Fudge

Each year, the mums at my boys' school bake a variety of sweets for the boys to enjoy on Valentine's Day. A group of volunteers work hard all morning to gather all the sweets together and make beautiful trays which are displayed on a huge table. After having their lunch, the boys come and make themselves a plate of sweets - cakes, fudge, candy brochettes, cookies, etc!

I make fudge every year. My sons' friends know about the fudge and come help themselves first in case it runs out quickly - that makes me a very happy mamma!

I learned this recipe from my mum and it is super easy. You can't fail at making this fudge!

Fudge: 

1/4 cup of 35% cream
1/2 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of corn syrup
2 cups of granulated sugar
6 oz semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

I line a large baking tray with parachement paper and once I have poured the fudge in it, I let it cool for about 15 minutes and then put in the fridge overnight. The next day, I remove the fudge and cut it into cubes or rectangles.

It never fails to please everyone! Those boys at school were very happy!

'Just Because' cake

There is nothing more relaxing than being in the kitchen by myself and baking. Today I decided to surprise the kids with their favourite homemade chocolate cake.... they love when there is a cake waiting for them 'just because'!!

I have tried many recipes over the years that claim to be the 'best chocolate cake' but in the end I have created my own. When you have a good thing, you stick to it!!

Ingredients:

A little butter to grease the pans
Flour to dust over the butter in plans

Cake:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup of sour cream
1 1/3 cup of water
3/4 cup of melted milk chocolate

Bake at 350 C for 35 minutes.

Icing:
1 pound of room temperature butter
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
4 cups of icing sugar
1/2 cup of melted milk chocolate (incorporate the chocolate when all the other ingredients have been mixed together)