Flourless Chocolate Cake

When it comes to flourless baking, I can be apprehensive about the results. When subtracting a staple ingredient from a recipe, it looks like a corner is being cut. That alone, makes you question the integrity and flavor of the dish. Then, you add in almond meal-- a new to you ingredient--and that just throws you for a spin. However, this chocolate cake is good. Insanely good. Think of it as richer than a brownie and moister than a cake. It's rich and dense and best of all, easy.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

1 + 3/4 Sticks of Butter
1 C + 2 1/2 TBSP Chocolate (Ghirardelli 60% or 70% Bittersweet)
1 1/3 C Sugar
5 large Eggs
1 TBSP Almond Meal

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line the bottom of an 8 in round cake pan with parchment paper. Butter the parchment and sides of the pan.

Melt the butter and chocolate. Stir in sugar and allow mixture to cool for a few minutes. Whisk in eggs, one at a time to prevent from scrambling. Stir in almond meal.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until the center becomes firm. This cake does not set like a traditional cake, so the toothpick test won't work.

Let the cake cool in the pan then invert onto a plate. Allow the cake to fully cool before serving.

Top with powdered sugar and additional toppings of choice.

Blackjack

Premium XL Tight Spots 2" Short Angled Brush, Dunn Edwards in Blackjack

I decided I wanted a black front door years ago. However, living in an apartment didn't give me the option of going dark. When we bought our first home this last summer, I knew painting the door had to be one of the first projects I completed. Initially, I wanted the deepest black I could find. Then, I decided I wanted a softer black that was still murky & still moody, but not so harsh or to the point. & now, I'm craving a true black again [insert eye roll]. In pictures, the door appears black-- but it person, it reads more of a blue based charcoal. It could be that the artwork is pulling out the blue undertones in the door, but those pieces were painted by my oldest & dearest friend & I love them in the entry way. Eventually, I think this door will be repainted but for right now, I'm keeping it as is. 

Thanksgiving for Two

Even though it was just the two of us this Thanksgiving, I wanted the day to feel special. The night before, I made a cranberry sauce & a pumpkin pie cake. On the day of, I made skillet apple stuffing, mashed potatoes with cheddar & breadcrumbs, & a turkey breast. I dressed the table with brass candlesticks, gold flatware, & a linen tablecloth that made for a clean backdrop. I find happiness in simplicity & I'm glad I kept the table & menu from becoming too fussy.

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Damn Good Guacamole

This guacamole recipe is a household favorite. It's both buttery & light, with the avocados being the main focus & the ground cumin being the game changer. 

4 Ripe Avocados

1 Lime, Juiced

1 Small Red Onion, finely diced

1 Roma Tomato, diced

1 Jalapeño, deseeded & diced

1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped

1 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper

1 tsp Ground Cumin

Kosher Salt to Taste

Cut across the avocado's center & split in halves. Using a spoon, remove the pit & scoop the avocado out of it's shell. Place it in a mixing bowl & add the juice of a lime. Incorporate together using a spoon to break up the avocado. 

Stir in remaining ingredients & season to taste.

A Bare Start

White Houses in Greek Painting, Mission Painting, Blooming Cactus Painting, White Lady Painting

Moving from an apartment into a house will always leave you with bare walls and little furniture. And while I love a good bare wall, I also like layering in a space to make it feel lived in. The first room I decided to hang art was our living room. 

When purchasing art, I decided to find pieces that related to one another with color. Three of the four subjects in the paintings are primarily white, and three of the four paintings have cool tones tying them together. Going with cool tones and bright whites kept the walls feeling light. 

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies You'll Ever Have

Sometimes, when Pinterest promises the "Best ____" recipe, it delivers. These chocolate chip cookies take on a deep caramel flavor and a crisp, golden exterior. The trick to getting them to perfection is using the right amount of heat-- that is, baking on high for a short period of time. Topping them with sea salt ups the flavor and adds another layer of taste.