Monday, February 7, 2011

You Heard Me, It's a Belgian Chocolate Giveaway!

Though I haven't actually filled it out myself, the creepy snoop in me loves perusing through the "info" section of people's Facebook profiles.  The other day, I came across a friend who I hadn't spoken to in probably 20 years.  If you haven't spoken to someone in that long, are they still considered a friend?  In any case, she listed a "things I love" section which really made me smile and wonder what I'd put on my own list.

...white wine in the summer, hot chocolate in the winter...wagging doggie tails and running to the dog park...laughing until my stomach hurts...girls weekends and slow weekends with hubby.  giggling babies... ice cream and cake.  Cake and chocolate. ...Chocolate.


Guylian Chocolates
My very unscientific hypothesis states that a majority of you ladies and gentlemen may put chocolate right up there on your list as well.  And if chocolate makes you happy, it's chocolate that I'll give you! Details on the Guylian Belgian Chocolates giveaway at the end of this post.

Meanwhile, I have a great non-chocolate dessert recipe to share.  I'm aiming for sugar overload here, folks.

Apple Pie Bread
Confession time: I have never made any type of fruit pie...not cherry pie, not apple pie, not even the God of all pies: key lime pie.   Something about making homemade pie crust and pastries just thoroughly intimidates me.  Add it to the cooking bucket list, I suppose.  Well, if you're like me and love apple pie but are also dreadfully lazy, this quick bread recipe just might fit the bill.  It's filled with the good things in life - cinnamon, gooey apples and a nice nutty crunch without all the hassle.  If you have a great apple pie recipe that is delicious and not too time consuming to make, please send my way!


Apple Pie Bread
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons apple pie spice
4 eggs, beaten
1 21 oz can apple pie filling
1 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (divided)
2/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour two loaf pans.

1. In a large bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and apple pie spice.  In a separate bowl, combine eggs, apple pie filling, apple sauce, 1/2 c. brown sugar and canola oil.  Add egg mixture slowly to eggs, stirring until just combined.

2. Divide batter evenly among pans.  Top each loaf with remaining brown sugar and almonds.

3.  Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in pans on a wire rack.

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And now on to the good stuff.  The fine folks at Guylian Chocolates have graciously offered to send one of my awesome readers a Valentine's gift basket of chocolates. They sent me some chocolates to sample, and I must tell you that this stuff is divine.  Just think about this...chocolate seashells with milk, dark and white Belgian Chocolate filled with rich, decadent creamy chocolate praline truffle. um,YEA. Seriously.  If you don't have a Valentine's day gift yet, here's your chance.  Or...if you're selfish like me, you can just keep the chocolates to yourself :)

Guylian Chocolates

Giveaway: Guylian Belgian Chocolates!

Starts today and ends Friday, February 11 at midnight (EST). Winner will be chosen at random through random.org

To enter into the giveaway:
Leave a comment letting me know what truly makes you happy or list your favorite chocolate dessert

Additional Entries can be earned by:
1. Tweeting about this post: Guylian Belgian Chocolate Giveaway http://bit.ly/gdVimS @newlywedcook Please RT!

2. Follow @newlywedcook on Twitter, then come back to this page and leave a separate comment telling me you did so. (if you already follow, let me know, that counts!)

3.  Share a link to this post via Facebook or email and leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

52 comments:

Kim in the Kitchen said...

I've only made a few fruit pies in my life...frankly I'd rather eat cake. Snuggling makes me happiest. Is that too sappy? If I can't be sappy around Valentine's Day then when can I be?

Carmen said...

Quality time with my husband makes me the happiest. Thanks!

Joanne said...

I've made approximately two fruit pies and they are tricky things. I'd much rather go with the quickbread! Looks fantastic!

Hmm favorite chocolate dessert...chocolate mousse!

Katrina said...

Someone gave me a box of Godiva chocolate who we hosted for Thanksgiving dinner. I hadn't had Godiva before, but those were HEAVENLY. I now love real, expensive chocolate.

Katie said...

My boys laughing at each other makes me feel a happiness I never thought possible!

Katrina said...

I already follow you on Twitter.
i'm @koismith

Katrina said...

I tweeted about the giveaway.

Katrina said...

I just left a post on my FB page about the giveaway.

And that apple bread looks de-lish!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1503071399

Maria said...

Love this recipe and chocolate makes me truly happy!

Rachel said...

Any dessert with chocolate makes me truly happy! Lately I've been craving chocolate mousse, but I have to say I'm not craving the chocolates you are giving away! Yum!

Rachel said...

Whoops! I am NOW craving the chocolates you are giving away, not that I am NOT craving them.

Lisa said...

My favorite chocolate dessert is chocolate trifle.

Lisa said...

I'm following you on Twitter (ps152).

Lisa said...

I tweeted - http://twitter.com/ps152/status/34813680654745600

Max and Deborah said...

Things that make me happy... Happy children laughing babies, a husband with a job.

Favorite chocolate... Godiva is wonderful, I have a cup of hot chocolte daily through out the winter time, but I also love a good chocolate chip cookie.

Max and Deborah said...

I posted the giveaway on my fb.

Alli said...

My fiance makes me happier than seems healthy for real life and not a Disney fairy tale. That said I still love some chocolate (preferably with caramel inside)!

Lauren said...

My 11 month old's smile makes me truly happy, and so does real chocolate pudding. Yummmmmm!

Valerie said...

Chocolate Mousse!

Lynn BB said...

Spending time with family and friends, and key lime pie!

Adriana said...

I'm happiest when I get to snuggle in with my husband, with the cat bouncing from lap to lap, and the smells of a great meal wafting throughout the whole house. Oh, and having brownies and a glass of wine on the side.

Heather said...

I find sitting on an outdoor patio in the summertime, drinking great, cold beer with friends to be the ultimate in happiness. :)

Jihane @ Sinful Sundays said...

Random days off from work make me te happiest.

Sara @ The Bucket List said...

Following you on Twitter :) So excited for this give away, my stomach is grumbling away!! :)

carrie said...

sleeping in makes me so happy. it doesn't happen very often unfortunately.

Unknown said...

I love family time...and choc obv

susitravl said...

I have a great love for Chocolate Souffle that a local restaurant makes. I only get it once a year on my birthday or anniversary. It is so decadent and delicious.
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

susitravl said...

Tweeted - http://twitter.com/susitravl/status/35432094171660288

susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com

grace said...

what truly makes me happy is when i successfully make something complicated in the kitchen. i like to be proud of what comes out of my oven. :)

Jenna Z said...

My husband makes me truly happy, he always does the sweetest things like starting up my cold car for me so it'll be warm or remembering to pay the pesky house payment when I forget! We're spending our 11th wedding anniversary (3 days after valentine's day) making chocolate fondue!

Jenna Z said...

I follow you on twitter (corgipants)

Sandalola said...

To love and be loved makes me truly happy.

Sandalola said...

I've shared a link to the post by email.

Lauren said...

Great blog! I'm so glad your cousin pointed it out to me! My favorite chocolate recipe lately is a Martha Stewart recipe I adapted. It's chocolate thumbprint cookies with blackberry jam or Nutella in the middle. :)

Natalie said...

oooh my husband would LOVE this bread!!

my newest fave chocolate dessert are these raspberry truffle tarts! http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/02/raspberry-truffle-tarts.html

Topher said...

My favorite chocolate dessert is the flourless chocolate cake. I can't wait to make that bread! Thanks!


Chris M.

Cherloo said...

My family makes me truly happy
cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

The Daily Smash said...

Yummy looks good thanks for sharing ..

Look at my food blog at
www.thedailysmash101.blogspot.com

Becki Dickinson Photography said...

So glad I found your blog. Yummy

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! Like you I am in a similar position... only with cooking! I am a new mom and although I do bake professionally, cooking is something that I am working on... and blogging on too!
www.kupcakesandcutiepies.blogspot.com

My ultimate favorite chocolate dessert is my chocolate cake. It took me about 2 years to develope the PERFECT chocolate cake, I love to each it right out of the oven with a cold scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!

Jen Green said...

That bread sounds fantastic! Thank you so much for posting it! I can't wait to try it out.

PROYECTOYOBRA said...

I love this blog!
Really fantastic

The Daily Smash said...

I just found your blog and now I am hungry lol Looks great.

Check out my food blog
www.thedailysmash101.blogspot.com

charm said...

Chocolate in any iteration: hot, frozen, brownie, blondie, cake, ice cream, pie, pudding, bar, chips, unadulterated or lavishly adorned.

Heather said...

Please email me! I have a question about your blog :)
HeatherVonsj@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What truly makes me happy is when someone else takes out the trash.
But my favorite chocolate dessert is chocolcate mousse.

M said...

My favorite chocolate dessert is souffle!

Anonymous said...

Coffee makes me happy! (and it goes great with chocolate)

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Jeanne1 said...

Sacher Tort with whipped cream!

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food recipes said...

I Love Apple bread pies.Thanks