In the Works...

If you haven't heard yet, I live in Nebraska. My husband is attending UNL. Football is huge here. Not just in Lincoln, but the whole state. I mean, season tickets sell out the day that they go up for sale. (And the stadium is enormous!) So I thought we should get acclimated. My husband and I are having a football party. Partly to have people over and socialize, and partly so I can make a football themed cake. I was inspired by Jen's cake. So cute. Now, I have never done decorating like that so we shall see how it goes. Wish me luck. (All I have so far is cookie dough and some cute cutters - I better get to work!)

(No this isn't my work, it is Jen's -- I only hope mine are that cute.)

Anniversary Dessert

So I have been on a no-dessert diet for a few weeks now. I allow myself a little taste once a week. I knew I was going to want something decadent for our anniversary so I saved up for two weeks. My sister suggested I make Marta's "Melt in Your Mouth Mini's" They are really good. Although, I might double the chocolate next time to make it extra rich! (I have to splurge once in a while.) But as usual, Marta did not disappoint. Simple and a quick bake. Just how I like it.

Plus they are fun, these perfect innocent looking cakes then take a bite and it is chocolate lava heaven all over your plate. Just don't tell anyone I might have licked my plate.

Chocolate Truffle Cake

My mom, sister, and I are headed for a girl's trip for the weekend. And, typical me, I am so freakin' excited (sorry, I love that clip!) about the food. In honor of our girl's trip I thought I would give you a very girl-friendly dessert: Chocolate Truffle Cake. It is so delicious. So delicious! (The guys will like it too)
This cake is super moist and rich. It is delicious with a ganache glaze if you are feeling up to it - or just with some whipping cream if you aren't.

Chocolate Truffle Cake

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 c butter
5 eggs
1 1/3 c sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a 9-inch round spring-form pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Butter the paper then flour the paper and pan sides. Cover the bottom of the outside of the pan with aluminum foil so that the tin batter does not leak out. Set aside.
In a medium sized pan over medium-low heat, melt chocolate and butter. Stir until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until pale in color. Whisk in chocolate mixture. Then stir in the flour, vanilla, and salt until combined. Batter will be thin.
Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until the cake is set and slightly puffed in the center, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool until warm. Invert onto a serving plate. Carefully remove parchment paper. Let cool completely. This cake can be covered tightly and refrigerated overnight, but you should remove it from the fridge about 2 hrs before you serve it.

Happy Birthday Lou

My baby turned 1! I can't believe it. This past year went so fast.

 

My baby butterfly

I had a lot of fun doing her party. I was inspired when I saw this book, Hello Cupcake. They had some beautiful butterflies that looked so fun to make. Of course, they were our first attempt and didn't turn out as good as the book, but I am pretty proud.

 

What are the cupcakes?:
Wings & antenna - melted chocolate dark and pink (bought at local craft store, pre-colored)
Bodies - 4 brown M&Ms and/or Reese's Peices
Buttercream frosting
Vanilla cupcakes - used this recipe

Tips for assembling:
If you look closely on  some of the butterflies you will notice candies under the wings, this holds them up in flight.
Make extra wings and lots of extra antennas. They may break.

 

My baby loved them. Can you tell? 

Dear Lou - thanks for the best year of my life. You have made me such a better person. I love you more each day. You are my favorite girl in the world. Kisses!
Mama.

Mint Ice Cream "Cake"

Don't be mad. I know I promised this a or two ago but as I was editing my pictures, my baby started throwing up and had me up all night. That's my excuse. Sorry, probably not the best started to a recipe...

Speaking of recipes, this isn't much of one, more a method. Super simple "cake" I say that because there is no cake in this, but my husband has had this every birthday since he was 10.

Mint Ice Cream "Cake"

About 25 Oreos

3 Tbsp butter, melted

1 container mint chip ice cream

Caramel topping

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Remove ice cream from freezer, set aside and let it thaw while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.

 

Place all but 2 or 3 of your oreos in your food processor. Pulse until small crumbs. Mix in melted butter and dump into springform pan. Press down with fingers or the bottom of a glass. Don't forget to press it into the sides of pan as well. (Note: if you use double-stuffed Oreos, you probably won't need the butter, there should be enough cream to hold the crust together).

Put about half of ice cream into spring form pan. Note: I put mine in little peices all around because if you try to spread one large ball, your crust will come with it. Smash it down and around until it is one even layer. Spread a thin layer of caramel on top of the ice cream, about 1/4 inch thick. Add remaining ice cream, the same way as you did the first layer. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing down so you don't get little ice crystals all over the top of your cake. Freeze overnight or until hardened.

Just before serving, remove cake from freezer, set aside. (This will thaw it just enough so you can cut through it.) Whip your whipping cream, sweeten if desired... and I always want more sugar, so I do. Crush remaining 2-3 cookies and place on top. Top with candels, sing, make a wish, and enjoy!

Caramel Cake

I just finished a very funny book by Fannie Flagg, "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven." Fannie Flagg is the author of "Fried Green Tomatoes at Whistle Stop Cafe." This is a very funny book about a Elderly lady, Aunt Elner, who dies, goes to heaven, and comes back to life only wishing to be back in heaven. This is a fun, touching story portraying the effect one person can have on a whole community (or even the world). While in heaven, she sees an old friend Dorothy who gives her the most delicious Caramel Cake. Lucky for us, Fannie Flagg gave us the recipe!
So, I thought I would try it out.



Neighbor Dorthy's Caramel Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1 3/4 cups cake flour (sift before measuring)
Resift with 1 cup brown sugar
Add:
1/2 cup soft butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat for 3 minutes. Bake in greased pan for 1/2 hour.

Caramel Frosting

2 tablespoons cake flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix cake flour and milk. Cook to a thick paste over slow flame. Cool. Cream sugars and vanilla with butter and shortening. Beat until light and fluffy. Blend in salt. Mix in cooled paste. Beat until fluffy. Blend. Should look like whipped cream.
I would not put in shortening and do all butter - it would make a richer, better flavored frosting.

If you don't have cake flour you can use this recipe to save yourself a trip to the store.