Area home bakers participated Monday night in the 13th annual Chocolate Lover's Bake- Off hosted by the Marvin Memorial Public Library in Shelby.

   The competition featured a variety of mouthwatering sweets that contained a very special ingredient...chocolate!

  Three judges were assigned to each category. 

  The first place winner in the cake category was Donna Buckham with her Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Icing. Second place in the cake category went to Terry Wilson, who made a Chocolate Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Butter Pecan Frosting.

  In the cookie category, first place went to Donna Buckham again, with her Chocolate Cherry Nut Cookies. Second place was awarded to Nancy Lewis, who made Simple Carmel Brownies.

  The desserts category sent the first place award home to, Megan Burns, who made Mile High Mousse Pie. The second place honor went to Donna Trout, for her Black Forest Trifle.

  If you are a truffles fan, two women won the candy category with their homemade treat. First place went to Marilyn Hopkins for her Oreo Truffles, while Gail Adams enjoyed a second place finish for her Simply Sensational Truffles.

  Some of the entries included dirt pudding dessert, Strawberry Shortcake covered in chocolate and spiced chocolate cake.