Garden Veggies

Garden Veggies
Made into tile for my stove backsplash

Portland Rose Garden

Portland Rose Garden
Mike and my 2 youngest sons Ian and Leif

Grandson Michael's Birthday 2014 throwing water balloons

Grandson Michael's Birthday 2014 throwing water balloons
With son Beau, Grandson Luke and his mom Jennifer

Maren

Maren
I cut this out of a wedding line. I must take more pictures of her.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

I have looked at this cake in my Pinterest dessert file for awhile and decided to make it in the Canaries since I don't find cake mixes very often and when I do they cost $4-5, which is a bit too much for me.  This is indeed the best chocolate cake I have ever made from scratch or mix.  The great thing is that it only has 1/2 C. of oil so I call it low fat..compared to some cakes I have made.  It is quick, no creaming and bakes up firm and moist.  I don't think I will ever buy a chocolate cake mix again. 

I have made this 4 times in 3 weeks.  I have baked it thin for a bar cookie and into a layered birthday cake.   The rich dark cocoa here is "knock your socks off."  I am planning to bring some home.

I tried to dollop some cheesecake mix into this to make a cheesecake swirled chocolate cake but I think the cream cheese here is not solid enough and it floated to the top.  It was good but I probably won't do it again until I get home.   It was delicious with orange frosting.



The BEST Chocolate Cake
Put 1 cup of water into a mixing bowl. Microwave to a near boil.
Add:
1 3/4 C. sugar
¾ C. cocoa powder (Valor in Spain)
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
½ C. oil

Stir well Add:
1 C. buttermilk (I used ½ C. plain Greek yogurt and ½ c. milk)
2 eggs
2 C. flour
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder

Mix together well.  The batter will be thin.   Bake 350 -  time will depend on the thickness of the pans.



If you want to comment via e-mail - charmandy@comcast.net