Sunflowers

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sunflower Tea Cozy and Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

I invited my best friend over for tea this afternoon 
so I could use my lovely new sunflower tea cozy from Claire at Sweet Birdy Love.
Isn't it pretty?  I love all the cute things she creates for her craft booth!


I brewed one pot with Earl Gray and a second pot with China Oolong
and we sipped tea and chatted away the afternoon.   


We also tested out a new cake recipe from  Picky Palate.com.
Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cake With Pumpkin Spice Buttercream.
(I hope you will visit her website for this cake recipe and many others.)


Let me tell you, it passed with flying colors.
Yummy!  Super moist!  And ultra chocolatey!
The pumpkin flavor is very subtle.  And I think next time I will add a
tiny bit of cloves and/or nutmeg for additional spice in the frosting.
It made two BIG loaves with enough icing to spread on very thickly.
We ate part of the first one with our tea,
and I shared the second loaf with my new neighbors down the block.



1 box devils food cake mix
1 small box instant chocolate pudding
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
4 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
15 ounce can pumpkin (reserving 2 Tablespoons for buttercream)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips


Frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons reserved pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray two 9×5 inch bread pans with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a stand or electric mixer, place cake mix, pudding mix, oil, buttermilk, eggs, sour cream and can of pumpkin, and chocolate chips–mix all ingredients until well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Divide cake batter evenly into prepared bread pans. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until cooked through.

3. While cakes are baking prepare the buttercream. Place butter, reserved 2 tablespoons pumpkin and cinnamon into stand or electric mixer. Mix on high until well combined. Slowly add the powdered sugar until thick and creamy. Slowly add the milk until buttercream is a nice consistency. Frost over cooled cakes, slice and serve.

Makes 16 servings

Notes:  This recipe can be used to make 24 cupcakes.  Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes, until baked through. This recipe can also be used to make two 9 inch cakes for layered cakes.  I’d start the bake time at 30 minutes at 350  and check often from there



31 comments:

  1. Yummeeee, Gayle that cake looks D E L I C I O U S and what a lovely welcome for some new neighbours.

    So glad you like the cosy and sounds like a lovely way to spend an afternoon too..........

    It's a beautiful, sunny day here and No. 1 and I are out whipping the grass into shape. Think it would've been easier if we just let the cows into the yard ........

    Enjoy your week,

    Claire :}

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  2. Sounds delish! I'm sure your new neighbors liked it.

    Your blue ghost post was so funny!

    Melinda

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  3. I love that tea cozy - it is SO cute! And I'd better stay away from that cake...I'm afraid that I'd have to go back for seconds! ;-)

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  4. Looks delish! Might have to give it a good and by the way sipping the afternoon away sounds great!

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  5. It all sounds so yummy - tea and cake! Lucky neighbours, to receive such a treat.

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  6. I thought that the recipe would be long and complex but am pleasantly surprised to see how easy it is. This looks like a keeper..I don't think I have every seen anything quite like it, thanks for passing it on.

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  7. The tea cosy is delightfull, love the sunflower motif.
    Tea & cake with a friend, does life get any better?
    Have a great week, oh! and send me a piece of cake if you get the chance, merci!

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  8. YUM!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe. Your dessert looks like the perfect addition to your lovely tea.

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  9. What a rich recipe! I like a lot of pumpkin flavor, I'll stick with pie.

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  10. I LOVE Claire's tea cozies! And if I were a good wife, I'd make that cake for my hubby...

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  11. Looks really yummy, will have to try this for sure!

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  12. What a lovely thing to do for your best friend and your new neighbor too. The table looks so pretty and that tea cozy is Adorable!! I'm not familiar with this blog, but will be heading over there for a visit.
    The cake looks and sounds heavenly.

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  13. What an adorable tea cozy! Thanks for sharing the Chocolate Pumpkin cake recipe, that sounds really good! I don't think it would last long in my house :)

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  14. Sounds like a delightful afternoon. Nothing better than sharing a cup of tea and a slice of cake with a friend over good conversation! The cozy is so pretty and the cake sounds delish. I'll check out the blog. Have a great day!

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  15. That cake looks and sounds yummy!

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  16. Just love the cozy! So cute. Thanks for sharing the recipe. blessings,Kathleen

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  17. Yum num num! I just tried that cake too! Isn't is delish? A tea party sounds like SO much fun!

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  18. I am still trying to get over the giggles from your post of yourself...It kills me how hard we are on ourselves...Love this pumpkin recipe and can't wait to try it. The tea cozy is darling. Smiles...enjoy your cooler week..Renee

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  19. It sounds like an amazingly MOIST cake. I am a tea lover, so you had me at just the tea.

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  20. Oh my this all looks so yummy..what a great way to spend an afternoon! I love your tea cozies. Hugs for a great new week.

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  21. Oh that cake sounds yum...but I dare not make it cause I would eat the whole thing. Really, I would, and then I would feel awful. Not sick, just awful that I really ate the whole thing.

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  22. How could you do this to me! And just when I was doing so good on my diet! I LOVE chocolate & pumpkin together!!! love love love!

    I saw your sweet comment to Koralee today & I thought, "I like that girl!" So I had to pop by & you know..I DO like you! love the joy on your blog too! Night!

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  23. You are such a good cook and hostess. I wish I lived close enough to sip tea with you.

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  24. That is a cute tea cozy-and looks like gooood cake!

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  25. OHHHHHHHHH I'm so tickled you wrote me!!!! My computer crashed AGAIN and I lost all my blog names! I was just sick about it! I'm going to go back to the basics and write them all down on paper!
    I've missed you!
    Thanks for the sweet congrats! We are excited.
    And when I opened your post....wowie wow wow.....Pumpkin Chocolate cake...what more could I ask for?? 2 of my favs.
    I'll be back soon...
    I feel like I just found my long lost cousin! HA!

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  26. I am making this divine cake in the morning Momma.....yummmmmm!

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  27. Your cake looks great! Thanks for vising JoAnn http://www.josthisandthat.blogspot.com/

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  28. Wish I was your neighbor, Gayle! I'd love to pop over for a cuppa tea & some of that yummy looking chocolate pumpkin cake!

    Love both tea cozyies...very cute!

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  29. Going to make as soon as possible. Thanks. Such a lovely blog too. Enjoy it.

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  30. What a lovely tea table - and the cake sounds delicious!!! And how nice of you to share.

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THANK YOU for your thoughtful comments. Replies to your questions will be posted here, so be sure to check back soon. Have a wonderful day! - Gayle, Garden Of Daisies