Chocolate Bundt Cake

I love baking and have decided to use our blog to occasionally post some of my latest creations. Today I made "Chocolate Lover's Dream Cake" for a party. It is an easy recipe, using boxed cake mix. It is from the Betty Crocker Simply Desserts cookbook, which I received as a Christmas gift... thanks Sarah!

Cake:
1 pkg butter recipe chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup chocolate milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
1 container (16 oz) sour cream
1 pkg (4 serving size) chocolate fudge instant pudding & pie filling mix
1 bag (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

Glaze:
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons water

• Heat oven to 350 F. Generously grease 12-cup bundt cake pan with butter; lightly flour.
• In large bowl combine cake mix, chocolate milk, butter, eggs, sour cream, and pudding mix (dry) with spoon until well blended (batter will be very thick). Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon into pan.
• Bake 55 to 65 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn pan upside down onto wire rack or heatproof serving plate; remove pan. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat glaze ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently, until chocolate chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Note... This cake is very chocolaty!
I recommend enjoying it with some fresh strawberries or vanilla ice cream.

We're Moving

Some of you may know that we've been talking about moving for a long time... well, we're finally doing it. In April we will be packing up our apartment in Walnut Creek, California and moving across the country to Raleigh, North Carolina. We are excited for this new chapter of our life, but we'll certainly miss our friends and family in the Bay Area.

We have been praying about this decision for awhile and continue to feel that God is calling us to North Carolina. Fear and uncertainty have stood in our way, but we are now ready to take a leap of faith and trust in God's provisions. Even if it seems a little bit crazy. Another thing drawing us to North Carolina is the lower cost of living. We're looking forward to having a home and starting a family in the near future.

We'll keep you updated as more things fall into place. We plan on having a going-away party in March (either the 13th or 20th) & we'll send an Evite when the date gets closer.

Raleigh, NC

The Start of Our Blog

Hi friends & family,

We have created this blog to keep you up-to-date on what's going on in our lives.

Many changes occurred in 2009, so here is a brief update:

* In early 2009, we left the city and moved to Walnut Creek, CA (about 20 miles Northeast of San Francisco). We love suburb life and still get gitty with excitement when we can park in a free parking garage downtown. There is no such thing as free or easy parking in SF. Walnut Creek also gets more sun and warm weather in the summer, so we enjoyed lying by the pool and BBQing during the summer months. Court especially loved the warmer weather!
* Courtney stopped dancing professionally & is now teaching ballet to students from 5 yrs old to 18 yrs old at Tiffany's Dance Academy. She also graduated from Saint Mary's College of CA.
* Since we moved out of SF, we also changed churches and now attend Northcreek Church. We do miss our church family at Cornerstone Church, but Northcreek has been a real blessing and needed change as we grow in our walk with the Lord.

It is now 2010 and another new chapter in our lives is beginning. This year brings even more changes and we are excited to share our adventures with you.

Thank you all for being such a great support in our lives. We wish you a very happy and healthy 2010.

Love, Dave & Courtney