April 15, 2010

Let's Move On To The Kitchen

I am just taking a break from gardening and I made this delicious RED VELVET chocolate bar cake. It is so easy and fast (oops, did I give out the secret?). I think I am ready for a tea break! It is so goooood that even Gretchie agrees!....although in this picture, I made her a special K9 cake for her birthday. Here is the recipe courtesy of my friend, Neila Williams (contributor for the NICU Cookbook 2009 edition).... Red Velvet Candy Bar Cake...(excuse the prints, I am trying to edit this recipe entry) 1 (18.26 oz.) package red velvet cake; 1 1/2 cups milk; 3 eggs; 3/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 (3.4 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix; 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened; 1 cup confectioner sugar; 1 (12 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed; 1 cup chopped pecans (or any nuts of your choice); 4 (1.55 oz) milk chocolate candy bars, broken into pieces (optional/any chocolate bar of your choice) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and Flour 2 or 3 (8 inch) pans. In large bowl, combine cake mix, milk, eggs, oil and pudding mix. Beat at slow speed with an electric mixer until blended. Scrape bowl and beat 4 minutes in medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes stand in pans 10 minutes; turn out to cool completely on wire racks. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with white sugar and confectioner sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping, pecans and chopped chocolate. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with additional chocolate pieces, if desired. Yield 12 servings.

28 comments:

Fifi Flowers said...

ooooh soooo YUMMY!!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Happy Birthday, Gretchie! I'd like iced tea with my slice of cake, please. And then may I stroll through your lovely garden? I'll be more than happy to give you the detour of mine. And bake a cake as well.
Brenda

It's me said...

Yummie yummie...it is party time !!!......congratulations for Gretchie ............so sweet doggie !!!

Sleep well hugs from me Ria

Becca said...

I just wanted to come over and say hi from The Cozy Little House. I love your photographs and your garden looks so beautiful! I will be back to visit again soon!
Beccca

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Hi,
I just popped over from Brenda and Cozy Little House. The cake looks yummy and your gardens are beautiful! Please stop over and visit when you have time. I will follow and be back for more visits!
Robn

Unknown said...

Send a piece my way! Red velvet is my favorite cake-not fair that you are an amazing gardener and baker too! xx barbara

Mama said...

Beautiful cake, beautiful blog! Enjoyed my first visit!

Anastasia Schembri said...

Sounds and looks delicious! Red Velvet is my absolute favorite!!

Kerri - Driftwood Interiors said...

Here in Australia red velvet cake isn't something that I've ever seen. Yours looks delicious - what flavour is it? And that little pooch of yours is delicious too! K xx

Unknown said...

Dear Mary Ann, that cake looks very yummy! Thank you for the recipe!!!
Have a great week end!!!
hugs!
Mara

Razmataz said...

Yum, I could just stick my finger in that icing....love the music on your site!

Anonymous said...

Isn't your puppy the cutest! I was browsing your gardens. Just stunning. I'm following!!

helenabelle said...

Yummy looking Red Velvet! Your garden photos are amazing. I just became your newest follower. Have a great day with that wonderful garden!

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Maryann, that gateau looks awesome! So so lovely!! Must have been a great taste too!
Wishing you a happy and most wonderful weekend.

XOXO

Bardot in Blue said...

you are so fabulous!! You just threw together this stunning cake on a little break from gardening?! Looks amazing, I love red velvet cake...my aunt used to always make it for me when I was little :-D And simply ADORABLE the pic of your puppy put a big smile on my face too :-D

xoxo Bardot in Blue

Susan Freeman said...

Hi and welcome!! Brenda sent me over to visit and to welcome you to our little corner of Blog Land. Love the name of your cottage and your red velvet cake looks so very yummy! Gretchie is a little doll and I love that pic of her. What a perfect response to her birthday cake!! My little Bentley will instantly fall in love with her. I am your newest follower. Come visit me and bring Gretchie too!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Tato said...

Hi Mary Ann!
Red velvet cake and tea in the garden, a delicious!
Congratulation for Gretchie.
Wonderful Weekend
Hugs
Tato

Vær våken said...

I want to jump into the first image, sit down and eat that cake! Looks so delicious and what a beautiful picture of the dog!!! Happy weekend!

Wendy said...

Red Velvet is a favorite here! You cake looks delicious!

Unknown said...

Hi Maryann,
thank you for these wonderful photos!!1
You have beatiful Dog!!!
I love your Blog!!
Have a nice weekend!!!
Kisses :)
Daniela "DREAM SHABBY CHIC" Milano

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DREAMSHABBYCHIC

Unknown said...

You made my favorite cake on earth!!!! Now I am craving it...and unlike you, I could never ever bake one like that! (jealous)

The Shiny Pebble said...

Gretchie doesn't look spoiled, AT ALL. So cute!!!! Also, your patio looks simply gorgeous. I love exuberance in design. Why be shy about beauty, right?

Siri said...

Wow, what a cake!! And what a gorgeous dog!:)

Jules said...

I don't think red velvet cake is an Australian thing! Have never seen it except in photos 9yours looks particularly delish! Hope Gretchie enjoyed her hug alas my daughters have vetoed the chinese crested...but since when have Mothers listened to Daughters?!!!!!!!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

I think that's the most luscious looking red velvet cake I've ever seen.

maría cecilia said...

Darling Mary Ann, I´m so happy to meet you and your beautiful blog, so many inspiring images. I just love your garden, and saw pictures from last year`s blooms, how beautiful!!! I love gardening and hope you post more of your garden because here is getting cold and autumn is here now!!!
Greetings from Chile,
Maria Cecilia

Punctuation Mark said...

love love love red velvet!!! yum!!

The Four Tides said...

Thanks for widening my smile! Excited to connect more. xo, Jacqueline

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