GourmetGiftBaskets.com Brownie Sampler {Review & Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, lorialcorn2006!}

Sometimes I wonder if the idea that foods taste better when they're made by someone else is a phenomenon specific only to me. I can cut up the same vegetables, so why does my mom's salad end up more satisfying? I use the same ingredients, but how come my mother-in-law's chocolate chip cookies are consistently yummier than mine?

That's why even though I know that my family and friends can make their own baked goodies, that they'll agree that having them show up at their door all ready to eat is much more enjoyable.

Then, add to that the fact that the package could be more than simply food, but an award-winning gift basket of goodies from GourmetGiftBaskets.com, and there's no denying that any old plate of cake just won't cut it.

With gift and fruit baskets for every occasion, GourmetGiftBaskets.com has a handmade item filled with critically acclaimed gourmet foods that will suit everyone's tastes. These aren't the same prepackaged gift baskets that have been sitting in a warehouse somewhere that other companies use, instead GourmetGiftBaskets.com only uses the freshest fruits and the highest quality snacks or products that have each been individually chosen for each particular grouping.

The result? GourmetGiftBaskets.com is so sure that you will love their products that their gift baskets are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren't completely happy or the recipient of your gesture isn't raving, GourmetGiftBaskets.com will work to make things right or give you your money back. They're just that sure that you're going to love their gift baskets!

However, along with the gifts and foods that GourmetGiftBaskets.com is traditionally known for, they also have a Baked Goods category on their site that immediately made my eyes grow wide. From Whoopie Pies to Carrot Cake, it only takes a few clicks to have their freshly baked treats arrive at your lucky recipient's door and ready for any occasion.

Even though we didn't have cause for celebration around here, it was still an exciting day when a smaller version of GourmetGiftBasket.com's Brownie Sampler showed up for tasting.

Being a brownie connoisseur myself, I assumed that this was gift basket that I would like... but I had no idea just how much I would end up loving it. With one brownie in each of the six flavors - Belgian Chocolate Chunk, White Chocolate Macadamia Blondie, Butterscotch Blondie, Cheesecake, Peanut Butter, and Fudge Walnut - the hardest decision, of course, was knowing where to begin.

Right away I appreciated that GourmetGiftBaskets.com had wrapped and labeled each brownie individually, as that made it easy to tell which flavor was which, as well as keeping them fresh and delicious before opening.

Although I had my eye on a few of them, I opted to start with the Belgian Chocolate Chunk, as you just can't go wrong with a classic brownie like this one.

Oh, and was it good.

My initial idea had been to take a bite or two and put the rest into the plastic bag that I had pulled out... but that didn't happen. The entire brownie was right on so many levels: thick, chewy, rich, and flavorful that it soon disappeared. Mmmm!

The following day I had to try the Cheesecake version, as cheesecake and brownies are two of my favorite desserts. But what I found when they were paired together?

Simply amazing.

The chocolate brownie portion of this was much more moist and gooey, which matched perfectly with the sweet, decadent cheesecake layer on top. The whole thing tasted as though it was right out of the pan, so the thought that it had been baked, packed, shipped and then sat in the box while I was vacation and still tasted this delicious? I wish I knew GourmetGiftBaskets.com's secret!

Even though I could have eaten this entire Sampler on my own, I did manage to share with my family and they were just as excited about the brownies that they tried. My husband loves nuts in chocolate, so the Fudge Walnut was right up his alley, and Big Sister E and Little Sister B were just excited about having a decadent treat.

Being that they are both big fans of peanut butter, it wasn't a surprise that they were thrilled with the Peanut Butter brownie...

...although really, who wouldn't be when it tastes this good?

While I've been pleased with GourmetGiftBaskets.com in the past, their baked goods exceeded my standards and really blew me away. These brownies are mouth-watering and extremely delicious - and even better that they don't require any measuring, mixing or baking. Just open the package and eat!

The Brownie Sampler of 12 (two of each flavor) retails for $34.99 and would be sure to surpass your recipient's expectations for what a gift basket typically includes. I would love for GourmetGiftBaskets.com to include a brownie option where each flavor included was selected from a list (therefore eliminating the possibility of including one or two that aren't favorites), but really, with how great each one of these tastes, the Sampler just means that you have an excuse to try another and another...

Whether you choose to browse by price, occasion, theme, gourmet food or more, GourmetGiftBaskets.com has an option to meet your needs and your recipient's tastes. Instead of a plain gift this spring, one of these gift baskets is plenty versatile enough that just about anyone would enjoy one.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be able to see just how amazing it is to bite into these brownies as well, because...

One lucky person will win a 6-piece Brownie Sampler from GourmetGiftBaskets.com!

To enter to win:
1 Entry if you follow GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Twitter.
1 Entry if you Like GourmetGiftBaskets.com on Facebook.
1 Entry if you visit GourmetGiftBaskets.com and click the Google +1 button on the page of your favorite gift basket and then return and tell me which one you chose.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

WIN a GourmetGiftBaskets.com Brownie Sampler, a delicious and fun gift to enjoy! http://bit.ly/HfMiBZ @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

1 Extra Entry (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
2 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on April 26th at 11:59pm CST. By entering this sweepstakes, you are agreeing to these official rules. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning and the giveaway sponsor is solely responsible for prize fulfillment. This giveaway is open to residents of the continental U.S. only and must be 18 years of age or older.

A big thank you to GourmetGiftBaskets.com for providing a 6-piece Brownie Sampler for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.