July Gourmet Sweet Box from OrangeGlad

OrangeGlad was one of my favorite dessert subscription boxes, so I was excited to try them out again this month. The June box was no less delectable than the May box, and if anything, I'm even more addicted to this service than I was before.  If you missed my post last month, OrangeGlad offers a unique  subscription box service that allows you to sample a variety delicious treats each month. For as little as $25 a month, a new selection gets shipped right to your door, allowing you to sample some of the best products on the market and see which ones you enjoy the most.  This month had an amazing selection of sweets were the perfect summer goodies. Here's what I got to sample this month.

S'Mores Biscotti - Biscottis are one of my favorite cookies and I love this new twist on a classic. It's a chocolate biscotti with a layer of gooey marshmallows, with little chips of graham crackers. This OrangeGlad exclusive was just fabulous!

Salted Caramel Cream Cookie from the Cravory - I did a few reviews for the Cravory and they are still one of my all-time favorite cookies. They are soft and chewy, and simply melt in your mouth. This one is the perfect combination of salty and sweet.

Espresso Ducle de Leche Brownies - OMG. Talk about heaven. This are rich, delicious brownies, made even more luscious by the addition of real espresso. These are brownies I don't have to share with my children. 

Honey Lavender Shortbread Cookies- I love lavender in my candles and my beauty products, but I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it my cookies. Turns out, it's pretty good there too. This cookies melt in your mouth and are perfect with a cup of tea.

Pomegranate ans Nectarine Hard Candy - Pomegranates were known as the food of the gods for a reason. These hard candies are a wonderful way to beat those afternoon cravings. They are a sweet and satisfying treat that won't fill you up.

I loved every single one of the treats in this month's box. I also love how they include a little insert with info on all the companies so you can order more of your favorites. If you're looking to try out some new gourmet snacks, you should definitely give OrangeGlad's  subscription box a try. Getting one of these boxes in the mail makes it feel like Christmas every month!  To learn more about OrangeGlad and all they have to offer, visit their website. To keep up with new items, be sure to follow them on face book and twitter. 

Cheesecake from GourmetGiftBasket for National Grandparents Day - #Giveaway

NATIONAL GRANDPARENTS DAY is on Sunday, September 11th. When I think of my grandmother, I always remember watching the Golden Girls with her when I was a little girl.  From the time I was in high school I always imagined myself being one of the "Golden Girls" one day. I have two old friends and the three of us would be just like them. I would be Rose, talking about the old days back at the Jersey Shore with my head still in the clouds, just like always. And one of the best parts of being a golden girl would be those late night talks with the girls while we enjoyed a slice of delicious cheesecake. And the place where I will be getting all my cheesecakes from this point on, is GourmetGiftBaskets.

I was lucky enough to receive one of the gourmet chocolate cheesecake samplers from GourmetGiftBasket, and let me tell you, it was like receiving a little piece of heaven. This particular cake comes with a few of the most popular flavors including. Turtle, Triple Chocolate, Chocolate Swirl, and Chocolate Raspberry.  However, there are more than 25 different cheesecakes you can choose from. Some other flavors include NY Strawberry-Topped, Banana Cream, Chocolate Cabernet, Lemon Biscotti, Marionberry, Pumpkin, Cherry Almond, Cappuccino, Blood Orange, Caramel Apple Crunch, Coconut, Key Lime, Kahlua Almond and more! Prices range from $29.99 to $54.99.  Each bite was a scrumptious masterpiece. Each morsel just melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more.  These cheesecakes are a decadent treat that would definitely pass the "Golden Girl" test. Whatever flavor you can imagine, whatever toppings best suite your tastes, you are sure to find it at Cheesecake.com.

If cheesecake isn't your grandparents' top of tea, there are plenty of other options at GourmetGiftBasket. Here are a few more great gifts to consider.  

 Grandparents Day Gift Basket (SKU 1319) – Grandma and grandpa will find an artful arrangement of fresh orchard fruits, classic Vermont cheddar cheese, and several chocolate-drenched treats to delight any sweet tooth. $69.99 at GourmetGiftBaskets.com.

Wine Lovers’ Gift Basket For Grandparents (SKU 1318) – For the grandparents with a highly sophisticated palate, this basket offers Cabernet Sauvignon, smokey summer sausage, smooth Wisconsin cheese, and other savory and sweet snacks. $69.99 at GourmetGiftBaskets.com. 

If you'd like to learn more about this amazing company and all GourmetGiftBasket has to offer, you can visit their website. To keep up with the latest promotions, be sure to follow them on twitter or become their fan on face book.   If you're looking for a quick and easy gift for Father's Day or any time at all, GourmetGiftBasket is a company you will want to keep bookmarked.

The Giveaway 

One lucky winner is going to receive the Chocolate Cheesecake Sampler or a cheesecake of like value based on availability.  To enter, simply fill out the giveaway tools  form below. Open to the US only. Giveaway will end  8/12/16 at  11:59 est. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to GourmetGiftBasket for offering this fantastic prize.

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Spring Treats from Tastykake - #Giveaway

Tastykake has been a household name for my family since I was a little girl. I remember hearing the old jingle, "Nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake," and I have always agreed. They make some of my favorite cakes, cupcakes, donuts, and pies.  This spring, they've released some delicious new flavors that are only available for a limited time, and which will definitely get you in the mood for warmer weather.

My kids love Tastykake's sugar coated donuts. They've always been one of their favorites. These bite size morsels are always fresh and almost melt in your mouth.  Now, there are two new flavors you can enjoy. The first kind we tried were the strawberry mini donuts and the whole bag was devoured within minutes. These are really tasty! They have all the charm of their regular powered donuts, but inside you'll find strawberry flavored dough that gives you a real taste of spring. My youngest daughter was also thrilled that they were pink inside.

The Peach Cobbler donuts were another unique treat. The teen son described them as, "peach tea in solid form," and yes, this is a good thing.  Each one is packed with flavor and are like getting a mini cobbler without all the work.

Next up, we had the Kandykakes. The original Kandykakes are a Tastykake classic. They originals  have a layer of creamy peanut butter and are coated in milk chocolate. The spring varieties are coated in white chocolate and the centers are either a creamy and delicious strawberry or a zingy lemon. Both are a mouthwatering sensation that will  make you glad there are two in a box!

My family really enjoyed all the new varieties and will certainly be looking for them in our local store. Remember, these delicious new flavors are only available for a limited time. So, be sure to head to your local retailer and grab a few packages of them today because they won't last long!

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a selection of Tastykake products similar to the ones I received. To enter, simply  fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on  4/24/16. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Tastykake for offering this fantastic prize.

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#Easter Sweet Treat: Bauli Flavor-Filled Croissants #Giveaway

Give an Easter sweet treat with flavor-filled Bauli Croissants!

Oven baked and ready-to-eat, these moist, filled and individually wrapped Bauli Croissants are the perfect Easter baskets or snacking. The naturally leavened Bauli Croissants are soft and available in three filling flavors: Chocolate Cream, Cherry Jelly and Vanilla Custard. 

My Thoughts

I was raised in an Italian household, and have always had a soft spot for Italian desserts. When I a child, I had great aunts and uncles who would bring all sorts of delicatessens from bakeries in South Philly when they came to visit. Most of those bakeries have shut down now, and it's not often we can find a quality Italian dessert, but Bauli offers just that. One of my favorites if their Croissants.  

The Croissants are a delicious way to start your morning routine. Choose from flavors like cherry, vanilla, and chocolate.  I really enjoyed these because some desserts are just unbearably sweet, but that isn't the case with these yummy croissants. They are nice and fresh with just enough jelly to give you some flavor, but without being too sweet for breakfast, They were just right with a cup of tea or coffee.
If you'd like to learn more about Bauli and all they have to offer, be sure to visit their website. For even more fun, you can try the mini versions of their cakes so you can take them with you on the go. Remember, Bauli is the perfect way to bring a taste of Italy to your Easter celebrations.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a variety pack of Baili Croissants. To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on 3/18/16. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to the sponsor for offering this fantastic prize.

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Easter Gift Guide - Lemon Madelines from Sugar Bowl Bakery

There is nothing better than sitting down with a hot cup of  hot coffee on a cool spring evening. Having a cookie or cake to go with it makes it even better.  Chocolate chip cookies are fine most days, but sometimes I crave something with a little more sophistication. At  Sugar Bowl Bakery, you can find a large selection of scrumptious Madelines and other fresh-baked delicacies that are sure to make you feel like you're lounging at a coffee house in Paris.

The Madelines at Sugar Bowl Bakery are available in several flavors including Orange, Pumpkin Spice, and Lemon flavored.  I got to test out the lemon variety and they were delicious. They are lightly crispy on the ends but soft, buttery, and chewy in the centers.  Each one is fresh and soft with a light lemon flavor that is not overpowering, but gives it a little extra zing. They are wonderful with a cup of tea or coffee and a great adult snack but the the kids love them too. They are never too sweet, but offer just the right amount of flavor.

The Sugar Bowl Bakery Madelines are as elegant as they are tasty and would make a great addition to any Easter spread. They would also make a great gift that anyone will appreciate. If you have a wedding, bridal shower, or baby shower coming up, they would make for a fun addition to a dessert tray.  Of course the Madelines are only one of the delicious treats available from the Sugar Bowl Bakery. To view their full menu, be sure to visit their website or follow them via their social media.  

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Valentine's Day Gift Guide - Inspired by Happiness #GlutenFree Cakes - #Giveaway

Looking for a tasty treat this Valentine's Day? Inspired by Happiness makes delicious gluten-free cakes in a variety of tasty flavors. Each one is made with only the freshest ingredients and contains no trans fat, artificial colors, preservatives or flavors. We were able to test out a few of their different varieties and were amazed at how fresh and delicious they were.  Two of the scrumptious flavors we got to try were Cravin for Cookies and Cream Layer Cake and their Strawberry Layer Cake. 

Our cakes arrived beautifully and securely packaged to ensure lasting freshness. Even through the plastic, it was easy to see all the big hunks of  chocolate and the luscious slathering of strawberry.  I couldn't wait to cut this baby open and actually wound up eating a piece for lunch as soon as they thawed out. Hey, there's nothing wrong with having cake for lunch, especially when it's this good!

Out the box the cakes looked even better. The aroma was mouth watering. It was so fresh and moist it was like slicing through butter.  Believe me, they taste just as good as they look. Each bite melts in your mouth. It's hard to believe they are gluten-free because this taste just as good the cakes I've bought from my local bakery.

My whole family enjoyed the delicious cakes from Inspired by Happiness. The generous portions are so big, even with a family of five they lasted for three days. By the end of the third day, it still tasted as fresh as it did when it arrived. I've always been leery about buying cakes through the mail or at the grocery store, but with Inspired by Happiness, you get a fresh baked delight that's well worth the price. I don't think I've ever tasted a cake this good!  If you'd like to learn more about Inspired by Happiness and all their delicious cakes, be sure to visit their website. 

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a few free product coupons so you can try out Inspired by Happiness for yourself.  Please check their store locator to make sure the products are available in your area.    To enter, just fill in the Giveaway Tools form below. This giveaway will end on  2/16/16 at 12:00am EST. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Inspired by Happiness offering this fantastic prize.

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Celebrate the Holidays with Bauli

With the holidays right around the corner, I thought it would be timely to put Bauli on your radar for consideration for any upcoming gift guides or holiday entertaining pieces you may have in the works. Bauli, a traditional Italian brand, is best known for its Pandoro and Panettone holiday cakes, which have become traditional staples during the holiday season and are THE quintessential holiday hostess gift when paired with a bottle of wine.

This year when thinking of the perfect gift or holiday treat, try one of Bauli’s Holiday offerings such as:

• Panettone– Better than your grandma’s fruitcake – the time-honored recipe has a lighter, less-dense texture and is packed with candied citron, lemon zest and raisins (Now available in NEW Minis!)
• Pandoro– Traditional Christmas bread of Italy  – a fluffier version of pound cake that can be cut and dusted with powdered sugar to resemble a Christmas tree(Now available in NEW Minis!)
• Pandoro di Limonce – Sweet Pandoro loaf infused with a hint of Italian liquor

My Thoughts 

I was raised in an Italian household, and have always had a soft spot for Italian desserts. When I a child, I had great aunts and uncles who would bring all sorts of delicatessens from bakeries in South Philly when they came to visit. Most of those bakeries have shut down now, and it's not often we can find a quality Italian dessert, but Bauli offers just that.

This Thanksgiving my family was thrilled to get to try out one of Bauli's delicious Panettones, which is the Italian's version of fruitcake. It's a lot better than its counterpart though.  Every bite is loaded with lemon zest and raisins, but it's also very light.

The pandoro was another yummy snack. I tried this in the mini version. It has the texture of bread but is just a little sweeter. I really enjoyed it because some desserts are just unbearably sweet, and this was just right with a cup of tea or coffee.

If you'd like to learn more about Bauli and all they have to offer, be sure to visit their website. For even more fun, you can try the mini versions of their cakes so you can take them with you on the go. Remember, Bauli is the perfect way to bring a taste of Italy to your holiday celebrations.