My cousin Lani was over the other day with her baby girl. Rowan was being a little fussy, so Lani asked if I had any straws, because that’s how Rowan usually drinks her milk.
“Oh shoot, I think we’re all out!” I started opening random drawers to jog my memory of where I might have put them if I did have any. I shut them all and headed across the kitchen to continue my search. Lani stopped me, and with a strange look on her face, opened the drawer that I had just shut to show me this:
An entire drawer. FULL OF STRAWS. I swear guys, this is how you know your life is weird. When you no longer think of items in terms of usefulness but in terms of prop value.
Do you see the straw in this photo? THAT POP OF COLOR WILL BRING ME TO THE TOP, GUYS. It’s totally making you want to eat this cake, right? RIGHT?? Eric thinks it’s ridiculous that I have a humungous straw collection but no one is allowed to use them for their drinks. But hello, have you seen how much they cost? Plus, they are freaking made of paper. Soggy much? Plastic straws for drinking. Paper straws for random pops of color. I kind of hate myself right now. (P.S. I let the baby have a paper straw. I’m not completely heartless, okay?)
Do you guys love the chocolate cherry combo? I didn’t used to be a fan but I am all over it these days. It was these Buried Cherry Cookies that changed my mind. They are the best. This cake is great for when you need to come up with something delicious but you don’t want to have to think too hard. I’ll be perfectly honest and say that I didn’t measure everything out exactly. I wrote 1/2 cup sour cream for the official recipe, but really I just slopped some in. It looked like about a 1/2 cup. Same with the mini chocolate chips. It was probably about 3/4 cup. But if you add 1/2 cup or 1 cup, no big deal. I found this recipe in an old collection that my mother-in-law gave me. I doctored it up a bit. The original just called for “1 pkg. cake mix” and I’m sure this recipe is old enough that back then it was an 18.75 ounce cake mix. (Have you noticed cake mixes have been decreasing in weight? That and everything else…) But it worked just fine. My mom hates this trend and will measure out the extra 3 ounces from a new box when she makes a cake. But I haven’t really noticed a difference, especially for recipes like this.
Are you guys eating at home for Valentine’s Day? We definitely are, and not just because it’s a Sunday this year. Valentine’s Day has got to be one of the worst nights of the year to eat out! Here are some ideas if you want to make a fancy but easy dinner at home: Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken with Asparagus Pan-Seared Salmon with Maple Glaze and Pistachios Asian Pork Tenderloin with Ginger Glaze (Slow Cooker) Brown Butter Gnocchi with Prosciutto and Asparagus Restaurant-Style Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Bread Dip «< serve this as an appetizer and you will get 100 fancy points. But dessert is kind of essential for Valentine’s Day. If you make this Chocolate Cherry Sheet Cake, snap a photo and share on Instagram using #TheFoodCharlatan. I’d love to see it! Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter Other cakes you will totally love: The Best Chocolate Cake I’ve Ever Had « no lie.
Cream Cheese Chocolate Cupcakes « these are my favorite cupcakes! Can’t beat cream cheese filling!
Strawberry Truffle Cake « this is another one that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Other amazing cakes from friends! Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake from Life Love and Sugar Cherry Coke Poke Cake from Crazy for Crust Chocolate Cherry Cake from Yellow Bliss Road
