My Cloud of Dust

Don't ever be surprised if you enter my kitchen and find me in a cloud of dust.  It seems to happen often.  I like to cook, but I LOVE to bake.  On any given day when I have my mixer running, you may see a cloud of flour swirling above my head.  Typically I am in charge of baking birthday cakes for family members.

Most recently was my father-in-laws birthday.  The man loves chocolate more than anything so deciding on what kind of cake to make him was a no brainer.  It had to be chocolate.  I settled on a chocolate cake called Black-Out cake which apparently has it's origins in Brooklyn.  First you make a pudding and let it set up in the fridge.  After baking the cake and letting it cool, you cut both cakes in half horizontally so you have four thin cakes.  You crumble one cake up into crumbs and set it aside.  The pudding is used between the layers and as the frosting.  Finally the crumbs from the fourth cakes are pressed against the outside of the cake. 

The sad part is I never got that far.  My pudding didn't set up in the fridge.  My problem was that I didn't bring the mixture (unsweetened chocolate, half and half, whole milk, and sugar)  to boil long enough.  So Saturday morning I went looking for an alternative.  I decided on a chocolate sour cream filling and chocolate butter cream frosting.  It turned out perfectly.  The sour cream filling off set the sweetness of the cake and butter cream.

Next I was on a mission to make cut out sugar cookies.  I have to admit that I make one of the best sugar cookies in the world.  I use a recipe from my mom.  I have no idea where she got it, but it never fails.  NO, I will not give you the recipe.  I will never give it to anyone, however if you would like to buy cookies from me, I'd be happy to help you out;)  I top the cookies with butter cream.  In the spirit of Valentines Day I made hearts for friends and teachers.  They are always a hit and well loved.