SEE BELOW FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON THIS RECIPE
I am thrilled to be participating in Paula of Vanilla Bean Bake’s Frosting for the Cause project. “What is that?” you ask:
Beginning January 1, 2011 a total of 365 sugar cookie & cupcake bakers/decorators and bloggers from across Canada and the United States will take turns doing a guest post at Frosting for the Cause. Once a day, every day for a year you will be treated to a new and talented blogger who will showcase their home-made, hand-decorated cookies or cupcakes together with their recipes. By signing onto this project every guest baker/blogger has committed to not only donating a batch of their cookies or cupcakes to their local Women’s Hospice but they have also committed to making a personal $25.00 donation to either the Canadian or American Cancer Society to be directed to research projects that are working diligently to find cures specifically for cancers that affect only women. Through the generous volunteer commitment of the 365 guest bakers on Frosting for the Cause, we will not only raise awareness of all of the cancers that currently affect women, but we will raise a total of $9,125 alone for research into these diseases.
I signed up almost immediately, even though I am not really a baker – I still wanted to to contribute to this worthy cause.
The inspiration for my contribution actually came about whilst I was in Mexico over the holidays… Head on over to Frosting for the Cause for the recipe and inspiration (link no longer valid) behind this “symphony in pink” and maybe join up yourself?
Since Paula’s site is no longer live, I came back to re-create this recipe to post here. You can find the updated recipe (and photos!) here!
Those are like the fancy dresses you ogle through the window, but can’t afford. Gorgeous!
Why thank you Belinda!
Thanks for sharing this great cause, Mardi…I’m popping over to the site to check it out!
The more the merrier!
Mardi,
Thank you so much for joining in the fight. After I was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 I found I wanted to give back. I joined forces with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and more recently the American Cancer Society organizing a fundraising and advocacy team made up of my family and friends. Every year we walk around a track for 18 hours at our local Relay For Life and later in the year don our pink for the Making Strides Against breat cancer event. Our scrappy team has raised over $72,000 since then and have our eyes set on $100k!!!
I didn’t use my blog to help in the fight last year but that won’t be true this year. We will be planning several virtual events (including a wine tweetup) to spread the word and help raise money for the fight. Once I get my first post up at the end of the week I will be putting out the call for people to spread the word about what we are doing and join in. I bet I don’t even have to ask if you would help spread that word. You already are!
In my time as an advocate I have addressed my state legislature about funding cancer programs, been the speaker at a number of educational events, had the honor of accpeting awards for our Relay’s overall performance in our region, and am always a welcome cheerleader to whip up our Relay For Life participants. We all have ways to give back and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for cancer and the choices it asked me to make.
In 2005 I coined a battle cry for my team and I say it all the time as a reminder of what we are up against.
“We are here, we are fighting, and WE WILL WIN! We must have HOPE!”
Thank You
Jason
Thanks for sharing your story Jason. I am pleased you will be using your blog to raise awareness and funds this year. You guys are doing amazingly on the $ raised – bravo!
I’ll reserve comment on the cancer-philanthropy industry…and just say kudos to all for having their hearts in the right places.
I laughed out loud, as I know PRECISELY what the inspiration for these are. And can I just say Mardi’s interpretation is much-improved over the confections we saw in the store.
Well they weren’t baked with YOU in mind but glad the wine group appreciated them!
What a great cause! And what great cookies. I love the pink!
Yes it just HAD to be that shade!
It’s such a great cause, and these cookies look delicious! Very professional.
Thanks – I am sure my next batch will be even better now I have had practice!
Great cause and beautiful cookies!
Oh wow, what a great cause! Bravo!
Your cookies deserve a Bravo, too! They look so gooood!
Mardi, as always you impress me not just for being a great blogger but also for having a great heart! I did not know of this initiative. I’m so going to check it out and bookmark the page. Thanks for sharing with us this recipe and the link.
Sarah perhaps you and Clara could bake together?
Great photos and great idea! Kudos on being part of something that assists others. I’m off to check out the recipe.
It’s so easy I feel like a cheater Lael!
I love iced vo-vo’s but I don”t live in Australia now so I can’t get them. Thanks for providing a recipe and for helping a great cause. I will have to look into Frosting for the Cause.
Ah well here you go – new and improved!
Bravo! These look lovely 🙂
Oh my, coming from you that is HIGH praise!
These are so pretty! Thank you for making a difference!
Really, it’s such an easy way to contribute to a great cause.
What a great idea! Looking forward to checking it out.
Not a baker?? I respectfully disagree.. these look wonderful!!!
It’s also a wonderful cause… bravo to you and everyone for supporting it!!
Well I got lucky, I guess!
I always lurk but never comment – I just wanted to say how wonderful I think you are for participating in this project. The treats look heavenly as well! Such a pretty color! I’m sure many people will be touched by your baking – whether through research funding or from simply recreating these beauties for themselves!
Great work.
Thanks for coming out of the lurker’s corner to comment. Am glad You liked this post!
Hi Mardi ~ Just wanted to express my heart-felt thanks for your wonderful participation in our project. Your post today was beautiful and I appreciate that you took the time to bake this wonderful treat and share your story on how you decided to make them. Today we had 10 more people sign up and I have to think that not only your write-up here, but your guest post on the Frosting for the Cause sight had a lot to do with it! Thank you so much for volunteering to ♥bake♥ a difference.
Thank YOU so much for organising this whole project! Was fun! Can’t wait to participate again with Les Petits Chefs!
So cute! I love these…very pretty and they look delicious. 🙂
A fantastic cause, well done for getting involved.
Hilarious inspiration too, LOVE IT. I cannot think of Iced Vovos without thinking of this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kco6mXH2aJY
OMG Conor – that’s the BEST!
Indeed. I thought you would approve!
You know what, I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t like these one little bit as a kid. They kind of grew on me in my early twenties but what I’m absolutely loving is the name – “faux vo’s”! Brilliant.
Wot – and you call yourself an Australian? LOL!
great cause. great baked goods. awesome blogger. :)c
Aw Cathy – thanks!
What a wonderful cause to be a part of!! Kudos to you and the group!
Now those lovely treats that you made are calling to me!!!
I wish I had a few right now on this cold cold morning….sigh
Congrats on your top 9 today!
Dennis
Yes they go nicely with a cup of tea!
Wow those look delicious and so beautiful too! Thanks for sharing… I just signed up and am so happy to contribute to this wonderful cause!
It is, indeed, a most worthy cause.
How awesome! I know these cookies! I am in far west Tx and they are a staple. But you just took them over the moon! The look amazing!!! High five from tx!
My next step will be to make my own marshmallow…
Congratulations on your Top 9 today!
Thank you for sharing this. I will go over and check it out. I thought these are adorable, I can’t believe you are a non-baker. That is an amazing amount of money you group has raised, congrats!
-Gina-
Yes it’s impressive how a small gesture from a few people can add up!
What a fabulous cause!!! These look gorgeous and that photo is wonderful 🙂 Congrats on the top 9!
A wonderful reason to bake. 🙂 These are just charming.
Pretty little bites for an important cause. I am heading over to the site to get the details now!
Yes and really such an easy way to support a fab cause!
As an Australian, I applaud you for your efforts at making what is one of Australia’s most iconic biscuits and introducing them to the world. I LOVE Iced Vo-vos, they should be found in every child’s lunchbox as a Friday treat!
Shari from http://www.goodfoodweek.blogspot.com
All the world should know about Vovos!
I haven’t had iced vovo’s in such a long time, but I’m certain these are much better that the store bought version. And it’s good to see so much support for a worthy cause.
Vovos weren’t exactly my faves but these were pretty good!