Recipe: Chocolate Bundt Cake

I love chocolate cake.  It's one thing that I would never be able to give up.  There's nothing like having a slice with a cold glass of milk, right before bed.  Le yum!  

Today I am sharing with you the best ever chocolate bundt cake recipe.   I've never tried this recipe with a regular pan because I've been trying to master the bundt.  Please make sure you follow the recipe... once I was distracted and accidentally swapped the measurements for the cocoa and the sugar.   We named the output, "crazy cake" -- it makes you crazy when you eat it due to all of that cocoa.

Now that I've finally mastered the bundt pan, there will be many more chocolate cakes in my future! 

Dry Ingredients:
1 2/3 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Put it in the oven for 55-60 min at 350F.  Let it cool for about 2-3 hours.  Turn the pan over on top of a large plate.  Lightly tap to release the cake.   Note:  If you have extra cocoa, dust the bundt with cocoa instead of floor.  Works just as well and adds a bit of oomph!

Leave it plain or decorate it.  It's up to you!

We use candles, even when it's not for a birthday

 I love this cake, it's "le yum"!

 Happy Baking,

My City: Rouge Beach

When most of us think of going to the beach in the city, we think of Ashbridges Bay.  However if you're looking for a less touristy alternative, consider a trip to Rouge Beach.   The beach is located right where the Rouge River meets Lake Ontario.  

Here's our first sandcastle of the year

You can fish in the river too!  See the guy at the bottom corner of the pic?  Wonder if he was able to catch any fish with the loud train overhead.  The kids loved seeing the Via train as well as the Go Train.

They could've spent their whole day digging for tiny stones

Hubby and I enjoyed the view...

While the kids practiced skipping pebbles

Love how they do everything together

It's a nice way to spend a lazy Sunday morning - much more low key than Ashbridges but just as nice.

Rouge Beach is located at 195 Rouge Hills Drive, Toronto.

Cha-cha-changes... Junior Kindergarten & The Royal Ontario Museum

This week I watched my little boy grow up a little bit.  Normally I don't notice the subtle changes until I go back and watch old videos.  This week he really showed me that he's growing up.   Here's what happened:

1.  Junior Kindergarten Visit

On Monday, we went to his school for a pre-junior kindergarten visit.  He wore his little man uniform shirt, a pair of shorts, runners, and his little backpack.  He really did look like a little man.  I was really proud of his ability to hold his own.  I was a little worried what it would be like, as he'll be one of the youngest in his class this September.  This visit was good for both of us... he got to see his class and I get to worry a little less.

Here's what made me smile:  1) He said "hi everyone" to the kids in the class without being prompted  2) He raised his hand to answer a question 3) He stood up in front of the class and read the number "14".   For a kid that has never been in daycare, he was really good!  I was surprised he could sit still for so long because I was getting fidgety.  But when a fly came into the classroom, he got distracted as did all of the other students.

Here's a picture of him finding something on the ground.  His "homework" has been all but forgotten.

2.  Visit to the Royal Ontario Museum with his friends

On Wednesday, we went to the Royal Ontario Museum with his little friend H.   They met at a kids party and then ended up taking some classes together (cooking and numbers) through the Ontario Early Years Centres.  This is the same friend that got this apron for her birthday.  

What really stuck out for me was that he was being "Mr Tour Guide" and telling her about all the cool stuff at the museum.  It was almost like he was showing off what he knew!  He was also really brave about going into the bat cave. -

When Matteo lost his shoe (worst thing that can happen in his world), Joshie stayed behind with his friend at the knights exhibit.  While I was busy hunting down the shoe, he showed her his favourite piece in the European collection (the "Lemon Lime" dish).  

Pals who like dinosaurs:
 

Must dig for bones... Poor Matteo is too short to dig for bones.

3.  Play Time with Little Bro

I hear him saying things like:

• It's not like that.  Do you want me to show you how?
• You get the first one you touch!
• You need to take turns!
• Do you want to play with me?

So yes, my baby is growing up.  I'm totally going to be the Mom that cries on his first day of school.