Administrative Assistant’s Day {0}
Don’t forget! Admin’s day is this Wednesday, April 22. My team and I have come up with some great gift ideas. 
http://www.chocolatebakery.com/Admin-Assistant-s-Week-Gift-Basket-p/admin_gift_basket.htm
Uncategorized
Apr 16, 2009
Apr 13, 2009
Chocolate Cake Recipe {0}
This recipe is for the chocolate cake posted yesterday.
Really Easy, Really Good Chocolate Cake
2 C cake flour (All Purpose flour can be used)
1 C cocoa
2 C granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2/3 C vegetable oil or melted butter (if using salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe)
1 C buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
¾ C hot coffee
- Pre-heat oven to 350 °. Line two – 9” cake pans with parchment paper, grease the sides.
- Sift together all of the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.
- Whisk together all of the liquid ingredients except the coffee.
- Using the paddle attachment, and the mixer running on low, pour approximately ¾ of the combined liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stop the mixer, scrape well, then mix approximately 15 seconds till smooth.
- With the mixer running on low, pour the remaining combined liquid ingredients into the bowl, mix to combine, then scrape well.
- With the mixer running on low, pour the coffee into the batter. Stop and scrape, mix approximately 30 seconds until the batter is smooth.
- Divide the batter between the two prepared pans.
- Bake @ 350°, approximately 28-32 minutes, until the top is springy, and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans before unmolding.
- Use you favorite frosting or whipped cream to fill and ice the cake.
Chocolate Frosting
8 oz. soft butter
5 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C milk, tepid
5 C powdered sugar, sifted
- Beat butter 2 minutes to soften and fluff.
- Add half of the powdered sugar, melted chocolate and vanilla. Blend well, medium speed, for 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl frequently to prevent lumps.
- With the mixer running on low, add half of the milk, blend on medium speed. Scrape well.
- Add the remaining powdered sugar, blend several minutes on medium speed, then blend in enough milk to reach the desired consistency for spreading.
Apr 12, 2009
Apr 12, 2009
How to Video {1}
This weekend, instead of pursuing the leisure activities of most, I logged some major hours in the kitchen creating several How To videos. I have made one for a chocolate cake, cherry pie and a chocolate mousse. 
If you have an interest in how to videos and recipes that I personally guarantee will work, let me know.
Apr 5, 2009
Chocolate Makes You Smarter! {1}
According to a recent study, chocolate not only tastes great, but it can actually make you better at math!!
“The study, lead by scientists at the Northumbria University, was presented at the British Psychological Society annual conference. Co-author of this study, Prof David Kennedy stated that they found chocolate to be beneficial for mentally challenging tasks. When given hot cocoa with large amounts of compounds found in chocolate, volunteers performed better on mental arithmetic problems.”
So, for any of you who need a little boost in your math skills, grab a candy bar!
http://www.examiner.com/x-6503-Ft-Lauderdale-Science-News-Examiner~y2009m4d5-Can-chocolate-make-you-a-math-genius
I have loved baking and cooking since I was a child. I studied foods and nutrition in college, but my secret desire was to own my own restaurant. Participation in a culinary program landed me jobs in several upscale restaurants, where I discovered my passion for baking and pastries. In 1981 I opened my bakery, Tarts and Truffles, in Sacramento, CA. Realizing a need for trained, knowledgeable bakers, I began teaching baking classes in the culinary arts program at American River College in 1990. I hope you will find my interest in high quality baking reflected in every product we sell.
