Cupcakery inspiration; Martha Stewart's Cupcakes giveaway
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 6:32AM 
This photo was part of a series shot in January, the last time I baked cupcakes from Martha Stewart.
I have three (main) places I keep cookbooks.
There are those stored in the bookshelves that line our den (also where I keep my magazine back issues). I consider these the reference books, those that I turn to for a specific inspiration or if I am looking for a particular recipe. The top shelves are reserved for my most treasured-tomes, the coffee table styled works from authors I admire; they sit alongside the dog-eared, aged copies of cookbooks from my childhood and before.
The second is our dining room table, much to the chagrin of my dear husband. Our dining room is often the resting place of books in transit, those making their way from the kitchen back up to the den. I would be lying if I told you that books do not sometimes take up an extended residence on that table, or if I denied my errant desire to line that room with bookshelves as well.
The third cookbook habitat is our kitchen itself. Behind the closed doors of a built-in cabinet live those books I use most often. These are the books I feel lost without, the ones that best reflect the way I cook and the way we eat. The selection rotates now and again, with titles being promoted and demoted, but there are certain regulars that never lose their place.
I am not yet sure as to where Martha Stewart's Cupcakes will land up, but I'm aiming to find out. With William's first birthday next week (so big!) and celebrations planned, I will be turning to Ms. Stewart for cupcakery inspiration.
And here's the best part - you, my dear friends, will be able to partake in the fun. Below are links to the recipes from the book which are currently available online, so you can get out your muffin tins, cupcake liners and get to baking. But wait, there's more! Random House Canada has generously provided the booty for a contest to celebrate the book's launch. What's there to win? Hold on to your hats:
Grand prize: A copy of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes and a copy of Martha Stewart's Cookies (one to be awarded)
Secondary prize: A copy of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes (two to be awarded)
To enter, simply comment at the end of this post; maybe we can chat about our favourite cookbooks or cupcakes or cupcake memory - you decide. But leave your comment by midnight Wednesday, June 10, 2009 (EST), and please include both your email address if not signed in, and a note of your desire to enter (this way, non entrants can still join the chat). If you do not want to sign in, nor do you want to publish your email, please comment then email me at tara [at] sevenspoons [dot] net, with the name you used to comment.
The winner will be selected by at random, and announced the next day. One note, due to distribution regulations, this contest is only open to residents of Canada. My apologies to international readers (this might be a good time to ask your Canadian friends to do you a favour).
Good luck!
Psst. It got mentioned in the comments, so I'll add a note - here's my review of Martha Stewart's Cookies from way back.
Recipes from the book:
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Tiramisu Cupcakes
Mrs. Kostyra's Spice Cupcakes
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Black Forest Cupcakes
Triple-Citrus Mini Pound Cakes
Lemon Meringue Cupcakes
Candied Hazelnut Cupcakes
Flourless Chocolate Cupcakes
Martha Stewart, contest, cookbook, cupcake, giveaway 
Reader Comments (97)
I'd love to be part of this very sweet contest! Cupcakes are my favourite treat and I'm always looking for new recipes. A new book would be amazing, count me in! jenviez@gmail.com
I have a few cookbooks at home that I use, though most of the time I like cooking from scratch. I have to admit, sometimes things do NOT turn out, but it's nice to try. :-)
Personally, I love cookbooks with easy ingredients that can be found in any grocery, or (and this rarely happens) in your own kitchen. I hate having to search out mysterious ingredients!
Cupcakes are a great treat - one of my favourite. :-)
K
You inspired me to bake up a batch of Martha's One-Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes with mocha icing. Yum!
Thanks for the inspiration and please enter me in your contest.
I'm in...I love cupcakes!
Just got the new BabyCakes NYC cookbook and can't wait to try their cupcake recipe!
I have always found that Martha's recipe are well-tested, always turn out, and yummy.
I have tons of cookbooks that I keep in two bigs cabinets with glass doors from Ikea. People always comment on how many I have. I also have back issue of food magazines that are grouped by months so it is easier for me say go for something in the summer to June, July, and August issues.
I would love to win the copies of these books....imagine this, I don't own them. :)
Lola at slweldin@verizon.net
Hello from Montreal, Quebec, Canada! Yay for Canada contest!
Yay for Cupcakes... yum.. Tiramisu... :-)
My favorite cupcakes are definitely the most devilicious chocolate cupcake with tons of frostings (chocolate of course) on it, and some cute sprinkles.
I used to get two of them when, younger, i was at my grand mother's house, and sometimes they were so tasty that i'd like to grab a bite on each one of the two at the time.
coldcut_finity@hotmail.com
Oh and, count me in, please!
I like Martha, and I LOVE cupcakes! Count me in! I'll send you my email.
Sign me up for the contest! Who doesn't love cupcakes!
It's funny that you mention cookbook placement because my boyfriend and I are having trouble finding the room for ours in our tiny Montreal apartment. What's the point of having them in another room other than the kitchen or dining room? We want them close at hand so that we are constantly inspired to make new,delicious things. Until I have a bigger kitchen, I am comforted by food blogs. Do you know this cupcake one? http://cupcakeblog.com/
I recently moved to a new house and while helping me unpack a friend exclaimed, "You sure don't have many cookbooks for someone who likes to bake as much as you do!" Well she's right. I borrow all mine from the library or offline but as much as I enjoy cupcakes I may just have to buy this one if I don't win! Please, please, please enter me for this crazy generous giveaway. :)
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
A Canadian Giveaway!
I'd love to win a cookbook ;).
my email is:
shino-mooformeplx@hotmail.com
I made Martha's lemon meringue cupcakes this week. They were delicious! Thanks so much for the chance to win her cookbook!
Annie
thedixiechick1@yahoo.com
I loooove cupcakes, so count me in!
pinkpunch@gmail.com
Yum. That cupcake photo of yours looks very tasty. Yay for contests that Canadians can actually enter!
Favorite cupcake memory! My sister would come over weekly and bake chocolate cupcakes with green mint icing. So good and I miss her so much <3
My email is velma_R_F@yahoo.com
I am dying to have that book, ever since I first heard about it. I think the first recipe I must try is the tiramisu cupcakes. *fingers crossed*
email is onesimplewish@aol.com
I love red velvet cupcakes with
cream cheese icing.
Please enter my name in your contest.
Hello everyone! Thanks so much for all the enthusiastic cupcake stories. They've been great to read, and totally inspiring as I've been collected my thoughts on this book. I am thrilled by the excited response to the giveaway.
Stephanie and GreenEyedLillies, it was terribly kind of you both to share the announcements of your own contests. Thanks for that.
As it stands right now, this is the list of entrants for the contest (see below). I have only included the names of those who specifically declared their desire to enter. If I have missed you, or you'd like to add your name, please leave your comment by midnight June 10th (EST).
Good luck! The winners will be announced tomorrow. Oh! This contest seems to have brought some new readers here for the first time - welcome! Hope to see you again.
Michelle R.
kickpleat
Anne
Stacey L.
secret cake
rachel
Amanda
kim from ottawa
Jen from Vancouver
Nichole
Marta
Jackie @PhamFatale.com
June
mc
MB
Nolwenn
Anonymous (pelu140@hotmail.com)
Treasures By Brenda
Anonymous (rad_stomaci@hotmail.com)
Saira
Shayna
Meaghan
Dor
_ts of [eatingclub] vancouver
Kelly
imjacobsmom
K.
Whitney
Cheryl
pointpixie
Steph
Shannalee
ssomerville
Rachel
Julie
Fiona
justJENN
Dana II
elphynstone
Eva
Anonymous (rmussa@flynn.ca)
Arianna Elizabeth
amy dawn rose
Anonymous (mel@smilingfrog.ca)
jenj
Nova
amelia
NOT SO VANILLA
Isabella
Lisa
Stephanie
W Ali
Cheryl
Ashley
MrsPages
Sarah
Sarra Eaton
Chocolate Shavings
Celeste
Kyla
avalee
Hilary
jenviez
Kristilyn
Sweet Kitchen
Anonymous (slweldin@verizon.net)
Elise
NicoleS
isabella
Ladytink_534
Chao
Anonymous (thedixiechick1@yahoo.com)
Cesilia
Anonymous (velma_R_F@yahoo.com)
Stefanie B
janekay
Okay well this giveaway includes my two passions - Cupcakes and Cookbooks!! Well okay and Martha too!! (My friends call me Mini-Martha! They are hopeless!) I run a baking company in Mission, BC, specializing in whole grain baking and - you guessed it! - Cupcakes! Always on the lookout for new inspiration and since Martha has been my inspiration since I was about 13 I couldn't think of anything better!! I hope I am considered! ~Jen
Please visit my blog and you can see some samples of my work!
Hope it's not too late to enter! :(
Courtnchris@gmail.com
Would love to win!! :)
would love to win!
tucker1146@bellsouth.net
daughter loves to make cupcakes and makes the best espresso cupcakes! she loves your show and makes anything and she is only a teenager. she cooks from scratch and organic...
so yes please the cupcake cookbook!!!
janice
Don't know if I can still enter. But I would love this book!!!