White Cake

This weekend we went to see Captain America. Before we went, my daughter asked us if we knew Captain America's name. Sadly, I failed her little quiz. Many of you are sadly shaking your head in disbelief. Of course, my husband told us Captain Steve Rogers. Since we had just watched the movie, my son wanted a cake that looked like Captain America's shield. Well, I decided to try to make a blue, red, and white checkered board pattern inside the cake. I took the cake out of the oven and allowed it to cool on a wire rack. Then I wasn't thinking and decided to cut out the circles on the wire rack. I learned a big mistake. I don't know why I didn't catch it but the cake pressed through the cake and made some nice checkered patterns on the cake itself. I had to push half the cake back through the cake. Even with my mistakes, even with the cake not looking as great as I hoped, my son still wanted me to bring it to the party. He really is a great son. The kids still wanted the cake. They didn't care. My sisters told me it tasted good. My husband didn't even get a piece. I had no cake leftover to take a photo of the inside. I think I'm going to attempt it again at a later date.

My sister made the poster for the party!

White Cake
1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups sugar
5 eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Coat three 9 inch round cake pans with nonstick baking spray and flour. 
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and shortening.
4. Slowly, add one cup of sugar at a time. Mix until incorporated.
5. Add one egg at a time and incorporate well before adding the next egg.
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. In a large cup, combine the milk, buttermilk, and vanilla. 
8. Add 1 cup of the flour mixture followed by 1 cup of the milk mixture into the butter mixture.
9. Continue to alternate adding another cup of flour mixture then the milk and followed by the remaining flour mixture. Gently incorporate all the ingredients together.
10. Evenly, separate the batter between the three prepared cake pans. 
11. Bake the cakes for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
12. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transporting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from Add a pinch. 

One year ago............................................I made Yogurt Pancakes.
Two years ago..........................................I made Tortilla Soup.

Did you already know..........................................
-In 1941, Captain America made his first appearance.
-Captain America has no superhero abilities but the serum gave him peak human abilities.
-Captain America's shield is made of fictitious Vibranium and weighs 12 pounds.

Green Velvet Cake

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green? Are you having a special Irish or Irish/American meal today? Maybe corn beef and cabbage? My husband did not have corn beef and cabbage on Saint Patrick's Day as a kid even though he grew up in an Irish household. Since I grew up eating it, we have it around Saint Patrick's Day. When I suggested making a green velvet cake too, my husband thought it was a great idea. This recipe was the cake my Nana would make. I know this recipe is over thirty years old. I did adapt it a little by replacing some of the shortening with butter plus I made it green instead of red. I'm going to provide the original recipe that I received. My sister wants this cake for her birthday but only blue.

Green Velvet Cake
4 oz. food coloring
2 1/2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs 
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour, shifted
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. distilled vinegar
1 tsp baking soda

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line two 8 inch cake pans with parchment paper and then coat with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the food coloring and with the coca powder. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the shortening, sugar, and eggs.
Add the food coloring and cocoa mixture. Mix.
In a small bowl, combine the shifted flour with the salt. Set aside.
Add some of the buttermilk while alternating with the flour mixture.
In a small bowl, combine the vanilla, vinegar, and baking soda.
Fold the vanilla mixture into the cake mixture.
Pour the cake batter evenly between the two cake pans.
Bake the cake for 35 minutes.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pan before removing the cakes onto a wire rack to cool.
Recipe from my Nana.

One year ago, I made..................................Creamed Spinach.
Two years ago, I made...............................Brownies. 

Did you already know..............................
-In 1762, New York City hosted the first Saint Patrick's Day parade.
-Due to pork being expensive, the Irish immigrants adapted their Irish bacon for an affordable corn beef since it was cured and cooked the same way.
-There are over 34 million Americans that claim Irish ancestry.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Brazilian Banana Cake

My husband decided he was going to eat healthier this year. This means we have tons and tons of bananas. Yes, he should be eating them. So when I was looking for another recipe to celebrate the Olympics, I decided to go with Brazil. Brazil will be hosting the summer Olympics in two years. It was a great way to use some of these bananas up. This dessert taste a lot like banana bread. My children even ask me for a piece of the banana bread instead of cake. It is top with bananas and cinnamon sugar. When I removed this cake from the oven, the top was puffed up which went back down once cooled. I made two individual serving cakes to test the recipe before cooking the larger one. I didn't have to change anything. It was a big hit in this house. Now, what to do with the rest of the bananas I have?

Brazilian Banana Cake
3 Tbsp butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 egg yolks
3 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 cup milk
4 very ripe bananas, smashed
3 egg whites

Topping:
2 bananas, sliced
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9x13 baking pan.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar.
4. Mix in the egg yolks.
5. Add the flour with the baking powder.
6. Add the milk and mix until incorporated.
7. Add the smashed ripe bananas to the batter.
8. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until a soft peak form. 
9. Fold in the egg whites into the batter.
10. Evenly spread the batter in the greased baking pan.
11. On top of the batter, spread the sliced bananas in a single layer.
12. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and the ground cinnamon.
13. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the sliced bananas.
14. Bake the cake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes. 

One year ago......................I made No Knead Bread.
Two years ago....................I made Blackened Chicken.

Did you already know........
-The 2016 Summer Olympics will be held at Rio de Janeiro.
-Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city of Brazil.
-Rio de Janeiro means River of January in Portuguese.

Spartak Cake

Do you have any plans for today? Do you go out or stay in? Do you ask anyone to be your Valentine whether it is your spouse, special someone, friend, niece, yourself? Can you tell I really like Valentine's Day? It is a nice way for me to express to the people you love. For me, it is my family. I don't just buy my husband a gift but also the kids too. I even make my family a nice dinner. It is always Chicken Parmesan with Fettuccine Alfredo. If I'm going to change anything, it will be the dessert. Maybe this dessert? To make this cake, I used two different sources since I wanted to make two different types of layers. It is a pretty cake. 

Spartak Cake
White layer:
1 egg
1 cup sugar
4 Tbsp butter, softened
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups flour

Directions:

1. In a heatproof medium bowl, beat together the egg and sugar. 
2. Add the butter, milk, and baking soda. Mix until smooth.
3. Place the bowl on top of a pot with boiling water to make a double boiler.
4. Heat the mixture for 10 minutes. Stir continuously.
5. Remove the bowl from the heat and immediately add the flour. Mix well.
6. Set aside and allow to cool for 20 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
8. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about a 1 inch thickness.
9. Line a base of a springform pan with parchment paper.
10. Place the dough over the base of a springform pan.  
11. Cut around the excess dough from around the springform base.
12. Bake the dough for about 5 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. 
13. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for several minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.  
    
14. Repeat rolling out the rest of the dough steps 8 through 12.
15. Any remaining scraps bake since it is needed for the sides of the cake.
16. Allow the cake rounds to cool completely.

Chocolate layer:
3/4 cups butter1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp vinegar
2 cups flour
1 egg

Directions:

1. In a sauce pan, melt the butter, milk, and cocoa powder over low heat while stirring.
2. Once the mixture is smooth, stir in the sugar and then remove from heat.
3. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, combine the baking soda with the vinegar.
5. Stir the baking soda mixture into the cooled slightly butter mixture. 
6. Add one cup of flour to the butter mixture. Stir until incorporated.
7. Add one egg and stir. 
8. Stir in another cup of flour. Mix well. The batter should become a soft dough.
9. Form a ball with the dough and wrap with plastic wrap. Press down onto the dough to disk. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
10. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about a 1 inch thickness.
11. Line a base of a springform pan with parchment paper. 
12. Place the dough over the base of a springform pan.  
13. Cut around the excess dough from around the springform base.
14. Bake the dough for about 4 minutes or until the dough is baked through.
15. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for several minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack. 
16. Repeat rolling out the rest of the dough steps 8 through 12.
17. Any remaining scraps bake since it is needed for the sides of the cake.
18. Allow the cake rounds to cool completely.

Frosting: 
12 oz. unsalted butter, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
pinch of salt 

2 cups whip cream

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk the butter and condensed milk until incorporated.
2. Add the cream cheese and salt. Mix until incorporated.
3. Fold in the whip cream.

Cake Assembly:

1. Frost one completely cooled white cake layer with the frosting.
2. Place onto cake stand/plate.
3. Frost a chocolate cake layer with frosting and place on top of the white cake layer.
4. Repeat frosting a white cake layer and place on top of the chocolate layer.
5. Continue frosting the layers and alternating between the white layer and the chocolate layer until there is four layers left.
6. With the remaining frosting, completely cover the top and the sides with the frosting. 
7. With the remaining cake layers, crush into crumbs.
8. Cover the sides of the cake with the cake crumbs.
9. Refrigerate the cake for 10 hours before serving.

The white layer and frosting is adapted from Natasha's kitchen. The chocolate layer is adapted from Grab and Go Recipes.

One year ago...............................I made Vanilla Cupcakes.
Two years ago.............................I made Heart Pie Pops.

Did you already know...................
-Я люблю́ тебя́ means I love you in Russian.
-To say I love you in Russian is pronounced "lyoo-BEET".
-Check out USAToday for pickup lines said in Russian. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Peaches and Cream Cake

It was a warm day and I thought of autumn. I was wearing shorts and I still thought of autumn. Why am I thinking such thoughts? I need to be strong and think about something else. The leaves aren't changing yet. The way to fight autumn (besides move) is to make a dish that is so summer. For me, peaches are always a taste of summer. A cake with peaches and whip cream is a delicious way to hold summer a little longer. Can you tell I'm not ready to say good-bye to summer?

Peaches and Cream Cake
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 large ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced 
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease two 8 inch circle baking pans. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter with 1 cup sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix until incorporated.
5. Add the yogurt and vanilla. Mix until incorporated. 
6. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 
7. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
8. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the cinnamon.
9. Toss all the peach slices except 1/2 cup for garnish with the cinnamon sugar.
10. Gently fold the peaches into the batter.
11. Evenly divide the batter between the two baking pans.
12. Bake the cakes for 30 minutes and until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
13. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting.
14. In a small bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar with a mixer until soft peaks form. Whip for a few more seconds.
15. Layer half the whip cream on top of one of the cakes.
16. Place the second cake on top of the whip cream.
17. Top the cake with the remaining peach slices for garnish.
18. Serve immediately.

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten.

One year ago............................I made Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins. Two years ago...............................I made Streusel Cake.

Did you already know.............
-There are over 200 varieties of peaches.
-Peaches and nectarines are from the same species.
-Nectarines have a recessive gene which gives them the lack of fuzz.

Ladybug Cupcakes

Lady bugs remind me of summer along with sunflowers. They are suppose to bring luck. They are one of the few bugs my boy, I mean children aren't afraid to touch. I think the coolest thing about lady bugs are their dots. I have always been crazy about polka dots so I'm glad they are back in season. My sister also has a mutual like for lady bugs so I had to make these cupcakes for her with the sunflowers. They should bring her lots of luck or in the least be fashionable.

Marble Cupcakes
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix until incorporated.
5. Add the vanilla and mix well. 
6. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Add half of the flour mixture and then the milk. Mix until just combined.
8. Add the remaining flour mixture and then the heavy cream. Mix until just combined.
9. Remove 1 cup of the batter and place into another bowl. 
10. In a small bowl, combine the cocoa and the boiling water. Mix well.
11. Stir the cocoa mixture into the 1 cup of batter bowl. Stir until combined.
12. Fill the muffin tin with the batter about 3/4 full.
13. Place a few drops of the cocoa batter on top to make dots. Do not mix.
14. (To make 1/2 batter and 1/2 cocoa batter then spoon both batter into one muffin tin at the same time but make sure the batter meets half way.)
15. Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes. 
16. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. 

Recipe adapted from Tastebook.

One year ago..........................I made Peanut Butter & Yogurt Dip.

Did you already know.............
-Ladybugs are a beetle.
-The North American ladybug have seven spots.
-Young lady bugs are orange and become darker red as they age.

Fallen Hot Chocolate Cake

Sometimes I change a recipe because I really don't want to run to the store for a minor ingredient. A perfect example is I needed 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder. Now, the last time I looked I thought I had two containers of cocoa powder. Yes, I did just clean out my pantry so shouldn't I remember I needed to pick up more cocoa powder? Shouldn't I have placed something like that on my shopping list? Well, I didn't and I was in the middle of making this recipe when I realized my mistake. I figured I had half an hour before the store closes. Then I realized I had tons of hot chocolate packages. Why not? I will say this flourless dessert came out so good. We caught my son licking his plate. I know manners dictate that you shouldn't lick your plate but there are occasions it happens. This dessert is one of them. My husband said this is probably one of the best desserts I have ever made. It is rich. It is smooth like a souffle or mousse. It is delicate. All I know is it's delicious.

Fallen Hot Chocolate Cake
1 1/8 cup sugar plus more for pan and topping
6 large eggs
1 package hot chocolate mix
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp salt
10 oz. 60% bittersweet chocolate chips 
1/2 cup unsalted butter
 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup chilled heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9 inch springform pan or eight 4" ramekins with nonstick cooking spray. Dust with sugar. Tap out any excess. Set aside.
3. Separate 4 egg whites from the yolks. Placing the egg whites in one medium bowl and the egg yolks into another medium bowl.
4. To the egg yolk bowl, add the hot chocolate mix, vanilla, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix until smooth. Set aside the two bowls.
5. In a double boiler, simmer water over medium heat. In the top pan, combine the chocolate chips, vegetable oil, and the butter. 
6. Stir the chocolate often until it is melted. Remove from heat.
7. Allow the chocolate to rest for 1 minute before gradually pour the melted chocolate into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously. Mix well and set aside.
8. With a mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until frothy. Slowly beat in 1/2 cup sugar and continue to beat until firm peaks form.
9. Gently, fold half of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture until just incorporated. Gently fold in the remaining egg whites and mix until just incorporated. 
10. Evenly divide the batter between the prepared ramekins or gently pour into the prepared springform pan.
11. Carefully place the pans into the oven. 
12. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the top is puffed and the cake is starting to crack. The cake should be pulling away from the edge.
13. Transfer the cake onto a wire rack to cool completely. The cake should collapse in the center.
14. Before serving, whisk the heavy cream with the remaining 1/8 cup of sugar until soft peaks form. 
15. Serve the fallen cake with the whipped cream.

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit March 2013 magazine.

One year ago.........................I made Zucchini Fries.

Did you already know...........

-This recipe was inspired by Richard Sax's chocolate cloud cake.

-Richard Sax was author to eight cookbooks plus contributor to several magazines including Bon Appetit.

-He was founding chef-director of Food & Wine magazine.

Monkey Tree Cake

My oldest daughter volunteered to make a cake for her friend which would have monkeys on it. My oldest daughter doesn't bake so this translated for me to help her. Now, I enjoy making cupcakes but I only make cakes for special occasions. I have never taken a cake decorating class. I really am not confident in making cakes. I agreed to help her but she had to bake the cakes. This was the first time I worked with fondant and it was fun. What do you think? Would you be happy to have a monkey tree cake?

Monkey Tree Cake
3 rectangle cakes
1 box of fondant
3 servings of this frosting

Assemble:

1. Take one rectangle cake and shape a slight curve in it. Round off the corners to make the trunk of the cake.
2. Take the two other rectangle cakes and shape into leaves. (I make a stencil out of paper so each leaf was similar in size.)
3. The remaining pieces of cake need to be placed at the top of the tree.
4. Place the leaf shape pieces shapes apart on top of the pieces of cake.
5. Take the frosting and half it.
6. Color half of the frosting green and the other half brown.
7. Take one cup of the brown frosting and add a little more brown with a drop of black to make a darker shade of brown. Set aside.
8. Frost the leaves and extra pieces of cake green for the foliage.
9. Frost the trunk of the cake brown.
10. Add a little of the darker brown in different areas of the trunk and frost only in up and down strokes. 
11. With the fondant, die pieces brown, yellow, green, and a small amount black.
12. Shape the monkeys with the brown fondant and add two pieces of the black fondant in the shape of balls for the eyes.
13. Shape the yellow pieces into bananas. Mix a tiny bit of yellow with brown fondant then add to the top of the bananas for the area the bananas are attached to each other.
14. Shape the green pieces into long strips and line the leaves for texture.
15. Any remaining green pieces shape into leaves.
16. Add the monkeys, leaves, and bananas throughout the tree.

Monkey Tree Cake created by Allie and Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago........................Tostadas with Chicken and Parsley.

Did you already know...........
-Monkeys are classified either by Old World (Africa and Asia) and New World (Americas).
-In 1949, Albert II became the first monkey to fly in space.
-Most monkeys do have a tail.

Star Cake

When I was a kid, my Dad would make this wonderful sitting bear cake. He would use the star tip for the frosting. We all thought it would be great. I have used the star tip occasionally but not on the whole cake. I thought the star tip would be appropriate to use for this cake. My daughter Allie helped me decorate it. We took turns. I would pipe the white and she would pipe the blue. 

Red, White, and Blue Star Cake
One cooked rectangle cake
Red, white, and blue frosting

Directions:

1. Lightly trace a star design onto the top of the cake. (Either free hand, use a template, or a ruler.)
2. Once the desired pattern is traced on the top of the cake, cut the pattern out. Be carefully but if you make a mistake use frosting to fill in the error.
3. Lightly cover the cake with a base coat of white frosting.
4. Pipe the sides with the white frosting using the star tip.
5. Border the side of the cake with the white frosting.
6. Pipe the blue frosting onto the cake on each triangle of the cake.
7. In the middle of the cake, alternate between the red and white frosting.
8. Pipe 3 white stars in the middle of each triangle.

Cake created by Jen of Sweet Morris.

One year ago.................................I made Mahogany Cake.

Did you already know...................
-Memorial Day once was known as Decoration Day.
-Memorial Day is honor those who have died serving our nation.
-In 1967, President Johnson legally named Memorial Day a national holiday.

Please have a safe Memorial Day!

Pound Cake

I survived April Fools Day. I was pretty lucky since my youngest son tried to trick all of us. He did manage to trick my sister and his best friend. Everyone else had already been warned. His sisters told him to leave them alone. My husband did manage to trick him into thinking there was no school. It didn't take my son long to catch onto that trick. My son told us April Fools is his special day to get us. I just wonder what will be in store for us when he is older. Well, I tried a trick with some food coloring and some pound cake. I wanted to make a marble look. As you can tell, I think the trick was more on me since I should have marbled it more. This pound cake is good and makes great gifts.

Pound Cake
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 drops of red food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
5. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat for about a minute before adding the next egg.
6. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
7. Slowly, add the flour and mix until just incorporated. Don't overmix.
8. Add half of the pound cake batter to the loaf pan.
9. Measure out about 1 cup of the remaining batter. 
10. Add the food coloring to the 1 cup of batter. Mix about 20 times. 
11. Pour a few spoonfuls of the colorful batter onto of the batter in the loaf pan. Run a knife in the batter to form a marble affect.
12. Add more of the remaining batter and the colorful batter. 
13. Randomly run the knife through it to form additional marble affect.
14. Bake the pound cake for about 35 minutes. Check the cake. If it is browning quickly, cover loosely with foil.
15. Continue baking for another 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
16. Remove the pound cake from the oven. Allow to rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe adapted from Baking From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan. 

One year ago.........................I made Chocolate & Peanut Butter Ribbon Dessert.

Did you already know...........
-Pound cake has been around since 1747.
-Pound cake originated from Britain.
-Pound cake is known to have about a pound of butter, eggs, and sugar in it.

Chocolate and Oreo Cake

Did you vote? My husband wore his shirt that said Truth and Justice- Vote for Superman. He wanted to make sure everyone knew who had his vote. We brought our youngest children with us so they can be there. Since I finished first, I had my children stand with me at the exit doors. When someone passed us, my son would tell them he voted for Superman. He does love his Dad. Most people smiled at him but one person asked him why he didn't vote for Batman. My son looked at her like why? So, I replied that he would vote for Spiderman if he had the choice. My seven year old son than says that he would vote for Spiderman and Captain America since he has America in his name. The person told him that he couldn't vote for all those people and he said yes he could. I smiled and said he was voting for Congress too. What super hero would have your vote? Mine would be Wonder Woman!

Whoever wins, I just have hopeful thoughts for our nation. Hopefully the economy will improve in our nation and all nations throughout the world. For my positive thoughts, lets eat cake! How about a cake with chocolate and Oreo. Everyone would have something they liked or at least the pink flowers. This cake was really good and I had lots of great compliments. I made some cupcakes with the left over batter. Share the cupcakes and eat the cake!

Chocolate and Oreo Cake
Oreo Layer:
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
4 egg whites
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp vanilla
2/3 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup crushed Oreo

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
3. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour.
4. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
5. In another bowl, mix together the egg whites, milk, and vanilla.
6. To the flour bowl, add the butter and mix until it starts to combine.
7. Slowly add the milk mixture and mix until completely combined.
8. Fold in the crushed Oreos.
9. Bake the cake for 35 minutes or until done.

Chocolate Layer:
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups water
1 cup vegetable oil
4 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups all purpose flour
4 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup crushed Oreo

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line the bottom of two 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper.
3. Spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour.
4. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and oil. Heat over medium heat.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, cocoa, and flour.
6. Pour the butter mixture into the sugar mixture and whisk until smooth.
7. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time.
8. Whisk in the buttermilk followed by the baking soda, salt, and vanilla.
9. Fold in the 1/4 cup of crushed Oreos.
10. Fill the cake pan 3/4 full with the batter. 
11. Bake the cakes on the middle rack for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
12. Remove the cakes and allow to cool for 15 minutes before inverting the cakes onto a baking rack.
13. Allow the cakes to cool at least 2 hours before frosting.

Frosting
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups powder sugar
4 tsp milk
food coloring

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and vanilla together.
2. Slowly, add the powder sugar and beat until combined.
3. Add the milk to the butter cream and mix until smooth.
4. Add a few drops of food coloring. Mix well. Set aside until ready to use.

To assemble:

1. Place a chocolate layer on the serving platter.
2. Add a layer of frosting. 
3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed Oreo on top of the frosting. Press down.
4. Place the Oreo cake layer on top of the crushed Oreo.
5. Add a layer of frosting.
6. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crushed Oreo on top of the frosting. Press down.
7. Place the 2nd layer of chocolate cake on top of the crushed Oreo. Press down.
8. Frost a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake. 
9. Pipe the roses onto the cake. (I used this technique from I am Baker.)
10. Make a border around the top and fill in the center with about 1 cup crushed Oreo.

The Oreo Cake was adapted from this recipe. The Chocolate Cake was adapted from The Pastry Queen cookbook for Tuxedo Cake. The frosting recipe was adapted from Bakerella.

Did you already know..... 
- Superman was first published in Action Comics #1 in 1938.
-Originally, Superman was dedicated to Truth and Justice then in the 1940s it was changed to Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
-Since 1945, Superman's S Symbol has been trade marked by DC Comics (known at the time as National Periodical Publications).

Plum Cake

Sometimes I will make something and wonder how my family will like it. For an example, my children love plums but if I make a plum cake will they eat it. Also, I wonder who will like it. Sometimes my husband won't try it if it has baked fruit in it. Doesn't he know I'm trying to get him to eat his fruit one way or another?

 

I figured I would purchase some plums since they will be hard to find soon in the stores. My kids really like plums. They are my sister's favorite fruit but I couldn't remember ever cooking with them. The recipe said they would have a crumbly texture like corn bread on the first day. If wrapped, the cake would become soft and moist the next day. I think the cake only became better after the first day. My youngest daughter loved this recipe. 

 Simply Plum Cake
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
5 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 zest of a lemon
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 plums, peeled, seeded, and chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 8 inch baking pan with nonstick spray.
3. Dust the baking pan with flour and tap out the excess flour. Set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cardamom. Set aside.
5. In a large bowl, cream the butter until soft and creamy.
6. Add the brown sugar to the butter and cream.
7. Add the eggs one at a time to the butter. Beat well after each addition.
8. Beat in the vegetable oil, lemon zest, and vanilla to the butter mixture.
9. The batter should look very light and smooth.
10. Slowly, add the dry ingredients mixing until just incorporated.
11. Gently fold in the pieces of plum into the batter.
12. Add the batter to the baking pan.
13. Bake the cake for 40 minutes or until the top of the cake is honey brown.
14. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a rack before serving.

Recipe adapted from the Baking From my Home to Yours cookbook by Dorie Greenspan.

Did you already know...
-Cardamom is used in India, Middle East, North Africa, and Scandinavia.
-The Vikings introduced the spice to Scandinavia.
-Since cardamom is expensive, equal parts of nutmeg with cinnamon can be used as a substitution.

A Birthday and a Wedding

Let's party like it's my sister's birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate Friday by a birthday. When anyone asks who is younger I always say I am. Usually, the person says I thought so and I think they are great since they must know I am older especially with a 7 year difference.

 Happy Birthday Sam!

The other exciting event today is my other sister is getting married! It is going to be beautiful. Everyone should marry a person who makes them a better person and I'm glad my sister has found that man. I held a bridal shower this past weekend for her and I made these cupcakes for her.

Blueberry cupcakes
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup cake flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup milk
1 1/2 fresh wild blueberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after adding each egg. 
5. Add in the sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
6. Gradually add the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
7. Add the milk and stir until the batter is smooth.
8. Gently fold in the blueberries.
9. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full.
10. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes.
11. Remover from the oven and transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack.
12. Allow the cupcakes to cool to room temperature before frosting.

Recipe adapted from the Pastry Affair.

Did you already know...
Some wedding folklore is:
-The luckiest day to marry is suppose to be Wednesday.
-To ensure wedding bliss, the bride should wear gold earrings. -It is considered good luck for the bride to find a spider on her wedding gown.

 To my sisters, I hope you both have a perfect day!

Victoria Sandwich Cake

I am so glad my husband loves me. I know I have a sarcastic sense of humor. I think this is a trait I learned from my father. My husband was telling me a story about something he saw on the news. Then he says to me, "Well, you know Massachusetts is close to Maine." So, I replied, "It is? I didn't know that." See my husband doesn't get mad by my reply. He doesn't even make a sarcastic remark back. He just keeps telling me the story. Now, that is love!

Have you ever had a Victoria Sandwich Cake? It must have been the inspiration of the New England whoopie pie. The cake has the filling in the center. The filling is creamy and butter. Also, there is jam on top of the filling which gives it additional flavor. The cake is sponge like. Now, my first attempt tasted very good but was more dense than it should have been. The second time I measured everything like the original recipe than I converted the measurements for anyone who doesn't have a food scale. If you are planning a tea party, this is the perfect dessert to make.

Victoria Sandwich Cake
1 1/4 cup fine sugar
14 Tbsp butter, softened
3 eggs
2 1/4 cup self rising flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp milk

Filling
7 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups strawberry jam
powdered sugar, for decoration

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray two 8 inch non stick cake pans with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and spray the parchment paper with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, butter, eggs, flour, baking powder, and milk together until smooth.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the two cake pans.
5. Bake the cake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow to cool for a few minutes and turn onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely.
7. In a medium bowl, cream the butter until smooth and creamy to make the filling. 
8. Gradually add the sugar to the butter.  
9. To assemble, place one cake onto the serving platter. 
10. Top the cake with the butter filling.
11. Spread the jam on top of the butter filling.
12. Top the jam and butter filling with the remaining cake.
13. Dust the top of the cakes with the powdered sugar immediately before serving. 
14. Keep in an airtight container and eat within two days.

 Recipe adapted from BBC Good Food.

 Did you already know...
-The cake is named after Queen Victoria.
-The cake was served during Queen Victoria's reign with afternoon tea.
-The cake can be served as little sandwiches if baked as a long loaf.