So while I was experiencing my few weeks of being a single parent I realized something. Food is important to me. I knew this before.... I have always loved to bake and to cook; to try out new recipes with odd ingredients, or just try a new style of cooking. But never was it more apparent than when Hayden was gone. I needed an out, something for me to enjoy while he was at school. So I turned to baking. First I tried to make and use fondant on a cake...not great, but hey it's my first try.
It was fun to try fondant, and I'll definitely try it again. However, I realized that it is most likely not my niche. We'll see,... I suppose with more practice, but I found love in another place. I have a sincere love for pretty. Any food that is "pretty" is my favorite food. It could be asparagus and beets in some gross sauce and I would love it if it was pretty. So when I found a beautiful picture of a peanut butter cup chocolate cake cheesecake.... I was smitten. Then Hayden and I were invited to an engagement party for two of the sweetest people in the world and I knew I had to bake this cake for them. So after three days of baking this is what was produced....
(this was one of the last pieces and got kinda squished :( but you get the idea ;) )
The pictures aren't the best quality, but you get the idea. Here's the rundown of this cake from bottom layer to top: homemade rich chocolate cake, caramel, peanuts, peanut butter cup cheesecake, caramel, peanuts, (repeat cake caramel peanuts cheesecake...) Then top it with chocolate ganache, frost with whipped chocolate ganache, and garnish with peanut butter frosting, peanut butter cups and homemade chocolate swirls! In the end the cake weighed about ten pounds!
As I made the cake I was so incredibly happy! I loved every second of the process. Finding the best ingredients, putting them together, smelling the flavors being added and combine, adjusting the recipe to fit my perception of what it should taste like..AHHH!! It was so fun, I want to make it again!
I have to say however, there was a bit of a lull in my baking high.... I had made this delicious beautiful cake!....but what now? I am on the hunt for something new, challenging, and of course :) pretty! I may settle for now in trying new flavors out in my baking. Or perhaps fillings... I haven't really made things with fillings... Anyway I may not ever be the best baker, but I have found that I love it! I know that it is an out for me and I can now plan accordingly :) Next finals week everyones waistlines better watch out!!!
