I.want.this

I seriously think when I was skimming the photos of this oreo cake the baby started kicking. For real! Seems all I can think about these days are food; what I should make, what I should eat and just how good every single dessert sounds and this cake from I am baker looks crazy good. With white cake, chocolate covered cherries, butter cream frosting smothered in hot fudge and then packed together with oreo crumbs I not only drooled a little myself the little one started to do its own happy dance. I've had one serious sweet tooth lately- my favorite after dinner snack has been a big glass of orange juice while munching on dark chocolate... preferably simultaneously. If I can figure out how to make a vegan version of this its totally on! You can find the entire tutorial here as well as even more mouth watering pics of one incredibly tasty morsel. Though I warn you, don't check out I am baker on an empty stomach!

image via i am baker

Cake on the brain

Its been all things cake around here lately, yesterday I splurged and made a chocolate cake with strawberry filling and banana ganache frosting and when the husband came home from work he surprised me with a slice of vegan cheesecake! So. much. cake! So its only natural I keep the theme going with this totally adorable Princess and the Pea cake from Amy Atlas. It might be one of the sweetest little things ever, perfect for any girly girl. You can follow the tutorial available and make your own little bed...of course mine would never come out quite this perfect. If only fondant was vegan it would make cake decorating so much easier.

image via amy atlas

Berried

Have you seen the beauty that is the garden cake by the uber talented Mimi Thorisson? With a passion for cooking and homes that span part of the globe, Mimi fills each recipe with such decadence and love its clear to see why she creates these masterpieces. For pure foodie joy.  Fresh berries and a few small florals are the perfect decoration for a simple pleasure don't you think...makes me want to take a trip out to the garden to see what's ready for the picking.

image via manger

Our eats: Chocolate meet berries

With all the birthday's going on we have had an insane amount of sweets, specifically cake just laying around asking to be eaten. I've tried out all kinds of great cake recipes lately and thought I would share my triple chocolate cake. Its not only moist and full of chocolate, it includes a simple berry filling that's oh so tasty.

photo by our designed life

Triple Chocolate Cake

1 Cup milk substitute {I used Rice milk}

1 tsp. Apple cider vinegar

1/2 Cup sugar

1/4 Cup canola oil

2 tsp. Vanilla

1 Cup flour

1/4 C. cocoa

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 Cup vegan chocolate chips

*Preheat oven to 350

*Combine the milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside to curdle

*In a small saucepan, heat chocolate chips with a splash of milk till melted. Stir often and set aside to cool

*Combine sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in milk mixture. 

*Add the melted chocolate to the wet mixture and stir well.

*In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. 

*Bake 45-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

{I used two deep 3 inch cake pans and required a longer time to bake}

Chocolate ganache

1/4 Cup rice milk

1/2 Cup vegan chocolate chips

1 Tbsp. agave

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

*Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan over low heat. 

For the fruit filling, combine either frozen fruits {berries work best} or fresh with a few teaspoons of sugar and splash of water in a small saucepan. As it cooks down it will get thicker, just keep stirring and mushing the fruit a bit as you go.

For my Mom

Today is my lovely Mom's birthday and I've got cake on the brain. Though I can't make the drive out for a visit, with one car and the husband needing it for work we had to prioritize, but I can still celebrate on my end with a collection of beautifully and no doubt delicious cakes. So happy birthday Mom, you are not only supportive of everything I do but you are one of my bestest of friends. Thanks for being my Mom, Mom and happiest of birthdays!

photo via not without salt

photos via tlc, martha stewart and mark t

photos via amy atlas, our eyes eat first and cake journal

Make this, Chocolate coffee cake

Ever have one of those moments when you are making something and it turns out completely different then you expected?  I had set out to make a brownie, but ended up tweaking the ingredients so much, it turned into a delicious cake.  A chocolate coffee cake that just so happens to be vegan.  I love to experiment with flavors and textures, and this cake is very moist and has a very distinct coffee flavor.  Its a super simple recipe, and odds are, you would have everything in your pantry.

Vegan Chocolate Coffee Cake

2 Cups white flour

1 1/2 Cups vegan sugar

3/4 Cups cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 Cup coffee,  I used an organic dark roast made in a French press

1/2 Cup rice milk, or any other milk substitute

1/4 Cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

dash of cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a large bowl, stir together all the dry ingredients.

3. Pour in wet ingredients and mix.

4. Spread evenly in a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake for 30 minutes.

I think I ended up pulling mine out around 33 minutes, so just keep an eye on them.  I also sprinkled half with raw sugar to give it that extra sweet crunch.  So good, and super easy.  Enjoy.

Cute as a button

So many things to get excited about over this 'cute as a button' themed dessert table, I just don't know where to start.  I suppose it caught my attention because of the Singer sewing table.  Its exactly like the one I will one day inherit that was my Grandmothers.  When I was little, I would hide little treasures inside the drawers only to find them years later untouched.

Anyway, back to those darn buttons.  Styled by Sugar and Spice specialty desserts and Botanica floral design, everything from the drinks to decor was thought of.  There is something so simplistic and fun about these buttons, the cupcakes are adorable.  And how about that pretty pink cake topper.  You can find even more delicious shots at Somewhere splendid.  This is a perfect set up for a summer party!

photos via somewhere splendid

One sweet bakery

Oh how I have a sweet tooth.  Always have.  And these images from Miette bakery in San Francisco literally got me drooling.  Located in the historical Ferry Building, Miette's creations are sure to be a hit for any party or, you know, Tuesday on the sofa.  You can purchase cookies and specialty items online, but the cakes and cupcakes are for pick up only.  Might have to pick one of these babies up next time I visit the parents.

The description of this green "Princess" cake is mind blowing. "In consists of genoise sponge cake moistened with Chambord, a layer of raspberry jam, pastry cream and whipped cream.  Rather than the traditional marzipan covering, we drape our cake in a white chocolate fondant."  Whoa. 

photos via miette