Mocha-Cake-Love

My sweet cousin, Kathy shared this cake with us a few weeks ago when Grandmommy passed away and shared the recipe with me this week when a friend of Dede's lost her father.

This is my new go-to recipe when I need a dessert to take to a friend, family or pot-luck. It is amazing.

Kathy and I cook the exact same way...only measuring when necessary and shooting from the hip. What can I say?? When it comes to the kitchen we were both raised right.

This is how Kathy and I made this awesome cake.

Cake:
1 box Chocolate Cake mix ( i used Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge) according to package directions.
3 Tablespoons Instant Coffee, dissolved in a bit of water

Follow cake instructions, I cut about 5 minutes off of my baking time to make sure my cake was nice and most and to prevent any burning of the edges.

Frosting: 
2/3 Cup softened butter
2 1/2 to 3 cups Confectioners sugar
3T Cocoa ( i used Hershey's)
Strong Brewed Coffee and Cream (I did 1/2 cup of HOT water with 3T of instant coffee and added enough vanilla creamer to make the coffee a khaki color)

Mix  butter and sugar (add sugar in thirds) on medium, then switch to high after butter and sugar are incorporated  Add Coffee Tablespoon at time and mix well. (Mixture will be sandy before adding the liquid, ti's okay) If your frosting is too grainy  add more (coffee) liquid. If it's too bland add another 1/2 -1 teaspoon of cocoa. If it's too runny add more confectioners sugar and make it your own. 

Try this next time you are taking food to a new parent, new neighbor, the bereaved  a pot-luck, or anytime you and coffee lovers gather in the name of glucose.

:)

What a week!

We had a very busy and fun week, I tried to get lots of pictures, so I will let the photos tell the story....

 Thursday we were excited because we had a date with Kimberlee and Miriam in Ttown for cupcakes...then it snowed/iced so we waited in line for 30 minutes, to get cupcakes to-go and kiss/hug our buddies goodbye. In the mayhem we forgot to photograph our friends whom we went to see. Sorry ladies. 

Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the "Derby Pie" cupcake. Jay just shook the box around. 

Friday Morning Bible Study started at our house! .

(Jay woke up from his nap just in time to say goodbye to the ladies, 

let's hope that remains the same every week!)

We went to Homewood Antiques to try to help Dede set up her new retail space--"Katydid's Market". 

Good Luck Dede!!

Three fun parties this weekend!

Making cupcakes on Saturday for Sunday's baby shower!

It's a boy! William Dean Matthews

 Johnny-Jump-Up kept Jay, Daddio, Precious and Gus occupied while 

Mommy cupcaked for Amy and Baby William. 

More fun with Daddio. 

Jay got some quality time with Emma Claire (just 20 days younger than him!!!) at Lily Kate's 3rd Birthday party. Can we say opposite ends of the growth chart??!! Emma is a petite little lady and Jay is certainly a strapping young man! 8 pounds and 5 inches separate these two who almost had the same birthday!!

 Yes, I was happy with the way these statues turned out--Kaye bought them at 

Homewood Antiques and got a great deal.

I added moss, ribbon, baby's breath and presto!! Cute decor when flowers are scarce the first of February!

A sweet little girl and a boy gathering flowers for her.

 Jay was the photographers assistant! 

 Showing off those pearly whites during a little tummy time before guests arrived.

Dede and Jay--we were thinking he might take a nap...hahaha!

 Then off to Knox Allred's 1st birthday!! The Dirty Dozen babes at the after-party Colin (6), Caleb (4 1/2), Brooks (3 1/2), Sadie (3), Lily Kate (3), Carter (1 1/2), Knox (1 TODAY!), Jay (6 1/2 months)...and Lily Kate is going to be a big sister!! 5 couples and 9 babies by September!!! 

(Mer and Josh-Brent and Emily--we're waiting.......)

Ms. Krisi and the drool machine!! Jay really, really loved Krisi this afternoon.