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Holiday Baking with Safeway

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One of my favorite things to do this time of year is holiday baking. I have the fondest memories of standing in a chair beside my mother when I was little, and creating cookie masterpieces to give to friends. My mom’s cookies were the best…seriously. My daughter and I spent many December days doing the same thing. Oh how I miss those days!

I did, however, have a little baking time of my own thanks to Safeway, who sent me a fabulous basket full of goodies to get creative with! I have to admit that I didn’t even know that some of these items existed for the home baker – such as the Betty Crocker Fondant Toppers, Duncan Hines Frosting Creations (and mix-ins) and more. Oh here, let me show you!

This is the basket I received (Newman wasn’t included, but he is incredibly nosy and had to be involved):
baking supplies

It was fun pulling each item out – the ideas started coming to me immediately.  Here is another photo, unobstructed by Newman:

baking goods, cake mixes,fondant shapes

Before I do a “show and tell” with you on my baking fun, I want to tell you about a really neat app from Safeway. The Safeway Chef Assistant app has holiday recipes and tips, a baking timer, and a really fun “Virtual Cupcake Decorator” which lets you and your children decorate a virtual cupcake. After the perfect cupcake has been created, you can email it or even share it on Facebook and Twitter! Make sure you follow the #SafewayChefAssistant hashtag on Twitter for more fun ideas.

Safeway Chef Assistant App, virtual cupcake decorating apps

I first decided to bake Red Velvet Cupcakes. I am crazy about Red Velvet, so this seemed like a good place to start. Plus I had plans to use the red fondant shapes. I was fascinated by the Red Velvet mix, as it also contained a frosting pouch (which I haven’t seen before). Everything that I needed was in the box, including a plastic pastry bag for filling and frosting the cupcakes!

red velvet cupcake mix

 

red velvet frosting,pastry bag

After the cupcakes were done, I mixed the frosting per the directions, filled the pastry bag and poked the tip of the bag into each cupcake and gave a gentle squeeze.  I then used the frosting in the bag to frost the Red Velvet Cupcakes.  I may have added a bit too much water (or maybe I just need more practice), as the swirls I made didn’t quite stand up the way the should have.  No  problem though, I decided to use little fondant shapes on top of the cupcakes anyway.

pre-made fondant,betty crocker fondant

The fondant was really neat and easy.  I have always wanted to play with it, and the possibilities are endless really.  I wouldn’t even begin to know how to make it from scratch, so it was a relief to find it in three little tubs with the primary colors.  To use the fondant, I simply microwaved it on a plate for a few seconds, then rolled out.  Also in the box were teeny cookie cutters, which I used to make the shapes. Voila!

red velvet cupcake

Oh my goodness – these cupcakes were amazing!  They were so moist and full of flavor. I would never have known that they weren’t from scratch, if I hadn’t baked them myself.

Next I made the Reese’s Puffs muffins.  They were really easy to make and again, everything was included in the package, including the yummy crumbles that I sprinkled on top before baking.  These were a big hit with my family.

reese's puffs muffin mix

reese's puffs muffins

Last but not least, I decided to try something completely different (out of the box, if you will!).  I used the Pillsbury Moist Supreme Yellow Cake mix and made two round cakes.  I then used the Duncan Hines Cinnamon Roll frosting mix-in, and blended it into the tub of Duncan Hines Frosting Creations.  I just have to say what a clever idea this is – I love the idea of mixing in different flavors to put a twist on an ordinary cake.  I was curious to see what other flavors are available and there are so many.  Baking will never be the same!  With Duncan Hines Frosting Creations mix-in flavors such as Cotton Candy, White Chocolate Raspberry, Mocha, Strawberry Shortcake and even Bubble Gum, how can a person not be creative? There are plenty of other flavors too (and recipe ideas on the Duncan Hines website)!  Right now they have a few Limited Edition seasonal flavors that I am dying to try – Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread, Peppermint Stick and Apple Pie.  Oh my.

Duncan Hines frosting mix ins, frosting creations

*Photo source: Duncan Hines

Sorry – I got sidetracked.  Back to my recipe!  I mixed the cake batter according to the directions, poured in two greased cake pans and baked them.  While they were baking, I made my Cinnamon Roll frosting.

duncan hines frosting mix-ins,cinnamon roll frosting

round cake pans

I frosted the cake, sprinkled lightly with a little more cinnamon (just for looks), and topped with two cinnamon sticks.  This cake was incredibly good – it was super moist and the frosting was amazing. It tasted just like a cinnamon roll!  I could not stop eating this cake (in fact, I ate so much of it, I didn’t want my dinner. Shame on me).  I would feel proud to take this cake to any event!

cinnamon roll cake

My kitchen smelled delightful for three days in a row, as I baked my little heart out.  Safeway has all of the above products, to help you through the holidays (and any time really).   With all of these flavor combinations, my family will never be bored!

Safeway has a Pinterest page with oodles of holiday ideas and delicious, including holiday meals, baking, sides, drink pairings and of course, dessert. You will also want to follow Safeway on Facebook and @Safeway on Twitter, as there is there is a “Pin to Win” Sweeps coming up soon from Safeway!

How would you like to win all of the baking products that I received?  Enter below!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One (1) winner will receive a Holiday Baking Gift Basket from Safeway (like the one shown above!)!

Open to US residents. Giveaway ends 12/17.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I received the above gift basket from Safeway/DEI Worldwide, free of charge, to bake holiday goodies and share with my readers.

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Comments

  28. …the cinnamon roll mixin sounds like a must for the next time I make them.. Seems, no matter how I try… I just can’t get the glaze/frosting…

    Reply

  53. Probably the flavor I would like to try the most is the Caramel or the Orange Cream. This is making me really want to make some cupcakes right now.

    Reply

  77. the gingerbread frosting (goes great with seasonal treats)
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    Reply

  121. I love the Mix-Ins, I am not a big fan of canned icing and usually make my own. They mix-ins work great in my homemade icing also. The Gingerbread mix will be my next one to try, a flavor nobody expects from frosting.

    Reply

  152. I want to try cotton candy.We had the mocha last night on my daughter’s birthday cupcakes and it was so good.

    Reply

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