Molten Spiced Chocolate Cakes

Party time. Are your next few weekends as busy as mine? I have my sparkly dresses hanging in my closet, ugly sweaters folded in my drawers, and hostess gifts bought and wrapped…all I need is a new pair of black ballet flats and some mistletoe (because what party doesn’t benefit from that festive sprig?)

Ryan and I will be hosting our own Christmas party on the 22nd, which means that menu planning has been added to my ever expanding to-do list. These chocolate spiced molten cakes came immediately to mind, and I believe they’d do well on any holiday table. Because who can resist a cake with a gooey chocolate core? And these desserts are made even better with a touch of spice and Cabernet wine. Elegant and indulgent. Comforting and surprising.

And did I mention that they come together in fifteen minutes or less? If that doesn’t sell you…well then I need to let you borrow my baby for a few hours. Fifteen minutes is all the time I have on some (no most) days!

So go buy some good chocolate, uncork a bottle of wine, and let the scents of cinnamon and ginger invigorate your evening. If you’re feeling ambitious, pull out your mixer and make a bowl of freshly whipped cream to serve along with these molten cakes (although I assure you that a glass of milk, or better yet, eggnog will do the trick too).

These next few weeks will be full of friends and family. Food and laughter. I’m celebrating my 27th birthday next Monday, which means even more chocolate is in order. I hope everyone has a happy start to your week (and if you’re anywhere near Colorado, I know you’ll be thankful to creep out of these arctic temperatures tomorrow!)

Molten Spiced Chocolate Cakes

From McCormick Gourmet

4 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate (high quality)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 tablespoon Cabernet Sauvignon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 eggs

1 egg yolk

6 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter 4 (6 ounce) custard cups. Place on a baking sheet.

Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl on HIGH for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in vanilla and confectioners sugar until well blended. Stir in eggs and yolk as well as spices. Stir in flour and spices. Pour batter evenly into prepared custard cups.

Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand for one minute before carefully loosening edges with small knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Sprinkle with additional confectioners sugar and serve immediately.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

5 months of Lucille Amelia (and a Buttons n’ Blossoms Giveaway)

So Lucy is actually five months AND one week today. My tardiness in writing this post is due to both Thanksgiving and the oft repeated parental mantra: “it goes by so fast.” I can’t believe that in a matter of weeks, Lucy will reach her half-year birthday. It feels like just yesterday that I found out we were having a little girl. In the past months, my life has been transformed and my squishy newborn has grown into a baby girl with heaps of personality.

Lucy’s fifth month has been nothing short of magical. Our big accomplishment? TEETH. To a new mama, two teeth in a week’s time was simply miraculous. I felt her first while waiting in a check-out line. “She has a tooth!” I proclaimed to the strangers standing beside me. They smiled, and I have to believe that most of them were parents or aunts or godparents because smiled like they understood. Besides being adorable, these two bottom teeth have also made breastfeeding VERY interesting. I’ve yelped and hollered more times than I can count. This girl CAN BITE.

Can you spot those two bottom teeth?

But I’m happy to say that despite these new challenges, Lucy and I are still exclusively breastfeeding. We hope to continue until she’s at least six months old…and we may wait even longer. Lucy loves to nurse, and I love it too. The look on her face when my milk starts to flow is priceless. Talk about bliss! She has, however, been showing extreme interest in all things edible. Dinner at our house has become as much about eating as keeping Lucy’s hands out of our food.

Another big change? Well, I’m writing this post while Lucy is playing on the floor beside me. She shows such interest in toys now, and she finally has the motor skills to manipulate many of them. She’s always been ahead on the developmental curve, and she’s sitting by herself like a champ now. We’ve only had a few minor tumbles, and we’re all placing bets on when she’ll start to crawl. I’m also having to learn that it’s okay to let her play on her own. It’s an adjustment to leave that newborn phase…there are many days where I feel like she needs to be in my arms all the time…but then I remember that it’s good for her to learn how to occupy herself.

In order to celebrate five months of this lovely girl, I’m happy to be hosting a Buttons n’ Blossoms Giveaway. Sara and I went to college together and it’s been wonderful to reconnect with such a beautiful and creative soul! Sara makes the most gorgeous hair accessories for women…and she’s expanding into the realm of babies! Each of these blooms are hand cut, pressed with a vintage milliners iron, and then hand sewn together. Stunning is only one of many words that could describe her creations. Lucy loved modeling these headbands. They’re surprisingly comfortable (which is a must for baby head gear) and they always elicit oohs and ahhs from friends and strangers.

Sara and I are thrilled to be giving away one of these gorgeous baby blossom headbands. They’d make a perfect Christmas gift for all the little lovelies in your life. How do you enter? Follow me (@cakestand) and Sara (@buttonsnblossoms) on Instagram (if you have an account) and then leave me a comment with your favorite of the above blooms.

This giveaway will close on Saturday at 12 PM MST.

And what’s even better than a giveaway? Sara is generously offering all my readers 15% off any purchase in her Etsy store! Just use this discount code: ANECDOTESAPPLECORES and enjoy!

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Apple Almond Quickbread

We bought our first Christmas tree on Saturday. A full and fragrant Douglas fir. Ryan and I been married for nearly five years, but we haven’t felt the urge to decorate until now. Having a child has changed many things…and we’ve officially added boxes of gold and silver ornaments to our inventory.

As I type, I hear Lucy fussing in her bedroom (she isn’t one for early bedtimes anymore). Ryan goes to tend her, and so I stop what I’m doing for a few seconds to listen to his soft voice soothe our daughter. I look over at our just-lit Christmas tree. We’ve hung ornaments from both our mothers’ homes. A few garlands made from paper are draped over the fir’s branches. As of today, we don’t have any presents under the tree, but I know they’ll start accumulating in the days ahead.

In a few moments, I’ll make a cup of tea and enjoy a slice of this Apple Almond Quickbread. This simple loaf tastes like Christmas to me. Warm and spicy, this dense and sweet bread goes well with a hot drink and freshly decorated tree. And the crisp apples along with the crunchy almonds make for a perfect and beautiful topping.

In the days ahead, I’ll share the traditions we’re beginning this holiday season. I would love to hear what you and your family does to celebrate!

Apple Almond Quickbread

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoons clove

1/4 teaspoons nutmeg

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup applesauce

2 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1 apple, empire or gala work well, cut into thin slices

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9 x 5 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Grease paper and pan with butter to prevent sticking.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat oil, applesauce, eggs, and sugar until well combined, about 2 minutes. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring until just moist. Spread batter into prepared pan. Arrange apple slices down the middle of the pan (the apple only needs to be inserted into the batter about 1/4 inch) and sprinkle sliced almonds on either side.

Bake Apple Almond Quickbread in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Little Things

Simple shots of our life this past Thanksgiving week. Tune back next Friday for a similar post. I’d also love to have you follow me on Instagram (@cakestand) if you’re interested in more photos of food and baby. Have a beautiful and bountiful weekend, my friends!

Lucy sits up on her own now…and loves looking at good books like this one: Everyone Eats!

And she also turned 5 months old.

I’m stole away for coffee a few mornings this week.

But eagerly awaited the moment I got to hold my girl.

We baked an apple pie…

Received the sweetest baby headbands…

And counted our blessings.

Lucy’s first Thanksgiving couldn’t have been lovelier. We certainly have much to be thankful for.

Monet

Anecdotes and Apple Cores

Feeling THANKFUL

I’m eagerly anticipating Thursday. And I’m thankful my mom has turkey duty. As much as I love eating turkey, I can’t stand preparing it. I’m not good with raw meat and those birds are heavy! I’d much rather contend with rolling pins, butter, and bags of flour. And so I’m baking rolls, pies, and croissants (yes croissants!) for Thanksgiving. And as I get to work in the kitchen, I’ll think about the many moments this year that brought me joy and all the abundance that surrounds us. I hope everyone celebrating this week has a wonderful day with friends and family. These are a few of the many things I’ve feeling thankful for….

Meals with friends and family. “Supper” by Phoebe Wahl

A beautiful and healthy pregnancy.

The best husband (and father) in the world.

Good cups of coffee.

A new home….

and a nursery filled with handmade gifts and love.

And without any doubt…I’m most thankful for our sweet baby girl….

The best gift in the world.