poppyseed cake and a great time

I had a party on friday night :)...

In honor of a dear friend visiting and in order to get to know my neighbors better!

fun women, great desserts, free flowing wine. Here's to a good time!

in love. trish

This cake harkens back to my high school days of babysitting. A family I used to sit for had this on the counter one night as I watched TV and listened to sleeping-baby-gurgles on the monitor. I indulged in a hefty piece and was hooked-I asked for the recipe. The original version was made with a yellow cake mix. I've modified it since!

poppyseed cake

1 3/4c cake flour

1/4 t baking soda

1 3/4 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1 small pkg vanilla instant pudding

1/3 c butter

1 c sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c sour cream

1 t vanilla

1/3 c poppyseeds

1/3 c cooking sherry

sift flour, soda, baking powder, pudding and salt into a medium bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla, sherry, sr cream and eggs to butter mixure and blend well. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour wet mixture into it. Blend these well then add poppyseeds. Pour batter into a buttered bunte cake pan. Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow to cool 30 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely then glaze with 1/4 c powdered sugar, 1T milk mixed glaze. Indulge!

Pause; Live life in between the doing

pastry class extraordinaire
Last night was the final class in my pastry arts series. Each class has been punctuated by at least one invaluable lesson and last night was no exception. I thought I would be hard pressed to enjoy myself and most assuredly find the subject matter boring-based on plenty of hands on experience in my own kitchen in this subject matter. But lo and behold, I was enlightened! Who knew genoise could be so enriching?! And butter cream...don't get me started!

My cake is on the top right shelf. Now it is in pieces, crumbs actually, in my own frig. Maybe there will be enough to share with the guys....if they're nice.

I will miss the time learning, but will certainly undertake another course to enhance my skills now that I've begun investing in this creative pursuit! Maybe I'll check into candy and chocolate making...yum.
Who knew twelve women could pack away so much sweet?! It was to die for...you had to be there.
Look for a store front some day-Trish's Tarts and Arts. Has a ring to it, don't you think!? And, in the meantime, if you are in the Seattle area, let me know. I'm on a roll. Too much pastry! Trish