I feel like we need to catch up. Where has time been flying, these days?
Me, I’ve been flying to Philadelphia. There, I ate hoagies and had an IHOP date with my dad.
And I made an appearance on a morning show! (Thanks, Fox 29!) I also bought butter cookies (with extra sprinkles) at the Ardmore Farmer’s market, but didn’t make it to Rita’s for water ice. Next time.
…
We move into our new HOUSE this weekend, so I’ve got a to-do list a mile long and I’m running around like a crazy chicken (primer and paint! packing tape! don’t forget to forward the mail! more paint! call the movers! also how does a person get paint out of his/her hair?! asking for a friend), but I wanted to make sure to tell you about this cake before we forget about citrus and move straight to strawberries/artichokes/rhubarb.
Okay so before we talk about cake I have to tell you that I went to the dentist today (just after writing the intro of this post, actually) and it turns out that, HEY, I’ve got a cavity! Which I’m just thrilled about. But the best part was when my dentist very helpfully informed me that the reason I developed said cavity is because of carbs. Namely, that I’m eating them too frequently and they’re wearing away my enamel?
As he was explaining the situation, I looked at him with wide eyes and an entirely innocent pout and said I’d work on reducing my carb intake. Because clearly, homeboy doesn’t know the half of it.
So with that in mind, HERE IS THIS CAKE! It’s rich with grassy olive oil, bright with fresh orange zest, and positively bursting with carbs. It’s the kind of cake that would make a wonderful dinner party dessert, but also the kind that I can’t help but sneak small slivers from throughout the day as I work and putter around. (#cavities.) A perfectly crumbed, gorgeously scented, sweet-but-not-too-sweet snacking cake.
I’m thinking of baking one for my dentist.
…
A few things that have recently blown my mind:
1. The amount of money someone needs, on their actual person, to buy a house. It’s… a lot of dollas. YIKES.
2. The kid who played Jimmy Woods in The Wizard is the SAME KID who played Les in Newsies AND Billy Heywood in Little Big League. THIS GUY’S CAREER THOUGH!
3. The correct way to say it is “Daylight Saving Time.” “Daylight Savings” isn’t a thing. WHO KNEW??
4. This cake. THE CAKE, MY GOD, THE CAKE.
Let’s talk about number four.
THIS CAKE. I think it’s my best one yet. (And as someone who’s made their fare share of chocolate cakes over the years, that is saying something.)
I made it for you to help celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which is in a week. I’m not particularly keen on St. Patty’s, but any excuse to lick cream cheese frosting from the beaters is fine by me. Hooray for St. Patrick!
The dark stout in the batter is a dream – it really brings out the chocolate flavor and helps create a sturdy, moist crumb. And the chocolate cream cheese frosting? Smooth and dense and oh so luscious. It’s the perfect balance of deep chocolate flavor and bright, light tang. It’s like heaven on an offset spatula.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! (Yes, past tense did. It was a huge cake and now it’s definitely gone because we finished it.)
Still, it’s nice to know that even if we are low on dollas, we’re absolutely RICH with cake.
For the full recipe, head over to the Page-A-Day Blog from Workman Publishing!