A Birthday Giveaway!

I know it's really hard to believe, but this week coming up, I will be celebrating my 54th Birthday. I know!!! It can't be possible that I am going to be 54, but the sad truth of it slaps me in the face every morning when I look into the mirror!

Anyways, I am a person that just loves an excuse to celebrate and there is nothing I would like more than to have you all celebrate right along with me. So . . . in honor of my 54th Birthday I am hosting a Birthday Giveaway! Yes, on Thursday the 13th of August, one of you, my special friends, will become the lucky winner of the following:



A delicious cookery book, and one of my favourites. Sweet Food, Delicious Sweet Treats that will Cure any craving. A chunky little cookbook that is filled to the brim with an assortment of delicious recipes, perfect recipes for celebrating all that is good in life and more!

But that is not all . . .



A beautiful Swarovski Kristallwelten pencil that I picked up in Austria just for this purpose, to give to one of you. It's got a beautiful crytal tip on the end of it, instead of a rubber. I just know you'll like it.

And that again is not all . . .



It just wouldn't be a celebration without some chocolate being involved, and so I am also giving away an assortment of delicious Mozart Chocolates that I also picked up in Salzburg, specifically for this purpose! There are a lot of different things about Mozart, but nothing tastes better than the delicious Mozartkugel Chocolate Ball. I just know you will love them!




And then I will also throw in a little surprise. I am not sure yet what it will be, but I'll reveal all on August 13th! So, what are you waiting for? To be in on this lovely Birthday Giveaway just leave a comment on this post and don't forget to spread the news!! The more the merrier!

And now for my recipe for today. I had been oggling this sweet potato muffin for quite a few weeks now and finally got around to baking them yesterday. They are not much to look at, but boy oh boy, what they lack in looks, they more than make up for in flavour. These are really scrummy!!



*Sweet Potato Maple Muffins*
Makes 16
Printable Recipe

These mufffins might not be anything special to look at, but when you bit into one you will realize that they are fabulous! Moist, and spicy and full of all that's delicious about a New England morning. I just love them!

1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups flour
pinch salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp of ground cardamom
6 TBS butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup pure maple syrup



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Generously grease two 8 cup muffin tins, or line them with paper liners. Set aside.

Place the sweet potato in a pot with some lightly salted water and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well, and then mash with a potato masher until quite smooth. You should have 1/2 cup of sweet potato.

Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices together in a large bowl.

Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a another bowl. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the milk, maple syrup and reserved sweet potato. Mix all together thoroughly.

Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Pour the potato mixture into it. Stir just until the ingredients are combined, don't over mix.

Spoon into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about 2/3 full. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean and they spring back when lightly touched. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Delicious!



I baked a few in my pudding tin so I could have muffin tops, and topped them with some streusel before baking. Scrummy Yummy!



Oh and if you are wondering what else I baked. I did some lucious Lemon Friands! (CLick on the link to get the recipe)