We are having company this evening after going out to eat. When I was thinking about what I might bake, this cake came to mind, as it is really one of my favorite cakes. I know I say that about every cake, but really, this is one of my most favorite. It has chocolate frosting, almond flavored vanilla frosting and a gooey chocolate ganache topping that just tops it off beautifully.
All you need to do is make one Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Cake mix according to directions for the 2 9″ layers. Then make a Duncan Hines French Vanilla Cake mix, following the directions for the 9″ layers, giving you 4 layers when you have finished.
Layer the vanilla/chocolate layers one at a time, frosting between them with your favorite chocolate frosting. If you need a good one, there is one of the blog. When you have all 4 layers (chocolate,vanilla, chocolate, vanilla) frost with the almond vanilla frosting, which is as follows.
1/2 cup of softened butter
1/2 cup Crisco Shortening
Heavy Whipping Cream to get to spreading consistency (about 1/2 to 2/3 cup probably)
1-2 teas of almond extract (remember, almond extract is stronger than vanilla so start with 1 teas and taste. If you desire a little more almond flavor, add a little at a time)
3 to 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Beat all ingredients until well blended and of spreading consistency. Frost sides and top of cake. Top with the ganache. I used Martha Stewarts ganache recipe. When it gets to room temperature, spoon over top of cake, allowing it to drizzle down the sides of the cake.
This makes a beautiful presentation!
Author: Chocolate Castles
Welcome to Chocolate Castles, a blog about food, family and stories that hopefully will bring a smile to your heart.
Thanks for reading chocolate castles and may the recipes and stories help bring your family and friends a little closer around the table!
Remember that Princess On The Porch is still available on Amazon! Makes a great gift for anyone who enjoys being in the kitchen and needs a little laughter in their lives.
Tuesday (actually Thursday but I forgot on Tuesday) Tidbits
Why can I not remember that I have said on Tuesday I will post in bullet points? Actually, I was out of town and did not have a minute to sit down and post on Tuesday, so will do that today. We were in California for 13 days, but came home last night. What a wonderful time we had. OK enough paragraphs, here are the bullet points.
1. California ranks in top 3 places I like to visit.
2. Love that i can have my hair cut and colored for $100 and love the experience of visiting a old fashioned salon where there are still hair dryers along the back wall. AND…the stylists always have cookies or candy and there is always coffee or sodas. (Debbie if you are reading this, thank you for putting up with me, and my humor.)Poor Jerry, the guy who does my hair never knows what color I’m going to ask for every time I am in town. I take him brownies to make up for the trouble I cause.
3. Traveled to Doyle Springs where we stay in a house that is built over a waterfall and stream. There is nothing quite like sleeping with an open window that allows you to sleep with the sound of water cascading over rocks. LOVE IT!
4. Found out that I cannot eat homemade ice cream 4 days in a row, steaks, grilled chicken, ice cream pie, Lebanese food, chile rellano casserole, two nights of Panda Inn and not expect to only fit in Moo Moos and maternity pants.
5. Played Hand & Foot with 5 ladies while having lunch. Great laughter and fun playing cards…
6. Went crazy driving down interstate 5 frantically telling Randy we have to turn around and go back so I can take pictures of all the deer I saw on the side of the road. After he let me go on and on about never seeing so many deer out like that so close to the road, he finally tells me that they weren’t real.
7. Learned that I do like British Programs, got hooked on The Crown while staying at a friends house. Even Randy loved the series. Cannot wait until November when the next season begins. Have now watched all 10 episodes.
8. Came home in a mood to bake. So just finished baking a tuxedo cake, my favorite. It will be for dessert tomorrow night when 4 couples come over after we go eat at Singing Pandas. Yes, back to reality. Laundry, trying to decide what to make for dinner…but, was wonderful sleeping in our own bed last night. Nothing quite like being home! We love to go but always wonderful to get home and start planning the next adventure.
Thanks to our precious friends in California who always treat us with love and make us feel so welcomed. One of these days we might need to find new places to stay, I think we stay in the Smith, Duncans and Welches houses more than our own.
Streams of Silence
As i sit on the back porch overlooking the most beautiful waterfall with rocks and majestic sequoia trees, it was just the perfect picture of Gods provision to us when we desire to be in the middle of the stream, with a goal in mind! As i opened up my devotion book it read, “the law of His God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide” Psa 37:31. Looking over the railing of our porch, there below were 2 fly fishermen walking the river trying to get above the waterfall! It dawned on me that in their desire to get above the fall, they had a choice to either walk over the slippery rocks in the water which is cold and moving very fast, or they could have climbed out and walked the ground above the water, both paths taking them to the same place…their desired destination! I began to think of my actions and the different paths that i take!! Yes i sometimes tend to take the path that causes my feet to slide on “slippery rocks” when Gods Word promises me that “obedient-hearted men shall be sustained in every step he takes” (taken from Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith) “the Word of God has never misled a single soul: its plain directions to walk humbly, justly, lovingly, and in the fear of the Lord”.
It is my choice, to spend my days trying to live life without Gods wise council which would take me over slippery rocks without anything to hold onto or be obedient to His will and “walk along the great high road of His providence” * (cheque book of faith)
May I yield to His lead so that even in the days of unsure footing, I know that God will walk with me every step of the way
#CaliforniaDreamin Bullet Points
A couple of months ago I posted that I was going to write the blog each Tuesday in bullet points. Well, I did not do that. My only excuse is I’m old and forgetful. But for some reason today I remembered after several folks reminded me they liked the bullet points. So here we go again.
But first I have to tell you we are in California, absolutely loving our time here.
- So awesome that each time we come back here, our friends treat us just like we have never left and are still a part of their lives. (Maybe they don’t have a choice since we show up on their doorsteps with suitcase in hand)
- it is so much fun to return to visit our favorite restaurants here and find that they still are just as good as when we left 3 years ago. (Note to self,bring elastic waisted pants next trip)
- Love coming to California as a blonde and leaving with red hair! (and gray roots gone)
- Helping a sweet friend decorate her new home was such a blessing to me.
- Receiving a very special box from Donna, which held her husbands recipes, allowing me the privilege of keeping his memory alive, through recipes which Dave loved to make and eat.
- Such a wonderful treat to go back to our church we attended and worship with dear friends!
- Just sitting,, chatting, watching TV and relaxing with special people who have become like family.
- Realizing that it is people which make the memories so special, and those special moments of sharing simple pleasures, with those who continue to bless our lives.
- Feeling grateful for our time we were able to live here in California and trusting God for what He has planned for us where He now has planted us.
- Excited to be heading up to Sequoia National Forest on Thursday with friends to enjoy the beauty and quiet of the mountains.
Cheese Twists
Yesterday while I was baking in the kitchen, I happened to turn on the tv. Pioneer Woman had a whole show focusing on Puff Pastry and using it for appetizers and desserts. I ran (ok, maybe I took the car) to the store and bought a box of the Puff Pastry Sheets and came home and made the cheese straws that I watched her make. They were delicious! We took them to our kids house last night since Jodi was having us over for lasagna. I did change up her recipe just a bit. I added some Italian seasoning and garlic. All of us thought they were so good that I will be making them and serving them with olive tapenade for bunco next month.
1 sheet of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, thawed (follow directions on box for thawing)
When the sheet is thawed and you are able to unfold it, lay it out on a piece of lightly floured wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out the sheet a little to where it becomes a little thinner and larger rectangle.
Using softened butter or olive oil, (i used butter) spread the butter or oil all over the puff pastry. I sprinkled some garlic powder over the butter. Spread about 1 cup of parmesan cheese over the sheet. Then using about 1 cup cheddar cheese, sprinkle that over the parmesan. Shake some Italian seasoning over the cheeses. Then using the rolling pin, roll the cheese into the pastry sheet, so that the cheese sticks to the pastry more. Cut the sheet in half vertically, then horizontally until you get 12 strips. Twist each strip and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Using an egg wash, (that is just taking an egg, add about 1 table water and stir until egg is blended with water) rub egg wash over the twist with a pastry brush to give the pastry a golden brown color.
Place in a preheated 425 oven for about 12 minutes or until each twist is golden brown.
Place on wire rack to cool and serve along side olive tapenade, or salad sticks or just plain as an appetizer.
Blackberry, Browned Butter & Almond Tart
Taken from Southern Living Magazine, this recipe caught my eye and with a sack of blackberries already in the fridge, it sounded too good not to try. It is also one of those rare moments when I have almond flour in the house, which I had purchased to make another batch of french macaroons.
1 1/2 cups (12 oz) unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
8 large egg whites
3 1/4 cups unsifted powdered sugar, plus more for dusing
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 cup plus 1 tables all purpose flour, divided, plus more for pan
1 tables vanilla bean paste
1 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour a 12 ” round tart pan with removable bottom; place tart pan on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high and cook, stirring often, until butter releases a nutty aroma and milk solids are golden brown, about 8 minutes. Immediately transfer butter to a bowl; ;cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
Beat egg whites with a heavy duty electric mixer on medium speed until frothy, about 30 seconds. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add almond flour and 1 cup of the all purpose flour; beat on medium low speed until incorporated. Add vanilla bean paste (if you don’t have vanilla paste, add 2 teas vanilla) and browned butter. Beat on medium-low speed until incorporated. Spread batter in prepared pan. Toss blackberries with remaining 1 tablespoon all purpose flour and sprinkle over the batter.
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 42-45 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove sides of pan and cool 30 more minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Squash Casserole
6 Tables unsalted butter, divided
3 lb yellow squash, sliced thick (about 5 medium squash)
1 medium size yellow onion, chopped
2 teas kosher salt, divided
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 (8 oz) sour cream
4 oz sharp cheddar cheese
2 oz Swiss cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup mayonaise
2 teas chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teas black pepper
2 sleeves round butter crackers (such as Ritz),coarsely crushed
1 oz parmesan cheese, shredded (about 1/4 cup)
Preheat oven to 350. Melt 3 tables butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add squash, onion and 1 teas salt; cook stirring often, until squash is just tender until liquid has evaporated, about 10 min.
Transfer mixture to a colander, set over bowl. Drain for 5 min; discard any liquid.
Stir eggs, sour cream ,cheddar, swiss, mayo, thyme, pepper and remaining 1 teas salt in a large bowl. Gently fold in the squash mixture. Spoon into lightly greased 11×7″ baking dish.
Microwave remaining 3 tables butter in microwave safe bowl until melted. About 15 seconds. Toss the crackers, parmesan cheese and melted butter until combined. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake in preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until crackers are golden brown.
*Taken from Southern Living Magazine
Squash Casserole Memories
Most of you probably remember the squash casserole that showed up at every Pot Luck or Family Reunion. When I received my new Southern Living magazine, I sat down with a glass of tea (sweet of course) and and began to read the new recipes. The back page of each SL is the first place I look. It is always a great story by Rick Bragg, which always takes me back to my dream of living in the deep South and also bringing back so many memories of things we grew up with. This month, he talked about tomato sandwiches. Before you say, “yuck” remember that there was a day when the word”cholesterol” was not ever mentioned or heard of a sandwich that didn’t include mayonnaise. His story brought back a memory of my Aunt Gladys!…
Years ago, my Aunt Gladys, who lived with us after her husband died, would make herself a mayonnaise spinach sandwich. She was a rather large lady who made all her clothes, because back then, we didn’t have all the stores which had clothes if you were her size. She would place one of those mayo spinach sandwiches in each of the two front pockets and head to her room, where she would watch TV and snack on those awful sandwiches. But I have to hand it to her, she was always the relative who came to my rescue when my mom would get mad at me for something by telling my mom, “now Hope, she didn’t mean to do that and after all, Trudy is so sweet, you can’t get mad at her for dropping that antique dish”. She would rescue me from any lizard that would get in the house. She was a lady who made everyone laugh. Her personality was as large as she was. If you are wondering how I got off on her, it is because she loved squash casserole and when I began to write the recipe, her face just came to mind as well as her contagious laugh. She has been gone since about 1980 and there are so many things which still bring her to my mind. She gave me my first cookbook, which she collected from her old grocery store in Ardmore, OK. Each week, when she would go buy groceries, they would give her a whole section of the cookbook, which after about 16 weeks, would be compiled to make one complete wonderful cookbook. I wish I still had it. It was one of those huge books that weighed probably 5-8 lbs and I finally gave it away. I still have several more cookbooks that she had given me. One of those is a cookbook that she received from a friend who was a cook at the local school cafeteria. It has recipes in it that are for large groups because it was the recipes that the school used to feed the kids. I love that book. It is wonderful when I am trying to feed a big group of folks. Would have been such a great thing if she could have lived to have seen Princess on The Porch. How fun to think that she would be so excited to know that I completed a cookbook of my own. It would be so easy to imagine her walking to her room, with the book in hand, already laughing at some of the stories and yelling back at me, “will you make me a brown sugar pound cake to snack on and let’s have squash casserole for dinner. How does that sound Trudy K?”
Will post the recipe on a separate page so you don’t have to go through the story when you are trying to see the recipe. Got a little carried away today with memories! But isn’t it wonderful to have memories. How they bless our lives!
Princess On The Porch
It is so exciting to know that Jodi, our daughter, came by and worked on my blog so that ordering the book, Princess on the Porch, is now very easy. All you have to do is click on the name of my book (which is located on the side bar on the right of the home page) and it takes you straight to Amazon, where it is available on Kindle, as well as soft cover and hard cover.
The book is full of some of my favorite family stories which will bring smiles to your heart, as well as giving you some our of favorite family recipes.
It was such a blessing to include stories of our kids and humorous adventures of Randy and I. Randy has ask me to tell you to not believe everything you read about him in the book (but trust me, you can). Enjoy and thanks for reading Princess on the Porch! It is now so easy to order!
Thanks Jodi for coming to my rescue, knowing that my computer skills are pretty limited! Besides giving us 3 precious grandkids, you are one smart (and yes, very pretty) cookie!
Birthday Bash Blues
Even though July comes in the middle of the summer, filled with lots of hot temperatures and stops at many McDonald drive thoughts for glasses of iced tea, this month has been a great memory. Since July is one of my favorite months of the year, due to Randy’s and my birthday making it such a fun month, we had several things happen that just made this July a very special month. Jamin, my boy who travels for work constantly, had a job in Phoenix, so he came and spend a week with us, bringing along our 17 yr old granddaughter. He came bearing gifts from M&M world, for me, which just made my birthday that much more special. Before he and Ashland left, our daughter, Christi and our 5 yr old granddaughter, Kenley arrived and the celebration continued. We had a week of exploring Butterfly Wonderland and the Childrens museum. We got to see Christi have her first In & Out Burger and her first Ombre from Starbucks.
Since Randy and I married, we have had a tradition of having Trudyfest from July 3rd through the 11th, the day of my actual birthday. When we married, my mom told him that I was his responsibility now and he could take over Trudyfest. That meant that he was now responsible for giving me little gifts each day of July up until my birthday on the 11th. Since Randy’s birthday is July 2nd, I was kind to let him have July 1st and 2nd be about him before starting the grand festival of my birthday celebration, well…just because I’m nice like that. But come July 3rd, it’s all about me for 9 whole days. Did I mention that I’m an only child? Bet you couldn’t have guessed that.
This year was such a great day of birthday celebration. It began with Kenley and Christi presenting me with gifts and cards as soon as I got up. We planned our day around Kenley since we don’t get to see them as often as we want since they come all the way from Florida, so we wanted to focus on them. After all, it would have been a little embarrassing to tell a 5 year old that we couldn’t go to Butterfly world because her grandmother would rather go shopping at Hobby Lobby instead. So to butterfly world we went, where the air is hot and the hair style quickly disappears due to the 80% humidity so the butterflies are comfortable. We came out starved and headed to Portillos for hot dogs (where yes, we saw another first,;Christi had never had Portillos) before coming home. That evening we joined our kids which live here and took C & K to Rustler’s Roost for a birthday celebration. If you are in Phoenix and have little kids, you need to experience this place. Not only does it have spectacular views of the valley, but the kids love the giant slide which they use to enter the restaurant. Well, the kids and me. I love that silly slide. I have to tell you about last year when we went there with our other kids. I was headed down the slide when I look down in front of the slide where a man is standing, waiting for his kids to come down. It is such a long slide, you wonder if you are going to be able to stop or would I be sliding feet first right into this man’s belly, Apparently, he began to wonder that also, as he quickly moved to the side, right before my legs hit the end of the slide. That little episode made me realize that maybe I was a little to old to be going down, so this year, I left it to the younger kids.
This years birthday was so different from previous years, but it was one of my most favorite of birthday memories. No I didn’t have my 9 days of “glory” and little gifts each day from Randy, but the gifts I got were so special. The gifts of wonderful memories with family. The laughs of watching the butterflies only landing on Randy and watching a butterfly landing on Christi’s phone apparently trying to take a selfie. My 15 yr old grandson even took a picture with me, in public! The cotton candy that the “big kids” (Eric, Christi and Randy) used to make funny faces. All the cards and text and phone calls from friends added to the celebration and some unexpected little gifts from friends that arrived that day. This year showed me that it truly isn’t the gifts that bring us joy, but the times spend together with family and friends that bring us the treasured times of our lives. The birthday blues did come. But not because the day of getting gifts was over, it was because the kids had to leave to go home. Was just so thankful that this year I was so blessed to celebrate with more family than usual. It was truly the best birthday bash!
Chocolate Castles 