Recipes for Warming Hearts: Review and Giveaway

What a cute little surprise I got in the mail when this little gem arrived. Recipes for Warming Hearts is the third book in the Recipes for a Cause series which includes Recipes for Kindess and Recipes for Saying Thanks. Recipes for Warming Hearts is the perfect little addition to a birthday card for a friend.

This is a full-color gift book filled with beautiful Gooseberry Patch art work. The pages are scattered with inspiring quotations, tips, and stories from the Gooseberry Patch family. Oh, and there's some recipes, too, that are perfect for year round cooking and giving.

One of my favorite sections of the book is "Wrap it Up!" which is filled with cute ideas for packaging gifts. Here's an example:

Have a favorite gardener on your list? Tuck a new pair of gloves and a few packets of seeds inside a new terra-cotta pot. Simple turn the saucer upside down and place over the opening of the pot, and secure the "lid" with a plump bow.

Don't worry. I found some recipes, too. There are plenty of desserts, breads, and main dishes to go around. I was drawn to this recipe. My boys loved them!

Cream Cheese-Filled Cupcakes

18-1/4 oz. pkg. German chocolate cake mix

1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg, beaten

8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 1/2 full. Combine remaining ingredients; drop by teaspoonfuls onto batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen.

So, I ventured out of my comfort zone here. I am not a crafty person even if it's something as simple as layering ingredients in a jar. But, I wanted to try something new and I was actually able to pull it off. Now, I just need to find a willing recipient.

Coconut Brownies in a Jar

1/3 c. chopped walnuts

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/3 c. sweetened flaked coconut

2/3 c. brown sugar, packed

3/4 c. sugar

1/3 c. baking cocoa

1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour

Layer ingredients in the order listed in wide-mouth, one-quart canning jar. Pack each layer down as tightly as possible before adding the next layer. Seal tightly; attach instructions. (Instructions included on next page.)

ETA: Place mix in a large bowl. Add 2 beaten eggs, 2/3 cup oil and one tsp. vanilla extract. Blend well. Spread in a greased 8x8" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until center tests do. Makes one dozen brownies.

So, are you interested in getting your own copy of this little book? I hope so because I have an extra one to share with you. You can keep it for yourself or give it to a friend. The holidays are right around the corner you know.

Gooseberry Patch provided me with a preview copy of this book. Views expressed here are my own. No additional compensation was received.

***Giveaway***

I am so fortunate to have been asked to review Gooseberry Patch's Tiny Tips for Get-Togethers and want to share my good fortune with you. Gooseberry Patch has sent me an extra copy to give away to one of my readers.

Here's How to Enter:

If you would like to enter to win a free copy of the cookbook, you may enter by simply choosing to follow my blog through Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (in right-hand column) and by commenting on this post to let me know you're interested in the cookbook. Also, include your e-mail address so that I may contact you if you're the winner. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment here letting me know you're interested in the contest.

Entry deadline: September 28, 2011

Thanks and Good Luck!!!