Chocolate Buckwheat Cake

Ciao everyone!

Chocolate Cake:)

:) :) :) :) :) :) :)

All smiles, all the time.

Sun soaking into my skin, fresh flower buds, beautiful shiny corvettes, chocolate cake

Is there any hierarchy in that list?

No. None. At all;)


Today's recipe is for... can you guess???

Chocolate cake! Made with a blend of buckwheat and oat flours (among other things), which add a curiously great nutritional profile to this recipe.

Of course, once a person makes a chocolate cake, the next question that inevitably rises is... what should we ice it with??

Hmmmm...

How about something so delectable that it makes your head spin???

Pineapple sorbet!!

Yes, you read it right, folks. The ultimate summer cake! Top with coconut shreds and you have a winner:)

Such a winner, that one of my pictures couldn't even handle being edited to turn the right way. (Which is to say, sorry about the sideways picture that is going to stay sideways because Edit wants to kill me:P )

BUT ANYWAYS.... on to the recipe:)

 Chocolate Cake with Pineapple Sorbet Icing

makes-1 8" cake (square or circle...cut to desired servings)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup buckwheat flour

1/2 cup oat flour

1/4 cup stevia cup for cup

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch salt

1/2 cup brewed coffee coffee (room temp)

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup agave nectar

3 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

However much pineapple sorbet you would like to serve it with, plus some unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)...you are welcome and encouraged to check out  this recipe for a delicious variety of fresh sorbet

Directions:
1)  Combine dry ingredients. Set aside
2) Combine wet ingredients.
3) Stir wet into dry until very well combined
4) Let sit 5 minutes while oven heats to 350 degrees and you lightly grease a cake pan (round or square 8")
5) Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges begin to pull away from edge of pan

Ciao for now!
-TheRedLady-

Delectable Chocolate Cake

Ciao Everyone!!!

You know that feeling when you have made a discovery, and you just want the whole world to know the joy of your findings?

Or.. you've invented something that could seriously change the world?

Yeah, well I feel like that right now.

There is a very good reason why the title of this post/recipe is Delectable Chocolate Cake.

And that reason is simply BECAUSE IT'S FREAKING AWESOME.

I am very happy about sharing this one with you!


It may just be the CRAZIEST recipe I've ever made....because, as insanely good it tastes, the ingredients are even insane-r.

"How could those ingredients possibly make anything that even tastes remotely delicious...much less, something that tastes remotely like a chocolate cake!"

Yes, I hear you.

But don't worry. I won't listen to your fearful astonishment until AFTER you've taken a bite of this...

Delectable Chocolate Cake

makes-1 6" cake (serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

1 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Good pinch salt

8 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1/2 cup mashed avocado

1/4 cup original almond or coconut milk

1/4 cup agave nectar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

To Serve (any of the following): vegan cool whip, thawed frozen berries, peanut butter, bananas, etc

Directions:

  1)      Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 6” springform cake pan

  2)      Combine cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside

  3)      Add all spinach to a food processor/blender and pulse a little until there is more room towards the top. Add in the avocado, milk, agave, vanilla, and vinegar; pulse/blend until it is as smooth as it can possibly get

  4)      Pour the wet mixture into the cocoa blend; stir until thoroughly combined

  5)      Scoop batter into pan and bake for 1 hour and 5 minutes

 Ok, now that you have heard the stories, seen the pictures, and read the recipe a few times, let me tell you why the spinach. Let's just say, with two people in one house capable of grocery shopping, and busy schedules, and sweet motives of helping other people in the house, sometimes you end up with TWO HUGE BAGS of fresh spinach.... and no parties to serve salads too...

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao for now

-TheRedLady-

Chocolate Teacup Cake

Ciao everyone!!!

YAY FOR ANOTHER REALLY GOOD DESSERT RECIPE

:):):):):):):)

Do you know what is special about this one?

Two things:
1- It is chocolatey and fudgey, which equals Beautiful, culinary-illy speaking;)
2- It came out good the first time... Say whaaattt?!

Yes, Ladies and Gentleman, I was blessed with the ability to make something GREAT in the baking realm that is so healthy that it defies the confines of rules for delicious foods... the first time.

It's like a molten lava fudge cake.. but better for three reasons:
1-You make it in a mug...which is adorable and fun
2- You make it in the microwave... which means it's ready faster
3- It's actually good for you, and vegan, gluten free, sugar free

OH HAPPY DAY

Chocolate Teacup Cake

makes-1 very happy cake:)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons natural, unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon oat flour

1 tablespoon stevia cup-for-cup

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch salt

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon natural, unsweetened applesauce

3/8 teaspoon vanilla (i used the 1/8 tsp measurement 3 times)

2/8 teaspoon white wine vinegar (measured like the vanilla)

 Optional: agave nectar added to batter or drizzled over top

To serve: Vegan cool whip/whipped cream (which is another recipe you can find on this blog)

Directions:

  1)     Lightly grease a smaller sized mug or microwaveable teacup

  2)     Combine dry and wet ingredients separately

  3)     Stir wet into dry until thoroughly combined

  4)     Let batter sit 3 minutes, and then pour into mug

  5)     Microwave for 50 seconds on power 7/medium high power (I have a 1200w microwave, so I believe that comes out to whatever button you need to push for 840w of power)

   ENJOY

  Ciao for now

  -TheRedLady-

Chocolate Cake

Ciao everyone!

What revelation did you stumble upon today??

I believe we learn at least one new thing every single day, whether it be a thing of major impact or laughable triviality.

Personally, I have three things that immediately come to mind. In order of greatest to smallest:

1) After some research and prayer and seeking council of friends, I believe I now understand the Scripture found at Revelation 1:7, which was boggling my mind for a few days...

"Look, he is coming with the clouds,
    and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
    and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen."

My biggest question was "Why will EVERYONE mourn?" 
 It seems as though it will be a realization of the verity of wrath to come, the reality of punishment for sins of those who have not found salvation in Christ. Also, I personally think that for the Christian it has to do with an understanding of the situation... As in, realizing that there are loved ones left for whom the time of salvation is over, and their destiny of eternal punishment is set if they are not found in Christ.
 
Before continuing, I would just like to say that the above statement is LEAPS AND BOUNDS more important than the two things to follow, because of it's foundation being Scripture and Christ.

2) YOU CAN MAKE A DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CAKE...AND HAVE IT LITERALLY BE HEALTHY AND A BENEFIT TO YOUR BODY. Not Kidding.

Bill Cosby was onto something... LET THERE BE CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR BREAKFAST!

And Lunch...And Dinner.... ;)

Oh, what is that you say? Social normality believes chocolate cake belongs in the desserts only category? 

Well let's not upset any apple carts. I'll have it for dessert too, please and thank you;)

BUT WAIT.. (*There's More?!?!*) It is also Vegan and Gluten Free... Oh yeah, I went there.

And it's a great place to be;)   You should join me<3       We have...

CHOCOLATE CAKE

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups homemade out flour (or not homemade...but it's super easy if you wanna try:] )

1/4 cup unsweetened, natural cocoa powder

2 tablespoons stevia cup-for-cup

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 14.5 oz can sliced beets (Yes, you read that correctly. Beets. Just do it)

2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1) Mix dry ingredients together.

2) Drain beet water out into a measuring cup. Pour excess liquid out, keeping 2/3 cup beet juice. Add to a blender/food processor with the beets. Puree completely.

3) Mix together puree with rest of wet ingredients.

4) Mix wet ingredients into dry completely. 

5) Batter has to rest for 10 minutes, for all the ingredients to get acquainted and comfortable. In the meantime, set your oven to 350 degrees to heat up and grease a round 9" cake pan very well.

6) Once the batter is all friends now (a.k.a., has set for 10 minutes), scoot it into the oven to bake for 30 minutes. 

7) Let cool completely (if you can restrain yourself), flip onto a serving dish, and top with whatever you like. Some suggestions are fudge frosting, berry compote with agave nectar, or (if you like the picture) vegan whipped cream with a little extra cocoa powder sprinkled on top:)

Ciao for now

-TheRedLady-

P.S. The next post will be about the vegan whipped cream;)

P.P.S. The third revelation I came to today is a new theory I have created (among many...)

Have you ever noticed that no matter who you are talking to or how long you have known that particular person, there is always ONE thing you can never seem to recall about them?

I think that is the case for every person, in their relationship to every other human. For example, no matter what, no matter how many times she says it, no matter how many experiences involve this, my mother will never remember that my sister HATES tomatoes. Ever. 

P.P.P.S. I just got a comment from a faithful taste tester.. who asked if my secret ingredient was Lindt truffles because the cake is so chocolatey and fudgey......

 

:)

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

Ciao Everyone!!

So, I know today is today...

But yesterday was really awesome and therefore, it is time to jump in a time machine for just a few minutes:))


IT WAS CRAZY!

Do you every have one of those days when, from the moment you wake up, it's like... THIS WILL BE A GREAT DAY.

And then it doesn't stop??

I mean, sure there may be a few bumps in the road... but it can't really compete with the beauty of each and every "sparkle" that God places throughout the day?? (Btw, the quotation marks are because I definitely just borrowed that from my mom... she likes God's sparkles...)

Just take this memory-journey with me for a minute...

The day started with the day being quite lovely, so I already felt pretty peppy venturing out for my morning walk, on which I gratefully was being overwhelmed by a passage in Colossians 2:13-15,

^"13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross<sup>"  

As this was happening, I came across a marvelous reminder written on the sidewalk with chalk:</sup>

 Plus, there was a drawing of a snowman, which was a happy sight:)

Upon re-entering the house, I began to prepare to leave for Music Theory class (which is always fun). First step, prepare lunch. Lo and behold! Something unexpectedly awesome actually worked that I was expecting not to work but ignoring for the sake of a fun time making it!

Cue the Chicken Hummus Sandwich...except magically held together between to large leaves of crunchy iceberg lettuce. Lovely:) The chicken was actually the vegetarian variety from Gardein, which is amazing. If you're looking for a tasty alternative to meat for a day, go for Gardein chick'n scallopini. :)

From there, it was time to leave for school with my sister<3 We pull in and begin to search for a parking spot. Taken, taken, taken....and then suddenly it was like we entered parking-spot Narnia. There were so many open spaces, so strangely hidden on the other side of s very busy parking area.....but that's not the great part. Take a well-appreciative look at our awesome parking-spot neighbor;)

After school, we proceeded to pull out of the parking lot, where we came across this, which made me laugh very hard---

 <<-------------------------------------------------------------





And theeeeen,  my sister remembered it was the last day for free sandwiches at Chick-fil-a if you bring in a toy for Toys For Tots. This made her a very happy sister:)

Then we went home. And I began to bake. Because that is a joyous experience<3 Except today I was on a mission.... to try AGAIN at a from-scratch, better-than-anything vanilla bean cake. AND GUESS WHAT?!?!?!??





IT WORKED<3<3<3<3






Just to overview the rest of the day, there was a frozen yogurt excursion, Christmas lights on the way, and then the beginnings of decorating our Christmas tree. Happy Happy Christmas Season Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)






BUT NOW, on to the actual recipe;)

VANILLA BEAN CUPCAKES

(original recipe)

Makes: 14 cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 (15 oz) can Great Northern Beans (Surprise!!! I promise, you cannot taste the beans AT ALL)

1/2 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

3 tablespoons agave nectar

4 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2/3 cup stevia, baker's bag

pinch salt

Directions:

1) Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Prepare 14 cupcake liners or a cupcake tin or silicone baking cups. 

2) Mix baking powder, stevia, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

3) Puree beans, vanilla, and agave in a food processor. Set aside.

4) Whip egg whites with cream on tartar with an electric hand mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Set aside.

5) Mix puree into dry mix. 

6) Fold whites into batter. 

7) Scoop batter into cupcake liners...which are still UNGREASED. (That is important! Egg whites do NOT like grease!)

8) Bake for 40 minutes.

9) Take out of oven and very quickly turn UPSIDE DOWN. Leave them like this to cool! (Yes, you heard me. Upside down. I promise I'm not crazy.... I have multiple failed attempts to prove this as an important piece in my magic puzzle:P )

10) Frost however you wish and enjoy:)

In case you're wondering, here is the recipe for the Whipped Cream Frosting on those cupcakes:

1/2 pint heavy cream; 1/4 cup powdered sugar; few drops extract of choice.

Whip cold cream in a bowl with cold beaters until very fluffy. Add sugar and extract. Keep beating until good consistency is reached.

Also, if you so choose, you can use a different kind of baking dish to make this recipe in. A medium sized glass dish makes this kind of cake (on the left)...which could be very interesting when a creative mind dresses it up like a molten cake....hmmm..... ;)

 Last thing I will note: NEVER GIVE UP ON A GOOD IDEA. Keep on trying. If Thomas Edison didn't keep trying, we would all be very unenlightened on billions of good ideas that followed! ;) 

Plus, failed attempts are really just other ideas in the wrong light. For example, one failed recipe attempt prior to this one is now called "Ugly Muffins" in my file, which is very tasty in the context of an Ugly Muffin Sundae:)

Anyway, have fun with your great ideas. If you want, you can tell me all about them. I like ideas, and listening to dreaming on all levels. :)

Ciao for now!

-The Red Lady-