Cocoa Swirl Cake

This cake is actually called German Marble Cake. While making it, I swirled the cacao and yellow batter with a knife, probably more than it was required in the recipe. I did that as I do not like the bitter taste the cocoa layers in any cake.

The overall effect is quite good, as the cake is tasty and not too sweet. However, I skipped making the chocolate mocha frosting (see the recipe) to have a lighter treat and to adjust it to our tastes also (not everybody likes coffee as an ingredient). Besides, the swirly pattern, which would be covered by the frosting,  made the entire cake look quite interesting.
All in all, it is a good and easy to make coffee cake.

Another Southern Recipe

I love trying new (to me), traditional, Southern recipes. Of course I am always glad when we are pleased with the results of my tries. Recently, I have mostly made some new/old cakes. The one you can see in the picture is a yellow cake (made from a scratch) - a very useful and easy recipe which can be a basis for various baking creations. The fudge-like frosting reminds me the taste of the Polish fudge called 'Krowka'. All in all, together with the cake, it makes a deligthful (but quite sweet) dessert.
To bake the cake, I used two round 9" meatl tins (baking time was 20 minutes). Unfortunately, when I was making it, I had not enough vanilla extract to add to the frosting, which did not spoil its flavour though. However, next time I will cut down on white sugar, to make the frosting a bit lighter.

I followed the original recipe (with white sugar for the frosting). It was not difficult, you just need to cook and boil the fudge mixture long enough, stirring it all the time. It makes the white sugar dissolve/ change its structure and blend with all the other ingredients. As you can see I put pecan halves on both layers of the frosting. It makes the taste of the cake even more interesting.

The traditional recipe was found here.

Very Good Coffee Cake

This is a great cake with a touch of cinnamon, brown sugar and pecans. Not too sweet, just right to enjoy it and have more than one piece at a time. It is a good everyday dessert option and a wonderful treat which would be appreciated at any holiday gathering as well.

Since the ingredients are the basics, which are always available in my kitchen (flower, butter, cinnamon, an egg, baking powder, brown/white sugar and pecans), there is no need to do special shopping to make this cake. I like it as it makes the recipe really handy - I can make the cake any time, without prior planning.
The recipe, which was found here is certainly a keeper.

Chicken & (different) Dumplings

This is my husband's idea, which I like very much. While making this meal, instead of cooking the dumplings, it is much more convenient and easier  to use tortillas cut in little strips. After adding them to the soup, you cook the chicken and tortilla pieces for a few minutes. The result is really good - nice, light and tasty 'dumplings'. A little thing but makes life simpler!