Latest Baking Endeavors

I've not completely stopped baking, even though I've dropped out of The Daring Kitchen.  Most recently, I baked a strawberry cardamom-cream cake in order to use some of the whole cardamom seeds I received for my birthday last year.  I found this recipe when I did a search for cardamom-infused cream.  I thought it sounded like the ideal thing to take to Care Group - since they're always my guinea pigs.  This was a supreme failure, in my opinion.  The cake was very dry, despite me watching it like a hawk and actually underbaking it a little.  The cardamom in the cream was overpowering.  I didn't like it and I told everyone that I didn't like it and I wouldn't be offended if they tossed theirs without eating it.  It. Was. Yuck.  Next time, I go with the "Heart of Darkness Brownies" from Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey.   Yeah, there's something to take to church...something named "Heart of Darkness."

Brad isn't home tonight, Elizabeth is at her grandparents in TN.  I told the other three we'd watch a movie and have popcorn.  Popcorn in Brad's stove-top popper is not my strong suit.  But, I promised Nin I would try.  She said, "Kettle corn?!" since I'm the only one who will make Kettle Corn.  "Sure, I'll see what I can find."  I found this recipe from Our Best Bites when I googled "stove-top kettle corn."  I made it in Brad's stove-top popper even though it says you don't have to do so.  It is perfection!  I've gotten six "thumbs-up" from the three kiddos at home.  That's a good thing since I burned the last two batchs of kettle corn I made (one on the stove, one in the oven).

Next up...in a couple of weeks...Heart of Darkness brownies.  I'll let you know...but, um, they have Snickers in them.  So, I'm sure they won't be bad unless I burn them!