Wednesday, September 28, 2011

DELICIOUS cake!

I tried a new cake recipe because my roommate is turning 21 and my other friend loves alcohol and it is also his birthday.  The cake is a Guinness chocolate cake with a Bailey's buttercream frosting and it is AMAZING! It is definitely getting added to my list.  Here's the picture of it from the place I found it.  Mine of course does not look quite so pretty.

And here's the recipe I used:

Cake:

1 box of dark chocolate cake mix (one with pudding in the mix)
1 bottle of Guinness Stout (or other dark beer)
1/2 cup of Canola oil
3 eggs
4 oz. Bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Combine the cake mix, Stout, oil, and eggs in a mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed just until combined. Add bittersweet chocolate and gently stir in. Divide between the two 8” cake pans, coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when stuck in the middle.

3. Remove from oven and cool in pans for about 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Once cooled, frost with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.

Frosting:
(This is half of a full recipe, as I only needed enough to cover the top of the cake. To make a full recipe, please double the ingredients.)

- 3 large egg whites
- 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 sticks (or 1/2 pound) of room temperature butter, cubed
- 4 capfuls of Bailey's
- 1 tablespoon coffee extract (optional)

1. In a stainless steel bowl, whisk egg whites and granulated sugar together.
2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water (make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the simmering water, or your eggs will cook!)
3. Continue whisking the egg mixture until it is warm to touch and no granules of sugar can be felt.
4. Transfer mixture to a standmixer, and using a whisk, whip at medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
5.  When slightly cooled (about a minute), start throwing in the cubes of butter.
6. When buttercream comes together, add the liqueur and extract. You may adjust the amount of extract and alcohol to your own liking, but do so by adding a little at a time.
7. Whip at a lower speed for a few more seconds until well incorporated.

(Having problems with your buttercream? If your mixture turns very soupy after adding the butter, it means the mixture was too warm, or your butter too soft. To resolve, fill a ziploc bag with ice and tape it, or hold it, against the side of the mixing bowl, and your buttercream should come together. If your mixture looks like cottage cheese, it means the mixture was too cool, or your butter was too cold, when added. Just let the whisk run, and your buttercream should come together.)

Once the cake is completely cooled, schmear buttercream on top, and enjoy!

It is nowhere near healthy but I strongly recommend trying it!

Forever and Always

Monday, September 19, 2011

overwhelming emotions

It has only been a few weeks of the semester, but they have been extremely difficult.  Emotionally, they are almost more than I can bare.  I have such a deep love for people that it literally kills me inside to see them in the state that I have been this semester.  Physically, psychologically, and emotionally.  I have heard intense stories and seen intense cases.  And inside I'm being ripped apart because I love these people so much.
This has been something I've struggled with for a while.  Every time I see a homeless person I want to cry because I just love them.  All this time I've known that nursing is something the Lord wants me to do.  That is why I am here.  Today, the emotional tole has caught up to me.  It's breaking me down and I don't feel strong enough to help these people because they break my heart.  I know that the Lord will never give me more than I can handle, but today it feels like too much.  I don't know how to do it.
I will continue to pray and ask God for strength.  It is going to take everything in me not to give up on this, but it is going to be a battle.  Pray for me as I continue my journey.

Forever and Always

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Football Season

It is here!
Football season is one of my favorites.  As a kid, our Sunday afternoons and Monday nights were centered around football as often as we could.  I love the game and I watch it by myself while I'm at school.
Larry Fitzgerald is my favorite player.  I have his jersey and I love to watch him play.

I'm so excited for football season to be here! Such fond memories :)

Forever and Always