Andrew birthday cake

 

Andrew was gone for church meetings most of today and he already left when I decided to make his cake. Instead of asking what cake he would like, usually something chocolate, I made the cake I wanted to make.  A new recipe, very wintery, from this post I saw on Instagram.  It looked so dreamy, it was calling to me.

First, the cake batter and bake.  Then the ginger cookies baked and frosted.  The assembling happened after church.  Zara, Avery, and Rupert helped with the ginger house and tree decorating.

The girls helped update the letter board for the new season.  Very festive!

Glad Andrew likes ginger cakes too!  It's not a sticky ginger cake like they are in England, but the house smelled so good and it was a good texture.

Percy couldn't wait to dig in to some treats!  

Was it my favorite cake to eat?  No, but it was one of my most time consuming.  Such a special cake and a good Sunday activity.  Avery also helped put up the little village on the shelves.  She did a great job!  They're extra magical then the lights are turned on.

It's so fun trying something new and creative.  Especially something to eat, and share with others.

week 3/52 and 4/52 cakes

Chocolate cake with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

This cake is just as delicious as it looks.  My favorite part is the homemade whipped cream.  This cake also keeps well because we were still eating it two days later and it was just as delicious!

Chocolate cake

2 oz. semi sweet choc. chips

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 cup boiling water

6 Tbs. melted butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 and prepare cake pans.  Recipe makes two layers, so double for four.

2. Combine chocolate, boiling water and cocoa powder until chocolate is melted.  Set aside.

3. In another bowl combine dry ingredients.  Set aside.

4. In a large bowl mix butter and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time and beat until fluffy.  Slowly add buttermilk and chocolate mixture.  Add flour mixture.

5. Divide into two pans and bake 12-15 minutes.

6. Cool completely before frosting.

Whipped Vanilla Cream

2 cups whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Whip cream until soft peaks form.

2.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla until you get a fluffy whipped cream consistency.

Chocolate Buttercream

8 Tbs. butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 cups powdered sugar

3-4 Tbs. milk

1. Mix butter, cocoa powder and powdered sugar adding milk 1 Tbs. at a time until you get your desired consistency.

Now layer your cake with whipped cream between each layer and chocolate frosting on top.  If you want, add some berries between each layer and to garnish the top.

recipe source

Healthier Carrot Cake

This cake was a result of Andrew being concerned about the pounds he might gain on my weekly cakes.  "Light" cakes can be just as enjoyable as full-fat ones and this was a good choice.  I missed the pecans though.  I would have added them to the recipe but I was all out so I garnished with sliced almonds instead.

Healthier Carrot Cake
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cinnamon
4 eggs, room temperature
1 cup honey
1/2 cup canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 350, and prepare two pans.
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
3. In another bowl beat eggs and add honey.  Beat on high and then add oil, vanilla and applesauce.
4. Slowly add flour mix to egg mix until blended.  Add carrots and raisins.
5.  Divide into two pans and bake 28-32 minutes.  Cool completely before frosting.

recipe source

week 1/52 and 2/52 cakes

So I'm off to a good start with the weekly cake baking so far.  It all started with the cake platter Andrew gave me for Christmas.  I hope it's the start of a great collection.  We hosted a little birthday celebration for Nora and since all the ladies in my family love carrot cake it seemed to be the best choice.  I doubled a Better Homes and Garden's recipe and changed a couple things.  It did not disappoint.

Carrot Cake

4 eggs room temperature

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

3 cups shredded carrot

3/4 cup cooking oil

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup raisins

1 cream cheese frosting recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease two 8x1 1/2 inch round pans and line the bottom with wax paper.

2. In a large bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.

3. In a smaller bowl eggs, carrot, oil, pecans and raisins.  Add to flour mixture and pour evenly into pans.

4. bake 35-40 minutes, cool on racks.  Frost and add extra pecans on top.

This chocolate cake was a last minute, feeding the elders, type cake.  Delicious and fast.  One of the things that I like about this recipe is that it doesn't call for any special ingredients like buttermilk or sour cream.

Busy-day Chocolate Cake
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup sugar
3 Tbs cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbs vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbs white vinegar
1 cup cold water

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a bowl whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Add vegetable oil, vanilla extract, white vinegar and water.
3.  Pour into 8 inch pan and bake 35-40 minutes.  Cool completely, then frost.

I made up the frosting on the spot so I can't give measurements but if you watch the video she shares her frosting recipe.