Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in Canada.  The mister and I are going to celebrate the day in our usual low key kind of day.  I wanted to make a special dessert for our meal and decided to make this mile high  Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting. 

 

The cake is three moist layers of spiced pumpkin cake and topped with a Buttery Cream Cheese Frosting flavored with cinnamon in it as well as lightly dusted on top.



 

Yes, we are celebrating tomorrow.  Yes, there is a piece missing.  A girl has to taste test before serving it, am I not correct?  *wink*  If the Mister liked nuts on his cake I think this would be delicious with candied pecans or even walnuts on top. 

Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Cake

with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup cream

 

Frosting:

• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cups butter, softened
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 1/2 - 5 cups powdered sugar (icing sugar)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter three (3) 9-inch round cake pans and line bottoms with a round of parchment paper, butter parchment and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger for 20 seconds, set aside.  In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and 3 Tablespoons of the vegetable oil until pale and fluffy (occasionally scrape down sides and bottom of the bowl throughout mixing process).  Mix in remaining 1/4 + 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil.  Blend in eggs one at a time, adding in almond extract with last egg.  In a bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together pumpkin with cream.  Working in three separate batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture, add 1/3 of the flour mixture alternating with half of the pumpkin mixture and mixing just until combined after each addition.
3. Divide  batter among three prepared cake pans and spread batter into an even layer.  Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 30 - 35 minutes.  Cool in cake pans 15 minutes, then run a knife around edge of cake to loosen and invert onto wire racks to cool completely.  Once cool frost cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting.  Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FROSTING:

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter  until smooth and fluffy.  Add cinnamon, vanilla and powdered sugar and mix on low speed  until combined, then increase to medium and whip until pale and fluffy.



Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

The Dedicated House Make It Pretty Monday,  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party

BMX Birthday card

In my family, August is a month full of birthdays.  Masculine birthday cards always are a challenge.  But because we have one male family member who is a BMX enthusiast, it was practically a no brainer what I'd choose for his card:  this fun "Big Guy's Bike" from Mo Manning's digital pencil.

As added help for inspiration, I went to this week's Mojo Monday #360 layout challenge which happened to be a tall and skinny card.

 

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Mo Manning "Big Guy's Bike", Stampin' Up! "Lots of Thoughts"

Ink:  Memento Bamboo Leaves, Stampin' Up! Brocade Blue, Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress ink, image colored with Copic Markers

Designer Paper:  Martha Stewart "Playful Blue Paper pad"

Accessories and Embellishments:  Spellbinders Nestibilities Oval and Scalloped oval dies, Making Memories Screw Brads, Fiskars corner rounder punch, Brown dotted sheer ribbon.

 

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer





Feel Better Blend: get well card

 

Rain!  Rain!  And more rain!  Is this the theme song where you live too?  Since it is too wet to be outside I've been at my table in front of the window making cards this past week.  My current two favorite stamp sets, or sets that I've been using a lot lately, are from Papertrey Ink and are the TEA FOR TWO and TEA FOR TWO ADDITIONS sets.    Such fun to work with, versatile sentiments and a lot of accessory/accompanying stamps to really personalize.

 

For my "Feel Better Blend" card I used this week's Mojo Monday #358 Sketch Challenge (blueprint of the sketch shown below).

 

Card Details:

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Tea for Two and Tea for Two Additions
Ink:  Versacolor Green Tea, Stampin' Up! Taken with Teal, and Memento Rich Cocoa
Cardstock:  Stampin' Up!
Designer Paper:  Papertrey Ink
Accessories:  Teal grosgrain ribbon, miscellaneous button, Martha Stewart eyelet edge punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

My 60th Birthday

Today is my 60th birthday and I have a lot of thoughts about this BIG birthday.  This isn't my normal post but today evoked so many emotions in me that I just felt the need to write them down.

I've never been bothered by birthdays.  They came.  The numbers progressed.  Birthdays just happened.  But this year was different.  I am now 60 years old.  I really can't be considered even middle aged.  Nope...I'm getting up there in years.

Kind and thoughtful friends and family have given the usual lines such as, "You are only as old as you feel."  And, "...age is just a number" but you know what?  In reality, I AM older than I feel and age IS a number and my number this year is 60!  As well meaning as these phrases may have been offered, I just haven't been able to shake the number.  My grandmother, who I loved dearly, was already 60 when I was born so I always thought she was old.  I'm NOT middle aged because let's be realistic here!  Even though I plan to live beyond 100 years, I highly doubt I'll make it to 120 which would still allow me to consider myself middle aged.

And this past year I've had several physical and health concerns that are not going to get better with "a spoon full of sugar."  Nope!  They are signs of growing older.

All of this has really gotten me...yes I'll admit it...depressed.  Silly or not, this NUMBER has affected me and how I feel.

NOW, before you stop reading (if you've read this far even) and think that I'm all gloom, doom and on death's doorstep, I must say that I've had a wee bit of an epiphany.  It actually came from my Aunt who sent me a birthday card and wrote, "consider 60 as the next exciting chapter in your life."  Now THAT was positive inspiration.  No berating or negating the number.  However, it certainly is a new chapter that I've not experienced.

And do you want to know something?  It IS going to be a new chapter.  This past week the Mister and I made an offer on a 5 acre, century old farmhouse and barn and beautiful piece of property in the country and the offer was accepted.  We purchased our retirement home and with it, a dream of mine is going to come true.  I'll have my very own little homestead with my horses in the barn and all of the critters I can afford to keep. 

So I'll end today's little epistle on a positive note about turning 60.  I didn't have a party.  There were no balloons or birthday cake.  But what there is is an adventure to come.  I move a lot slower than I once did.  I do use a cane from time to time.  I can't ride my horse like a young person or chase her in play.  BUT, I can look forward to and enjoy all of the dreams I've had my entire life of living in the country on my own little farm.  Having as big of a garden as I can manage.  Enjoying my home and my critters.

Yep!  Life is going to be ok...60 or not.  Everything is going to be ok.

Until next time,

Cheers!

Jennifer

Naan

Naan!  So good!!

"What's under the Cake Dome Sunday # 54" is a bit different today.  I didn't bake a dessert.  Instead, I made a batch of Naan, an East Indian flatbread.  This recipe is the best I've ever had with the exception of Naan made in the kitchens of my Indian friends or in a really good Indian restaurant.  And Naan isn't just for dinner.  It makes a great alternative to hamburger buns and sandwich bread or eating just plain, and believe me, the Mister and I eat a lot of Naan just plain and straight off the griddle.

 

The recipe is very simple and basic and I imagine you have all of the ingredients in your pantry.  You will want to allow a total of at least 3 hours for preparation to finished bread because the Naan needs to rise a couple of times and then the individual cooking time on the grill.  I about 18 individual Naan that are about 5 inch rounds from this recipe but it will depend on how large you make your dough balls and the size of Naan you want to make.  If you want larger bread (8 inch pieces) then you'll make fewer total.

Naan

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional, but I highly recommend it!)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Let it stand for about 10 minutes, until the yeast dissolves and becomes foamy/frothy.  Stir in the sugar, milk, egg, salt and enough flour to make a soft dough (I used about 4 cups).  Knead for about 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Place the dough in a well oiled bowl, cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside in a draft free place to rise.  Let the dough rise for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in volume.
2. Punch down the dough and knead in the garlic.  Pinch off small handfuls of the dough that are about the size of a golf ball.  Roll into balls and place on a tray.  Once  you've made all of the dough balls, cover the tray of dough balls with a damp towel and allow to rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).
3. Preheat your grill or griddle or fry pan to high heat
4. Roll out one ball of dough at a time into a thin circle.  Lightly oil the grill (or griddle or fry pan...depending upon which cook surface you are using).  Place the flat dough circle on the heat surface and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned.  Brush the uncooked side with butter and turn it over to cook.  Brush the cooked side with butter and cook until browned (about 2 to 4 minutes.)   Remove from grill and continue the process until all of the Naan has been prepared.

* NOTE:  Naan freezes beautifully.  Make up a big batch and freeze what you don't use immediately.  Just pull out of the freezer to thaw and/or warm in the oven.  They'll taste freshly made every time!

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

The Dedicated House Make It Pretty Monday,  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party

Greek Yogurt Cheesecake with Fresh Blueberry Sauce

The Mister and I were out shopping at the grocery store and he said he thought cheesecake might taste good.  "Well," I said, "we need to get some cream cheese for it."  To my surprise, next to the regular 8 ounce blocks of cream cheese we discovered new-to-us Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Product.  Since we both really enjoy Greek Yogurt, we thought this might make a very tasty Cheesecake.  We also found some fresh blueberries and right then I knew what this week's "What's Under the Cake Dome Sunday #53 would be: 

Blueberry Cheesecake made with Greek Yogurt!

I can say unequivocally that as I licked the batter bowl, this was definitely the best cheesecake batter I'd ever had.  So once it was in the oven I had to wait overnight for it to chill and find out how yummy the finished Cheesecake would be.  The Mister and I were not disappointed!

Cheesecake made with Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese topped with Warm Lemon Blueberries

 

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 2 cups finely ground graham crackers (it will take about 30 - 35 graham cracker squares)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

• 3 8 ounce packages Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Product
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
• 3 Tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice
• 4 eggs

Warm Lemon Blueberries:

• 1 pint blueberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.  Line the bottom with Parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon and butter.  Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake in the centre of oven for 8 - 10 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until completely smooth.  In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and flour; gradually beat into the cream cheese until well combined.  Beat in the grated lemon rind and juice.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Pour mixture into the crust.
4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 40 - 50 minutes or until set around the edge but the centre still jiggles slightly.  Place on a cooling rack.  Burn a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen from the parchment.  Cool to room temperature in the pan.  Cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
5. Uncover.  Release the clip on the springform pan and remove the outer ring of the pan.  Discard the parchment.  Transfer the cheesecake to a serving platter.

To make Warm Lemon Blueberries:
In a small saucepan place the blueberries, lemon zest and juice and the granulated sugar and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or so until the fruit begins to break down slightly.  Leave to cool before spreading on the cheesecake.

We really, REALLY enjoyed this cheesecake.  If you'd like to try an alternative to regular cream cheese I would encourage you to substitute Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese product.

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

The Dedicated House Make It Pretty Monday,  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party

Peter Rabbit Thank You card

Did you know that I have a real thing for Beatrix Potter and her stories of Peter Rabbit and all of the woodland creatures?  Yes, I do!  I discovered quite by chance this stamp as well as one other recently on EBay.  As I've said many times, I do not need more stamps and have been quite happy rediscovering so many sets that I already have.  But I couldn't resist this little stamp.  It feeds my Beatrix Potter collection of goodies.  In fact, in the very near future I'll be telling you about more items in my Peter Rabbit collection. 

For this card I used this week's Mojo Monday # 354 Sketch as seen below:

Card Recipe

Stamps:  All Night Media Peter Rabbit eating Radishes,  Papertrey Ink sentiment
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Image colored with Copic Markers and Prismacolor pencils
Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!  (a really old papers that I had in my stash)
Tools & Embellishments:  Spellbinders Nestibilities circle dies (in round, scalloped and pointed round), Machine Stitching, Ribbon and gold colored half crystals.

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party



Compliments to the Chef: Part two

 

Another thank you card using the same stamp set as my last post: Compliments to the Chef from Stampin' Up!  In fact, most things about this card is the same with the exception of the designer paper (from Martha Stewart paper pad), I rounded the corners and added a different sentiment from Papertrey Ink.  The tag was punched with a very old Cuttlebug tag cutter.  All stamping was done in Versamark with Detail Silver Embossing Powder.  A little grosgrain ribbon and the card is complete. 

My photo didn't turn out very well (it's dark and raining here) but I'm enjoying trying some variations on the original card. 

More cards to come.

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party



Compliments to the Chef

The other day I saw a meme on facebook that read something to the effect of "I never can clean my craft room because I get distracted by all of the cool stuff I find that I have."  Does this happen to you?  It sure does to me.  I was supposed to be cleaning my craft room and I discovered the Stampin' Up! set that I purchased a while back and completely forgot that I had it. 

So much for cleaning.  I got my ink and papers and embellishments out and made this thank you card.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Compliments to the Chef
Ink: Versamark with Silver Detail Embossing Powder
Designer Paper:  Martha Stewart Playful Blue paper pad
Tools:  Cuttlebug and frame embossing folder for the placemat, Spellbinders Nestabilities circle cutting dies

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party



Raspberry Fudge Brownies

If it is Sunday, it must be time for What's under the Cake Dome Sunday? and today is #52 of the sweet treats since I bought my old Cake Dome at a second hand shop. 52 weeks of desserts! I feel like it is a bit of a milestone, somehow. I can certainly say with confidence that the Mister is enjoying the desserts.

Today I made brownies, but not plain brownies. Nope! These brownies are chocolate with chocolate chips and raspberry swirled throughout the batter. And if that isn't decadent enough, I decided to make chocolate ganache to drizzle over the top of the brownies.

 

I love making these for a couple of reasons.  First and foremost, they're very, very moist yummy and almost like fudge!  The second reason is that if you've recently made raspberry jam and seem to have an overabundance of homemade raspberry jam in  your pantry, this recipe is a great use of some of your jam.

 

Raspberry- Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Ganache Drizzle

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam or preserves - divided*

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.  Grease a 9 inch square baking pan or round pie pan (I used a pie pan so I could cut mine in wedges.)
2. In a small, heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the butter and chocolate and heat, stirring often, just until melted.  Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla until blended. 
4. Whisk in the slightly cooled chocolate mixture, 1/4 cup* raspberry jam with the egg/sugar mixture until completely blended.
5. Add the flour and whisk just to incorporate.  Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a rubber spatula.  Spoon the remaining 1/4 cup of raspberry jam*  by dollops over the batter using a teaspoon, then run a knife through the batter a few times to achieve a marbled effect.
7. Bake until a tester/toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs still clinging to it, about 40 - 50 minutes. Watch carefully to be sure they don't get too done.
8. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the brownies cool completely in the pan.  Using a sharp knife, cut the brownies into wedges (if using a pie pan) or squares (if using a 9" square pan).
9. Drizzle with chocolate ganache

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

The Dedicated House Make It Pretty Monday,  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party



Hospitality Thank You Card

This is a little thank you card I made using the town house stamp from Papertrey Ink's set titled Boards and Beams.  This stamp set has a house, townhouse, stones walk, fences, trees, potted plants and a lot of sentiments too.  It is such a versatile set!

I fussy cut the potted plants in front of the white picket fence and popped them up on foam dimensional tape.  The windows have a touch of Glossy Accents clear dimensional glaze to give the a glass-like appearance.  The layout sketch is this week's Splitcoast Stampers layout challenge SC 496 shown below.

 

Card Recipe:

 

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink Boards and Beams

Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery and Brocade Blue, Image colored with Copic Markers.

Designer Paper:   Making Memories English Garden

Embellishments:  Craft Essentials Brown Gingham Papercrafting Ribbon, Inkssentials Glossy Accents clear dimensional glaze, Stickles glitter glue, Foam dimensional mounting tape

  

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party



Pineapple and Lemon Morning Eye Opener

 

I'm working on cleaning up my act.  Yes I am!  This past week I've started my day with a Pineapple/Lemon morning eye opener smoothie.  Yippee Skippy! It's tart and zingy and delicious and it will get your eyes opened!   As well, it contains a good supply of Vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. 

 

Simple ingredients, whipped together in your blender, will fortify you and get you out the door for your morning walk, workout, swim, run or whatever your day's activities bring your way.



 

Pineapple/Lemon Morning Eye Opener Smoothie

 

In a blender combine the following:

 

• 2 slices of Pineapple (fresh is best if you have it but canned will work)
• Juice of 1/2 a Lemon
• 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon of Honey
• 2 or 3 ice cubes

Blend thoroughly in your blender or food processor and enjoy!

This Pineapple/Lemon Morning Eye Opener smoothie is delicious!  Truly!  And knowing all of the healthy advantages that Pineapple, Lemon, Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey have...well...YIPPEE SKIPPY!  This smoothie is a winner!

Until next time,

Cheers!

 

Jennifer



Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Some of my favorite Blog Parties I enjoy attending:

 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop Pure Grace Farm,   Worthwhile Wednesdays, Wake Up Wednesdays, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, FoodySchmoody Tuesday Tastings,  Delish Dessert Link Party, Share your stuff Tuesdays, Anyonita Nibbles Tasty Tuesday's,  Share it One More Time, Much Ado About Monday, Feathered Nest Fridays, DIY Vintage Chic Friday,  The Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday, Sew-Off Saturday Sew Can She , Two Cup Tuesday , Shabby Art Boutique Shabbilicious Friday , Give Me The Goods Monday , Homestead Barn Hop , Whimsy Wednesday , Knick Of Time ,  From the Farm Blog Hop , A Peek Into My Paradise , A Delightsome Life , Share your Cup Thursday Have a Daily Cup, Homework , Green Willow Pond , A Stroll Thru Life , Work It Wednesday , Savvy Southern Style , I Should Be Mopping the Floors , Common Ground Be Inspired , Simple and Sweet Fridays ,  Sweet and Savory Sunday ,  This Gal Cooks Marvelous Mondays , This Silly Girl's Life, Living Better Together TGIF Linkparty , DIY Sunday Showcase , Dear Creatives Inspiration, Super Saturday Link Party