National Library Week Day 2 with Chocolate Amaretti Torte and Banana Cinnamon Chip Cake

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Food Librarian - Chocolate Amaretti Torte
Tuesdays with Dorie Baking Group - Chocolate Amaretti Torte
&
Day 2 of The Food Librarian's Celebration of National Library Week

For this week's Tuesdays with Dorie selection, Holly of Phe/MOM/enon picked 15 Minute Magic: Chocolate Amaretti Torte, page 276 of Dorie's book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.

Food Librarian - Chocolate Amaretti Torte Food Librarian - Chocolate Amaretti Torte
I used some great Italian cookies picked up at Surfas to make this nutty, big, pretty "brownie" with lots of almond flavor. It all comes together in the food processor while your oven preheats.

Food Librarian - Chocolate Amaretti Torte
Thanks Holly for picking a great recipe! Check out Holly's fantastic blog, Phe/MOM/enon for the recipe. See other creations made by the hundreds of other Tuesdays with Dorie bakers!

Did you know it's National Library Week? All this week, I'm highlighting a library thing. Today, it's Downloadable Media. First, do you like audiobooks? Want to read and bake at the same time?! (Yes, listening to audiobooks is reading in my book). Well, audiobooks are the answer! Your public library might have audiobooks on CD or cassette...and the newest form is downloadable media. That's right, download audiobooks straight to your computer, and transfer them to an iPod or MP3 player. It's easy, free, and have no overdue fines because they just stop playing after the check out period. Two popular services include OverDrive and NetLibrary. Search the OverDrive's website to see if your library offers this fantastic service!


To celebrate Day 2 of National Library Week, I'm giving away the following to one lucky winner:
a. Paper mini-loaf pans (package of 50)
b. Handmade beaded bookmark (designed by my friend Sumi!)
c. Disneyland book bag

Mini Loaf Pans from Surfas for Giveaway
Aren't these 4" x 2" paper loaf pans so adorable? You can make bite-size carrot, zucchini and a host of other breads - perfect for the holidays or a lovely hostess gift. Win a pack of 50 of these oven safe, paper mini-loaf containers (purchased at Surfas - if you come to Los Angeles, visit Surfas and Disneyland! :)

Food Librarian - BookmarkFood Librarian - Giveaway during National Library Week

Banana Cinnamon Chip Cake
I made the Banana Cinnamon Chip Cake from Two Peas and Their Pod. Maria was recently on TV in Utah demonstrating the yumminess of this cake - watch it here! She's fantastic and the next Martha! And this cake has no oil or butter, and yet it is moist! Standing with the cake is the Librarian Action Figure. Read more about her on yesterday's post. (Southern Cal friends, I finally found Cinnamon Chips! I went to a big, nice Albertsons with a large baking aisle. They say you can make special requests at other Albertsons so you might want to give it a try!)

To enter the Day 2 Giveaway, simply leave a comment below (one entry per person) and I'll pick the winner from a hat. Deadline: Monday, April 20, 2009 at midnight PDT. If your comment isn't linked to a blog where I can find you, please leave your email or check back on Tuesday, April 21st to see if you won. Shipping to U.S. addresses only (sorry, I'm buying all this stuff myself and international postage is too expensive).

Also, check out yesterday's post to enter Day 1 Giveaway for mini-cake pans (yes, I DO have an unnatural obsession with mini stuff...but I'll go to therapy later), bookmark and bag. Deadline is also Monday, April 20, 2009! Thanks for visiting!
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118 comments:

Snooky doodle said... [Reply to comment]

The amaretti chocolate torte looks delicious and even the banana cinnamon chip cake looks so so goo. Pity I don t find cinnamon chipcs here :(

Jen said... [Reply to comment]

Eek, so cute! I wholeheartedly agree, everything is better in miniature. :) Enter me please!

Deeba PAB said... [Reply to comment]

Oh YAY we seem to share a mini addiction too, in addition to baking! Love love love these beautiful loaf cases, & the torte is what dreams are made up of! fabulous! Count me in please as my sis is in the US & visitng me this summer!!

Marthe said... [Reply to comment]

Love your giveaways! Unfortunately I live overseas so I can't participate.... I haven't seen those paper pans here so far!

The amaretti chocolate torte went down great here: dad loved it!

Donna-FFW said... [Reply to comment]

Love the cakes.. oh the banana one looks so delicious, I have to look for cinnamon chips.. LOVE the mini pans..

Jessica said... [Reply to comment]

Your torte looks beautiful. The glaze is shiny and perfect and I love the one little cookie winking up from the top.
I must find cinnamon chips one day -- there are so many tasty recipes that call for them.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Seeing everybody's tortes makes me SO sad that I couldn't make this (I couldn't find the amaretti and just didn't have time to make my own this past weekend). It looks gorgeous!!

Nidhi said... [Reply to comment]

Count me in your giveaway. I am so excited........those mini loaf pans are so adorable, I am in love already.

Cristine said... [Reply to comment]

Your torte looks so yummy!

I made the cinnamon chip bread a few weeks ago and loved it! I'm glad to see it again! :)

Steph said... [Reply to comment]

The cakes are very pretty! I especially like the way you decorated your torte

Susan C said... [Reply to comment]

The little vignettes you're creating are adorable. You've found new ways to connect books and baking.

Audrey said... [Reply to comment]

First of all, I'm glad the bendable librarian emerged unscathed from the bundt cake...and could I just have another piece of torte as a prize?
I am addicted to audiobooks, btw...it's hard to read a real book during my train ride (standing, hanging on for dear life) so I'm going to invest in an IPOD finally. Sadly our library just eliminated NetLibrary due to low usage and high costs. My timing is impeccable as always! Oh, and I have some cinnamom chips
bought on impulse and languishing in the cupboard, so THANK YOU!

Megan said... [Reply to comment]

I love the mini cake pans - I will definitely hit up Surfas next time I'm in L.A.

Count me in!

vibi said... [Reply to comment]

Because I often come to comment your beautiful accomplishments, you won't think I do this time... only for the givaways, will you??? LOL LOL

Your tort is amazing and absolutely stunning on that purple background... but I'm in dire NEED of a bookmark!!!! LOL LOL LOL LOL

eatme_delicious said... [Reply to comment]

Your chocolate amaretti torte is stunning!

Amy said... [Reply to comment]

I love how you love all things baking in miniature!

Erin said... [Reply to comment]

That torte looks absolutely stunning! Mini-desserts are fabulous!

Carrie said... [Reply to comment]

Those paper loaf pans are so cute and earth friendly, I love it!

Pearl said... [Reply to comment]

i love the mini paper cake pans! that's such a great way to gift a loaf! thank you for sharing :D

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

Your torte looks perfect and, as always, your photos are absolutely amazing!

The librarian action figure really cracks me up! I recently found cinnamon chips for the first time but I've been hoarding them and haven't made anything yet :)

vanillasugarblog said... [Reply to comment]

Wow! Busy baking! I love those mini loaf cakes. You are lucky to have baking supply stores near you--no such animal for me. Love that torte.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

The torte is beautiful. And happy library week!

Elizabeth said... [Reply to comment]

mini=better. definitely.

CB said... [Reply to comment]

Whoa. Post overload. Torte. Library Week. Giveaway!
(1) Your torte looks delicious.
(2) How cool is download-able media? I love the library!
(3) As much as the mini loaf pans and Mickey tote are adorable I'll just take the bookmark please and thanks. ;) I have a crazy obsession with bookmarks!
Happy Library Week!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought

Sara said... [Reply to comment]

Wow, that chocolate torte looks AMAZING! And the mini pans are so cute...they look adorable with the action figure librarian!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

Man that torte looks goods, I love amaretti flavor. Those mini loaf pans are too cute.

kellyward_44@hotmail.com

Mary Jo said... [Reply to comment]

love the way you decorated the top with the amaretti cookies :)

Damaris @Kitchen Corners said... [Reply to comment]

another useful giveaway. fun!

Melayla said... [Reply to comment]

Mmm - that torte looks awesome

Quynh said... [Reply to comment]

The torte looks so amazing and rich! YUM! & I have to admit, I'm obsessed with anything mini as well!! :)

quynhnvo(at)gmail(dot)com

Shannon said... [Reply to comment]

I saw cinnamon chips two weeks ago in Safeway and wondered what you could do with them, now I know :-)

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

I am looking for an idea for a cake I'd like to make for my neighbor. She is a librarian and brings my 2 year old 10 new books a week from the library. Maybe I'll wing it. But please enter my name in the drawing.

Maria said... [Reply to comment]

Love your torte. It is gorgeous. And I am so glad you tried the cinnamon chip cake! Thanks for the shout out, you are too kind! What a fun giveaway too!

Jamie said... [Reply to comment]

Sooo freaking cute! Your torte looks great too! :)

Whitney Smith said... [Reply to comment]

I love those mini loaf pans, what a great idea for holiday party gifts!

whitneyellen77@gmail.com

Ellie said... [Reply to comment]

Hello, lover . . . Chocolate heaven!

Laurel7221 said... [Reply to comment]

You are lucky that you can get the cinnamon chips. In Nor Cal I am still looking for the Heath pieces.

Celine said... [Reply to comment]

Those banana cinnamon chip cakes look awfully good. Gonna have to try it!

Shannon said... [Reply to comment]

That torte looks divine. Small towns make baking like that harder than it should be. :(

Cassie said... [Reply to comment]

I've been looking for a reason to try making bread loaves.

Haley said... [Reply to comment]

I love the mini cake pans!

Memória said... [Reply to comment]

OOO, another give-a-way!! I hope I win at least one of them!

Your cake looks awesome! Too bad I'm not a fan of nuts.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

I'm glad you found chips! Those mini cakes are adorable! I've never seen paper pans before, I'll have to look for them.

Pamela said... [Reply to comment]

Thanks for the kind words! The cake looks great and I'm loving those mini pans!! We just found out about National Library Week this morning, during our weekly stop there. That cinnamon chip cake is definitely on my list of things to make!

Diane said... [Reply to comment]

love this mini loaves - so great for gifts!

k.a.r.e.n said... [Reply to comment]

the mini loaf pans are adorable!

chocolatechic said... [Reply to comment]

Does your friend Sumi live in Florida?

If so, I know her too.

Your torte looks fabulous.

Natalie said... [Reply to comment]

i just made banana bread last night; those mini-pans would've been perfect! :)

(natalie.mclaury@gmail.com)

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Your torte looks amazing. Of course, Surfas had them. I couldn't make time to drive out there. After I made the cake, I found some at Henry's.

The banana cinnamon chip cake looks delicious, too.

Banjo said... [Reply to comment]

Oh gosh your torte looks beautiful! Well done... and LOVE the mini banana cake!

The Blonde Duck said... [Reply to comment]

There's so much goodness over here! I love the little pans and banana loaves!

Creative Classroom Core said... [Reply to comment]

I have been looking for mini loaf pan liners EVERYWHERE! So cool!

Your pics and recipes are amazing, as usual! Thanks for sharing!

Kerstin said... [Reply to comment]

Both treats look super delicious! I love the mini loaf pans - they're so cute.

Linda said... [Reply to comment]

Aaaaaw...those tiny baby loaves are so cute!

You are so darn resourceful Mary. I've all but given up on finding cinnamon chips in LA...now to find an Albertsons close to my home. Thanks for the tip!

Kelsey M. said... [Reply to comment]

I'd love to win!!

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

The torte looks to die for... I'd like a slice of that!

Heather said... [Reply to comment]

That's a lovely, classy looking torte. Great job!

Mary said... [Reply to comment]

I need to visit Surfas on my next trip to LA! The mini pans are too cute.

Jennifer said... [Reply to comment]

I would love to put my strawberry bread into these mini loaves!

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said... [Reply to comment]

Beautiful torte! The little librarian is cracking me up!

Ingrid_3Bs said... [Reply to comment]

That little librarian action figure is cute.

Both your torte and cake came out terrific.

Those cinnamon chips are good aren't they? I get them at Albertson's here too.
~ingrid

farah said... [Reply to comment]

The torte and cinnamon chip cake look delicious! Everything always looks good in mini form :)

Monica H said... [Reply to comment]

I don't which treat looks yummier. It all looks so darn good!

Eliana said... [Reply to comment]

Your interpretation of this week's TWD recipe is outstanding. I want to jump through my screen and eat it.

CookiePie said... [Reply to comment]

LOVE your TWD torte -- looks delectable!

Meg said... [Reply to comment]

Yay contests. Those mini pans look fun! :)

Jennifer said... [Reply to comment]

YUM. wow!!!!!!
I love the paper bread pan!!

Heather S-G said... [Reply to comment]

OMG...these are all so cute! Have I mentioned how much I love MY local library? Couldn't live w/out it.

shannon.on.park said... [Reply to comment]

Thanks so much for the contests.

kookielvr said... [Reply to comment]

Cinnamon chips? I didn't even know such a thing existed, but they sound delicious. :) As do the mini loaves themselves. :) I always seem to have way too many frozen, ripe bananas and thus am constantly looking for various ways to use them up besides baking banana nut bread (although I've discovered a new love for banana nut bread french toast).

The paper mini loaf pans look adorable (and environmentally friendly). Hope I win. :)

eemster2009 said... [Reply to comment]

Looks wonderful! And love the paper cake molds: I'd definitely look more professional using those :). I'd use them all in a - OK, a few fell swoops.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

I love librarians (and cinnamon chips) because my mom is one. I am also totally addicted to the cinnamon chip scones at Whole Foods.

Dianna said... [Reply to comment]

I'm always looking for a new way to use bananas in baking. Thanks!

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Oooh I LOVE amaretti cookies!
I wish I had some so I could try the recipe.
And adorable cake/bread pans!

Inez said... [Reply to comment]

I've never made mini loaf anythings, but I'd love to try!

grace said... [Reply to comment]

miniatures rule, and so does that torte and maria's cake! i love the density of the torte and i love the fact that the cake contains the miracle food known as cinnamon chips. :)

Jimi said... [Reply to comment]

Love the little loaf pans...and was looking for a banana recipe to make tonight!

Dianna said... [Reply to comment]

Those banana cakes look quite yummy.

amitace said... [Reply to comment]

Bananas...cinnamon...chocolat - sounds like a heaven to me :-) BTW I tottalu understand You with mini-everything fascination - I just can't pass by small cake pans and forms. I think tehre is no medication for that (but I don;t mind;-) moncoteau.blogspot.com malgorzata . minta [at] dziennik . pl

steph- whisk/spoon said... [Reply to comment]

oh my gosh--that action figure is too funny!! great looking cake!

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

I am loving the action figures...thanks for the torte recipe - now I know what I am bringing to bookclub on Friday night!

You have the MOST delicious posts!

Katie said... [Reply to comment]

Yum anything chocolate sounds good to me and add in cinnamon and I'm in heaven.

Patricia @ ButterYum said... [Reply to comment]

Adorable mini pans, and even more adorable Amaretti Torte.

Kirby! said... [Reply to comment]

Both desserts look lovely! And thanks for all the hard work you do in L.A.'s libraries. Librarians are the jam!

Tina W. said... [Reply to comment]

I'd love to win these!

ptinaw at gmail.com

c. simpkins said... [Reply to comment]

i love chocolate!!

Liz said... [Reply to comment]

You are my hero! My commute is about to get gnarly and I've been meaning to look into some digital books to keep me occupied...but I didn't want to spend a fortune. Thanks!

caroline said... [Reply to comment]

Those are the cutest mini loaf pans ever.

I am not sure where to find cinnamon chips here, but that looks great!

Judy said... [Reply to comment]

One of these days I just have to go to Surfas. It must be amazing!

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

What an elegant torte!
And thank you for the pointer to Overdrive. It looks like I'd need a newer O/S on my computer to use it, but it's good to know that this resource exists.

Jinger said... [Reply to comment]

I say, mini kitchen tools all day, every day.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

I would make zucchini bread in these little pans. I can't wait til summer!

Dee said... [Reply to comment]

goodness gracious those cakes look delicious. i have to ogle at foodie blogs like yours and taste through sight because i cant digest butter or oils right ..

mmm ... your pages are my favorite to photograze at haha.

all of your foods are so darn cute a delicious looking! and your photog / editing skills are nice too! i eat with my eyes a lot of the time, so presentation is important! :D and yours is spot on.

i want those cakes in my mouth!

xk said... [Reply to comment]

Streusel-topped coffeecake would be soo adorable in these!

veronica said... [Reply to comment]

I love making mini everything so those mini loaf pans would be an awesome addition to my mini empire! Everything tastes better when it's cute!

Levi said... [Reply to comment]

I'm making the Banana Cinnamon chip cake. It looks tasty. No oil and butter- you can't beat that.
Thanks.

Hennifer said... [Reply to comment]

I can't wait to have ripe bananas on hand again!
Yummy! And ain't nothing wrong with miniature.
I love our local library. It allows both my son and me access to the internet and computers in general without us having to have one at home!

dharmagirl said... [Reply to comment]

your torte is gorgeous! and thanks for sharing all of the library goodies...i love, love libraries, and i'm so thankful for all of the work librarians do!

Mary Ann said... [Reply to comment]

I love your torte and all your awesome giveaways!

Mary | Deep South Dish said... [Reply to comment]

Wow that looks marvelous! Count me in!

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

That torte looks so marvelous!!

kimberly salem said... [Reply to comment]

oh good, still in time for the giveaway! ;) your cake looks amazing! the amaretti you got look really pretty, too.

Ashley Nicole. said... [Reply to comment]

Those mini loaf pans are so neat.

Nancy/n.o.e said... [Reply to comment]

Oh, these pans are too wonderful (and the banana cake, too). Love your torte; it looks positively professional.
Nancy

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Cinnamon chips......mmmmmmmm.

betheygreen@aol.com

LibraryGirl62 said... [Reply to comment]

You are too fab! If I win, I may actually bake :)

Wendy said... [Reply to comment]

Yay for yumminess! :) Looks delicious...

My email is diversionx3@yahoo.com :D Thanks!

Amy L. said... [Reply to comment]

That torte looks awesome!

Jana said... [Reply to comment]

I just found the cinnamon chips, too! I had planned to try an apple-cinnamon cookie, but I'm thinking this banana cinnamon chip cake sounds too good to pass up!

Tiffany said... [Reply to comment]

How nice of you to do all these giveaways. Anything mini is definitely fun.

HannaBanana4511 said... [Reply to comment]

That banana cinnamon chip cake looks SO good! I will have to try it

Lulu the Baker said... [Reply to comment]

I love anything mini, so those mini loaf pans are adorable! I had to throw away my mini muffin tins because I burned them so badly! I can't seem to do the conversion from full-size to mini and I end up burning a lot of baked goods!

Alexa R said... [Reply to comment]

What a fabulous-looking torte! The librarians at my university are incredibly helpful, and I bet they would love a thank you torte for all the help they've given us thesis-writers all year...

Elyse said... [Reply to comment]

The banana cinnamon chip cake looks totally amazing, but you know where my heart's at...chocolate!! That torte, it's a show stopper! I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to get around to all of your posts. The law school semester is ending, and my free time has been minimal the past week. So glad I'm finally getting a chance to catch up with my google reader and all of your yummy posts! By the way, what kind of photography program do you use? Your pictures are always amazing--do you use actual backdrops or computer-generated ones?

Laura C said... [Reply to comment]

Wow, I'm loving the mini loafs!

Laura
(I wish I had a url to post...)
happypillbug at gmail dot com

Katrina said... [Reply to comment]

I have never seen mini loaf paper liners like that. Awesome!

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Wow, your photos are utterly fantastic! I went out and bought a few things to help with my photos... isn't it fun? And your Torte looks fabulous!

Di said... [Reply to comment]

I've never checked to see what sort of downloadable media my library has. I just appreciate that they have much faster and newer computers than mine that I can use on occasion. =) (I'll get a new one one of these days...)

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