My husband and I were supposed to head to Boston for a long weekend, but the weather has nixed our plans… With all of the snowing and blowing outside my window, it’s hard to believe that bake sale season is just around the corner. In fact, as many of you know, planning for the first annual National Food Bloggers Bake Sale has been underway for weeks! Gaby has been working hard to organize a great sale with lots of support from bloggers across the country! It’s great to be able to be involved with such a great event that is supporting Share Our Strength in their fight to end childhood hunger in America by 2015.
Earlier this week, I helped to moderate the #SOSFood chat on Twitter, and we had some really great discussion about the bake sale. I’m also thrilled to be helping to organize the Pennsylvania bake sales along with Michelle of Brown Eyed Baker. Right now we’re in the process of finalizing the locations for the sales and drumming up support for the sales (so, if you’re interested in helping out, let me know!).
If that weren’t enough, registration on the Great American Bake Sale site opens up on Monday! Even if you aren’t able to participate in the Food Bloggers Bake Sale, consider holding a bake sale at another time during the season or even holding a bakeless bake sale on your blog!
Not only have I been busy working on the Pennsylvania bake sale, trying to find locations for Central PA and Eastern PA (Philadelphia) bake sales, but I’ve started thinking about recipes for the bake sales… I held a bake sale last year, so I have a few ideas, but this year, I really want to have a good mix of items for the sale! So, I figured I’d share a few of the recipes that I’ve bookmarked this week to help all of you with your bake sale planning, as well.
Biscotti – I think biscotti are perfect, elegant item for bake sales… Wrap them in cellophane bags and tie them with a piece of ribbon for a great gift for any coffee lover!
- I love these Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti from Honey and Jam. I don’t always have great luck with making biscotti, but I am definitely going to give these a try!
Cookies – You can’t have a bake sale without cookies. These are a few of the recipes that caught my eye!
- If you’re looking for some new cookie ideas, don’t miss these Orange Almond Chocolate Cookies from Evil Shenanigans! These are not your ordinary chocolate chip cookies… I’m sure they’ll be a hit!
- These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Brown Eyed Baker remind me of a cookie my mom would have made for us when we were kids. I might have to give them a try this weekend while I’m snowed in!
Homemade Granola – There are a lot of health-conscious people out there who may not want to stock up on cookies and cupcakes, so I think it’s a good idea to have a few alternatives. Who wouldn’t love some homemade granola for a snack with fruit or yogurt?
- This Maple Almond Granola from Two Peas and Their Pod is on my must-make list. I think it would be perfect with my Greek yogurt for breakfast!
- I am also loving this Peanut Butter Granola from How Sweet It Is. No need to add this to anything, I’ll probably be eating it right out of the pan.
Brownies and Bars – Brownies and bars are another bake sale staple. Consider wrapping them for individual sale or selling them by the pan for a quick grab and go option!
- When I first saw the picture of these Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies from Nutmeg Nanny, I thought they were fudge. Since I love fudgy brownies (and peanut butter definitely can’t hurt), these are definitely getting added to the must-make list!
- I think these Lemon Bars from Lottie + Doof will be a great bake sale hit, as well. Not everyone is as much of a chocoholic as I am (hard to believe, I know), and the bright lemony flavor is a great reminder that summer’s just around the corner. In fact, I wouldn’t mind a few right now!
Those are all perfect things to sell in the bakesale! I hope I can help out – I am in the wedding season and have 7 weddings in the spring and summer, without showers and parties that go along with the wedding, so I hope I can participate, but I’m just not sure yet. I am a huge supporter though!
I think bars and brownies will go like hotcakes at the bake sale! The granola is probably a great idea too for those that are more health concious. Thanks for linking me, Jen! :)
Great post. Good info here!
So cool that you & Michelle can work together! You are two of my favorite bloggers!
Sorry you didn’t get to go on your trip. I hope you still have a great weekend. I am SO excited for the bake sale. I just need a location:) Thanks for the granola shout out:)
I sure do not miss Philly after hearing all about your weather up North…stay warm! I have signed up to participate in the event here in Atlanta on March 11th and have submitted a recipe. Thanks for the info about what others are doing and the recipes!
Hey I had a bakesale to raise money to feed Haiti victims! Check out what I made…It all sold in about 30 minutes! http://cookteen.blogspot.com/2010/02/bake-for-quake.html
With love and cupcakes,
CookTeen
Great list of things to consider!!
Whatever you make is sure to be a hit, just from the looks! I can only imagine how orgasmic the taste is!
Good luck with the PA bakesale Jen. You’re an angel for all the volunteer work you’ve done to increase awareness about SOS. NYC finally has a state leader and I’m happy because I’m planning on making devil’s food cupcakes.
Good luck with the PA bake sale! I can’t wait for the RI one. Thanks for sharing recipe ideas – definitely some good ones there!