Here's the topic for November's cooking and baking challenge. We also reveal the winner of October's challenge. In addition, all the details and rules for how to participate in this challenge are given below, including how to win a fabulous prize.
First, I must say it really is wonderful to see so many of you baking my recipes, sending in pictures, and feedback.
This month's challenge is
baking some bagels.
To qualify,
you must choose one of the
two
recipes below.
This month, I wanted to do something different. So, I decided to choose bagels. I know they are not traditional bread recipes, but once you've made them, they are quite addictive. The basic recipes for these bagels are almost the same with different toppings.
About the prize
The winner of our monthly prize is randomly selected from all of that month's entrants.
And, everyone who participates in that month's baking challenge is automatically entered. See below on how to enter the challenge and bonus tips for increasing your chances to win.
At the end of the month, we will randomly select the winner of that month's challenge. Please note, we don't accept images that are not clear or blurry. So, please make sure to take good quality images.
We will announce the winner on the 1st of next month, when we reveal the next month's cooking and baking challenge.
The winner will receive an Amazon Gift Voucher for USD $100.00 (no purchase necessary). Please, read my FAQ about these monthly challenges here.
How to join the challenge?
Above are the three recipes I have chosen for you this month.
- Pick one recipe from above, whichever you want. Note - you must pick one of the above two recipes.
- Bake the recipe and take good quality pictures.
- Write a review in the comment below the recipe post and let us know how what you think about that recipe.
- Send two good quality images of the finished cake/pie you made via email - veenaazmanov@veenaazmanov.com before November 31st, 11.59 AM PST.
- At the beginning of each month (1st of the month), we will announce the winner for the previous month's challenge.
For a bonus entry, here are a few things you can do
- Post the pictures to our Facebook Group.
- Write a review on this month's challenge in the comments below this post - what you liked or didn't like about the recipe.
- In addition, write a comment on the challenge reveal Instagram posts - let us know which recipe you chose to prepare.
- Lastly, link and comment on the challenge reveal Facebook post and let us know which recipe you plan to make.
My purpose, in these challenges, is to encourage you, motivate you, interact, and communicate with you. And, to create a community where we can share, help, and motivate each other. I'm looking for participation and enthusiasm. So, please comment, be active and show your support.
The winner will be announced here, on my blog as well as in our Facebook Group. Make sure you sign-up for my blog newsletter so you will receive all updates right to your inbox.
Disclaimer - The submitted images by participants and winners will be shared in a collage here on the blog as well as on social media. By submitting your images you agree to the use of your images.
The winner will be contacted by email and must respond within 48 hours with an email address for the amazon gift voucher. If we don't receive a response, within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.
October challenge review and winner
Last month's challenge cakes were - cinnamon apple cake, apple pie crumble bars, and the apple pie cake with crumble.
I absolutely loved each and every image that you sent me. And, I hope that you guys also enjoyed those recipes.
Here are the images sent by participants for September's challenge:
And, the winner of this month's challenge is: (drum roll) Gisela Almeda! Congratulations Gisela!
Of course, she has been notified.
Nimmi
November Challenge!
Can’t go to New York and missing Bagels!!!
So made New York Bagels in my kitchen with Veena’s Easy Homemade Bagels recipe! The recipe is super easy and addictive!
I enjoyed the process of making them! The aroma of boiling and baking them...aha I just loved it.
The crust was so chewy and delicious, you can have them simply with cream cheese or with my favourite filling of onion, tomato & cheese! My family was super happy to have them. It’s so addictive that I’ll definitely make them again soon ?
#veenaazmanov #novemberchallenge #bagel
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Nimmi. Happy you enjoyed these bagels.
Bhakti
November Challenge ❤️
For November Challenge I chose to make Homemade Everything Bagels as I was so tempted to make them. I am new to bread baking but Veena ji’s recipe is so easy with detailed instructions to follow! I loved making Bagels, they were just Yummy!!!
We had some with cream cheese and also made sandwiches with thousand island sauce, onion and tomato. You can have them with just cream cheese or sandwich them with sauces and veggies of your choice. They were superb in taste, so soft and chewy. My family enjoyed them ? After all family, happy us right?
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Bhakti
Monika
I was so excited to find this Cooking and Baking Challenge. I love baking bread but I haven't made bagels before so this was the perfect challenge. I made the Easy Homemade Bagels recipe and they turned out really tasty. I'll definitely make them again!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Monika.
Lucy-Sarah Raymond Gounder
I chose the Easy Homemade Bagels for the November Cooking and Baking challenge. I read the recipe from start to finish repeatedly over a few days. I paid close attention to the instructions & photo's. All went well until they got into the oven. They were done in 15 minutes. Maybe I spent too much time weighing them out to 75g each ( I got 13 , bagels) or my oven is playing up. I think the latter is my case! Nevertheless, in spite of my mishap, they tasted good: a cross between soft,chewy and a tad bit of crustiness from over baking.. I will definitely give it a few more tries and believe it will get better with each attempt. In all fairness of the competition ,I thought it best to submit my first try. Even if I don't win, I hope it will boost someone else's confidence! This recipe deserves 10/10 because it proves time and again that your recipes can be made by anyone...no experience, needed. Thank you for challenging, me to push my boundaries and build my baking confidence.
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Lucy. Happy you enjoyed the bagels. looking forward to receiving your images.