Monday, January 31, 2011

1/30

I decided to create a special post for today. I have been trying to eat healthier as of late and with healthy eating comes fewer opportunities to do something that I absolutely love: bake. I decided that I would allow myself to bake on the weekends. It would give me an opportunity to create something delicious for myself and Andrew and also indulge after a week of eating healthy.
This weekend I decided I would try my hand at a triple layer chocolate fudge cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and a chocolate ganache glaze. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine was when I read the description. I had made vanilla buttercream from a different recipe before and was sorely disappointed by the outcome. It tasted like pure butter slathered onto the cake. I was eager to try a different recipe and hoped for a different outcome. My results were perfection.
I believe the keys to this cake's success were using brown sugar and oil as opposed to white sugar and butter in the batter as well as powdered cocoa rather than baking chocolate. The frosting was simple yet divine. A pound and a half of sweet cream butter, 2 tablespoons of vanilla, 3 cups of sifted powdered sugar and a pinch of salt. Normally frosting isn't my favorite part of a cake, but I think this frosting in particular was just that: the icing on the cake! The ganache glaze was also simple but exceptionally delicious. Hot heavy cream poured over semi-sweet chocolate and light corn syrup. Whisk them all together to create smoothy, dreamy chocolate perfection. Pour this atop the generously frosted cake and let it run down the sides. Voila!
I would like to thank my mom and Kitchen aid for providing me with my mixer. Without which I could not have completed this recipe.















1/29

Fighting a flu bug with some echinacea tea.

Friday, January 28, 2011

1/28

Carrie Bradshaw is my best friend today while I'm in bed feeling sick.

1/27

Beautiful pink sunset

1/26

Winter berries on our very spring-like walk.

1/25

Girl after my own heart.



Monday, January 24, 2011

1/24

1/23

Dutch Babies for Breakfast!

1/22

This gloomy weather is causing me to revisit Forks.

1/21

Carrots, Strawberries, Pistachios, Blueberries, Spinach, Celery & Raspberries. Judah tried each one and after tasting each food, he declared, "That's no good!"



Thursday, January 20, 2011

1/20

I came across this at the Party Store today. I think I might buy it for Andrew and I to listen to together on Valentine's Day.

1/19

This is what happens when I underestimate how far Audrey can reach when strapped into her high chair.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

1/18

Audrey's 1st Birthday Invitations


1/17

Paula Deen actually created a healthy recipe - White Bean Chili with Collard Greens. Oh so yummy!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

1/16

The game really wore him out today.

13-15

1/15 - Catching up on Dexter Season 3


1/14 - Friday night at The Loft



1/13 - My day with Audrey


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

1/11

Judah and I got to have a Starbucks date together.

1/10

Waiting for Zumba to begin.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Day 8 - 2011

Celebrating a Seahawks Playoff victory against the Saints with Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Day 7 - 2011

My little boy comes to snuggle with me every morning.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Day 6 - 2011

Whoopsies. Already skipped day five!....On to day six.

It's time to kid proof the pantry.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Day 4 - 2011

Judah put his truck in a time out.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Day 3 - 2011

Just some light reading for Audrey


Sunday, January 2, 2011

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Day 1 - 2011

Our house and street, 4 days after it snowed. Our street was still a solid sheet of ice today.