A SWEET START:CELEBRATING WITH A CAKE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!


These birthday wishes goes to my wonderful husband and my sweet brother who happen to share their birthday (actually their b'day was on June 20th but due to some problems with my computer I could not post it until today).

I am a pharmacist by profession but these days I am a homemaker, taking care of a baby girl. Before marriage, I used to help my mom in the kitchen but never showed any enthusiasm in cooking. When I came to USA (2 years back) to join my husband, I also carried a bundle of recipes in my suitcase, some were the pages tore off from magazines or newspapers, others were the recipes jotted down on pieces of paper from the TV cooking shows and some cookbooks. I do not claim that I am a pro now but my cooking skills have improved over time and why not if u have a husband who is ready to eat anything (edible) u cook.... :):):):)

One day when I was looking for new recipes on internet, I came across some fantastic recipes on some beautiful blogs. I was not aware of food blogging at that time, as I explored further, I realized there were very few pakistani food bloggers on blogosphere. When I told my husband about it, he encouraged me to start a food blog of my own and even suggested its name (although I replaced 'S' with a 'X') & here I am with my very first post, I can't think of any other occassion to start "MIXCALCULATIONS" than this one.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

Black forest cake is the perfect cake to embrace any occassion because of its rich appearance and taste. This was my first attempt and it was an instant hit. I followed this recipe from a Pakistani cookbook.

INGREDIENTS

4 EGGS(IF U HAVE SMALL EGGS THEN TAKE 5 EGGS)

1 CUP PLAIN FLOUR

3/4 CUP SUGAR

1 TEASPOON UNSALTED BUTTER

1 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER

4 TBSP HOT WATER

1 TBSP COCO POWDER

STEPS OF PREPARATION

1.Preheat oven at 325F and grease a 9 inch round pan.

2.Sift flour,coco powder and baking powder together three times.

3.Beat eggs for 5 minutes then add sugar slowly(1 tbsp at a time)and beat for 10 minutes.

4.Fold all sifted dry ingredients into the egg and sugar mixture with a wooden spoon.

5.Dissolve butter in hot water and add to the mixture.

6.Pour the batter in the baking pan and keep in preheated oven at 325F for 35-40 minutes.

7.Check for doneness by inserting cake tester or toothpick or bamboo sticks.

8.Let the cake cool for 10 minutes then cut into three halves horizontally.

9.I didnt have 2 9"pans so I made 2 cake layers one by one.

INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING/DECORATING

8 Oz HEAVY WHIPPED CREAM TUB

DUNCAN HYNES CHOCOLATE FROSTING

CANNED CHERRIES

1 HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE BAR

FILLING/DECORATING CAKE

1. Beat 8 oz heavy whipping cream till soft peaks form, add sugar 2 tsp at a time and beat well.

2. Place a layer of cake on a serving plate,apply chocolate frosting ,place 2nd layer of cake.

3. Apply cream with a spatula or use knife,then grate chocolate bar,keep cherries and decorate it with cream.

As I am new in blogging any suggestions and feedbacks are welcome.Happy cooking and keep visiting "MIXCALCULATIONS".