Spring Break, Play Dates & Chocolate Cake

I've been so bad with any kind of regular posting on this blog despite having made a promise to keep it updated. But as I always say, "life really does run away with you sometimes" and we've been so preoccupied lately; it's been hard to find time to write anything.

Although, this doesn't mean that I haven't been mentally taking note of numerous ideas to write about, I just have to put it out there into the ether, so to speak. We are currently in the process of wrapping up our Spring Break, which was a much needed two week-long (*happy face*) relief from the various bouts of illness we've all been contracting from school. It is so nice to have decent, quality time with the girls, I'm talking about the kind of time that spans longer than a weekend.

We've had some rather interesting and chuckle-worthy conversations, we've cooked together, gotten homework out of the way (albeit one newspaper report currently being completed), honoured our plans of play-dates at the park, celebrated birthdays and visited friends and family. A lot got done this holiday! The kids couldn't have been happier but it would seem a whole two weeks of fun and games is enough for now as the girls can't wait to go back to school on Monday. I've loved, loved, loved having them home and under my mothering eye.

Play Date: Burning off some energy at Valentines Park.

So, with the usual and somewhat monotonous school-run looming, I have a few recipes in the works, one of which I am sharing with you in this post. I hope your taste buds find it flavourful and fulfilling, no matter what the day. Sometimes, we all just want a little slice of cake.

Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Cake

A friend of mine directed me to this recipe some time ago and this is the second time I have made this cake. It is incredibly calorific and I personally find that it feels heavier than most flour based cakes but it tastes absolutely divine. You can find the link to this recipe here and also another version can be found here. My method is a little more straight forward as I don't separate the egg yolks from the whites and I might vary some ingredients and measurements as these have suited my needs and preferences better. Overall, you end up with a deliciously rich chocolate cake with an almost fudge-like texture.

Gluten Free: Delectable and moist chocolate almond cake.

You will need:

• 150g of ground almonds
• 110g of melted butter
• 100g of dark chocolate (I use Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa)
• 100g of molasses sugar
• 4 large free range eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 50ml of almond milk

• 9" Baking tin/spring form tin and baking parchment (to line the bottom of the baking tin)

Birthday Cake: The kids can't get enough of this cake; layered with fresh strawberries from the market.

Method

Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius.

Melt the butter and dark chocolate in the microwave but do not let it get too hot. The best way to do this is to break the chocolate into small pieces and cube your butter before placing it in a microwaveable bowl and heating. It should only take approximately two minutes. Then add the vanilla extract.

Whisk the eggs well and add the almond milk. Combine the sugar with the butter and chocolate mixture and add into the eggs while blending. Add the ground almonds and combine the entire cake batter evenly.

Pour the batter into the lined baking tin and place in the middle of the oven. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the cooked in the middle. Test by inserting a toothpick; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Let it cool before you line with (quartered length wise) fresh strawberries.

A Cake Worthy of a Birthday Celebration.