Rainbow Cake!

Update 4: The post that will never end! Here are pictures of what the cake looked like inside:

Update 3: Sorry I didn't finish this post yesterday. We had to get to the party! The cake turned out well. Here are the ingredients I used:

Can you tell where the batter got out of line? (Bad red, bad!)

It made for a lovely dirty dishes display if there every was one.

Tips for next time: I stirred the frosting mix by hand. It might have spread easier if I had whipped it with the mixer.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera to my parents' house, so I don't have a shot of what the inside looks like, the whole reason the cake is cool! I'm really sorry - I'm such a bad blogger! It looks awesome inside, I promise. Next time I'm going to use a regular recipe and not the "diet" version. The cake was too dense for my taste, but it didn't stop me from eating a big chunk! Bottom line: this is such a fun cake and a guarantee smile booster on a cloudy day

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Update 2: So far, so good. I didn't use as much food coloring as The Onomicon did, so a few of the colors may come out a bit more pastel. I had to bake the cakes almost an extra 30 minutes, so I'm a little concerned about how the bottoms of the cakes will turn out. I checked them every 5 minutes using a toothpick in the center after the initial 29 minutes. As she mentioned in her blog, the density of the soda-cake method will need longer a longer baking time. I just was not expecting that long!
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Update 1: I'm attempting to make this super fun Rainbow Cake from The Omnomicon which was featured on One Pretty Thing. It's for Mom and Grandma's birthday celebration later today, so wish me luck. I'll update the results later. Happy Sunday!

Redemption Comes in the Form of Chocolate

After a disastrous "Meatball Monday" dinner, I was in need of a confidence boost in the kitchen. I am not a good cook. Yet. I'm many moons away from being considered a good cook. However, I can bake. Not an excellent baker either, but I seem to have more edible success when it comes to baking.

I've been wanting to try the "Chocolate Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies" recipe in the More From Magnolia cookbook that my mom & sister gave me. SNL fans - this is the "Magnolia Bakery" highlighted in the Lazy Sunday music video by Chris Parnell & Andy Samberg a few years ago. The first time we tried to hit up the Magnolia Bakery featured in the video during a trip to NYC, the line was out the door and wrapped around the block. A later trip proved more successful, however it was at a second Magnolia Bakery in the city. The cupcake was delish.

Happy to report my kitchen ego was recharged after making these cookies. Unfortunately my batch didn't yield the 2 dozen cookies as the recipe states. Himself and I enjoyed too much of the cookie dough.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Drop Cookies

From: More from Magnolia by Allysa Torey

1 cup flour

6 T unsweetened Dutch process cocoa

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

5 T unsalted butter, softened

5 T solid vegetable shortening

1 cup sugar plus 1 T (for sprinkling)

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening, and sugar until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla, beat well. Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Sprinkle lightly with the sugar. Place the cookies in the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 10-12 minutes. (10 minutes worked for me) Cool the cookies on the sheets for 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy. You'll need a cup of milk.

Baking for Breast Cancer Awareness

Inspired by the lovely Jen of Boston's challenge to make something pink in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, I opted for the ever simple yet totally delectable strawberry cupcake with vanilla frosting & pink sprinkles. I used the cholesterol free recipe because that justifies eating twice as many. Kudos to Jen for championing the cause! There is still time to participate in the challenge, which runs through Oct. 31, should the spirit or the Pillsburgy Doughboy move you.