A New Camera And A Cloudy Day

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Hope everyone is having a livelier day than I've had.  It's just one of those days that happen more often than not around here.  The weather man says 18 degrees and the sun is shining so best take advantage of being able to wear a dress one last time.  Get dressed up and looking all pretty, run outside.  Sun is still shining yes!  Get to town...sky goes gray.  Air gets cold.  Tourists have coats on.  It's god damn cold.

I hate you Bergen.  I truly, honestly do.

But!  I didn't go out to enjoy the weather no sir.  I went out on a mission, and that mission was to break in my birthday present!  A beautiful, shiny, super pretty Nikon D3100!  Luurrrve ♥

This mission didn't go as planned though, because once I started taking pictures I quickly realized that I really suck at taking pictures.  So what's a girl to do?  Practice practice practice.  And practice. 

So, here for you are the results of my practicing...with a little surprise at the end.

(click each picture to make it larger, then click again to close) 

Getting there yea?  All good things come to those who wait.


And since you waited, here is a super yummy cake!  I almost didn't post this.  A mixture of horrible light and being a total noob resulted in less than stellar pictures, but given it's delicious no matter what it looks like I couldn't help but to share.  I know you guys will forgive me though, you have so far.

Banana Cake with Milk Chocolate Glaze 
recipe from The Pastry Affair


2 1/2 Cups / 315g Flour 
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder 
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon 
1/2 teaspoon Salt 
1/2 Cup / 113g Butter, soft 
1/2 Cup Sugar 
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar 
2 Eggs 
3 Bananas, very ripened and mashed 
1 teaspoon Vanilla
3/4 cup buttermilk 
or
1 Tablespoon Vinegar/Lemon Juice plus Milk to fill to 3/4 Cup


Preheat oven to 325F/160C. Grease, line and flour two 8-inch pans.

Mix together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well. Mix in the bananas and vanilla extract.

Add dry ingredients to banana mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, in 5 additions beating well after each.  Flour, millk, flour, milk, flour. Pour batter evenly between prepared baking pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans. Cool completely before frosting.  


Milk Chocolate Glaze 

12 oz/350g Chocolate, your choice
1/2 Cup / 113g Butter

Combine the two in a bowl over a double boiler (pan of simmering water).  Stir until melted and smooth.

Let cool for 2 - 3 minutes, stir, then quickly add some to a layer.  Stack the second layer then pour remaining glaze over the cake and smooth.  Serve.  This cake is even better the second day.