S'mores Cakes in Jars

We're in the midst of my favorite time of year, particularly in NY. The weather is 60's and 70's. The flowering trees have blossomed. It's warm and sunny and happy. *sigh* Beautiful. But, spring is fleeting. Over before it even really begins. And then we have summer.

But that's totally OK, because I love summer too.

Summer is shorts, flip flops, tank tops, and pure, embracing, sunny heat. It's long days and warm nights. It's green grass and yellow sun and blue skies. Growing up it meant spending all my time swimming at my grandma's pool, playing with my cousins. It meant running around with my friends as the sun went down, catching fireflies and watching flickering flames of the bonfires our dads would have. It meant family and friends and fun and lazy days.

It also meant s'mores.

I've gotten all gooey (figuratively and literally) about s'mores with you guys before. 

Suffice it to say: I love em.

So, in preparation for all the summer fun to come, I've got a fun (and portable) s'mores treat for ya. These are ideal for picnics, barbecues, parties, and such. Or, if you're me, just sitting in your apartment with a spoon. S'mores cakes in jars! Yes yes yes. Fabulously buttery graham cracker crust layered under moist chocolate cake, then topped with sweet, toasty marshmallows. Then ya dig in with a spoon and get messy. They're pretty darn easy to throw together-and they're really yummy leftover too (seriously, pop em in the microwave for 1 minute and you're good, or you could even just eat em room temp. Your call.)

These are about to be one of your new favorite things.

And...you may end up with some extra batter.

I made a cute little loaf cake with crumbled graham crackers on top.

You could make cupcakes.

Or just eat it.

You know me, I don't judge.

Chocolate Truffle Tart

Um so...prepare for a million drool inducing photos.

Happy almost blogaversary The Cooking Actress, have some (sort of) cake.

You'll love it. It's chocolatey and rich and dense and fudgy and pretty much everything you love about life.

And added bonus?

The boyfriend likes it too

(because it's served cold, and thusly makes him like it. Because he doesn't like most desserts warm...

...including cookies.

I KNOW.

he's crazy)

Pretty much it's another one of those amazing flourless chocolate cake/tortes.

But for some reason this one seems super sophisticated and fancy.

Like...I could eat this while wearing evening attire under dim lighting with important people

...but I also could still eat it in bed, in my pj's, while watching TV.

It's a versatile cake.

I'm getting hungry looking at these photos again. 

I'm sad that we ate all of this. I miss it. *sigh*

But sorry, don't let me get you down! YOU can still have this cake and indulge in the velvety texture, sinful flavor, and bliss-inducing wonder that is this tart/cake/torte (or whatever it is).

Honestly...I'm not one of those people who makes pretty food. My food tastes delicious, but...it's rare when it is pretty. I'm unsure if it's a matter of my lack of patience or if it's a lack of talent, or perhaps I just am SO preoccupied with it tasting amazing, the appearance portion is just sorely neglected? Either way, it's a bit of a point of shame for me.

But this chocolate truffle tart is PRETTY. It is one of the pretties things I've ever made. I just gazed at it in wonder, so proud and so excited. Perhaps that's why there's so many photos. I am so pleased that I just wanna show off.

Plus..I mean...come on....chocolate.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Do you need a show-stopper dessert for the upcoming (AHOMGSUPERSOON) holiday?

Do you want something that takes very little effort, and that you can even make ahead of time?

Do you want THE ABSOLUTE BEST LAVA CAKE I'VE POSSIBLY EVER HAD?!?

Yes?

Good, you're smart. I like that about you.

I've already waxed poetic about my very deep love for lava cakes...it's chocolate cake...with a melt-y chocolate lava center. 

So...yeah. 

At some point when it was just starting to get around that "Kayle likes to cook.", Michael's dad suggested I try out his wife, Jeanne's, recipe. She facebook messaged me the very simple recipe and I stored it away to try...at some point. To be honest, I wasn't that optimistic. I'm always nervous when trying a recipe that I don't have photos of or detailed instructions. But, I was in the mood to make some lava cake a couple weeks ago, and Michael suggested I try Jeanne's-I had all the ingredients so I figured, "Why not?" While I was baking these up I thought to myself, "Huh, there isn't that much chocolate in here, I wonder if these will be any good?"

Oh yeah past me, they are VERY good! AND you do not need to worry about whether or not they'll be underbaked enough or whatever so that the "lava" will come out: it will be perfect. The lava was the best part and it was no issue at all. These cakes are so so sooo perfect! And once you've portioned the batter into ramekins, you can cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Since I like these best fresh, I just baked 2 at a time over the next few days (1 for Michael and 1 for me). I cannot say enough how perfect this recipe is. Amazing lava cakes. Just amazing. Jeanne is a smart lady.

Mini Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes

I know I've been a terrible tease.

I shared all those photos of the deliciousness that I made for Michael's birthday, and I haven't shared any of the recipes yet. I'm truly sorry.

I promise-I will eventually get around to posting them all! 

In the meantime, if there are any that you're absolutely dying to have, like, right this second-let me know. I'll make sure to put them on here A-tothe-SAP.

So. Cheesecake. Not my cup of tea. Just being honest-I'm not a fan.

That said-I'm aware I'm a minority on this. And Michael, like, completely loves cheesecake. So, I decided to be nice, and make him these adorable mini raspberry cheesecakes for his birthday. And boy, these have lasted! Warning: this recipe makes A LOT. Be prepared for tons of leftovers. That, or make these for a big party or something. I'm serious. We just finished the last of them. His birthday was almost a month ago. Yeah. I also had a really hard time just baking the large volume (#1-I only have 1 muffin tin and #2-only so much room in my oven), I had to do multiple batches and that led to some difficulty. And, after the first batch all sunk down and cracked, I decided to do a water bath for the rest-which is annoying, but I completely recommend you do. All of the difficulties were worth it, though, when I saw how much Michael loves them! Michael likes the size a lot-they're great portions. He says the graham cracker crust is really good and the consistency is nice and fluffy and light-not too heavy like some cheesecakes can be. And there's raspberry-which he really loves. So, all in all, a winner :). I definitely recommend you try these sometime!

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake + CHOBANI Review

I don't like coffee.

But, like, everyone else does. And when 20-somethings get together, it is often for "coffee". Many times this coffee takes place at a Starbucks. And, so as not to appear rude, I have managed to find a few things there that I frequently order and like...of course they're not a beverage. My most favorite thing to get there is their coffee cake. I loooove it. It's cinnamon-y and brown sugar-y and cake-y but with a delicious crunch from the streusel. *sigh*. This is why, when I saw a recipe on The Baker Chick for a coffee cake that was hailed as BETTER than Starbucks', I immediately bookmarked it. I am so so SO happy I did. It IS even better. The cake is so moist, so fluffy and it is completely bursting with cinnamon goodness. I oftentimes find the cake to streusel/filling ratio lacking, but not here. This cake is heaven. AND you can make it the night before and bake it in the morning, which is so amazing because as ambitious as my morning plans are when I go to bed, that is how sleepy and lazy I feel when I awake. With this all I needed to do was take it out of the refrigerator and put it in the oven, and then sit on the couch, enjoying the heavenly smells wafting through the apartment. Ah yes, this is a coffee cake of wonders.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

OK, so, things are about to get crazy. 

And not just because of these cupcakes (which I'm totally gonna talk about in like a minute).

Last night, my cousin Amy and her friend came to visit me! Amy is one of my oldest cousins, but she's the one I always felt like I could relate to-the one that was most like me (which she sometimes takes as an insult *harumph* :P). I also adore her husband Uriah (who I may have had a crush on when I was like 6 and they'll never let me hear the end of it)-and now that I have Michael he gets along with them both really well, too, and is actually a lot like Uriah, lol. Anyway, Amy and Uriah have moved around a lot, and of course now I live in NY, so I don't get to see them nearly enough. Plus, barely anyone (other than my mom) ever visits me! So I am so so so excited for Amy's visit and we're going to have lots of fun! I'm telling you all this so you know why I may be less active for the next few days...and then for like...a week afterward. You see, Amy leaves on Monday (to her next destination: Atlantic City), and then early Tuesday morning I leave to go to Ohio for a visit! Michael's brothers have a joint (one from college and one from high school) graduation party that coming weekend, so he'll also be coming up after work on Friday. So I'll also be a little less...present...whilst I'm in Ohio. Don't worry, though, you'll still have plenty of delicious posts to read while I'm away ;).

Speaking of delicious! CUPCAKES! These are the first (and, unfortunately, so far the only) cupcakes I have ever made (not counting making boxed funfetti with my mom)! As I've mentioned before, in spite of the trendiness of cupcakes, cookies hold my heart. This does not mean, though, that I don't appreciate a good cupcake now and again. Because I totally do. Especially if they have filling. I had my first "gourmet" filled cupcake at Crumbs and I have never turned back. They are superior in every way to non-filled cupcakes. I love them. Mmm. These cupcakes are amazing! Perfect dark chocolate cupcakes with a rich peanut butter mousse frosting. Umm...awesome. The original recipe didn't have them as being filled but, like I said, every cupcake is better with filling. It was a good call. I really love these cupcakes. Honestly, best cupcakes I've ever had. Ever. And apparently I'm a natural! I did one of the most MacGyver'y ways of frosting these cupcakes (Ziploc bag-no piping tip), and had no idea how to frost a cupcake. Somehow, I inadvertently stumbled upon an actual frosting technique (I learned later) that looks like a rose (which is so kismet since I LOVE roses-my favorite flower!). And filling the cupcakes is super easy too (although I actually read about how to do that)-instructions are below. Now that I'm talking about this, I sort of want to make some cupcakes again. I think it's about time ;).

Buckeye Cake + Happy 1st Birthday to The Cooking Actress!

WOW! The Cooking Actress is 1 year old today!

  (and, coincidentally, my best friend is 21. Happy Birthday Alex!)

I can't believe it has only been a year! I remember debating whether I should start, resigning myself to the fact I would probably be the only one to look at it, and that my photos and site would just look awful.

But! In only a year I've managed to convince some of you crazy people to read, my photos have improved, I'm cooking and baking things I did not dream I'd be making (especially as often as I do), I've made some great friends, and this fun little blog of mine has consumed a piece of my life-and I couldn't be happier!

Flourless Chocolate Lava Cake

Chocolate Lava Cakes.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake.

Whatever you want to call it.

It's amazing.

My favorite dessert.

MOLTEN. CHOCOLATE. LAAAAVAAAA!

We're talking melty, warm, chocolate, gushing from the middle of a decadent chocolate cake.

That has Kayle written all over it.

Chocolate Decadence-Holiday Recipe Exchange: Week One (CHOCOLATE)!

I know what you're thinking-these are the most beautiful photographs you've ever seen, right? Look at how yummy! This was a pleasant little surprise for me, my friends. I was going through my old recipe box (from my pre-food blogging addition days) and saw this recipe for "Chocolate Decadence" with no picture. So...I really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I just knew...hey, with a name like that-it couldn't be bad, right? I also decided to make it because I had on hand all the ingredients necessary. Right around this time, some strange thing called Hurricane Irene kept coming up. I ignored it and assumed it was no biggie. The day before Irene was gonna hit though, I started noticing "Hey....like...everyone's freaking out?". So then, I actually looked into it. And got concerned. Although I don't live in an evacuation zone (Astoria, I was right outside of it), it was apparently almost definite I'd be without power. So, I went to the grocery store and picked up as many non perishables as you know....were there. It was crowded and awful and I was not happy. Michael, meanwhile, told me to stop overreacting that we'd be fine. My mom, kept telling me all the things I needed to do because, "Kayle, there is no doubt about it, you are definitely going to be without power for days." Obviously I was, you know, conflicted. I decided to play it safe though. Anyway, Saturday arrived, I had nothing to do, and Irene wasn't going to hit until that night. So I thought "Hmm...well...if the power goes out...at least I'll have chocolate?" So I made this. And it was glorious. I realized, what with the whole no flour thing, this was what can also be referred to as a flourless chocolate cake, or a torte. Um, I love those things. I lucked out! It is almost velvety in texture, rich, fudgey, melts in your mouth, just goooood. It's best cold and refrigerated so-good thing-Irene affected us not at all. We didn't lose power or anything. But hey! At least we had this! I'd been waiting for the perfect time to share this with you guys because really...this is one of my favorite recipes, for sure, now. And now is the perfect time! Two of the blogs I read regularly (My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats) have a Holiday Recipe Exchange-and week one's theme is CHOCOLATE!  Perfect! So, enjoy (and go to the link at the bottom of the post to find out more about the exchange) :)

Raspberry Ice Cream "Cake-Pie" (for Michael's birthday!)

September 17th was an exciting day at our household. It was Michael's birthday!!! I've never been able to spend his birthday with him before (he was always in Ohio and I was here in NYC), so I was soooo excited! He hates having a lot of focus and attention on him, so I agreed no presents, no party, no going out-I just wanted to be able to make him dinner. The post about his dinner will follow. This is about his birthday "cake" (tech. a pie). Michael and I have different tastes in desserts, as I've mentioned, so I wanted to make him something that I don't like but that he would. Enter this "cake-pie" (as we came to call it). It has the trifecta of Michael's dessert loves: berries (esp. raspberries), dark chocolate, refreshing (ice cream). He LOVED it! Yay! So, if you're like him at all, you should love this too.