From Osage County to Ocean County

From Osage County to Ocean County

Thursday, February 23, 2012

CHOCOLATE CAKE worth Fighting Over!!!

A few weeks ago I signed up for Pinterest and I found this chocolate cake recipe.   Sunday afternoon came around E and I were wanting something with chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate and my mind immediately went back to this recipe.   I printed it out and BAM! it was sealed in the history books.  I will never again buy a store box chocolate cake  b/c this was so easy to make!!!  

I bet if we took this cake to the United Nations it would end all wars, but then again it just may start a few fighting over the last piece!


CHOCOLATE CAKE
The only one you'll ever make again!!!

1 3/4 C. All Purpose Flour
2 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Cocoa Powder
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs
1 C. Coffee cooled
1 C. Home made Buttermilk (Add 1 Tblsp. Vinegar into cup and fill remaining
Cup with Half and Half Cream)
1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
1 tsp Real Vanilla Extract


Chocolate Frosting
1/2 C. Margarine, softened
2 oz. Melted Unsweetened Chocolate, cooled
3 C. Powered Sugar
3 Tbsp milk or Half/Half
2 tsp Real Vanilla Extract
(1 Tbsp. of Cocoa Powder if you taste and it isn't chocolate enough) 

First thing you do I make sure you have a cup of coffee.  I have a Keurig so getting a cup of coffee was easy.   I had 3/4 cup of fresh hot coffee but added enough ice cubes to bring it up to a full cup.
Next is make your homemade buttermilk.  I used half and half b/c it brings a bit of richness and this cake is very worth it!
This cake is so delicious and it even includes coffee and cream!   It cannot get any better!!!

Directions

1
Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.           
2
Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.           
3
Beat at medium speed for two minutes. Batter will be thin.           
Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan or two 9 inch cake pans.           
5
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9x13, or 30-35 minutes for layer pans.   DO NOT OVER BAKE!!!!
6
Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.

First mix all the dry ingredients together.

Mix well  b/c it distributes all the Cocoa Powder evenly.

Add all the wet ingredients together and beat it, just beat it...Whoo!  
Oh sorry, I just couldn't resist!
Also you well hear bubbles and crackling it from the vinegar and baking soda!   Yes!  if you have children they will love this part!!!

Remember DO NOT OVER BAKE!  

Once cooled completely prepare to set up for presentation....

I like to add icing only to the top and middle like an old fashion  look.   Almost as if this fabulous recipe has been passed down from your Great-Great Grandma!

Monday, February 20, 2012

February so far....

I haven't blogged in a while and boy do I feel  bad!   


It's February.....have you ever thought about how February is spelled and tried to pronounce it s-l-o-w-l-y???   It just seems weird when you say it slow....I bet you are trying it right now, huh? 


In case you didn't know....The Giants Won the Super Bowl and Limoncello was flowing!  It was a good time had by all....and it took me 2 days to recover from all the excitement and Limoncello!  

G and I went to the celebration at Giants Stadium!!!!   

I Celebrated my Birthday at Giants Stadium!  It was the best day.....We tail-gated, sat in the sunny side of the stadium, cheered, clapped, whooped and hollered!!!   We did eventually get wind-chapped but it was worth it!   G learned how to the "THE WAVE" with the crowd.    It was the BEST BIRTHDAY!

Next was Valentine's Day....
G and I made these super cute Valentine Cards.

It never ceases to amaze me what construction paper and imagination can create!

Valentine's Day was super stress free and simple.   I made homemade cheese pizza (Pillsbury pizza crust in the tube is AMAZING!  and worth trying!!!)

G planned a romantic dinner for us, she made place cards, asked if we could set up the candles and use wine glasses.    She is so sweet!   I just love her more and more!


So far so good!!! 
I have a Chocolate Cake recipe that I will be blogging soon!!!    I promise, so get your printers ready!!!