I have a lot of love for kitchen gear . . . it ranks right up there with my passion for fitness gear. On birthdays, Mother’s Day, Christmas and special occasions, I will be over-the-moon giddy with excitement if you gift me with the latest in running shoe technology or a shiny, new kitchen gadget that I “absolutely must have” and will probably only use once. But the great thing about being a food and fitness blogger is that I can rationalize all these frivolities in the name of workout research and recipe development – it’s a tough job, but someone has to suffer losing toenails because she wore the wrong compression socks during an endurance event or got “too cold” in the winter because she insisted on making smoothie after smoothie in search of perfection.
A couple pieces of kitchen gear I never grow tired of are my mixers. Hamilton Beach recently sent me two of their mixer models to try out – the 6 Speed Stand Mixer (Model 3326) and the SoftScrape™ 6 Speed Hand Mixer with Case (62637) (and another pair of these mixers are available in my giveaway at the bottom of this post). Whoohoo, I was so excited because I have had some pretty traumatic mixer distress over the last year. First, my cheapie hand mixer received as a wedding gift bit the dust in the middle of party preparations. To be fair, I had used this mixer quite a lot in the 20+ years of its life. Although, it was very convenient to have a hand mixer available for quick baking projects, I never replaced it since I had the highly-coveted Kitchenaid stand mixer begging to be put into use. But, let me tell you what happened next – the horror! One day, I was mixing the ingredients for a (I can’t believe I’m admitting this) Paula Deen-esque Truffle Pie, I turned my back on the machine while the machine did its thing. Then all of a sudden, a “clank” followed by a hideous, grinding noise and then total silence fell over the room. Apparently, the Kitchenaid logo metal piece-a-part (where the big attachments screw in) had become loose and the continued vibrations from the beating shook the entire thing loose. The big screw thing, fell into the bowl, got jammed between the beaters and broke a mechanism in the engine. I was so upset, I cried.
I’m over it, especially now that I have these two new mixers! The big stand mixer is awesome and does pretty much everything the brand-that-shall-not-be-mentioned does, from what I can tell. It features that same single paddle of the “other guys” that spins while rotating around the entire perimeter of the 3.5 quart stainless steel bowl. There are three attachments for a variety of recipe needs (the paddle, the whisk and the dough hook). There are also six speeds as well as a special, slower folding setting. I could go on and on, but you can read more for yourself about this reasonably priced ($129) yet powerful Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer.
I also got to test a really cool hand mixer, the SoftScrape™ 6 Speed Hand Mixer. Love, love, love this easy-to-use mixer that retails for just $39. It has 6 speeds, so it can tackle a range of different tasks. It comes with regular beaters, a whisk attachment and also (drumroll) these really genius “SoftScrape” beaters that are coated in silicone (like a flexible spatula) to promote thorough mixing while keeping bowls and nonstick pots from getting scratched up. Another super practical feature of this hand mixer is that it comes with a storage case that attaches to the bottom and accommodates all the attachments and power cord. It also props up really nice on the counter when between tasks too, without toppling over and leaving a sticky mess.
If you’d like a chance to win one of these fantastic Hamilton Beach mixers, head down to the bottom of this post and complete the instructions in the Rafflecopter app. Meanwhile, let me tempt you with the recipe I made while I tested my new kitchen gear out – “Lightened-Up” Strawberry Margarita Baby Bundt Cakes. I used a sugar substitute baking blend and no-fat milk to take some of the guilt out of this fun dessert – oh and the strawberry sauce isn’t much more than pureed berries and lime juice with a little splash of tequila!
“Lightened-Up” Strawberry Margarita Baby Bundt Cakes Recipe
- 1/2 -cup butter, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar substitute baking blend with 1:2 replacement ratio*
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 eggs
- 2 1/3 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup skim milk
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries
* if using regular sugar, double the amount to 1 1/3 cups
For the Sauce:
- 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon tequila
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour 6-count mini-Bundt pan. In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar substitute until fluffy.
- Beat in the lime juice, lime zest, and eggs until well combined.
- In a separate bowl stir together the cake flour and baking powder. Add alternately with the milk to the egg mixture. Beating just until combined after each addition.
- Sprinkle scant amount of coarse sea salt into to bottom of each mini Bundt pan, distributing the 1 teaspoon equally across Bundts. Next divide approximately ½ cup chopped strawberries equally among the bottoms of each cake (about 2 teaspoons each). Add the batter to prepared pan and bake for approximately 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let the cakes sit in the pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife between the cakes and the pan, if needed, and remove to a baking rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make sauce by blending remaining 1 ½ cups chopped strawberries with 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon tequila in blender until pureed. Transfer mixture to small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve sauce over cakes and garnish with fresh strawberry, if desired.
Disclosure: Hamilton Beach has provided me with product to review and giveaway. However, all opinions, recipes and commentary are my own.
I would like the Stand Mixer if I could win one.
My stand mixer is broken. I really want to win the Hamilton Stand Mixer!
I’d love to finally have a stand mixer, they are great when the hand mixer takes up too many hands needed for other things.
I would prefer the stand mixer.
Stand Mixer please
I hate my hand mixer so I would love this one
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I’d love the Stand mixer
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I need a hand mixer. Mine broke awhile back.
I would like the Stand Mixer if I won. Thanks!
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“Stand Mixer”
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STAND STAND STAND
hand mixer and tequila please… tee hee.
😉
Stand mixer! I have had my eye on getting one for a while now!!
Stand Mixer
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I would be thrilled with either one!
hand mixer!
I’ve always wanted a stand mixer so I would want the stand mixer. Thanks.
It would be the stand mixer. I have been trying to get one for years and hubby says we just don’t have the room boo
Those cakes look so yummy!
Hmmmmm, not sure! I don’t have either but I think both would get used a lot in my kitchen! One can only whisk so much! Right now I make my whipped cream with my 3fu3l shake blender bottle! My arms would love one of these mixers!!!!
The bundt cakes are being made tomorrow. 🙂 I may make them into waffles, too.
love the waffle idea
I really need a new hand mixer. Thank you!
The Stand Mixer would be awesome to win!
I have so little counter space in my kitchen that I really would like the hand mixer. Those bundt cakes look delicious (and cute!).
I think I would like the stand mixer best.
I would choose the stand mixer. Thank you for the chance!
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THe Stand mixer
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Hand mixer and the cake to go with it!
I prefer the Hand Mixer it takes up less room in the kitchen.
I have a small kitchen, so the hand mixer would definitely be my choice 🙂
I would like the Stand Mixer
stand mixer would be great
I would love the hand mixer!Cookie making time!
Stand Mixer
I’ve always wanted a stand mixer.
The Stand Mixer.
I Would Prefer The “Stand Mixer” Thanks:)
I prefer the Hamilton Beach SoftScrape Hand Mixer with Case – Model 62637 (ARV $39). I want to make my son peanut butter cookies. Thank-you for a great giveaway!
I would love a stand mixer
You are in great shape and your strawberry desert looks excellent! I would have fun playing with the stand mixer in the kitchen. I cook everyday for my family but the fun has disappeared in over twenty four years of cooking. I am sure many of us need new ideas!
I’d love the stand mixer but would be happy with 2nd place too 😉
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Oh I would love the Stand Mixer!
If I am chosen a winner I would choose the stand mixer. Thanks.
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Stand mixer
I would love to win a stand mixer! thanks for the chance!
The Stand Mixer is definitely what I would like since my hands are pretty weak.
The stand mixer for me.
i would love the hand mixer
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The stand mixer, please.
i want the stand mixer. thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve never had a stand mixer, so that would be my first choice.
The stand mixer looks awesome! Not to mention the bundt cakes.. delish!
i would prefer the stand mixer if i won.
I would *love* to win the stand mixer! Thank you so much for the chance.
The Stand Mixer. Thanks for the chance.
I prefer the stand mixer
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If I won, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a hand-mixer!!! I lost one of my beaters for the one I had-CRAZY!
The stand mixer
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I would prefer the hand mixer. Thanks!
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I would love the stand mixer. But either would be great to have!
The Stand Mixer
annabella @ centurytel dot net
the stand mixer! my wife loves to bake and she been wanting a stand mixer but just never has bbought one.she would love it.and first thing i would ask for is those mini cakes! those looks yummy and i love anything with fruit like that
I would like the hand mixer.
I have always wanted a stand mixer…. so that is my choice. Thanks!
i could really use a stand mixer. we dont own one.
I would love either of these!! What a blessing this would be to win, thanks for the chance!
If I win, I want the stand mixer.
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i prefer the hand mixer, i like the control better
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Thanks for the giveaway… the Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer would have more utility in our kitchen!
stand mixer