couldn't wait to eat it. They didn't even give it time to cool off. And by the way, I baked these cookies using the Cool Bake pan that I got from Love Cooking Company. Love this pan! 

What Do We Think About The Product? 

- It is no secret my kids love to bake with me and I love that. They are always willing to do whatever they can to contribute like rolling out the dough and cut-out shapes because they think it is fun. And for us to have a calm and safe baking experience, I have to have things that my kids are able to use and that they are safe. With this Cookie Cuttables Easter, I feel secure that my kids are safe enough when using this product (with my supervision) and that they won't cut their fingers. 

- The material is quite sturdy and I know will last many baking sessions. 

- This is so easy to use. Just like what the instruction says, you just shimmy it a little bit to make nice cut-out shapes. I love that I can make nine (9) shapes at the same time and I don't have to make many cuts. It saves you time. 

- Easy to wash. I like to wash it right away after using to avoid the cooking dough from hardening. Top rack dishwasher safe, too. 

- Easy storage as well because all of the cookie cutters is contained in one device. It doesn't take up a lot of space either. Less clutter in the kitchen. 

- All in all, I am a happy mama and we are happy with the product. Thank you, Love Cooking Company! Don't forget to visit their website at http://www.lovecookingcompany.com/.

Because Love Cooking Company knew you would want your own Cookie Cuttables, they are so generous that they want to giveaway one (1) Cookie Cuttables Easter to one (1) lucky Chetopian Family reader. All you have to do to enter are these few simple steps. 

GIVEAWAY: 

- First, Like Love Cooking Company on Facebook. 

And while you are there, please let them know Chetopian Family sent you and thank them for this lovely Giveaway. Then come back here and leave me a comment telling me you did so. Thank you! 

- Follow on Twitter. 

- Follow on Pinterest. 

- Follow Chetopian Family Facebook Fanpage. 

- Tell me in the comment below that you did all the entries above. Thanks! 

That's it! Simple steps for a chance to win your very own Cookie Cuttables Easter. This will be very helpful for your Easter baking this coming Easter Season, which is just around the corner. This Giveaway is open to US only. Thank you and Good Luck, everyone! The winner will be announced next week, Monday. And will announce it here on the blog, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Giveaway Winner: 

Food Portion: The Ensaymada Saga

This has been an ongoing experimentation with making some Ensaymada that look and taste like what we have back in the Philippines. There are days when I feel the craving for Ensaymada really bad, but unfortunately, I have not yet learned the secret to making the fluffiest, softest, and buttery bread. Thus, it still is a saga. 

The other day I happened upon a recipe while searching on Pinterest. Yes, you got that right. I actually spend time on Pinterest searching for recipes that I find interesting to try. Who doesn't? I have tried different recipes before, but somehow mine just doesn't turn out quite right.  For this recipe, I feel like I could be closer to finding the right way to making my pillowy soft bread that reminds of Ensaymada in the Philippines. I may not be able to make it exactly like the ones in the Philippines, but at least I want to come up with something close to it that makes me feel satisfied. 

For the bread that I made yesterday, it is soft (even the next day), but it is not there yet. I have a few ideas in my head that I want to apply the next time I make another batch that might also do the trick. Making this type of bread takes a lot of time and patience and it is tedious, but knowing that my family enjoys eating the bread, it is all worth it. 

For those who are interested in making their own Ensaymada (or in other countries they call it Mallorca) you can check out the Mallorca Bread recipe over at The Noshery blog. 

Before

Previous Ensaymada

Family Time: My Family In Photos

She loves this Vintage Christmas Dress so much. And her red shoes. 

Baking is a must in this house. I have three (well four including me) mouths to feed. I made some banana bread the other day. 

Oh! One of the many perks of having kids. It is when you are in the middle of cleaning the house and the kids decided mama doesn't have enough cleaning to do so they made their own mess. They were having fun though! Isn't parenthood glamorous? *wink*

My little baker in the making giving you sweet smoochies while waiting for kuya (big brother) Harley before we start baking. 

After baking the muffins, we let it cool down and we headed outside to help dadda haul some firewood. And there were some wheel barrow pushing and mud puddling going on too. 

I used my old baking sheets to put muddy boots on to save your floor from getting dirty. It works!

Apple, Sweet Potato, and Carrot Muffins were the perfect snacks after hauling firewood and mud puddling. Kalami! (Yummy!)

Fresh from the shower and waiting for supper. If you are on my Facebook, then you know what kind of conversation went on last night with my boy. 

Conversation with my son.

Son: (while playing the word puzzle and spelling the word SNOWMAN) Mama, this is going to be hard. Where is the Snowman? 

Me: It melted away because it was sunny and warm today. 

Son: No, the puzzle! 

Me: I was just messing with you bud, sorry. (so I helped him play the puzzle)

Son: Next is the S T A R, mama. Can you help me?

Me: It is an easy word to find Harley, you can do it.

Son: I found it! 

Me: See, I told you it was easy. Congratulations, bud!

Son: Mama, what is Congratulations?

Me: It is when you did great. Or when you win something, then people will say "Congratulations!"

Son: What if I didn't win? What do you say? Do they say " No Congratulations to you  because you didn't win". 

Have a great Monday, everyone! 

Linking this to A-Snap-A-Day 2014 by mommy Rcel. 
You can come and join us if you like! 

Product Review: Silicone Baking Buddies By The New York Baking Company

I was asked to review the silicone baking cups by Rizzi from The New York Baking Company and let me introduce you to my new favorite baking buddies. 

Product Name: Silicone Baking Cups

Brand: The New York Baking Company

RRP: $8.95

Material: BPA free silicone
You can find them on Amazon.

• Never have to use paper cups ever again!
• BPA free, FDA approved, non porous and stain proof silicone baking cups!
• Flexible and easy release silicone! Just peel the side to pop out your muffin, cupcake, dessert....!
• Nonstick silicone means food doesn't cling or stick to baking cups! Easy to clean and dishwasher safe!
• Premium product backed by our lifetime guarantee, click the add to cart button now and never buy paper cups again!

(Spinach Muffins, also called as "Popeye Muffins)

Aren't the baking cups looking so festive? They would make perfect cups for kids' parties because the colors are so vibrant. 

(Apple, Sweet Potato and Carrots Muffins using brown sugar and Tagatose)

- These silicone baking cups are amazing! There are 12 silicone cups in a pack and they come in four (4) solid colors as you can see in the picture. 

- The silicone cups are very easy to use, easy to wash and easy to store (they don't take up a lot of space). These are so flexible, yet it can stand on its own and no need to use the muffin tin to bake something in it. It says on the package that these silicone cups are;

     * 100% Food Grade

     * No Stick. 

     * BPA Free

     * Freezer Safe

     * Microwave Safe

     * Dishwasher Safe, and

     * Oven Safe up to 475 degrees F

- It is true that my muffins slid right out of the silicone baking cups without any need of spraying it with oil or without greasing the cups. My muffins come out all beautiful and well-baked. I want to get more of these though, because I already lost two. Somehow, my little girl thought it was disposable and I forgot to take the muffins out of the cups and without me knowing, she already had thrown it in the trash. 

- To be honest, I don't really have any other silicone baking cups or some baking items made out of silicone in the kitchen. I don't know why I am afraid of using them, but these cups are really wonderful. They don't have that funky smell at all. 

- I like the fact that I can bake some muffins or cupcakes in it and I can also store it in the fridge anytime I want to and just heat it up when ready to eat. It gives you the ability to whip up a huge batch of healthy muffins and stick them in the freezer the next time you are hungry for some. But then in my house, our muffins don't last long. These would also be perfect when I cook some healthy Mac N Cheese in a cup for my little man to take to school for lunch. I can make the Mac N Cheese in advance in these cups, then stick the rest of them in the freezer, and just pull them out when ready to eat. 

- The advantage to using the silicone cups over the paper ones is that they are reusable so you don't have to keep buying the paper cups and saves you some money. I want more of these! Thank you so much, The New York Baking Company for the chance reviewing your silicone baking cups. 

- I don't really have anything negative to say about these cups, but it would be nice to see another range of colors? 

- Would I recommend this to others? Absolutely. If you love to bake or are learning to bake, try these silicone baking cups. It makes baking a whole lot easier! 

Product Review: Mrs. Fields Half And Half Pan By Love Cooking Company

My family received a complimentary product from Love Cooking Company to facilitate a dependable and honest review. Please read the full disclosure below. 

If you are having trouble deciding what cupcake to make for the Christmas season, check out this product that I received from Love Cooking Company that might help figure out your baking decision dilemma. Have you ever heard of Mrs. Fields Half And Half Pan before? If not, check out below and learn more about the product. 

About Love Cooking Company

We believe that there is no higher value than showing your loved ones that you care. Our company was created to embrace and inspire more loving moments. They may occur while cooking together expressed in the form of appreciation as friends and family delight in what you have made for them. They will preserve these tastes and smells in their hearts for a lifetime.

The Love Cooking Company is proud to partner with the Mrs. Fields Company. Their wonderful baking history blended with the innovation and mission of the Love Cooking Company is an unbeatable recipe that will spread more love around the world!

Mrs. Fields Half And Half Pan

Price: 

Can't decide which flavor to bake? Make them both with Mrs. Fields' Half N Half Cupcake/Muffin Pan! Complete with an easy-to-use-and-clean divider to separate cupcakes into two halves, the Half & Half Cupcake Pan lets users combine strawberry, chocolate, vanilla… and any other delicious flavors your heart (or appetite) desires!

Size: 16" x 10.17" x 1.33"M

Materials: Non-Stick Carbon Steel & Plastic

Patent Pending

Note: The white plastic part comes off and must not be included when baking. Of course! 

(Vanilla Beet Cupcakes)

My Review:

- I like the fact that I can bake two different cupcakes in one to make fun and festive baked treats. 

- The quality of the product is wonderful and it is not something thin or cheaply made (at least the pan part).

- Easy to use. 

- Easy clean up. 

- I don't have to use individual batter dividers to make half and half cupcakes because that can be time consuming. With the Mrs. Fields Half and Half divider it cuts down the time. 

What I Don't Like About It?

- I wish the divider part (the white plastic material) was a bit heavier so that it is flushed all the way to the bottom of the cupcake tins so the batter doesn't start flowing from under and transfer to the other side. When I load up the batter on the other half, I have to be in a hurry or else the batter starts flowing to the other side from under and mixes up with the other batter. I also have to have someone to help me push the divider to make sure it is flushed to the bottom (my little boy helps me on that part). With that said, it doesn't make a perfect half and half when you look at it from the side. It doesn't work well if you have a thin/thinner batter, but works with thick/thicker batter. 

Even with the little snag on the divider part, I still enjoy using the product when baking because it is not only for making half and half baked goodies, but you can even use it for making your other favorite muffins or cupcakes. I still use it from time to time when I fancy making half and half cupcakes and I will be using it this Christmas for baking treats for the family. My kids enjoy having some homemade baked treats and half and half puts a spin to a rather plain cupcakes. 

If this was my money, I still would buy it compare to the individual dividers because it is easier to use, even with a little issue with their product. I just need someone to help me hold down the divider to make sure the batter does not transfer to the other side from under. 

How about you, everyone? Have you ever tried Mrs. Fields Half and Half Pan before? How do you like it? If not, would you like to win one? If so, all you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter below. Easy steps to win so remember, the more entries you put in, the more chances to win. Just in time for the Christmas season! Thank you and Good luck! Also, watch the video below to learn more. 

This giveaway is open to US only. 

Ends on the 13th of this month, December to make sure the winner will receive in time for the Christmas season. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Code:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTU5OGU2MjA5MGQ3YTk0MjQ5NWJjZDU3Y2MzNTNlOjMw/

Food Share: Samoan Coconut Bread

Thank you to Immaculate Bites for the Samoan Coconut Bread Recipe. Click Here.

Anyone wants some freshly baked Samoan Coconut Bread? It is oh so good! The bread smells so good and so pillowy soft. It has quickly become my favorite. It is a must try! Even if you don't like coconut milk. The milk does not overpower the taste of the bread, but just enough to make it soft and smelling good. Sprinkled with sugar on the top. My breakfast is served! Yes, I can go on with my day today with just this because it is what I feel like eating. 

Also, I made some Samoan Coconut Bread Rolls for the kids' treat today at school. This week is my son's turn to bring some treats. I made the bread dough last night and just let it sit in the fridge overnight and it was ready to bake in the morning. I like the part where you can make the dough ahead and bake it the next morning. 

I hope your Monday is off to a great start! Mine sure is. I have been feeling a little bit sad and missing my family back in the Philippines these past few days, but I am feeling a little bit better today. Anyway, if you happen to try this recipe, which you can find the link above, let me know! 

Bread and Hot Cocoa Mix for the K kids at school. Hope they like! 

My boys! I love them both. 

Food Share: Honey WOW Butter Cookies With Chocolate Chips (Peanut-Free)

Last night I was thinking of baking something new because the night was freezing cold and baking can help keep the house warm, smelling good, and keep the house crew fed and happy. I remembered years ago I made some peanut butter cookies, then I realized I received some complimentary products from WOWButter the other day and thought of using that for the cookies. I searched for a Peanut Butter recipe on Pinterest (I am always looking for new recipes on this site. Addictive!) and found the Honey Peanut Butter recipe. 

Instead of using real Peanut Butter on this recipe, I used the WOWButter that I got. It is Peanut-free, made from soy beans, it is creamy and still tastes yummy. By the way, I will be doing a review on this one so come back again next time to know more about this product. Especially if you know someone who is allergic to Peanuts. If you would like to try this recipe, click on the link below. 

And oh! I also didn't use Vegetable Shortening because I didn't have it so I used butter instead. Mine turned out a bit crunchy and chewy in the middle. It still turned out good and my kids couldn't stop from eating it! My little man even asked me if I could make more cookies for his classmates. Michelle, the blog owner says if you use butter, swap out at least half granulated sugar and half brown sugar so your cookies still turn out chewy. Enjoy baking! 

I got the recipe from the blog Brown Eyed Baker. 

Thank you so much for the Honey-Peanut Butter recipe! 

Food Share: Spiced Apple Butternut Squash Bread

The lazy bug has bitten me these days because I feel lazy, unmotivated, uninspired to do anything else (even workout) other than just baking and take care of my little girl. Even updating my blog and writing product reviews has put to hold, but I am going to try and do something else today with my girl and loose some of these unwanted gained weight. I think the sleeping so late at night and lack of sleep is making me feel this way. 

Anyway, while I don't have much to share for now, I thought of sharing you the Spiced Apple Butternut Squash Bread that I baked early this morning. You don't mind, do you? I love butternut Squash and since I don't want to waste the leftover Butternut Squash that we had, I searched for some recipes online that I could use the squash with and came across the My Baking Addiction Blog with the bread recipe. I thought it would be a wonderful recipe to try so I got up this morning with the thought in mind that maybe I have the time to make it so my little man could take it to school for lunch, but I guess I didn't get up early enough. Well, at least my boys will have something to eat for snacks when they come home from school. I am glad I found this recipe because mine turned out delicious. I did a little bit of a twist with mine because instead of just using all butternut squash puree', I mixed in some fresh applesauce as well, and I used Agave Syrup instead of brown sugar. My bread turned out crusty on the outside while moist on the inside. Yumminess! 

I love how you can use this recipe as your base and use this to come up with something else like using Pumpkin Puree' or Sweet Potato Puree' and throw in some Applesauce too. I could have added some chocolate chips, but I wasn't up for anymore sugary things so I didn't. Next time, I will add some flax seed as well. Thank you, My Baking Addiction! 

Enjoy the rest of your day! I think I might catch up some snoozing time when my girl takes a nap later on. It's just one of those days. I'll see you around! 

By the way, have you entered the Mrs. Fields Cool Bake Pan giveaway yet? If not, enter for a chance to win one Cool Bake pan from Love Cooking Company. Only three days left to win. Thank you and Good luck! Hurry now ! 

Product Review/Giveaway: Mrs. Fields The Cool Bake Pan From Love Cooking Company

About Love Cooking Company

We believe that there is no higher value than showing your loved ones that you care. Our company was created to embrace and inspire more loving moments. They may occur while cooking together expressed in the form of appreciation as friends and family delight in what you have made for them. They will preserve these tastes and smells in their hearts for a lifetime.

The Love Cooking Company is proud to partner with the Mrs. Fields Company. Their wonderful baking history blended with the innovation and mission of the Love Cooking Company is an unbeatable recipe that will spread more love around the world!

The Cool Bake pan that I love so much and I have been using it ever since I got it in the mail. One great baking innovation that I am glad I have. If you have not heard or used one before, stick around and read below. Or, watch the video to learn more about how Mrs. Fields The Cool Bake pan from Love Cooking Company works. 

Product Details:

The secret to great looking cookies is in the Mrs. Fields Cool Bake Pan. With this pan, you no longer need to transfer the hot cookies one at a time to a cooling rack and run the risk of ruining them. This unique pan has the cooling rack built right into it!

- Size: 17" x 11.5" x 0.75"

- Materials: Non-Stick Carbon Steel

- Patent Pending

My little helper in the kitchen who helped me made these cookies. Thank you, my boy! 
He doesn't look excited for some Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Cookies, does he? 

- I love baking cookies or baking in general (I didn't use to) but the thing I don't like much is when I am baking cookies that are delicate and when you transfer it to a cooling rack, they can fall apart or break, and crumbs are all over, which is no fun. Of course it is not going to affect the taste of your cookies, but you want to see great looking cookies after you have done all that work. Also, there are times where cookies can stick to the bottom of the pan and you have to scrape it off. With the use of the Mrs. Fields Cool Bake pan, you don't have to do all that. All you do is make your cookie dough, put it on the Cool Bake pan, bake, and cool. No transferring of cookies from the pan to the cooling tray because you simply lift the built-in cooling tray off the pan. 

- There are two things that come with the Cool Bake pan. First is the top part, which is the built-in cooling rack that has four rounded feet on the bottom so that the cooling rack is elevated, allows air to circulate, which also helps prevent the bottom of the cookies from burning. The built-in cooling rack has two side handles for easy lifting. The second part is the deep pan to where you put the built-in cooling rack on. 

- I have actually used just the pan itself without the cooling rack and my bread still turned out great. 

- As you can see on my photos, the bottom of my cookies were not burnt and the top is done. In fact, on all of my baked goodies that I made using this pan, they all turned out perfect and delicious. I love it!

- It is a non-stick pan and it does work, but there were times that I rubbed some butter on the pan just to be on the safe side. It won't hurt to be safe right, but yes it works. 

- I love how easy it is to wash the pan because the crumbs will just come right off with some warm water and dishwashing soap. Sometimes, I don't even have to use soap just wash it off with warm water and it's done.

Cookies aren't the only thing I baked using this pan and I used it for baking bread. I have shared some photos of the baked goodies I have made these past few days and you can check them out here. I have made mini-soft pretzel bites, Spanish Bread (Filipino's Bread), Ensaymada (another Filipino bread), Biscotti, and some braided Honey Wheat Bushman Bread that certainly was a hit in this family. Never once have I had problems with burnt bottoms using this pan. 

If you are a serious baker or learning to bake, check out Love Cooking Company's innovative collection of bake ware. I think you will love it. I do! I would love to try all of their bake ware, for sure. Thank you Love Cooking Company for this opportunity reviewing your product. I am one happy baking mama! 

And now for the fun part, the GIVEAWAY!!! 

This giveaway is open to US residents only. 

Read the giveaway rules below the Rafflecopter. 
Thank you and Good luck, everyone!
Giveaway ends on the 20th of October. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Code: 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTU5OGU2MjA5MGQ3YTk0MjQ5NWJjZDU3Y2MzNTNlOjIz/