Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Lack of Winter this Year

The amount of snow that Maryland, particularly Annapolis, received this year is pathetic and quite embarrassing. The few dustings we actually received caused a shock among the community as once again, we were reminded that we can't even drive in rain much less snow. It has become a really awkward reality for me since my cousin from central New York moved in. She just guffaws and such when she sees how Marylander's handle their precipitation.

You can still see the grass, that is how little it snowed. Sad. Pathetic. Awkward. Am I right? That is an awkward amount of snow.


As I type this out, it is a beautiful 60 degrees outside in the sun. Spring is coming. That groundhog didn't quite have it right. Either that or Mother Nature [Earth?] is messing around with us... again.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Co-Ed Baby Shower

My dear friends are having a baby. To celebrate the upcoming birth they threw a co-ed baby shower complete with booze and no gross games. That's my kind of party. Plus there were cute little hand crafted decorations everywhere.

The sister got to see some old co-workers. And by old co-workers I mean that they are up there in age. Like ancient.

Hopefully Flora doesn't beat me up now. I just called her old on the world wide web. I don't even have any protection from the mob OR mafia. I'm done for.

Actually, Flora is a lovely person. We talked about people stalking other people. It's really okay as long as the stalker doesn't want to kill you or anything. Otherwise it's just flattering.

Unfortunately I didn't get any great pictures of the parents to be when they were opening up gifts. They are awfully adorable though.

So excited to meet Baby Baker!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Baby Shower Cake

I made a cake. This one was requested for a small tea party/baby shower that one of my friends was throwing. Her little baby girl is due in March, and I am VERY excited to meet their bundle of joy. She essentially told me that because of being super pregnant, it's hard for her to focus on cooking and what-not. So I helped her out.

I am going to attach a recipe so you can try out this beaut' for yourself.

Very-Vanilla Butter Sponge Cake

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 tsp lemon juice or extract
6 large eggs, separated, room temperature (best separated when cold)
3/4 cup plain, full-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract


Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare three 6" pans with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Cream butter, half of sugar, and lemon juice/extract in mixer until very pale and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
3. Add egg yolks, one by one, scraping sides of bowl after each addition. Add extracts, mix well.
4. Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture on low speed until just incorporated. Add yogurt on low speed.
5. Transfer to another bowl, clean mixer bowl and wipe with vinegar or lemon juice on paper towel, to eliminate any trace of grease. 
6. Whip room temperature egg whites and remaining sugar until stiff peaks form (about ten minutes).
7. Fold into cake batter gently. Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake until inserted skewer comes clean. 
8. Let cool completely before layering and frosting.


I used a white chocolate buttercream frosting recipe that I found online for the frosting 
of this cake. I think it tasted delectable.

I also used raspberries as a garnish on top. Next time, if I have the money for it, I plan
to add raspberries to the middle of the layers as well. I think that would give the cake a 
little more of a kick. 

The fun thing about this cake was the size. It was little but high. I wish that I had been able 
to taste it so I would know if it was actually tasty or not. I am just going to guess that it was.