How was your long holiday weekend? Mine was quite lovely and relaxing. I spent time with friends, took Dexter to the stream so he could swim, ate ice cream, what could be better?

On Sunday I woke up to the sound of thunder and new I was going to have to make some alternate plans for the day. Originally I was going to go for a long bike ride and then work in the garden but it wasn’t meant to be. It rained (and I mean RAINED) the entire day so all of my outdoor plans had to take a back seat.  So what to do when your stuck inside?  Bake!

I whipped up this blueberry applesauce loaf with things I had on hand and it turned out delicious. Not overly sweet, nice and soft and crumbly, it was fantastic warm out of the oven and just as good the following day.

Blueberry Applesauce Loaf

2c flour (I use a mix of whole wheat and white)
1/2c sugar (even less if your blueberries are good and ripe)
2 eggs
1/2c butter
1 c applesauce
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
blueberries (I always say the more the better but do whatever works for you)

Set the oven to 350, mix the wet with the dry and bake for 55 to 60 minutes.  Easy peasy.

Cinnamon scented devils food cake cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

I made them over the weekend for a friend’s birthday.  They got rave reviews all around and there was fighting to the death over the last one (ok, not really).

I adapted the recipe a wee bit from the original which I found here.

2 2/3 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 tb ground cinnamon
1 1/2 ts baking powder
1 1/2 ts salt
1 ts baking soda
2 c sugar
1 1/4 c freshly brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature
1 1/4 c buttermilk
2/3 c vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 tb vanilla extract
1  c  mini semisweet chocolate chips

Sift flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda into large bowl. Combine sugar, coffee, buttermilk, oil, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla in another large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat egg mixture until blended. Add dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed until blended, scraping bowl occasionally, about 4 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill liners about 1/2 way up. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

For the frosting I used this recipe from Joy the Baker.

a dear and talented friend of mine, jen, makes ice cream. and when i say she makes ice cream what i mean is she whips up the most incredible, creamy goodness i’ve ever tasted.  this past weekend she made pear caramel ice cream. i made these cookies to along with it. delish!

2 c. flour
1 1/4 c. oats
1 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/2 lb. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

to make:
oven at 350 degrees.
prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper or spraying with vegetable spray.
combine flour, oats, baking soad, cinnamon and salt.
using standing or hand mixer, beat butter on medium until creamy.
add white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy.
add eggs, one at a time, then vanilla and beat again.
turn mixer to low and add flour/oat mixture.
add walnuts and mix one last time (i did this part by hand not with the mixer)
scoop tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets and pop in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

the original recipe i used is here but i changed it a bit as you’ll see.

i first tried this cake when a friend made it.  one bite and i was sold.  wow was it good!  two bites and i was full and putting my fork down.  this cake is really rich, really creamy and the perfect mix of chocolate and coffee flavors.  certainly not for those concerned with their health. but for a once in a while treat i can’t think of a better way to splurge.

for the crust -
1 9oz. package of chocolate wafer cookies
6 tb. unsalted butter, melted and cooled

for the filling -
2 tb. instant espresso powder
1 tbsp. warm water
3 8oz. packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 c. sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 c. unsalted butter, melted, cooled
1 tbsp. finely ground coffee
6 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 c. whipping cream

cupcake graveyard i made for halloween.

yesterday i baked some cupcakes for a friends birthday.  devils food cake with a cinnamon butter cream frosting.  you can get the recipe that i used for the cake here and the frosting here.