Local Baker Wins National Recipe Contest, Puts New 'Twist' on Traditional Dessert Favorite

Online, April 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) - LANCASTER, Pa. - From January through March of this year, Auntie Anne's asked baking enthusiasts nationwide to develop original recipes for appetizers, entrees and desserts using the Auntie Anne's At-Home™ Baking Kit for a chance to win a cash prize and online splendor. Chaelyn Consaul, a local of Scottsville, NY., was just named the Baking Kit Recipe Challenge Grand Prize winner after submitting a distinctive creation for a pretzel dough-based Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza. As for the prize, Consaul will win $1,000, and her recipe will reside on www.auntieannes.com.

Consaul, a self-proclaimed 'avid baker,' was one of 96 contestants from 26 states who entered Auntie Anne's flagship Baking Kit Recipe Challenge between January 9, and March 31, 2012. After learning of the competition on Auntie Anne's Facebook page and frequenting local Auntie Anne's stores for years, Consaul used the At-Home™ Baking Kit to create numerous treats for her boyfriend and son. It wasn't until the Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza was brought to a local party that she knew she had created something special.

"I was floored by the response I was getting from my friends and families about the Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza. Everyone loved it," said Consaul. "Cheesecake has been my mother's specialty for years, and even she was amazed with how good my dessert was."

For the competition, contestants were required to use the dough and yeast from the official At-Home™ Baking Kit as the main ingredients, yet the rest of the creation was entirely up to the contestant. Submitted recipes were judged on creativity, appearance, ease of preparation and taste.

The newly-renowned Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza combines a pretzel dough crust with fresh strawberries, cheesecake filling and drizzled chocolate. It's fresh flavor turned the heads of all six of Auntie Anne's judges, and its attractive appearance makes the dessert versatile for special occasions, birthdays and formal celebrations. To see this recipe and other award-winning creations, visit www.auntieannes.com.

"Choosing the winners of the Auntie Anne's Baking Kit Recipe Challenge was no easy task because we received some amazing entries," said Heather Neary, Chief Marketing Officer of Auntie Anne's. "And while we were truly overwhelmed by the number of delicious recipes - from the Cherry Bombs to the Potato Knishes - Chaelyn Consaul's
Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Pizza made a lasting impression on our team."

Auntie Anne's At-Home™ Baking Kit is a versatile product and capable of baking a variety of delicious treats such as pretzels, pizzas, gourmet breads, breakfast pastries and more. The Auntie Anne's At-Home™ Baking Kit is available for purchase at a variety of retail locations, including Wal-Mart, or online.

About Auntie Anne's
Auntie Anne's Inc. is the world's largest franchisor of hand-rolled soft pretzels, supporting more than 1,180 Auntie Anne's® Pretzels locations worldwide. The concept mixes, twists, and bakes pretzels to golden brown perfection in full view of customers. Auntie Anne's is committed to pretzel perfection by guaranteeing you will love its pretzels or they will replace them with ones that you do. For more information about Auntie Anne's Inc., visit www.auntieannes.com, www.facebook.com/AAIntheKitchen.com, or www.twitter.com/AuntieAnnes.
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