Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Original Recipe HERE

This was *J*'s first birthday cake.  Since he wasn't old enough to express a preference, I chose for him.  None of that "my children don't have a taste of sugar until they go to Kindergarten" baloney around here.  I don't know if he liked it, but I certainly did.  I didn't use the ganache suggested in the orignal recipe; I made a frosting that I could tint blue.

P.S. BTW FWIW FYI The above link has some tips worth reading to make the cake be as successful as possible.

Ingredients
3 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups sugar
1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
1-1/3 cups canola oil
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups freshly brewed, extra-strong hot coffee
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
(1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9" cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
(2) Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl.
(3) Using an electric mixer set on low, add oil, buttermilk, and eggs each separately into flour mixture.
(4) Add hot coffee in a thin stream, pouring down the side of the bowl.
(5) Add vanilla; mix until batter is smooth.
(6) Divide batter evenly into pans.  Bake until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs, about 30-35 minutes. Let cool in pans for at least 20 minutes.
(7) When ready to frost, remove cakes from pans. Place one layer of cake on serving plate. Trim top with a serrated knife to make it even if necessary.  Frost.  Trim top off other layer and place untrimmed side on top of frosted layer, pressing gently. Frost top and sides.

Kid Participation:
* Sift dry ingredients
* Add wet ingredients while keeping little fingers far from rotating beaters

Homemade Latte

I love Starbucks lattes but can't justify the price - especially since it was just raised again.  I've reached my breaking point.  I've also given up on them - and mochas - because an unacceptable amount of room is now being left at the top of the cup (I even heard another customer talk to a barista about that, and he confirmed it, so it's a bona fide conspiracy).  And I'm tired of being handed a cup of regular coffee and immediately popping the top off and asking them to fill it some more.  Yes, I have a lot of rage towards Starbucks (which has been channeled into several complaint emails), but I keep going back...it's an abusive relationship.  "I just can't quit you."

Tangent over.  Anywho, I experimented at home with what I had on hand.  The result is just as good as what I get in the store.  I've only made them cold, but I'd think that it'd work well if heated.  The only challenge I have is that the drink "settles" pretty quickly, and I have to keep stirring (not a problem since I'm usually drinking it with a straw).  I have to play around with preparation time, like whether making it the night before gives more time for the ingredients to fully dissolve in the milk.

Unfortunately, I haven't escaped Starbucks' hold completely, since I use the VIA packets.  However, you get 12 for under $7.00, so it's still a good deal and gives you something very close to that particular Starbucks-y taste.  Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see a recipe guide included in the VIA package with how to make ?eight? different drinks.  So if I can scale back my addiction to just VIA packets and two minutes of effort at home, I'm OK with that.  No need for any 12-step programs.

Ingredients

1 to 1 1/2 cups milk [I use a combination of skim and 2%]

1 Starbucks VIA packet

1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder [optional; use if making a mocha]

1/2 to 1 Tablespoon sugar

cinnamon [optional]

Directions

(1) Add all ingredients to a small food processor or blender (I use a Magic Bullet).  Blend until combined.

(2) Taste and add ingredients as needed.

Notes: I don't like how much sugar goes into this, but it's too bitter otherwise.  I will experiment with other sweeteners (like the unopened agave in my pantry).  Also, adding a drop or two of an extract (mint, almond, coconut) could be just as good as paying $0.40 for a flavor shot.

Kid Participation: None...no caffeine for them!