Chocolate Brownie Cake

If you haven't already been able to figure out, I am a chocoholic.  I admit it and I do nothing to break myself of the addiction.  Therefore any mouth watering chocolate recipe I find is bound to be on my TO DO... SOON list.  And this one was a delicious adventure.  As you can see from the picture the outside is covered in chocolate chips and chocolate frosting... but wait.. it gets better! Wedged between two moist chocolate cake layers is a chewy, fudgy brownie layer! 

Best piece of advice- bake the brownie layer with some wax paper or foil in the pan and you can lift it out in one piece as opposed to trying to flip it out of the pan.  The brownie is harder to keep together than the cake.  But then again if you do have some cracks or spaces- fill it in with frosting!  Everyone- well most people- love frosting so you can't go wrong and they will be too far on their way to chocolate coma to notice a few fill in areas!

This is a repeat in my book!  Enjoy


Ultimate Death by Chocolate Brownie Cake

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Homemade With Love

It has been awhile since I have udpated!  Things got crazy, but I'm going to attempt to keep up!  Here's an update from where I left off- got a promotion (hence my lack of attention to this blog)- ended up coordinating 20+ events over 3 days during one of the world's largest farm equipment shows (yes- I work for a FARM EQUIPMENT show- lol).  I will write about my experiences more in my pending blog post about my "day job".  Moving on, as you know from previous posts- my sister got engaged! So wedding planning also stepped up about the time of my promotion and the show.  I posted about a couple of the desserts I would be baking for her big day and as you can see her big day has come and gone!  Next thing I know it's May 2013- waaayy to long since my last post- what can I say- I'm a work in progress.

I know what your thinking- stop with the excuses and get to the goods... here we go...

One word to describe this wedding event- FANTASTIC! From the food, to the dress, to the ceremony and everything in between was simply wonderful.  I was so honored to be a part of my sisters big day!  Now, no wedding is complete without its own set of issues, but nothing derailed this bride and groom from having a rocking party. 

Friday kicked off the festivities with brunch at Custom House in Avila Beach, CA with mom and mom's best friend/the wedding coordinator extraordinaire, and of course the beautiful bride.  And the day was complete with a short/sweet ceremony rehearsal, taco bar courtesy of Two Cooks (SLO, CA) and the meeting of two families- that blended perfectly!  
Saturday began with wedding venue set up (Historic Jack House, SLO, CA), hair and make up and EARLY arrival to the wedding site (what weddings do you know that they wedding party actually arrives EARLY and the wedding starts on time?).  With all the set up done, the guests arrival, a successful cocktail hour, and bridal party in place, my sister made her way down the aisle to her awaiting groom and they were married in a very personal but oh so light hearted ceremony courtesy of my uncle.  Pictures were snapped and the party officially began.  Another delightful meal by Two Cooks (homemade bread and pasta- out of this world) followed by toasts and it was time for dancing and my favorite part DESSERT! Ten different desserts, over 1000 pieces, and 180 sweet tooth wedding guests later- the dessert buffet was a success!  I was in awe of all the compliments- It is always so inspiring to have positive feedback!  With all the desserts consumed or packed away in boxes to be eaten later (dessert and wedding favors- two for one!) and the music coming to an end (gotta love city ordinances),  there was one oh so happy bride and groom- and one very very proud little sister!  Congrats again, Steph and Adam!  And thank you for letting me be a part of your big day!

Dessert Menu:
Lemon Bars
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mini Pies (assorted jam fillings)
Port Wine Brownies (topped with dark chocolate kiss dipped in port)
Guinness Chocolate Cake Pops
Mini Cheesecakes (caramel, chocolate and fresh strawberries for toppings)
Salted Chocolate Carmel Shortbread Bars ("Fancy Twix")
S'more Cream Puffs
Cake Batter Rice Crisipies
Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies

yummy desserts in place and ready to go... only picture i was able to get before wedding guests swarmed the table.. guess they really were a hit!

they survived the chair dance.. good thing they have strong friends.. it was a long song

a happy bride and MOH.. funny back story about our dresses- and no I was not trying to upstage the bride by wearing white at her rehearsal- just doing the bride a favor and giving her my dress so she felt comfortable.. and she ended up looking better in my dress anyway..

framed menus... there was also one for the extensive wine selection that was available- nice touch on the signature cocktails

baking supplies shopping trip.. yes i got some interesting looks at checkout

Classy Twix

Trying to be more adventurous, I found the recipe for Salted Caramel Shortbread Bars courtesy of Annie's Eats and figured why not!? Always wanted to make my own caramel ( definitely beats unwrapping all those little ones) and the recipe seemed like a pretty basic yet delicious mix of chocolate and caramel with a salty shortbread layer and little sprinkle of sea salt to cut through all the sugary sweetness. Turns out they were a big hit! My sister just happens to be a huge fan so..

Wedding dessert #2..
I love the idea of an upgraded Twix Bar! So here it is. Starting with the shortbread layer which I whipped up in my food processor and baked. Pour on all that chewy yummy caramel (FYI you'll be stirring for a while, but it's worth it) and then a creamy chocolate layer ! Soo good!

Chocoholics Beware

 I am a HUGE chocoholic and these cupcakes definitely satisfy a BIG chocolate craving!  Kevin & Amanda's Brownie Batter Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes are one of my best chocolate finds yet! 

Here is why:
First, this cupcake can take two days to make with the first step freezing the yummy, gooey, brownie batter center.  You know the process is always going to make a sweet result Totally worth it!

Second, I get to use two of my favorite kitchen gadgets... Cherry, my beautifully red Kitchen Aid Mixer and my new food processor. 

Third, the end result is amazingly chocolate and who can say no to that!

   I had a few of the yummy centers left over and I could eat those by themselves, as well as eating the cupcake without the icing is like a party in your mouth!  The icing just puts you into a chcolate coma!  The recipe did call for the Unsweetened Cocoa "Special Dark" however I only had the regular kind and it was still delicious.  Probably more of a milk chcolate flavor than a rich dark chocolate, so I'm definitely going to have to try these ones again.. soon!

I think I hear one callin my name... MMM!

Cupcakes of all flavors

Found this website through Pintrest once again! My philosophy with Pintrest: Pin it, Make it, Share it! My coworkers loved this in cupcake form and I even made the Gunniess cupcakes into chocolate covered cake balls for my friends wedding. I'll post more about that wedding later. For the wedding i mentioned in my first post I used the recipes for the lemon, peanut butter and red velvet cupcakes to make those yummy cake pops. Really in cupcake, cake ball, cake pop or just your normal cake form these recipes are delicious. I can't wait to try all of them!

Ming Makes Cupcakes! Mmmm