ariel's making ... chef sam a birthday cake!!

today is chef sam's birthday -- so that means there's much to celebrate and a cake to be made!! he requested chocolate and walnuts ... and the rest was left to me.


for this cake you'll need:

1 stick of organic butter
3/4 c. organic sugar
1 organic egg
1 1/2 c. organic unbleached pastry flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 c. organic milk
1/2 c. organic fair trade cocoa powder
1/2 c. organic walnuts

start by melting the butter in a small cast-iron pan. i used the same pan to bake the cake in, so it was already buttered and ready to go!



mix the butter and sugar together and beat in the egg.


add the coco powder to the wet mixture.


add the rest of the dry ingredients and then mix in the nuts.


pour into the buttered frying pan and bake at 350* for about 45 minutes or 'til a knife comes out clean when you poke it.


now it's time to make the frosting! yum!

you'll need:

8 oz (one package) organic neufchatel cheese
2 T. organic blackberry jam (i used one from swanton berry farm)
1 T. organic milk (i used straus milk -- the best!)
4 T. organic maple syrup (i used some from native harvest ... a great organization)


mix them all together 'til pink and creamy!


once the cake is done, remove from pan and let cool at least one hour.


for a decadent garnish, i found some organic local raspberries to top the cake with (oh i just love living in california!).


this cake would also be perfect for valentine's day! hopefully chef sam doesn't think it's too girly ;)

let's celebrate!!

kisses,

ariel