Recipe: Peanut Butter-Fudge Marble Cake

So, again I embarked on a baking quest this weekend and made a Peanut Butter-Fudge Marble Cake. Like the Devil's Delight Cake, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was cheating by using the cake mix that the recipe wanted me to use, but oh well. The end product was spectacular.

I was skeptical of this cake at first because I was afraid that it would be overloaded with peanut butter flavor, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The peanut butter flavor was not overpowering and blended in extremely well. It was delicious. I actually like this cake better than the Devil's Delight Cake; however, they are both two completely different flavors, so I guess it's to your taste preference.

The only thing about this recipe is that it was a bit more complicated than the first one and it did take a bit more time. However, there were two layers, so I guess that would do it. I definitely wouldn't classify this cake as quick and easy, however, I know from experience that it was easier to make than most. Also, the recipe doesn't tell you that when you melt the peanut butter morsels, you have to make sure that the water underneath (if you use a double boiler) doesn't get too hot or the steam will burn the peanut butter.

The cake itself would serve as a fantastic company cake or a great cake for a football party or summer party.

Here's the recipe from Hershey's Fabulous Desserts (1989):

1 package (18.25 or 19.75 ounces- I used 18.25) fudge marble cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Water
1 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Chips

Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 8- or 9- inch round baking pans. Prepare cake batters according to package directions using eggs, 1/3 cup of oil and water. In top of double boiler over hot, not boiling, water melt peanut butter chips with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, stirring constantly OR in small microwave safe bowl place chips and oil. Microwave at HIGH 45 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at HIGH additional 15 seconds or until melted and smooth when stirred. Gradually add peanut butter mixture to vanilla batter, blending well. Pour peanut butter batter into prepared pans. Randomly place spoonfuls of chocolate batter on top; swirl as directed on package. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely; frost as desired.


For the icing I used the following (Warning: You will need to double this recipe to cover the whole cake):

Easy Cocoa Frosting

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cups Hershey's cocoa
1 and 1/3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons of milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In small mixer bowl combine all ingredients; beat to spreading consistency.


That's everything! Until the next recipe (Mint chocolate fudge, perhaps???), enjoy!

Recipe: Devil's Delight Cake

Recently, I've decided to embark on a cooking/baking expedition and make cooking/baking my hobby. I've decided to start with baking since I love it more than cooking and am more comfortable with it. The first book I enthusiastically pulled from my mom's cookbook bookshelf was "Hershey's Fabulous Desserts", and the first recipe in the book was the Devil's Delight Cake.

Admittedly, upon looking at it, I felt like the cake would be kind of crappy since it uses a cake mix, and generally I'm all about making things from scratch rather than with a cake mix, but I have to say- this cake turned out AMAZING. It was very moist, very chocolate-y (if you couldn't get that from the picture), and it was simply delicious. It was also extremely fast and simple to make. In fact, at the end I was saying to myself, "That's it? What else can I make?" This would be a perfect cake for a party.

Here is the recipe, again taken from Hershey's Fabulous Desserts (1989):

1 package (18.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix (with pudding in the mix)
4 eggs
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup raisins

Directions: Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour 12 cup Bundt pan. In large mixer bowl combine cake mix, eggs, water and oil; beat on low speed just until blended. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Stir in nuts, marshmallows, chocolate chips and raisins. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Drizzle Chocolate Chip Glaze over top or sprinkle confectioners' sugar over top.

(Note: I didn't put raisins in mine since I'm not a raisin fan.)


Chocolate Chip Glaze

In small saucepan combine
2 tablespoons butter or margarine,
2 tablespoons light corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons water. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat; add 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Continue stirring until glaze is desired consistency.


Voila! An easy, quick, delicious cake. Enjoy!

Shopping Obsession

Lately, I've been wild about online clothes shopping. My favorite site? Ideeli.com. It has a bunch of discounts on clothes- 40-70% off! They are designer clothes, too (Calvin Klein is today's special).

How does it work? Everyday they release certain sales that only last a couple of days and they only have a certain stock on the clothes, so it's first come first serve. They have two types of memberships-1st row member (you get the deal an hour before the regular members do), and then the regular members. The regular membership is free, while the 1st row you have to pay, although they give you a complimentary first month when you sign up, and if you buy stuff during that time, it could be more. I love it because it is constantly changing and it's nice and organized by designer so you know what they have and what they don't. I also love them because a lot of the clothes you don't see anywhere else.

My impression? Love it.

A Taste of Italy

Italia, Italia! My new favorite restaurant is Gabriella's off of Jonestown road. The first time I went there was at the beginning of June and let me tell you...I was amazed. It was like heaven in my mouth. The recipes are so simple, which makes it all the more elegant. I had the Shrimp Asparagus. It was absolutely delicious. The Clam Linguine is also to die for. You can choose between red or white sauce. I usually get the white, which is like a garlic butter. It is amazing. Their red sauce is also delicious. It tastes so fresh! Everything there--even dessert-- is so simple, it's just divine. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant.

Bonsai!!!

While I was at King of Prussia, I wound up buying a bonsai plant. Odd, I know, but I'm a sucker for rescuing plants. I was pretty skeptical that I could take care of the plant when I first got it since my dad had them before and always killed them (plant murderer!). However, I thought I'd give it a whirl.

My take so far? It's been fun. I love to garden, so loving it hasn't been hard. However, it is a bit on the picky side, which I knew going into it. I put it in my room away from the air conditioner and in the back of my room where when I open the blinds it still get sunlight, but not a ton of it (the flyer that I was given when I bought it said it survives best in indirect light). Also, I "mist" it every day- once in the morning and once at night, and I have soaked it in water for 5 minutes once this week. So far so good! It makes for a great decoration in my room too.

All in all, I absolutely love it, I just hope it lives!

King of Prussia

Last weekend my boyfriend and I decided to take a first time venture to K.O.P. My first take? It is HUGE. Any mall that has its own parking garage absolutely has to be a big deal. Parking wasn't too hard, although there were tons of people there (no surprise). We parked by the Lord and Taylor.

I was absolutely amazed when I got in. It was so not disappointing. I must confess, though, that I did get tired of walking. I loved how the different cafeterias had themes (Asian, Italian, etc.) and the places were actually set up like restaurants. I thought it was really cool. I loved the Coach store (surprise, surprise). I do have to warn you- be prepared to spend A LOT of money there, and not necessarily because you want to buy a lot, but because the stuff there is pretty pricey, but then again it is high-end, high-quality items, so you get good stuff for what you pay for.

I did have one bad experience while I was there. At the Lord and Taylor I saw these fab boots on our way out. I decided I wanted to try them on. Unfortunately, the only size 6 they had in that shoe was the display and one shoe was missing. The sales rep who was helping me had me and everyone else hunting around the shoe department searching for the shoe. She had a bit of an attitude while doing it, and while helping me in general, which I didn't particularly appreciate. When it was to no avail, she went to get me 6.5 size shoes after the original 6.5's she brought out were the wrong type of shoe all together. Then, she wound up not even serving me and instead gave the shoes to another sales rep to give to me while she just stood at the counter and watched. I thought it was really rude.

Other than that, my experience at the mall was great and I would DEFINITELY go again!

Long Time No Write...

It's been awhile since I've written. I apologize. However, there's much to write about! Topics I'll be covering within the next couple of posts:

My take on King of Prussia (first time experience!!!)
Bonsai plants
Gabriella's Italian Restaurant
Ideeli.com

Lots to cover!!! Here we go...