One of my m0st favorite desserts to make for Valentine’s Day or special occasions are molten lava cakes. If you’re not familiar with these special chocolate cakes you’re in for a real treat. Each cake is baked in individual cups (or cupcake tin) and served warm with a melt in your mouth chocolate liquid center (lava).
Don’t let the photo intimidate you from making these miniature decadent chocolate cakes from heaven. This recipe is really easy, quick to prepare and bake, forgiving, and will make you look like a rock-star. As a warning, if you dust them with a little powdered sugar, whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla or mint ice cream, you may earn a reputation as a “Dessert Diva” and will be required to make these every time company comes over. And if you are a guy making this for your sweetie… trust me on this, chocolate is the way to a woman’s heart. [click to continue…]
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This recipe has been around longer than I have. Chances are your granny or great granny may have made this in the Depression era. Some may know it as “Wacky cake” or “Depression Cake”. During the Great Depression, someone figured out how to make a moist, delicious cake without eggs, milk, or butter because these ingredients were expensive and hard to get. I call this a timeless generational recipe – passed down from generation to generation.
Since then, this cake has become quite popular for people who are vegan or allergic to dairy… like my daughter, Abigail. She is allergic to dairy and like her mama, she loves her cake but can’t always eat it. This cake taste remarkably good with great flavor and texture – very similar to chocolate cakes made with boxed cake mix. [click to continue…]
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FACT: I am a cake lady. I have no shame in admitting this because I love cake! However, all cakes are not created equal. When it comes to cake I only like to eat good ones. Why waste calories on bad cake? The only cakes I actively avoid are typical grocery store cakes; you know, the single layer 9″ round cake with airbrushed frosting made from fluffed up shortening. But when a great tasting cake is set before me I become undone. I can’t stop eating it, even whole cakes have been known to mysteriously disappear from our kitchen. [click to continue…]
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Earlier this week I posted a tutorial on how to make Fall gum paste leaves. I had used the Fall leaves for a cake I baked and decorated for the Daring Bakers Cake Challenge. I was 2nd runner up; I think the winning entry was spectacular! Congrats Katie!
Well today I would like to show you how to frost a 2 layer cake using my Fall cake as your guide. I am going to share with you some simple and practical tips so your cakes will look as good as they are to eat! I realize there are countless ways to frost and decorate cakes, I’m just sharing you mine. Keep in mind this is not a “How to decorate a cake” tutorial -this is a frosting tutorial (but I will give instructions on how to re-create this Fall cake below). So grab a mug of salted caramel hot chocolate and lets get this party started! [click to continue…]
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I love this time of year when Seattlites enjoy the last warm days of summer yet the smell of Fall is clearly in the air. Already I am compiling a mental list of Fall-type of desserts I would like to try. Having been the lucky recipient of Italian plums from my neighbors tree, I decided to bake an Upside Down Plum Cardamom cake. I thought the cardamom would compliment the plums nicely and yet add enough spice to make this the first of many fall desserts soon to come. This cake did not disappoint and was devoured very quickly when served. If you are looking for the perfect cake to bring to a potluck, serve for dessert, or to indulge in all by yourself look no further. [click to continue…]
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