The Great Pumpkin

Goodbye October-Hello Holidays

Well, October is officially over and the night of Bewitching is gone.  November and December 

will be such busy months and will be gone in a blink of an eye.  Before you know it we will be 

ringing in the New Year, but before all of these festivities begin, I want to share with you my 

most precious joys and treasures(including my children) my grandchildren-they were all dressed 

up for Halloween!



Thinking ahead to Holiday baking I have included a great recipe for Rich Chocolate Pound Cake.

I like it because of it's simplicity, rich chocolate flavor and beautiful presentation.

Afton-Captain America's Daughter (6 years)

Afton is the first of our grandchildren, she is delightful, honorable and an enthusiastic little girl 

with a  "can do attitude!"

Maisy-Tinkerbell- very enthusiastic (3 years)

Maisy is our second grandchild, she and Afton are sisters.  Maisy dances through life, loving all of 

her family and sprinkling pixie dust wherever she goes!

Wyatt a very ferocious lion (5 months)

Wyatt is our third and only grandson,  he engages everyone with his sweet innocent smile, lots of 

giggles and makes us all feel loved with his warm deep brown eyes.



With this great bunch of family, Christmas is sure to be a delight, speaking of delights just look 

at this delicious cake-wouldn't this cake be a great addition to a dessert table for your Christmas 

gatherings?  


When I do some baking I often turn to Very Best Baking.com-I find this web site very 

manageable and the recipes are a bit "down home."  They remind me of cakes, candies, cookies 

and bars like the ones my Mom used to make.   Life is busy and messy! So, why not make it a 

little easier and stress free with some of these recipes.  I found this one today and I want to 

share it with you all from- Very Best Baking.

Rich Chocolate Pound Cake

I was just thinking how this cake could be dusted with powder sugar, and garnished with holly 

and berries for a beautiful Holiday look~


Ingredients                                                                              
                                                                                               
2 cups (12 oz pkg.) Nestle Toll House                        
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels divided                        
3 cups all-purpose flour                                                                                              
1 tablespoon baking powder                                          
1/2 teaspoon salt                                                          
2 cups packed light brown sugar                                    
1 cup (2sticks) butter, softened                                      
1 tablespoon vanilla extract                                            
4 large eggs, room temperature                                      
1/2 cup milk                                                                  


Direction

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease
and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan

Microwave 1 1/2 cups of morsels
in a medium uncovered, microwave-safe
bowl on HIGH power for 1 minute; STIR.
The morsels may retain some of their original
shape, if they do, microwave an additional
10-15 second intervals, stirring just until
morsels are melted. Set aside and cool to
room temperature.

Combine baking powder,salt,sugar, and flour in medium bowl
and set aside.
Beat sugar, butter and vanilla extract in a large
mixer bowl until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time
beating well after each addition.  Beat in melted
chocolate. Gradually beat in flour mixture,
alternately with milk.  Spoon into
prepared Bundt pan.

Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick
inserted in cake comes out clean.  Cool in pan for
30 minutes.  Invert cake onto wire rack to cool
completely. A little tip- put a large heavy book
on top of the inverted cake it will help it to slip
out of the pan just a bit easier!!


Frosting; This is such a mess free frosting
because it is already in the bag!!

Microwave remaining morsel in heavy-duty
plastic bag on HIGH power for 45 seconds; knead
bag.  Microwave an additional 10-15 second
intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut a small hole
in corner of bag; squeeze to drizzle over cake.      
           









Hope you are looking forward to your Holidays Too!