Round 4: Olson vs Reid

On October 27th, we had two master chefs bring their treats to the table. Matt Reid made a delicious Chocolate Lava Cake and Troy Olson made a yummy Caramel Apple Egg Roll dessert.

They look pretty friendly below, but believe me, the competitive edge was in them both.

Matt presenting an eloquent poem about his dessert.

Troy, a 5th generation chef, is found here describing his dessert.

After a close race, the votes were counted and Matt Reid was presented with the Sweet Madness green jacket of honor. He'll where it proudly, until the next Sweet Madness competition.

Please join us this SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10th at 5:30 pm at the Bingham's home. Bring your friends!

Round 3: Krieski vs Packham

October 13th brought us another delicious week of Sweet Madness as Steve Krieski and Jordan Packham battled for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Krieski prepared a delicious, moist lemon cake.

Packham prepared an Apple Crunch Cake with a yummy cream cheese frosting. 

Steve dazzled us all with a very spirited "Sweet-Madness"rendition of "We Are the Champions" involving the crowd in the chorus.

Jordan came wearing his confidence on his sleeve...well, shirt, and presented a video interview with a few high-profile experts. 

 Another close race, but Jordan Packham was named the champion of this Sweet Madness match-up.

Congratulations Jordan and best of luck in the coming round(s)!

Round 2: Martin vs Mueller

On September 29th we had Round 2 of the Woodbridge Sweet Madness. Our competitors were Chris Martin and Pieter Mueller.

For Chris' presentation he came wearing a nice apron and played to all of our emotions telling us about his unfortunate week. Even with experiencing a car break-in just days before the competition, he was still able to come out strong with a delicious Texas Sheet Cake.

Pieter had such great confidence in his mint brownies that he said, "They will speak for themselves." 

And those delicious brownies did speak for themselves, landing Pieter the title of "Sweet Madness King".

Join us again at the Bingham's TOMORROW, October 13th at 5:30 as 

STEVE KRIESKI

and 

JORDAN PACKHAM

go head to head. 

See Below for the winning recipe:

DARK CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

2 cups butter

4 cups sugar

8 tsp. vanilla

8 eggs

½ tsp. salt

1.5 cups unsweetened cocoa (Hershey's special dark)

3 cups flour

MINT ICING

10 Tbsp. butter

1/8 tsp. salt

6 Tbsp. milk

2 Tbsp. light corn syrup

4 2/3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. mint extract

2-4 drops green food coloring

DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING

3 cups confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa (Hershey's special dark)

1 stick butter, softened

3 – 4 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare brownies: Melt butter. Mix with sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla, eggs and salt. Mix. Add cocoa powder and flour. Beat until smooth. Pour onto large greased cookie sheet (11”x17”). Bake @ 350 for 20-25 minutes, until fork comes out clean.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften butter. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is right.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing.

4. Prepare chocolate frosting: Sift sugar and cocoa together into a large bowl. In another bowl, combine 1 cup of sugar mixture with butter and 1 tablespoon milk, beating until smooth. Add another cup of sugar and another tablespoon of milk beating well. Continue until all ingredients are combined and frosting is fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Spread frosting on top of mint icing.

5. Remove brownies with mint glaze from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate frosting.

Round 1: Thompson vs. Bingham

On September 15th we had our first Woodbridge Dessert Contest held at the Bingham's house. The contestants were fierce and the desserts were delicious. Here is a rundown of the evening.

 Sugar Cookie recipe can be found here.

Shane put together a fine powerpoint presentation. The slides are included below. 

............................................................................................

 Adam, the host of the event, held nothing back with an incredible poem and a "Dessert Madness King" sports coat.

Adam's Poem:

Welcome to the home of the Sweet Madness King ... Tonight you will find that bakings my thing. 

My opponent is witty, gritty and tough ... A PhD in economics ...

But it wont be enough.

He's likely built spreadsheets, graphs and charts ...

just to find a way ...

to get at your hearts!

I haven't done any of those tedious things ... I'm more cunning and devious, 

... at least it would seem 

He hails from Illinois ...

A most curious state ...

People there lie, steal and cheat just to feel great! 

I doubt Shane has inherited any of these flaws ...

But who knows -- a store purchased dessert might be on his paws!

Nah, he wouldn't do that, or would he really stoop that low?

Don't put it past him ... He's in DC now you know. 

I've set him up to think about this too much ... 

He's stewed on it for weeks 

trying to be the best of the bunch. 

But it's all for naught as tonight you will see ... 

The votes will be counted and they'll all be for me!

All my ingredients ...

are of course purely mine ... 

Nothing store purchased ...

just simply divine. 

And while my opponent will claim that as well 

I recently obtained some relevant intel ...

In his kitchen his wife stirred the pot ...

It's true ... He doesn't know how to do a lot! 

This contest is between men who know how to bake

But perhaps it's good Kylee made it for our sake ...

What I have for you ...

just 6 days before Fall ... 

Is a Heavenly cheesecake made from scratch ... But that's not all. 

It rings in a new season with pumpkin in mind ... 

And a marshmallow topping ... O so sublime!

A ginger snap crust with a hint of pecan ... Finished off with some caramel ... And then it was done. 

One bite i can assure you ...

is all that you'll need 

Before casting your ballot for no one other than me!

You'll savor it and love it all night long ...

My opponents ... you'll likely spit out 

and just yell out "Wrong!"

I won't blame you ..

He's just not that good. 

After-all, lets face it ... I'm the baker that could. 

And much like the Masters a green jacket I wear ...

Inscribed with my victories from year after year 

So lets get to tasting and lets get your vote ...

My dessert is amazing ...and bakings my thing ...

Let us never forget ... I'm the Sweet Madness King!!!

Both desserts were delicious and it was tough decision for most. As the votes were read aloud, it was apparent that this was going to be a neck-and-neck race. Every vote counted. 

The final count was 18 to 16 votes..... 

Quinn Bingham casting her vote.

 in favor for The Shane Train and his sugar cookies.

The competitors.

The current Sweet Madness King.

Please join us again at the Bingham's this Sunday, September 29th at 5:30pm as 

Pieter Mueller and Chris Martin 
go head to head to dazzle our taste buds!

Check out the bracket and rules for the Woodbridge Sweet Madness here.