Chocolate Birthday Cake with Mayo!

 

 

Just about every Sunday after we attend church my family and I stop by Publix grocery store to pick up a paper and a few other things for lunch. What is such a treat as we pass the deli is there is usually a lady from the Publix Aprons kiosk who is preparing a meal for us to sample. She serves a little sample of a main dish and dessert.

 

The main dish was great and the dessert was chocolate birthday cake. The cake was so moist and yummy! To my surprise when I picked up the recipe, was that the cake had mayonnaise as one of the ingredients. In the south we have a commercial that advertises putting mayo in a cake. I thought how weird is that until I tasted it.

 

 

 

So when I went home I decided to make the cake as our Sunday dessert. My youngest son and I are the only ones who knew what was in the cake.

 

 

 

 

 

I actually cut the recipe in half since it was just for us.

 

 

 

 

 

The cake turned out nice and firm.

 

 

 

 

 

I made my own buttercream icing and added a little cocoa.

 

My daughter does like not mayonnaise was told after she ate her piece that the cake was made with mayo. She went back for a second piece and actually wanted a third. I said that is it for today. Lol!

 

The cake was gone by Tuesday. I kid you not.

 

Here is the recipe. Tell me if you try it.

 

Chocolate Birthday Cake

 

Ingredients Butter (or cooking spray), to coat pan
4 cups cake flour (+ extra to coat pan)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups mayonnaise
1 3/4 cups water
3 large eggs (or 3/4 cup egg substitute)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Prep

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Coat 13- x 9-inch baking pan with butter (or spray), then dust with flour.

Steps

1. Mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add mayonnaise, water, eggs, and vanilla just until mixed through.
2. Pour batter into pan; bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
3. Remove cake from oven and let stand 40 minutes to cool. Finish with frosting and serve. (Makes 12 servings.)

CALORIES (per 1/12 recipe) 570kcal; FAT 32g; CHOL 15mg; SODIUM 780mg; CARB 65g; FIBER 3g; PROTEIN 6g; VIT A 2%; VIT C 0%; CALC 2%; IRON 25%

 

Flip Flops

 

 

I know the first freeze is expected to arrive this weekend, but I have been floating this image in my head about flip flops. Mind you, these sandals have become a year round fashion to wear. I don't know why people want to wear them in the dead of winter.

 

When I was living in Maryland, I was shocked to see a man wearing flip flops in January at my local grocery store. There was snow on the ground and it was freezing. Why do people think they are living in south Florida? I still don't get it.

 

Do you wear flip flops in the winter? Come on fess up.

 

Have a great week!

Outdoor Fall Decorations

 

 

I was so excited to pull out the fall decorations on my porch. So, I began searching on blogs and on Pinterest various ideas I decided to paint my pumpkins to look like candy corns.

 

 

 

 

 

My first attempt was well... a flop when I used spray paint. I decided to instead us a craft paint and applied a couple of coats of each color before I finished my pumpkins.

 

 

 

Earlier today I decided to take my dog on a walk since the weather was perfect, and slightl cool breeze was in the air. I also brought along my camera to take a few shots of my neighbors decorations.

 

 

We have some very talented people who really go way out with the decorations.

 

 

 

 

Some are simple and under stated.

 

 

I must admit I am not into the ghost and ghouls of Halloween, but I wanted to show you the wide range of ideas that I saw around the subdivision.

Norcross Art Fest

This past weekend my family and I attended the Norcross Art Fest. I have exhibited at this show several times before.

Even though I have cut back on some shows, I love attending them and talking to the artists.

 

 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to meet Janine Lancour. She is a very talented mixed media artist.

 

 

 

 

 

Just before you reach the festival, we passed by this beautiful sculpture garden.

 

 

 

There were some artist I had seen before and several artist that were new to the show this year. All in all a pretty eclectic mix of great art.

I look forward to next years event!