spring break calls for bake date!

One of my good friends, Sam, was on spring break this week so we decided to plan something fun. We both enjoy baking and don't have too many opportunities to, so that's what we decided to do! We're both Pinterest-lovers so of course we're always seeing gorgeous desserts that look delectable, as well as FUN, and this was our chance to replicate them! ...or make our own masterpiece. But that's jumping ahead.

our plan a

After perusing various recipes and reminiscing on our favorites, we set out to make a chocolate cake with ganache topping and a layer of ganache in the middle. (My mouth has been watering for some ganache recently, and Sam had never enjoyed it.) 

the execution of plan a

We made our shopping list, went to the grocery, and began mixing!

First, the ganache. We started with the ganache so that it could have time to cool in the fridge. 

We used this recipe: http://littledelightscakes.com/ganache-cake/

1 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
2 TBL unsalted butter

It impresses me how simple ganache is to make! 

The ganache went into the fridge to sit for a little while.

The cake was then mixed up. For this we used a Devil's Food cake mix and split it between two 8x8 baking dishes. Our plan was to spread a layer of ganache on top of one cake and put the other on top with another lay of ganache. After the cake was finished baking - it looked and smelled great - I flipped it upside down over a cooling rack. 

Aaaaaand there is where our flexibility as master bakers comes in. The cake broke. I laughed. We groaned. I laughed some more. We both stood there giggling at the problematic twist. We discussed various options (us simply eating that cake and frosting the other one that was still in the dish), and then Sam came up with a winning idea! 

plan b

First step: crumble up the broken cake into the 8x8 dish.

Next: pour ganache (that has thickened a little from being cooled) over the cake. It seeps through the spaces and makes the already moist cake even more scrumptious.

Then: cut up strawberries in fourths or sixths and spread over the top.

For the record, we did go ahead and "ganache" (can that be used as a verb?) the cake that was still intact.

 the finished products

Devil's Food Cake & Ganache

Strawberry Ganache Galore

and LET ME TELL YOU, they were delicious. (personally, my favorite ended up being the Strawberry Ganache Galore).

Lip-smackin' goodness.

truly one of the best things in life: sharing chocolate with a friend