The Great Cake Debate

Did you know that red velvet cake is really just colored chocolate cake? { GASP. } Now, I am not so much a lover of chocolate cake.  Heresy for someone who likes to bake, I know.  I can pass up chocolate cake all day long and not bat an eye.  But put a red velvet cupcake in front of me and I can't say no.  It comes with cream cheese frosting!  Nothing that comes with cream cheese frosting can be bad.

A few girls in my office got into a debate last week regarding chocolate cake versus red velvet cake.  As the resident office-baker-wannabe, they called me in to mediate.  { Via Twitter.  While riding the shuttle bus.  I love technology. } And I'm more than happy to oblige, ladies.  This is my kind of assignment!

But how does one settle this great cake debate and determine if red velvet cake is indeed better than classic chocolate cake?  Or heck, can anyone even tell the difference?  I'm thinking that a blind taste test is in order.

I intend to bake a big ol' batch of miniature chocolate cupcakes and miniature red velvet cupcakes, both with identical cream cheese frosting.  { Please.  I paid attention in middle school science.  I know you can only test one variable at a time.  Even if my mom and sister, the teachers of the family, are probably laughing at me right now. I'm at least trying to make this legit. }

So now the question is... do we compare scratch recipes or should I use the same brand of box mix for more consistency?  What would you do? Do you have a recipe we should use? { And if you're in the office, do you want in? }

Photo Credits: Red Velvet Cake and Chocolate Cake

Sweet Daydreams

I think it's fair to say that most of us daydream about what we'd do with if we had more spare time.  I'd bet common answers are things like sleep, working out and other useful, productive things.

Me?  My daydreams most often involve butter and sugar... and preferably brown sugar.  { Sugar + Molasses = Yum. Amen and amen. } Which probably means I should be making more time to work out, not more time to bake. But then again I think everyone could use a little more butter and brown sugar in their life and I rationalize that really, I'm just trying to make the world a better place.  Everyone deserves a little something sweet.

And how about these somethings!  I will make all of these at some point soon.  I may just have to take a vacation day to do it. : )

{ Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes by Becky Bakes }



{ Pam Anderson's Apple Upside Down Biscuits, via Pioneer Woman.  And no, not that Pam Anderson. }

{ Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes by Annie's Eats }

Plus, there's a dessert that's been haunting me since I went to Dallas a few weeks ago.  We ate dinner at a great little place called Hibiscus and the food was stellar.  I had the Spec Americano & Crispy Goat Cheese, followed by Texas Wagyu Bistro Steak { and a bite of a coworker's Osso Bucco, OMG } and we all shared their Icebox Pie.

Now, fancy goat cheese and Osso Bucco seems a bit out of my league.  But the Icebox Pie was unreal and far more attainable.  "Crushed Butterfinger, vanilla ice cream, Oreo cookie crust and chocolate ganache."  That I can { and will } do.  Any taste testers out there? : )

Flashback Friday

Outside of the Fintstones, this was the best prehistoric show ever.

[ DINOSAURS! }

Katie even had a stuffed animal {dinosaur? } of the Baby.  With a pull string.  It said things like "NOT THE MAMA!"  Which meant so did Katie.  At least she didn't hit me with a frying pan.

And here's a fun fact for your Friday.  Kevin Clash, the voice of Baby, is also the voice of Elmo.  Thanks to him, I definitely still remember most of the words to this...

If I Were A Kid...

If I were a kid, I'd totally want this birthday party.  Or if I had a kid, I'd totally throw this birthday party.  Almost makes me want to have a kid, to throw a party like this.  { Not exactly a rational reason to bring a child into this world, I know.  Sigh.  One day I'll be ready for all that a baby brings and not just the birthday parties.  In the mean time, I'll enjoy uniterrupted sleep at night. }

Either way, cooking and parties.  My favorite things.  Yes, please!

{ Images courtesy of Hostess With The Mostess. }

I'd definitely do the giant cubby chef cutout.  And then I'd give in to the temptation to speak like the Swedish Chef.

Flashback Friday

Embarassingly enough, Spencer and I have started to DVR a show called "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel.  { Go ahead, laugh. } His parents watch it, my parents watch it... and it's pretty funny to see what people will bring in and try to sell.  Think "Antiques Roadshow" with the tatooed drama of something like "West Coast Customs."

We watched an episode the other night that had a woman who brought in these:

{ Photo courtesy of Dr. Eeyore's Hospital. Who knew Eeyore was a doctor? }

You guessed it.  An original 1985 Teddy Ruxpin and his buddy, Grubby.  I about did a backflip.  "OMG I STILL HAVE THOSE! They're somewhere in the cedar chest upstairs at Mom and Dad's!"  Turns out that Teddy and Grubby are only worth about $100 between the two of them, but they might be worth more someday.  Maybe.  And mine will have the added benefit of warding off moths for centuries.

While reminiscing about the way my poor Teddy Ruxpin's tape used to drag and his speech would slur { poor Teddy } was fun, the better part was in the conversation that followed.  Walk with me down memory lane.  Remember Popples?


{ Copyright StarSprinkles, or so it says.  More likely Those Characters From Cleveland, Inc.}

 How about that creepy three-foot tall talking Cricket doll like my sister had?

{ Who knew she had a brother?  He looks like Chucky! }

And then Katie starts sending me clips of old TV commercials for things we used to love.  Like Dunkaroos!

Oh heck yeah.  The vanilla ones were the best.  I'm really loving this.  And in the interest of nostalgia, I think I'll start a Friday tradition of posting something to reminisce about.

Did you have a Teddy Ruxpin? Popples? Or maybe a creepy talking Cricket, like Katie?  And the all-important question inquiring minds want to know... when it comes to Dunkaroos, vanilla or chocolate? : )