Thursday, December 2, 2010

Cookie Giveaway! You Heard Me...Cookies! Foodie Friday


     We all love to give things away here in Blogland. We also love to cook and eat sweets! Well, you can only imagine how excited I was to be contacted by Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton, NY for the opportunity to not only review their cookies and their cookbook, but to also do a GIVEAWAY for all of you! They said "cookies" and I said "sign me up!

     Of course once they contacted me, I did a little research on the company. Kathleen King opened Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton in 1980. All of the baked goods are made from the finest natural ingredients, just the way Kathleen made them when she was 11-years-old and first started selling cookies at her family's farm stand. She has expanded a lot since then, and now sells wonderful cakes, pies, crumbles, and many more cookie varieties. Everyday With Rachel Ray Magazine named them the "overall favorite" chocolate chip cookie. Ina Garten did the forward for the cookbook and said "these weren't just any chocolate chip cookies; these were the best chocolate chip cookies you ever ate"! Tate's have also been written about in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and The New York Times to name a few. Now do you see why I couldn't wait for my package to get here?


     It arrived yesterday. The packaging was very tastefully done and much to my surprise, Kathleen had autographed the book! Inside were three packages of cookies; Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut. Oh my...bliss. I quickly opened the chocolate chip and they are perfect. They are different than other chocolate chip cookies because they are very thin and extremely crispy. The cookie would stand alone even without the chocolate. The cookies aren't overloaded with chips and the quality of the chocolate is rich and creamy. My husband is an oatmeal raisin kind of guy, so of course we had to open those too. He loved them and he doesn't love all that many sweets. I bit into the oatmeal raisin cookie expecting it to be crispy as well, but it has a more chewy texture, even though the cookie is thin. We haven't even opened the last flavor but I have no doubt it will be exceptional. What I can tell you is that I would absolutely order from Tate's myself, not only to have at my home but to give as a gift. Anyone would love to receive a package of these cookies...the perfect Christmas gift.


     The cookbook is full of Tate's favorite recipes, including the chocolate chip cookies. It contains recipes for breads, scones, muffins, cookies, cakes and pastries. There are even a few "healthy" recipes thrown in. The book is written in a way that even a novice baker could understand. Each page I turned had a recipe I wanted to try. I did want to make something from the cookbook before I did this review, but I didn't want to go to the store. I had the ingredients for Hermits, which I knew my husband would love.

Hermits
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
 1/4 cup dark molasses
1 cup raisins, dark or golden

     Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease two cookie sheets or line them with Silpat. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Cream the vegetable shortening and sugar till they are combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix them again.
     Add the flour mixture and mix it till it's just combined. Add the raisins and mix them until they are combined.
     Roll the dough into 7 equal logs. Do this with you hands as if you were handling clay. The logs should be about 7 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Place the logs on the 2 prepared cookie sheets.
     Bake the logs for 20 minutes.
     Remove the logs from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. Cut them into bars, approximately 5 per log.


     I'm sure they don't look a thing like Kathleen's Hermits, but they are delicious. Chewy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside with just the perfect blend of spices. I think my next recipe will be the Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing!

Now for the best news!
     You have a chance to win the package that I got! You will receive a gift-pack of cookies including oatmeal raisin, white chocolate macadamia nut, and chocolate chip, as well as a copy of the Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook. My readers are also being offered a 15% discount on tatesbakeshop.com through December 31st. Simply enter the word "cookie" when prompted on the website. 

The Rules:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me you are a follower-for one entry. PLEASE LEAVE ME A WAY TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

2. Become a fan of Tate's Bakeshop on Facebook-for a second entry. You must come back and leave me a second comment telling me that you did this.

3. This giveaway is only valid in the U.S.

4. The giveaway ends December 9 at midnight EST.

I am joining Michael @ Designs by Gollum
 for Foodie Friday. You will find the
best recipes in all of Blogland, stop in to say hello.

65 comments:

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"Oh My What a YUMMY Giveaway"!!! Please enter me "TWICE", I've become a FAN of Tate's on Facebook, AND I AM a follower of yours... Oh I would LOVE to win this... AND I'm making the HERMIT cookies tomorrow!!! I LOVE those, I actually am quite a molasses-aholic... My Grandmother did that to me with her wonderful cookies AND unfortunately she didn't have a recipe that got handed down SO I experiment and savor Everything and Anything with molasses in it! Thank you so much for this, You have MADE MY DAY!!!
Hugs to you,
Donna

Mary L said...

I love your blog and this giveaway is awesome. Just in time for the holidays, thanks!! I plan on becoming a follower.

Mary L

Pattie @ Olla- Podrida said...

Those hermits sound amazing, and what a great giveaway! Cookies are my favorite dessert. I just became a fan of Tate's on FB, and your latest follower.

Natasha in Oz said...

I am SO living in the wrong country...can you adopt me?

Best of luck to everyone who enters!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Lynn said...

What a nice holiday give-away Sue! Thanks for the chance:@)

Monica H said...

I received this package too, so you can count meout of the giveaway, but I still wanted to tell you that you did a great job on the recipe.

Oh and I like your fabulous new header too!

Anonymous said...

I have just discovered your blog! You could be my twin, not in looks but in things you love!
I AM A FOLLOWER NOW!

Barb said...

Hi Sue, what a wonderful giveaway. The recipe looks soooo delicious.

Hugs,
Barb

Anonymous said...

I'm over here drooling at the opportunity to own another cookbook. Please enter me as well.
Grems

La said...

Hi Sue! I'd love to win this package.

I am a follower.

Vicky Shultz said...

This website is breathtakingly beautiful. You are a very talented lady.

Anonymous said...

There's no way I could support the extra 50 lbs. this would put on me. So, sign me up twice. I FB 'liked' it. I do believe I'll do some holiday baking after all!

Anonymous said...

Pssst! I think you know the comment above this one is Ina, right?

Traci said...

I'm a follower!! I LOVE COOKIES!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello! I am a Tate's fan on Facebook! I would love to win these cookies, you make them sound amazing!

appalachianwind @ gmail . com

Gigi Thibodeau said...

First, Sue, let me say that I LOVE hermits, so I'll be trying this recipe. What a wonderful giveaway. I'm heading over to Tate's fb page after I leave here to become a fan.

Thanks so much for your comment over at my place today. It was great to hear from you. xo Gigi

gigi.thibodeau@gmail.com

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Just became a fan of Tate's. Thanks for introducing them to us! xo

bj said...

Well....HELLOOOO COOKIES !!
What a yummy giveaway...and right here at Christmas time, too.
I've not heard of Tate's but....I have now.:)

I am a follower (now, you knew that) so if you will give me one chance, I would love it.
Now, not sure how to go about finding Tate's facebook but...I'll try..afterwards, I'll come back for my 2nd chance. ummmmm

Red Couch Recipes said...

These look like amazing cookies! I am a follower. Joni

Red Couch Recipes said...

I just became a fan on facebook. Joni

Anonymous said...

Publicly following I Need Mom! with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}] -- *Thanks* for the giveaway!
http://scr.im/ladybugemail

Anonymous said...

I Like Tate's Bake Shop on Facebook
http://scr.im/ladybugemail

Unknown said...

Hi Suz,

Please enter me in the cookie giveaway.

sos1216@gmail.com

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

You know I'm a follower and who doesn't love cookies. Thanks for the offer.

DUTA said...

Good Luck with the yummy giveaways!
Best of Luck to your followers that wish to win the cookies and the book! (I don't reside in USA).

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Hi Sue,
Thanks for hosting the yummy giveaway. Count me in! We still own the B&B, but it hasn't been open for 2 yrs. We have it for sale. Not a good time to sell right now, so we are just waiting for a buyer.

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

I am a follower and if I win I will have to give the cookies to my family members since I am gluten free. Oh the pictures of hermit cookies reminded me of my Dad. This was one of his favorites and he would often buy them and share them with me. They sold them somewhere up North in New England where we lived. Ps. I love the TV fire---and I felt it would be good if and when we move this month to a condo!

Jenny said...

Hello? I think we've met before. And ....ummm.... I am a follower!

Jenny said...

I can't become a fan because Facebook and my computer have come to a falling out. They refuse to actually talk to each other anymore.

But I would.

I totally would.

Sigh.

Unknown said...

I am now a friend of Tate's on FaceBook. Thanks!

Suzie

Abramyan Avenue said...

This is a wonderful giveaway!! I am crazy about cookbooks..and if it has anything to do with cookies...I am over the hill in love! I would LOVE to be entered..and I am also a follower!
-April

Maria said...

Hi Sue!
Thank you for hosting such blogging fun!
It's a great giveaway for this time of year!
Now, it's off to visit Tate's Bake Shop!

Yea! I follow ;o)

Have a merry weekend dear ♥
*Maria

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Excellent review, Sue! Love the look of this new cookbook and the recipe for Hermits sounds awesome! LOVE COOKIES!!!

Erin said...

Yum! I'm a follower.

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Sue, thank you for telling me about your great giveaway! Yum! Please enter me in! Off to look at your tree topper tutorial! Have a great day! Kristen

Amy A said...

Of course I'll enter for cookies, and I'm a follower :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog, your table scape looks gorgeous too btw!

Anonymous said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
WHAT A SWEET GIVEAWAY!
FOLLOWING YOU!
THANKS FOR SHARING!

jldouglas@wispwest.net

Lyneen said...

YUMMY recipe... I need to get in the mood to bake for Christmas!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Good thing it is only US... my insulin wants them badly.. hahahahah

They look delicious!!! Have a fabulous weekend.. ciao xxx Julie

xinex said...

Love your giveaway, Sue, and of course, I am a follower!...Christine

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a fun giveaway! Something we all love...cookbooks and cookies! Happy holidays! I'm a happy follower!

Rusthawk said...

You have a BEAUTIFUL website!

I'm a new GFC follower and I wish you a very happy holiday season!

Rusthawk said...

I am a fan of Tate's on FB.

dee dee said...

Sue,
These cookies look so yummy!
Of course, I'm a follower (happy to be)!
Hope I win!
Dee Dee

Abramyan Avenue said...

This is a wonderful giveaway!!! Love it!
And of course I'm a follower!
I will definitely be keeping my fingers crossed on this one!
-April

Kathleen said...

I am a follower, and I know Kathleen. Her dad's farm is in walking distance.

Ashkaitlin said...

I am a follower!! If i win you can contact me on my blog at ashleykaitlin.blogspot.com or on my facebook ashley kaitlin or on my email alessenberry1@cub.uca.edu haha whatever is easiest! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Christina @ AccomplishingMotherhood said...

Now THAT sounds the way a chocolate chip cookie SHOULD be made. Mmmmm... Im a fan :)
christinahebert (at) live.com

Christina @ AccomplishingMotherhood said...

Now a follower of Tates on Facebook :)

Leah @ A Butterfly In My Stomach said...

I now follow you through GFC!

Leahforlove at aol dot com

Leah @ A Butterfly In My Stomach said...

Became a fan of Tates on FB

Leahforlove at aol dot com

Donnie said...

Oh wow, just in time to join your giveaway. I'm a Follower and love your blog.

Donnie said...

I'm now a Facebook Follower of Tate's Bakery too. Have a great day.

Gailanne said...

Hi, I am a new Follower!
Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful giveaway, stay blessed!

Gailanne said...

I am a new fan of Tate's Bakeshop on Facebook!
Whoo Hoo!!!

Jennifer Pierce said...

I am a new fan on FB and a new follower here. Great inspirational blog!

Jennifer Pierce said...

I forgot to leave a contact above.

pierce_family_3@hotmail.com

Helen said...

I am a new follower of your blog! Very lovely!
helen_ono at hotmail dot come

Verlan said...

I am a new follower and enjoyed the lovely Christmas table. I am still partial to traditional red and green and the table was lovely.

verlan.day@gmail.com

Tsosie and Peterson Bunch said...

I liked you on facebook.

Tsosie and Peterson Bunch said...

I follow you.

Anonymous said...

Don't enter me in the contest. I just wanted to tell you how gorgeous I think your blog is.

Unknown said...

I am already a follower of your beautiful blog. I love the centerpiece...wish I had that kind of talent. This looks like a very yummy giveaway, thanks for the chance..

Sue said...

The Giveaway has ended...I will announce the winner soon!

Sue said...

The winner is Barb @ Bella Vista