Recipes from Griffins stars, local media celebs, and dignitaries

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., October 28 -- Favorite holiday recipes from Grand Rapids celebrities and sport figures were whipped into luscious desserts and sold at the Celebrity Bake Sale and Silent Auction held tonight at Van Andel Arena.  The event, to benefit Toys for Tots, featured 24 sweet delights including Mayor Heartwell’s Amaretto Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce, Banana Cream Pie with Warm Vanilla Sauce from Travis “Mr.Griffin” Richards, Deep Dish Caramel Apple Pie from Griffins Coach Greg Ireland and his wife Erin, and Granny’s Famous Sugar Cookies courtesy of Griffins captain Matt Ellis and his wife, Jen.  Proceeds will be used to buy sports gear for Grand Rapids kids.

Stephanie Webb of WZZM TV emceed the event, which was hosted by the Grand Rapids Griffins and sponsored by Pioneer Sugar and The Sugar Association.

“This event is about raising money for Toys for Tots and encouraging kids to get moving and to be active and healthy with sports gear, “ says Melanie Miller, Vice president of Public Relations for The Sugar Association.  “We’re thrilled with the response from the Grand Rapids community for the program, including the many celebrities who supported our event with recipes, and the consumers who bought the fabulous desserts!” 

Toys for Tots has a real need for gifts for teens and pre-teens.  Proceeds for this event will help the Grand Rapids area Toys for Tots Foundation buy gear like footballs, hockey equipment, soccer balls, baseball bats and gloves. 

The Celebrity Bake Sale program supports eating a balanced healthy diet and encourages an active lifestyle.  The sports equipment will help keep local kids active and moving.  All-natural sugar can be a part of an active healthy lifestyle.

The complete list of desserts sold at the sale includes:

• Amaretto Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce, from George K. Heartwell, Mayor, City of Grand Rapids 
• Mocha Pudding, from Carole Valade, Corporate Editor Grand Rapids Magazine, Grand Rapids Family Magazine and Grand Rapids Business Journal
• Cranberry Bread Pudding, from Dick DeVos, candidate for Governor of Michigan 
• “Mom’s” secret homemade Christmas Caramels, from Catherine Behrendt, WZZM 13, Host, Take Five
• Granny’s Famous Sugar Cookies, from Matt Ellis, Griffins captain and his wife Jen Ellis
• Coconut Tarts, from Matt Ellis, Griffins captain and his wife Jen Ellis
• Eggnog Cheesecake, from Dan DeVos, owner of Griffins Hockey
• Cranberry Lime Tart, from Chef O (Chef Oliver Hale), Healthier Cooking
• Maranda’s Creamy Chocolate Freezer Pie, from Maranda, WOTV 4/WOOD TV 8
• Deep Dish Caramel-Apple Pie, from Coach Greg Ireland, Grand Rapids Griffins, and his wife Erin
• Creamy Peanut Butter Pie, from Erin Ireland, Coach Greg Ireland’s wife, Grand Rapids Griffins
• Fancy Cashew Brittle, from Shari Steinbach, MS RD, Meijer Corporate Dietitian
• Oatmeal Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies, from Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of Michigan
• Cathedral Windows, from Sabrina, Steve & Sabrina/STAR 105.7-WOOD FM
• Oreo® Cookie Fudge, from Stephanie Webb, WZZM TV
• Nana’s German Chocolate Cake, from Kourtney and Jim Paek, Assistant Coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins
• Pull-Apart Monkey Bread, from Kourtney and Jim Paek, Assistant Coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, from Matt Walbeck, Eastern Michigan Whitecaps Manager 
• Banana Cream Pie with Warm Vanilla Sauce, from Travis Richards, "Mr. Griffin" 
• Blonde Brownies, from Angie Richards, Travis Richards’ wife
• Miss Helen’s Lemon Cake, from Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids Press Food Editor
• English Tea Cake, from Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids Press Food Editor
• Burnt Sugar Cake, from Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids Press Food Editor
• Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie, from Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids Press Food Editor

The recipes are available on the Sugar Association web site, www.sugar.org.