Whiskers on Kittens

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite CAKE
And then I don't feel so bad!

Someone forgot to inform me that children do not necessarily get easier as they get older. Yea Yea, I heard that you are supposed to threaten their dates with shotguns and stay up until they return home so that you can flip the porch lights on, but other than that....I was ill informed. Now, I am not complaining that I no longer have to change diapers....or clean stinky milk bottles that were found in the deep dark crevices of the couch, but these big kids I have got are slightly exhausting. They have many needs, wear a completely unreasonable amount of clothing (thus the wash is always overflowing), and eat tons.....Tons! I tell ya! I always wondered why the checkers at the grocery store always knew my mother's name and were so familiar with her. I now know...since I am on a first name basis with Amy at the market...she sees me more than my spouse I think. And I always wondered why people let their teenagers drive....because, they get worn out being the chauffeur for so many years I think. I think next week I will get a little deeper into the details of my new fascination with my older children....they are strange creatures.

But, the reason I have made comment of this phenomenon that is occurring in my household, is that I have been a bit short on blog time so far this summer. Life has been a bit crazy and I have been a bit ragged...know the feeling? Please say yes...I can't possibly be alone in this. And then of course, I did tell you that the universe has had it out for me lately as well....please add the air conditioner to it's latest attacks. I have been hiding from the universe for a few days now...flying under the radar. But good news, I have stolen my children's pc and will be back to myself right away now.

So, to get back on the wagon, I was craving a bit the other night. I was in desperate need of a chocolate and glass of milk fix...get my drift? I also needed to wish a couple of dear friends a happy birthday, but wasn't quite in the mood for a huge amount of time in my ghastly hot kitchen (air conditioner broken and all). And then I remembered this sweetie: Mr. Chocolate Fluff Cake- the equivalent to whiskers on kittens. He's kindof my version of a Devil Dog (to you east coasters) or a Suzy Q (to you west coasters). Really, it is this totally dense and overly chocolaty cake topped off with a dreamy fluffy cloud of bliss. The deal is though, that if you make it, you must eat it right away...especially if your air is broken. The frosting is meringue based so it will deflate in 24 hours or so.

Now finally, one warning with this cake.....do not even attempt to eat this without a glass of milk! I mean it, you will be sad if you do...

Seriously though, this cake can be whipped up in minutes and eaten within an hour. It brings joy to your soul.

CHOCOLATE FLUFF CAKE

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-process)**
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups water
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour an 8-inch square cake pan (2 inches deep). Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat together butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well, then beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture and water alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing until just combined.
Pour batter into cake pan and smooth top, then bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes.
Combine frosting ingredients with a pinch of salt in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water and beat with a handheld electric mixer at high speed until frosting is thick and fluffy, 6 to 7 minutes.
Remove bowl from heat and continue to beat until slightly cooled. Mound frosting on top of cake. Dust with additional cocoa powder.

He's so dreamy isn't he? Enjoy!!