Here is the cake in all its glory

The cake I made for the Relief Society birthday party. Photo credit: the amazing Bruce, of course.

It turned out beautifully, but I had to make a last minute substitution as I had forgotten to buy cream for the icing. I went ahead and used the remaining buttermilk (from the cake recipe) in the ganache. It tasted fine that evening, but a few days later the buttermilk flavor was rather strong (read: sour). Alack.

While we're on the subject of cakes, Bruce and I were in Idaho & Utah this last weekend and my sister-in-law Amanda made a rather delicious "strawberry shortcake" cake. Let's just say that if I had Bruce's metabolism she would not have taken home any leftovers... Yum!


[Strawberry Shortcake Cake recipe from Pioneer Woman here.]

Also, I'm baking a cake

Tonight is my church congregation's "Birthday Party" for our women's organization the Relief Society. Pretty much we're having dinner and 10+ cakes. I am making this amazing chocolate cake from Smitten Kitchen.

[Instead of coffee, I use raspberry extract to give the chocolate a richer flavor and to go with the raspberry filling option.]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! It's going to be great! [see the results here.]

p.s. It turns out that Bruce isn't really that into cake. However, I knew this before marrying him. He still supports me in my baking efforts however by buying me 12+ boxes of cake flour for Christmas. You see, Marriage is all about Compromise.

Do You Believe in Magic?

 For our family it happens every Thanksgiving.

This is where the magic happens:

Recipe here.

And this little guy ate about half of it in between hunting ghost(es) of the striped, paisley, houndsteeth, and seersucking varieties.

oh my dears

let me tell you how much fun I have had with the holidays this year!

Baking
1. Chocolate cream pie - made this for Thanksgiving and again for our church Christmas party. So delicious even though Gordon went overboard on the shaved chocolate garnish :) Love him. (ps: make this pie!)
2. Wassail - I just finished my second batch so far this season and it is warming my soul.
3. Chocolate chip waffles with peppermint stick ice cream - it was Sunday and we didn't have buttermilk or chocolate chips, so we had to settle for some rather dense waffles with chocolate chunks, but Marianne's ice cream more than compensated for it!
4. Chewy Gingersnaps - this recipe from my cousin Alice is the best I've ever tried and I will never, ever give it up!

Decorating
1. Dot garlands - my first attempt anything Martha Stewart and I have been SO happy with these! My friend Jess was the arm of this important operation.
2. Christmas Tree - my roommate and I decorated this with white lights while a third roommate made beautiful snowflakes to hang on and above it. I must learn how to make the snowflakes - they are amazing!
3. Wreath - I bought one from the local boy scouts and it is hanging just next to our front door (rather than on the door itself). It's rather fragile, so it will hold together better, I think.

I just attended my first Christmas party this year as well as the Creche Exhibit! AND I've been spending lots of time with this little nevvy of mine:

Cheddar and Dill Scones

The Thomas family traditionally bakes these at Christmas. It's a simple recipe, but can take a bit of time because of preparing the fresh dill and cheddar cheese, but I think it's worth it :)

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
1/3 cup minced fresh dill
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 3/4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly butter two 9-inch pie pans.

Beat eggs, buttermilk and minced fresh dill in medium bowl to blend. Combine flours, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, pepper and salt in large bowl. Add butter to flour mixture and cut in until mixture and grated cheddar cheese. Stir to mix well. (Dough will be stiff and crumbly.) Knead gently until dough just holds together.

Divide dough in half. Pat each half into prepared pans to 1-inch thickness. Using long knife or pizza wheel, score each round into 6 wedges. Bake until toothpick inserted into each center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Transfer pans to rack and cool scones slightly. Cut into wedges.

Note: Sometimes I bake them in mini-muffin pans

Tom Ka Gai (Thai Chicken Cocount Soup)

I started making this when I was in college. I merged basically two recipes (one from Joy of Cooking and one from a Thai restaurant my father likes in the City). It has elements that are not authentic (such as jalapeno), but, frankly, I love the flavor, so I recommend using it anyway! This is one of my favorite soups.

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups coconut milk
1-1.2 lbs. chicken
1/2 lb. straw mushrooms (substitute button optional)
1 oz. ginger, sliced
1 oz. fresh lemongrass (optional)
3 jalapenos, seeded, sliced
1/3 c. lime juice
3 Tablespoons Thai Fish Sauce
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
1 Tablespoon Thai Chile Sauce

Directions:
Bring coconut and 1 cup of water to a boil. Add ginger, jalapenos, lemongrass, and cook at medium heat for a few minutes. Add chicken, salt, fish sauce, sugar, parsley, and lime juice. Cook until chicken is done. Throw mushrooms in, remove from heat - serve immediately. Add chili totaste. Serves 4.

Note: It really does only serve 4. It makes a very small batch.

Buttermilk Waffles

This is the waffle recipe I used at the Waffle Party.

Ingredients:
4 eggs, separated
4 c flour
1 T baking soda
1 t salt
1 cup oil
4 c buttermilk

Directions:
Combine dry ingredients, then add oil, buttermilk, & egg yolks. Whip egg whiltes (for fluffy batter) and fold into batter.