Originally published October 4, 2016
Death by chocolate cake
After I finished making and photographing this cake, I asked Charlotte if she wanted a bite. She said yes, so I gave her a forkful. “What do you think of the cake?” She paused, chewing thoughtfully and said, “Huh. Gooder than I thought it would be.” (Insert comically raised eyebrows) “Well what did you think it was going to be??” “Good, but just a little, um, not THAT good.” Thanks? I think??
5 years blogging!
Guess what guys!! Today is the 5 year anniversary of the day I started my blog! On October 4, 2011, I sat down at my computer and published the recipe for these Pumpkin Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip Cookies. I started my blog because I had just had a baby (Charlotte) and was totally bored with my new stay-at-home-mom gig. I mean the kid took like 4 hour naps, what was I supposed to do besides bake? It started as a hobby. I kept publishing recipes (3 times a week, very consistently) for years and never saw anything from it except fun conversations with my friends and family about what recipe I was making that week, and whether they had tried any. I loved sharing recipes, loved having my own catalogue of dinner ideas I wanted to make again and again (still the criteria for making it on the blog) and never really expected anything more than that.
But in January 2013, I published this innocent little recipe for Cilantro Lime Cucumber Salad, and my traffic went through the roof, something I never anticipated. Now I earn an income from my blog (did you know food bloggers are really just small business owners?) and it’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. I never had aspirations for owning my own business; I just knew I wanted to stay home with my kids while they were growing up. For me, I have the best of both worlds: being at home with them, but still having a career that is as demanding (or not) and fulfilling (or not) as I want it to be, because I’m the boss. I make up my own rules and hours, and even if I don’t follow them, no one can fire me.
Of course it’s not always sunshine and roses. Being your own boss also means that she can sometimes be an insane taskmaster who keeps you up all night working when all you want to do is sleep. (Ever see me post a recipe in the middle of the night? Yeah, that wasn’t scheduled. We’ll sleep when we’re dead, right boss?) But overall I am super grateful for this crazy and strange career of mine. The other day Charlotte said out of the blue from the backseat of the car, “Mom, did you actually start your own blog?” Yes I did. “You mean you did it all by yourself?” Yeah, I did. “Wow.” I’m glad that my kids will grow up seeing me work my butt off at something I am passionate about.
How to make chocolate bundt cake
Enough sap. Let’s talk cake! This one is another gem of a recipe from my dear Aunt Shirley, my mom’s sister. She’s an amazing baker and has quite the dessert reputation in our family. (My sister Nikki, who does not love being in the kitchen, said to me once as I was making cookies, “Karen! Oh my gosh! You’re like the Aunt Shirley of our generation!” Because her kids know me as the Bringer of Dessert. Little do they know that it’s all recycled work from MY aunt. NIKKI DON’T SHOW THEM THIS POST.)
I had a couple friends over the day I made this cake, and they both couldn’t believe it was a doctored cake mix. I can’t even believe this is a doctored cake mix. It is just so rich and chocolate-y. The sour cream and oil make it super moist. And of course drizzling the whole thing in ganache doesn’t hurt either. Because honestly there’s nothing less satisfying than a bite of dry, dense cake, amiright? One last thing: since it’s my blog-baby’s 5th birthday and all, if you would like to give a gift, I would love a comment telling me what your favorite recipe is from the blog, or the one you make most often for your family. Or just a favorite post or story. What I do wouldn’t be possible, of course, without you lovely readers, and I’m so glad you’re here. Thanks so much for reading and laughing and cooking with me! Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter Here are some other cakes you will love! The Best Chocolate Cake I’ve Ever Had « I stand by this title with the qualification “best homemade chocolate cake with traditional buttercream”
Mississippi Mud Cake « (brownie-ish cake. whole jar of marshmallow creme. top with fudge frosting. Need I go on?)
Chocolate Cherry Sheet Cake with Fudge Frosting:
You will love these other cakes from friends! Chocolate Mudslide Cake form Beyond Frosting Best Chocolate Cake from Life, Love, and Sugar Chocolate Oreo Cake from Will Cook for Smiles
