Chocolate Cherry Cake

Recipe: http://www.publicradio.org/columns/prairiehome/sundberg/2013/01/02.shtml

I have made this before. It is a recipe that has been around a while, I first found it in a recipe book that a friend's daughter was selling as a fundraiser for her school, when I  lived in West Virginia. Cook books that are from schools or churches seem to have the best recipes, because everyone seems to want to show their skills in the kitchen. I have found that they always seem to have the best variety of dishes to try. I actually look for handwritten books/journals/bags of recipes when I go to antique shops, or second hand stores. I have a zip bag of hand written recipes and notes from a dear, unknown woman. She added her personal thoughts to dishes, changed some things out, and generally let me know through her writings that she loved being in the kitchen. I like her. Even though I don't know her name, I like her.

Anyway...this was the last piece. I shared it with neighbors, and it is gone. I added some thawed out dark sweet cherries on the plate, just because I like them, but the cherry chocolate goodness comes through. The almond extract helps them along, and chocolate and cherry together is a delicious way to enjoy a cup of coffee. This makes a great breakfast!

Thank you, Mrs. Sundberg.  :-)

Three-Berry Refrigerator Cake

Recipe: http://www.publicradio.org/columns/prairiehome/sundberg/2012/09/11.shtml

Well, well, well. Not even bed time yet, and I have managed to get the last recipe done, and boy oh boy, is it looking good! The Supremes asked the Mr. if I had done anything for them to taste test lately. One won't be there tomorrow, but the other two will have no problem eating his share. I think they are getting used to a weekly treat, so when Mrs. Sundberg's recipe isn't a sweet one, I send one of my own along. Didn't take all that long to spoil them.

I did use a frozen pound cake, but whipped heavy whipping cream to mix in with the pudding and to top it with. I liked the idea of brushing the cake with orange juice. I think when it has had time to set, it will soften the cake a little and just add to the creamy, richness of it. It's sitting in the fridge now, and it won't be tasted until tomorrow, but it already looks good.

The loaf pan that I had was larger than the cake, but that just meant that the pudding/whipped cream/fruit mixture would have to be spread out to fill the gap. And there really was plenty of filling. Just more goodness to eat is my way of thinking. I had strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, but a lot of other fruits would do. Peach comes to mind as a possibility next time.

I will amend this post when I hear from the two taste testers tomorrow. The third one will be told in great detail about what he missed when he comes in on Monday.

They loved this and the salsa, and for a brief moment, discussed salsa on this cake. Men.

Thank you, Mrs. Sundberg.  :-)