First I want to thank everyone who entered the Creative Couscous Cake Contest. I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and creativity of the submissions. Every one of you is a winner — which presented me with the nearly impossible task of picking a grand prize winning cake among all the delicious-looking contenders. To that end, I brought in an independent panel of judges to help with the voting. We all agreed it was like having a pastry cart wheeled in front of you — how can you choose just one? The judging resulted in two-way ties for both first and second place, as well as a very close third place winner. The Honorable Mention winners are other terrific entries that got lots of votes and deserve recognition.
I hope you will join me in a round of blogospheric applause for the wonderful variety and talent of this amazing group of contestants. Since most of the entrants have posted their recipes on their own blogs, you can go to the blogs indicated to check out the actual recipes. The two Grand Prize winners will each receive a copy of either Quick-Fix Vegetarian or Vegan Fire and Spice. I wish I could send prizes to everyone who entered — many thanks to all of you for making this contest a success.
Tied for First Place are Grand Prize Winners:
Tami of Vegan Appetite for her Lemon Berry Couscous Cake
Second Place goes to:
Third Place is awarded to:
Sharon at To Live and Eat in LA for her Apple Pie Couscous Cake
Here are the judges other favorites that are awarded an Honorable Mention:
Katie’s Cherry-Strawberry Layered Couscous Cake
Lea’s White Chocolate Cherry Couscous Cake
This last set of photos are additional entries from some of our winners — and the photos were just too pretty not to share.
Maggie’s Strawberry Coconut Couscous Cake
Paulina’s Pina Colada Couscous Cake
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Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, I feel so honored right now 🙂
Thank you! This was so fun, I had no idea couscous was so versatile 🙂
These look awesome! Can we get the recipes?
Janet: You should be able to find each recipe by clicking on the link to the particular blog of each of the entries. If you can’t locate a recipe you’re interested in, let me know.
congratulations to all winners and non-winners alike!
Wow! I’m really impressed by the range of variations of the recipe (let alone the photos). Great contest! Wish I’d had the time to contribute.Would love to see one based on an entre of Robin’s.Best to all, Mark
This is so exciting! Thank you so much. All of these cakes look amazing. It must have been very hard for the group to pick favorites. But what a delicious job!
Fantastic! But I can’t find the recipe for the Chocolate-Almond-Cherry Couscous Cake, and I need it oh so bad!!
Wow… I am so honored to have been awarded 3rd place! All the other submissions looks outstanding. My first ever cooking contest too :)My recipe has now been posted at my blog: < HREF="http://www.toliveandeatinla.com/2008/apple-pie-couscous-cake/" REL="nofollow">Apple Pie Couscous Cake<>Many thanks to you Robin and your esteemed judges! Congratulations to everyone else!
Sarah: No blog link was included for that one, so here’s Kim’s recipe for Chocolate-Almond-Cherry Couscous Cake. Hope you enjoy!Chocolate Almond Cherry Couscous CakeFor the cake:1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate soymilk1 Tbsp Dutch processed cocoa1/2 tsp almond extract2 tsp sugar1/3 cup sliced dried cherries For the chocolate glaze:1 cup semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips1 tsp Earth Balance shortening1/8 tsp almond extractIn a small saucepan stir all cake ingredients except couscous. Stir until cocoa is dissolved. Heat over medium heat until just boiling then add couscous. Stir until combined. Cover pan until liquid is soaked in; about 5 minutes. Divide mixture evenly into four 4” mini springform pans. Cool for at least two hours. When cool, un-mold cake and put on cocoa dusted serving plate. Make glaze.For glaze, gently heat chips and shortening in double boiler just until chips are melted. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract. Spread ¼ of chocolate glaze on each of the cakes. Garnish with toasted sliced almonds and whole dried cherries.Makes 4 individual servings
Though they all look wonderful, I would love to see the recipe for the pineapple cake . Excellent job by all I cannot wait to try the recipes.
Lorela: Here’s the recipe for Paulina’s Pina Colada Couscous Cake (the one with the pineapple slices on top): Note: this recipe is for a small cake — an individual springform pan would work well.Pina Colada Couscous CakeIngredients:1/3 cup sweetened pineapple juice1/2 cup coconut milk1/4 cup agave nectar1 tablespoon vanilla soy yogurt1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut1/2 cup whole wheat couscous1 pineapple ring2 pineapple rings (for garnish)2 slices of lime (for garnish)Directions:In a small saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, coconut milk, agave nectar and vanilla soy yogurt. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and add the couscous and shredded coconut. Stir to combine and simmer for one minute or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Place the pineapple ring in a small round container that has been lightly oiled. Transfer the couscous mixture onto the lightly oiled container and press it in firmly. Place the container in the refrigerator to cool down for at least an hour. Once firm and cool enough, turn the cake onto a serving platter. Garnish with the two pineapple rings and the two slices of lime.
Wow, all of those cakes look so delicious!! Congrats to the winners! And thank you very much for the honorable mention. I can’t wait to try some of these recipes; I think couscous cakes will become a regular standard for me. What a fun way to use couscous!
what a wonderful post- I’m seriously craving couscous cake now, even though I’ve never had one before!
This was a lot of fun. All the entries look great and you know the possibilites are endless, sweet and savory alike. Congrats to everyone for some great lookin cakes!