Easy Chocolate Cake
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Easy Chocolate Cake
The Best Cake Recipe Ever!
© Linda Larsen
Apr 5, 2006
To make this easy and delicious cake, all you need to do is measure, stir, and bake.
This cake recipe is of the 'dump, stir, and bake' category. Dump ingredients into a bowl, stir for a couple of minutes, and bake until it's done to perfection. As long as you measure the ingredients correctly, your cake will be tender, flavorful, and delicious. Flour is the most important ingredients in most baked goods. It provides structure for the cake and a place to trap the carbon dioxide released by leavening ingredients. Measuring flour correctly is essential.
The frosting for this cake is also very simple; it's made in a saucepan. You can bake this cake in two 9" round layer cake pans for about 20 minutes. If you choose that shape, don't use this frosting; it's not thick and stiff enough to work on a two layer cake. Combine a can of milk chocolate frosting with 1/2 cup of sour cream and use that to frost your layer cake.
Easy Chocolate Cake
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsp. oil
1 cup milk
2 cups flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large heavy saucepan, combine cocoa powder, butter, oil, and 1 cup milk. Place over medium heat and cook until butter melts and mixture comes to a boil. As soon as the mixture boils, remove it from the heat and beat with a wire whisk.
Add flour, sugars, salt, and baking soda. Beat well (batter will be thick at this point). Then add buttermilk, eggs, and 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla and beat again until batter is smooth and shiny.
Spray 13x9" pan with flour based cooking spray. Pour batter (batter will be thin) into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-35 minutes, until cake has risen and edges begin to pull away from sides of pan. Toothpick inserted in center will come out clean.
Let cake cool for 30 minutes. Then prepare frosting. In a heavy saucepan, combine 1/3 cup cocoa with 1/3 cup butter. Place over low heat and cook until butter melts and mixture is smooth, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup milk, powdered sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla and beat until smooth. Immediately pour over cake. Frosting should level itself, but you may need to even it off with a knife. Let cool completely, then cut into squares.
http://bakingdesserts.suite101.com/article.cfm/easychocolatecake
posted by Home Economics @ 5:52 PM,
,
How to Build Confidence in a Child
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Introduction
Helping a child to gain confidence is essential to his mental, emotional and social health. A child that is confident is more likely to succeed academically and socially. He will also be a much happier and better adjusted person in general.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Steps
1
Step One
Express your affection often to your child through your words and actions. Let him know you believe in him. Apologize if you are wrong and express your love.
2
Step Two
Compliment her and acknowledge her achievements. Positive feedback is helpful in helping her gain confidence in her abilities. Respect her choices and direct her if necessary without putting her down.
3
Step Three
Assure him that making mistakes is part of the learning process. The important thing is to learn from the experience and strive to be better.
4
Step Four
Accept her for who she is instead of trying to make her what you want her to be. Forcing your dreams and aspirations on her is unfair.
5
Step Five
Acknowledge his fears and insecurities and show empathy. Build on his strengths and avoid picking on weaknesses or faults. Avoid being sarcastic, especially when he makes a mistake.
6
Step Six
Take an interest in his hobbies, friends and the things that he has to share with you. Encourage her to learn new things or pick a hobby that she enjoys. Support him in his endeavors and do not complain or nag. Spend quality time with your child, whether it be talking or playing. Have fun and avoid lecturing during fun times.
7
Step Seven
Provide opportunities to help her develop or excel in a talent that she may have such as singing, playing the piano or a sport that she loves.
8
Step Eight
Watch what you say to your friends or neighbors about him as he may overhear them. Do not compare him with other kids or siblings. Let him know that you love and appreciate him for who he is.
9
Step Nine
Give him responsibilities to fulfill such as daily or weekly chores. Being responsible plays a big part in building confidence.
10
Step Ten
Help her to choose good friends who will help encourage and motivate her. Be happy and have an optimistic outlook about everything. She will emulate your behavior.
Tips & Warnings
Confidence is built one little step at a time, not inherited. Be patient.
Make your home a place that his friends like to hang out. Be friendly and respectful to his friends and avoid criticizing them. 1
posted by Home Economics @ 6:16 PM,
,
