Bake-Off # 36: Fudgy Bonbons; And a Tribute to an Incredible Young Man

Every time I make the winning recipe from this 1994 Bake-Off, "Fudgy Bonbons," I feel sorry for the winner Mary Anne Tyndall, a former school teacher from Whiteville, North Carolina - because this was the last Bake-Off before the million dollar prize went into effect - and Mary Anne deserves a million dollars for this recipe!  To say they are good is an understatement.  I can tell you many stories about the popularity of these delectable bonbons, but my favorite one is from my daughter Kristina who loves these as much as I do.  She hosted a holiday party with a group of friends and placed them on her dessert table.  People initially picked them up because they were so visually beautiful and tempting, but after that first bite, Kristina said it was a free for all.  She observed some friends sneaking back and taking handfuls, then hiding them in places like behind her microwave, under chairs, and of course in pockets and purses.  No one could get enough.  Since then, every time there is a party, someone will always ask - are you bringing those chocolate fudge things again?  Those "chocolate fudge things" are a staple in our family and definitely on our list of one of the all time favorite Bake-Off recipes.  Remember "bon" means good in French, so bonbon means double good.  And they are.

Mary Anne at her winning moment!

So beautiful!

I hope you try these.  Mary Anne was quoted as saying "her passion is chocolate."  You will understand why when you taste them.  Just be warned that they are addictive!  Mary Anne's husband is a big supporter and has always appreciated her good cooking; so much that he gained thirty-five pounds the first year they were married!  However, she said, over the years they learned moderation!

The contest was held at the stunning Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego.  This is probably one of the most luxurious Bake-Off venues ever!

My dear friend, Lisa Keys from Middlebury, Connecticut, was a contestant at this Bake-Off.  Lisa is one of the most creative cooks I know.  These beautiful "Middleberry" Scones consist of a whole wheat scone made with cinnamon and orange zest, and a filling of raspberry preserves; then served with a spread of cream cheese, raspberry preserves, and more orange zest.  Gorgeous and delicious!

Lisa shares some of her memories with us:

"Middleberry Scones is one of my all-time favorite recipes.  Not only does it celebrate my New England hometown, but it also represents that phase of my life when I started cooking and baking healthier.  I was just so delighted when I got the call to go to San Diego.  This Bake-Off was a big deal because the second time around, I felt more like I knew what I was doing, and my whole family was going to San Diego with me.  It was the vacation of a lifetime as we had Sea World all to ourselves for a private Bake-Off party and my children got to play with the dolphins.  I was so proud to give them such a gift as staying at the Del Coronado Hotel, exploring tide pools in La Jolla, and spending time on a warm sunny beach in the middle of February.  As a matter of fact, while mom was baking her heart out, they were enjoying a day at the beach.  It was there that my five-year-old son, William, watched US Navy SEALS practicing maneuvers and declared one day he would grow up and be one of those guys.  He never wavered from that dream except to join the Navy as a Corpsman.  His first assignment was Balboa Hospital in San Diego - talk about full circle.  Really, attending that Bake-Off was life-changing in so many ways.  Plus - I won $2,000!!  The prize money translated into the entire vacation being free which was really a nice bonus, but mostly my family was just so excited when my name was called.  Just priceless to have them so proud of me.  The other thing I was able to do was get Sally Pillsbury to autograph my first Bake-Off book experience which is just one of my favorite keepsakes of all time."

Gorgeous!

Here is Lisa and her family at the contest.  Lisa pointed out that her mischievous little William was stepping on the foot of the Jolly Green Giant.  She also related a story about her sweet William a few years later at another contest.  Lisa was accepting a prize at this particular contest, and as she was up at the podium, little eight-year-old William turned to the other contestants at the table and said, "I know your recipes were as good as my mom's and I am sorry that you did not win, too." A little boy with a big heart.

Here is Lisa with her beautiful son, William, and as you can see, proudly wearing his Navy shirt.  An unspeakable tragedy happened last spring when William lost his life in a car accident.  Lisa is not only an incredible mom and wife, a great cook, and now, the bravest woman I know.  Lisa says her goal is to honor her son every day for the rest of her life.  This blog is dedicated in honor of  William, who so many loved and cherished.  Lisa said William loved her cooking and was so proud of her contest wins.  Please say a prayer for Lisa and her family and remember to thank our brave military men and women who guard us all and keep us safe.  William was one of those honorable men.  And the most wonderful son any mother could have. 

To read more about the Pillsbury Bake-Off go to http://www.bakeoff.com/

To find the recipe for "Fudgy Bonbons" go to http://su.pr/1eR4pV  

Photo of the "Fudgy Bonbons" are by my daughter, Kristina Vanni. Visit her blog at: http://www.betterrecipes.com/blogs/daily-dish

To read all my previous Bake-Off blogs:

Bake-Off #1: http://su.pr/7gmylO 

Bake-Off #2: http://su.pr/2zgjZn
Bake-Off #3: http://su.pr/7VZzZS
Bake-Off #4: http://su.pr/292acQ
Bake-Off #5: http://su.pr/2yOSvP
Bake-Off #6: http://su.pr/28VYBh
Bake-Off #7: http://su.pr/1hk3nb
Bake-Off #8: http://su.pr/22JMGd
Bake-Off #9: http://su.pr/2KkA2E
Bake-Off #10: http://su.pr/8awD1k
Bake-Off #11: http://su.pr/1CmPvD
Bake-Off #12: http://su.pr/3ogo5M
Bake-Off #13: http://su.pr/1a4HYQ
Bake-Off #14: http://su.pr/3tgiV5
Bake-Off #15: http://su.pr/7tQXBu
Bake-Off #16: http://su.pr/9nPW7c
Bake-Off #17: http://su.pr/9WIaqm
Bake-Off #18: http://su.pr/6MMS45
Bake-Off #19: http://su.pr/2A7GXI
Bake-Off #20: http://su.pr/2MwjlD
Bake-Off #21: http://su.pr/1nIgIJ
Bake-Off #22: http://su.pr/1nkUgJ
Bake-Off #23 http://su.pr/20jQDK
Bake-Off #24 http://su.pr/AMfFSj
Bake-Off #25 http://su.pr/4btzLZ
Bake-Off #26 http://su.pr/2sJrvp
Bake-Off #27 http://su.pr/9cG4B1
Bake-Off #28 http://su.pr/24CMm0
Bake-Off #29 http://su.pr/8th5eg
Bake-Off #30 http://su.pr/AUUGkZ
Bake-Off #31 http://su.pr/9j9TQ6
Bake-Off #32 http://su.pr/76Fl0s
Bake-Off #33 http://su.pr/26Q4KJ
Bake-Off #34 (part 1) http://su.pr/3TlcVI
(part 2) http://su.pr/7suCub
Bake-Off #35  http://su.pr/1lZC8X