The Cupcake Massacre

Cupcakes!!

It seems that cupcakes are all the rage nowadays, replacing traditional birthday cakes and causing bakery lines to go out the door! But none of these are the reason our giveaway sponsor, Nicole Allbee (who also just happens to be my sister), decided to start baking them. Continue reading to learn more about the creator of the blog The Cupcake Massacre and how you can win a free batch of her fabulous cupcakes.

So, Nicole, tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m a young, married woman working a full-time job in the auto insurance industry, and a part-time job working with the high school youth at my church. Baking is one of my many hobbies, but one of my favorites among cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, and reading.

Wow! That’s a lot of hobbies! What made you decide to focus on cupcakes for such a length of time?

It’s a funny story, really. My husband and I were watching Julie & Julia. When the main character said something about “never finishing a project” my husband nudged me giving me a look that said “hmmm, where’ve I heard that phrase before?” I decided to bake my way through a cupcake cookbook given to me as a wedding gift. I’m still working my way through, but have added Internet recipes and recipes from other books.

What’s your favorite recipe so far?

I’ve always been a chocolate girl, but my two favorites would be chocolate with chocolate frosting and Confetti with vanilla frosting. I have only tried a few of my own recipes. I have to be honest here… I don’t eat the cupcakes.

What?!? You don’t eat your own creations?

Yup, that’s true. I make them, but don’t eat them. Not very often. I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, always preferring fruits or vegetables to cake and cookies. “How do you know if they taste good or not?” you ask? Well, that’s what my husband is for. My husband is honest. He’ll tell me why he does or doesn’t like a cupcake. He sometimes helps me with making the cupcakes: taste-testing the batter and frosting and drinking some of the left-over ingredients (Guinness beer from the Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheese Frosting recipe). I also make cupcakes for my co-workers birthdays – I work for a small company – and for my family. Everybody is really honest about taste, texture, look, style, and delivery. I’ve also started making cupcakes by order for friends who request them, and have gotten very positive feedback. To be honest, I love watching people eat and enjoy my cupcakes. Whether their eyes show enjoyment or surprise, it’s always a new experience watching someone who’s never had one of my cupcakes. That’s what I like best.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to learn more about baking?

I can’t give just one. Baking is so complex!

How can folks get in touch with you if they’d like to place an order of cupcakes?

The best way to reach me is via e-mail: nlallbee@gmail.com. Cupcakes come by the dozen, and prices vary depending on recipes

So! Here’s how you can enter to win a batch of Nicole’s amazing cupcakes!

Leave a comment on this page! It’s that simple!

Want more chances to win? Each of these will earn you 1 extra entry into the giveaway!

• 1. Leave a comment on Nicole’s post about the giveaway
• 2. Follow Single Mom Sanctuary on Twitter
• 3. Become a fan of Single Mom Sanctuary on Facebook
• 4. Become a fan of The Cupcake Massacre on Facebook
• 5. Tweet a link to this giveaway (include my @ so I know when it’s been tweeted)
• 6. Post a link to this giveaway on your Facebook account
• 7. Create a link to this giveaway on your site

Giveaway rules:

Giveaway will be open until 11:59 PM PST, January 31, 2011. Entry open to Southern California residents only (this is to ensure that the final product delivered is of the best quality and freshness). Only 1 entry per method will be counted; multiple comments, tweets or posts on Facebook will not increase the number of entries. Winner will be chosen at random by randomizer.org and notified by e-mail on February 1, 2011. The winner will be provided with Nicole’s contact information and is responsible for contacting Nicole to discuss and decide on the recipe to be made. Completed recipes can be found here. The winner is responsible for contacting Nicole to arrange a time to pick up the cupcakes or (if the winner lives in Orange County, CA) have the cupcakes delivered to the winner’s home address.

WINNER!!

Congratulations to Lin Shaklferd! Send Nicole a message to coordinate which cupcakes you want her to make for you! And please post here which recipe you pick!

Thank you, all, for entering! I can’t wait to do my next giveaway!

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