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Carrot Cake Cookies, Cupcakes, Whoopie Pies and a Duncan Hines Giveaway!

Let me start this off my saying - tomorrow is my birthday. So anyone of you who think it's hypocritical of me to start "Operation ABS" and also bake cakes in the same week, you can bite me. Now that that's out of the way....

I got a nice little stack of Duncan Hines coupons last week that are good for any of their products. Let me tell you, it's dangerous to let me loose in the baking aisle when I know everything is free. I ended up choosing a carrot cake boxed mix and some cream cheese icing to start with. Except....I didn't really want to make an actual cake. So I made this trio instead:


I followed the recipe on the box, which meant I only had to add in a bit of oil and some eggs and water. 



But I also threw in some extra cranberries and grated carrots because - well, why not? The batter for the cookies and the cupcakes were exactly the same, but obviously the cupcakes baked for a little bit longer. 


How much more fun are cupcakes than a normal cake? Plus, I feel like it's really hard to share a huge cake, and I know that hubby and I won't eat the whole thing ourselves. So cupcakes are perfect for giving away...and keeping a few for yourself. 

Once I realized how soft and cakey the cookies were, it was no question that they needed to be turned into whoopie pies, with cream cheese frosting in between. These were my favorite creation of the bunch. Plus, I don't think I have ever tried carrot cake whoopie pies before, so it was fun to make something new.


If you want to make one of these treats, or anything else made by Duncan Hines, you're in luck. I decided not to be selfish and share the wealth with these coupons, good for any product that they make:


But here's the catch - not here. The giveaway will take place on my Facebook page, so if you're not following me there yet get to it! Tomorrow is my birthday - hitting the ripe old age of 24 (gasp!), so I thought a giveaway tomorrow on Facebook would be a nice way to celebrate. Good luck!

Yes or No to carrot cake? 
A very loud, very enthusiastic yes. But somehow the whole baking a cake thing is boring to me, and the little cupcakes and cookies are so much more fun.

What's your ultimate birthday dessert?
I don't like traditional birthday cakes, but I do love cheesecake, creme brulee, carrot cake - but not chocolate desserts. Just hand me some form of processed sugar and everything will be ok.

I received coupons for free Duncan Hines products as part of the Foodbuzz tastemaker program, but all reviews and opinions of these items are my own.
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Comments

  1. BethNovember 17, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Mmmm, carrot cake is delicious. I love the idea of adding cranberries!!

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  2. Sweet and Savory by SarahNovember 17, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Yes Yes Yes to Carrot Cake!

    I like to eat any kind of shitty food on my birthday to be completely honest!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CheerleaderNovember 17, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Never thought of adding cranberries to a carrot cake mix! Sounds very autumn-like.

    YES on carrot cake. Love it.

    ultimate birthday dessert? black forest torte or chocolate bundt cake--who doesn't like a bundt pan product?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Christina @ The AthletarianNovember 17, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Carrot cake is my favourite dessert in the whole wide world!! I absolutely love it! For my birthday I either get carrot or cheesecake! Sometime ice cream cake too! I hate the traditional spongy stuff with gross icing. Only cream cheese icing for me please!

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  5. abbiNovember 17, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    carrot cake into whoopie pie = brilliant.

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  6. BabyWiltNovember 17, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    Nope, can't do carrot cake. Don't know why because I don't believe I've ever actually tried it! Besides that I'm a sugar/chocolate whore but in my sugar-free future my ideal birthday treat would be steamed broccoli (BLAGH!)

    ReplyDelete
  7. CamiNovember 17, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    YUM sounds delicious. And mildly healthy since there's carrot in it ;)

    <3-Cami from First Day of My Life

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownNovember 17, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Since you added fresh carrots to it, does that count as a veggie?? My kid would dig eating her veggies that way!

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  9. Cara @ EAT. PRAY. RUN.November 17, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Operation ABS should just hit the backburner till Monday because birthdays deserve to be celebrated all weekend!

    Looks like Duncan came to the rescue at the right time!

    Happy Birthday Vanessa!

    ReplyDelete
  10. FalonNovember 17, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Good lord you're only turning 24?! I mean er "happy birthday!" I love carrot cake or any kind of cake. Ohh red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing. Mmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lisa@The Daily RUNdownNovember 17, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Carrot Cake is my fav, I have an amazing recipe for carrot cake cupcakes
    My ultimate bday desert is cake by my neighbors (I bragged about them on my blog last week)

    And happy happy birthday! I hope you have a great day, week, thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Running RicigNovember 17, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    I LOVE carrot cake. We had carrot cake as one of our cupcake flavors at our wedding.

    My favorite birthday dessert is anything chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sweat Is My SanityNovember 17, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    I heart carrot cake. Those whoopie pies are brilliant! :) I'd get into a lot of trouble with those things in the house. Oh geez 24? I'm so old, just turned 35 on Halloween. Oye!

    runningtobeskinny.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Boston Bound BrunetteNovember 17, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    I love carrot cake with cream cheese icing!! My ultimate birthday dessert has got to be some gourmet cupcakes or a Pizookie from BJ's!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Suz and AllanNovember 17, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Carrot Cake is so yummy! Happy Early Birthday!

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  16. JuliaNovember 17, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    LOVE carrot cake. AND cranberries. AND birthdays!!!!! happy birthday to youuuu!

    ReplyDelete
  17. KarenNovember 17, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    Happy Birthday, Vanessa!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Meg O @watchmegorunNovember 17, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    happy almost birthday! (i'll tell you on fb tomorrow too). LOOVE carrot cake. Fave birthday cake is bumpy cake which I think is only in michigan, but its basically a cake with a layer of marshmallow fluff under the icing. YUM.

    ReplyDelete
  19. ashleyNovember 17, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Happy almost birthday! Those look awesome, I love carrot cake!

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  20. ChristinaNovember 17, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Um all kinds of cake--YES!

    Yay for birthdays! I hope yours is a good one :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. KaraNovember 17, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    FINE, for free cake I'll follow you on FB. You found my weakness. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. ChristinaNovember 17, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    I make a very good mean tasty delicious carrot cake from scratch. Really.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchenNovember 17, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I love carrot cake - it's the best!!! I'm not a fan of regular birthday cake either, but I loooooove chocolate :) Happy early birthday!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousNovember 17, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    Happy early birthday Vanessa! Wow 24...savor that young age girl!
    I love me some carrot cake, yum!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rachelle WardleNovember 17, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Dang girl you are young! And this giveaway is right up my alley. I freaking love cake and I freaking love you.

    Happy Birthday!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Britt @ Chicago Runner GirlNovember 17, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    ah...you are so young! happy early bday, hope that it is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  27. ElleNovember 17, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Have a lovely 24th birthday. Those cakes look great!

    ReplyDelete
  28. BabyWeightMyFatAssNovember 17, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    HA!!! I made this cake for my Dad's birthday a few weeks ago and he loved it!! He thought I made it from scratch!

    Happy Pre Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  29. StaceyLNovember 17, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Absolutely love carrot cake! Hope you have the happiest of birthdays ever!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. AlyssaNovember 18, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Holy crap I didn't know you were just a baby! Happy birthday! Cupcakes - not into them, too much cake, not enough frosting. Whoopie pies - basically the perfect dessert. Last year on my birthday I made a giant peanut butter chocolate cream cheese frosting cake - it was epic. Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  31. NullNovember 18, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    My favorite birthday cake is funfetti cake mix and frosting from a can. I can demolish one of those bad-boys in a weekend if left ot my own devices, lol. The whoopie pies are a great twist on the cake mix.

    Happy birthday! Enjoyr your day!

    ReplyDelete
  32. SandyNovember 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Yum! These look awesome! I love cupcakes, they are so fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The Hungry Runner GirlNovember 18, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    I LOVE all cake as long as there is a lot of frosting on them:) I need to try your whoopee pies!

    ReplyDelete
  34. MarleneNovember 18, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Good call on the DH goodies. MMMMM

    ReplyDelete
  35. CourtneyNovember 18, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Cait the Arty RunnerchickNovember 18, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    happy happy birthday!!!!! i hope u can hear the shout from the opposite end of the states! :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    I think I'm kind of indifferent to carrot cake in a box, but the homemade kind is a favorite!! Sorry you had to bake your own cake though... come on Hubby!! Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  38. MarissaNovember 19, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    my one and only b-day request is ALWAYS cheesecake! and bummer I don't have a FB account to enter :(

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! Have a fabulous day!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Neon Blonde RunnerNovember 19, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yesterday) MARATHON TWIN!!!!!!

    Life post marathon is tough....can't wait to ramp up the training again.

    ReplyDelete
  40. The thin seekerNovember 19, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Happy birthday!!!

    The carrot cake looks delish. I've been googling like crazy to find a low carb sugarless carrot cake to make but haven't had been able to find a good recipe yet.

    http://weightlossthesearchfortheskinnierme.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  41. WinniJune 26, 2018 at 3:15 AM

    This sounds delicious and healthy at the same time as it has carrot in it. Great!

    ReplyDelete
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