12/28/2010

Mood:

I am happy today. I have had great news. The college is differing my payment till I get paid by the VA. That means no loan. I was so doing the happy dance when I heard this. I then took a nap, did more of nothing but replying to those wishing me a happy birthday, (Ya today is my birthday) & getting calls from those closest to me.

Life:

I keep having this stupid song in my head. "Today is your birthday! dadadada!" I so was lazy today. Gotta love it. I have been getting calls from those that love me & those that care have written to me. Thank you all!

Cooking:
My birthday cake:

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

·  1/2 cup sorghum flour

·  1/2 cup tapioca flour

·  1/2 cup rice flour

·  1 cup cocoa, sifted

·  1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·  2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

·  1 1/2 teaspoons xanthan gum

·  3/4 cup salted butter, room temperature (if you use unsalted, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients)

·  3/4 cup brown sugar

·  1 cup granulated sugar

·  3 large eggs

·  2 egg yolks

·  2 teaspoons vanilla

·  1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions:

Prep Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 1 hr

1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan. Sift the three flours together. Add cocoa, xanthan gum, baking powder, and baking soda to the flours and whisk together in a med. bowl. Beat the butter until creamy . Slowly add the brown sugar and the granulated sugar; whip until fluffy. Add the eggs and the egg yolks one at a time. Add the vanilla. Turn the mixer to low and alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the cake is springy to the touch.
2. 2 Since this was truly a no-frills chocolate cake, I made a simple frosting. Feel free to substitute your favorite frosting. This one is not very sweet, but my toddler loved it.
3. 3 5 oz. semi-sweet chocolate.
4. 4 1/2 cup sour cream.
5. 5 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
6. 6 1-2 Tablespoons whipping cream.
7. 7 Directions: Melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Let the chocolate cool until warm. Stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Add whipping cream to desired consistency. The frosting will thicken slightly as it cools. Once the cake has cooled, frost the cake. This frosting provided a simple, thin layer of frosting for my no-frills chocolate cake.