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{March is well under way}

February days are now gone and March has officially kicked in.   I finally purchased a new monthly focus board.  We ventured out for a day date which included a movie. I love our day dates. I will give my honest review about the movie for those interested. I wanted to see this movie as it was based on a true story. I did enjoy the movie but oh my, it was a tear jerker from the get go! It ended good but mercy! Let's just say that I am thankful that no one was sitting close enough to see my tear stained face. I am glad that I saw it but I am good for a while on sad movies, even if they do end good!   My oldest daughter, her husband and their son participated in the Spartan race which is a series of obstacle courses that challenge. They done so well. As you can see from the pictures it gets pretty muddy!  My three daughters participate each year in the Gate River Run. I love it that they do this together. They have so much support & encouragement from all the onlookers. I am just

{Oreo Cream Cheese Chocolate Cake} and MORE!

WOW...our sweet grandgirl is already over a week old! Of course she was a week early so maybe to her she is "right on time" right about now huh? 

She had her first little private outing to visit with Papa and Nana on her week old birthday. I think she was ready to see us...I mean it had only been one day since I had seen her! LOL!

 Bright eyed for sure!



My oldest grandgirl turned 12 this past Saturday too! It was like yesterday to me that she was just a little newborn baby....Time surely needs to slow down.


My grandbabies are just too sweet. All 5 of them!

Speaking of sweet I want to share a recipe with you for a cake I made. If you like chocolate, cream cheese and Oreo's then you are sure to love this!

I actually baked four 8 inch round cakes. I used 3 of the layers and then I had one layer left that I used for another gathering. So for this recipe I doubled it for 4 layers. If you are making a double layer cake then follow this recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cake:
2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa (light or dark)

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 cup boiling water

  1. In a large bowl stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  2. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Mix on medium speed 2 minutes.
  3. Add boiling water and mix until it’s smooth.
  4. Divide batter into 2 well greased pans and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.**I use Wilton Cake Release** I NEVER BAKE A CAKE without this! I have my oldest grandgirl hooked on this stuff too since she loves to bake.

  5. Cool 5-7 minutes in the pans, than remove from pans to wire racks upside down (this flattens the top of your cakes a little better) Let your cakes cool. **I usually bake my cakes ahead of time (if I have the time) and freeze but if I do not have the time and I'm in a hurry I put my cakes in refrigerator freezer for at least 15 minutes. To me...they just are easier to put icing on them and makes cutting tops of cake off easier too if needed to level cakes.


 Oreo Cheesecake Filling:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
8 oz. Cream Cheese-softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
12 Oreo Cookies- coarsely crushed

I used a food processor to crush Oreo cookies. Set aside.





I love how this looks so fluffy!



In another mixing bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until it’s smooth. Then combine cream cheese and whipped cream and stir in crushed Oreo cookies

Go ahead...stick your finger in it!!!




 Okay, now start assembling your cake. Remember, I made 4 layers (  I doubled the recipe and used only 3 for the cake)  that I am showing you.

Layer one of cake:

Use your YUMMY filling you just made and ice the top of cake.




Next layer goes on and icing again.


 

  

And again...


If I am carrying my cake somewhere I do cut the tops of cake to even it out. (No waste though...the tops get eaten) LOL! I also use small dowel rods to support the 3 layers. I have used straws too.

Ice your last layer on top and sides. 



Now lets make the Ganache: 
You can use different kinds of chocolate but for this cake I used semi sweet chocolate chips. 

8 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave in a glass bowl. I melt mine on high power for 45 seconds at the time until melted. I melt for 45 seconds, stir with a wooden spoon and repeat the process until fully melted. I then add my heavy whipping cream a little at the time and I used a whisk.  Cool for a few minutes. I just love how Ganache has that shiny look to it. (If it seems too runny to you then sit in frig. for a few minutes until it thickens).



Then pour, spoon or swirl your ganache over the top of cake and let it run down the sides or however you want to do it. 


 I added a little shaved white chocolate on the top. (only because I had some in the frig)




 I put a few Oreo's on the side of the cake.





 And WALA!



 What did I do with the leftover cookies?


 Nothing goes to waste at my house!  And I did use the 4th layer.




 Hugs and blessings, Cindy





 

Comments

  1. Just one bite of that cake would be heavenly! You are quite the baker. Loved the photos of your grandkids. Wow, the baby is so alert at one week. What an awesome post. Hugs, Cindy!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by. Grandkids are the best there is no doubt.

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  2. Oh, my word....sweet babies and sweet treats!!! All that hair...she's absolutely beautiful....but, all your grandbabies are (including the boy!!). Wish I could visit you for a slice of that cake...yummy!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Deb. Yes our one little grandson has our hearts there is no doubt. He is just surrounded by lots of little girls but it doesn't seem to bother him a bit. He just does his own thing. LOL!

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  3. You, my friend, sure can bring smiles on such a ordinary Wednesday/hump day. You are a treasure...smiles

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  4. Just give me the cookies and milk and I'm good to go! LOL! The pictures are adorable Cindy. That new grand is sure is alert. Looks like your oldest grand had lots of hair too.
    Connie Royals

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    Replies
    1. Connie, the cookies was GOOD for sure with that milk. Did you get the cake platter and server yet?

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    2. Got it yesterday! Beautiful! Love the colors.
      Your note made me smile!

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  5. She's SO cute!! One week already? How time flies!! And really flies with your 12 year old grand baby. She is such a pretty young lady...almost a teen! Yikes! That cake looks to die for! YUMMO!!

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    Replies
    1. I know Heather...time needs to slow down a tad! Especially with that 12 year old. LOL!

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  6. How precious that little one is! Her eyes are just so sweet and her dark hair!! Oh my. The cake looks absolutely delicious, for lack of a better word!

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  7. Hi Cindy, Oh so nice to be greeted by the little one right off the top of your post. She is just precious!! Thanks for sharing this incredible cake recipe. It looks divine!! Have a blessed day and enjoy the newest addition to your family!!
    xo

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  8. I note that your 12 year old granddaughter is a blond when she had very dark hair like her new sister? cousin? It is always interesting to see what color the hair will be. We don't eat oreos anymore, but I might like to make an exception for that yummy looking cake!

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    Replies
    1. Yes Vee it is also funny to see what the hair color will indeed be. You never know! We're talking now about her eyes! Will they be brown...dark blue or even hazel? LOL!

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  9. This cake sounds wonderful, Cindy, but I'm sure it's not nearly as sweet as that sweet little thing with all the dark hair (our chickadee had dark hair like that too! LOVE!! And she has blue eyes with a hint of green/hazel). Anxious to hear about her eye color! :) For sure I'm going to make this cake!! Happy days to you, Cindy. ~Zuni

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    1. Zuni, I helped my daughter wash her hair on Monday because none of us can keep our hands out of it and it was greasy feeling! LOL! Cake was easy for sure. Hope you are doing well Zuni.

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  10. Oh my goodness gracious on your new grand baby, oldest grand baby and this cake!
    My friend, you have a whole lot of goodness and sweetness going on in your life right now!
    I am pinning this recipe, it is beautiful and I know delicious!
    Hugs,
    Jemma

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    Replies
    1. Yes we do have us some sweetness and goodness going on. We are so blessed! Have a great day Jemma. Loved your kitchen!

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  11. Oh my, this cake looks divine and it has my mouth watering! Thanks for sharing the tasty recipe :)

    And congratulations on your precious granddaughter - what a sweetie pie!

    Enjoy the remainder of your week! Hugs!

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  12. Your grandbaby is a little beauty! I love seeing pictures of her!

    That cake looks so yummy! Sure wish I could eat chocolate :-(

    Katherine

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  13. Your grandbaby is soooo beautiful, Cindy. Congrats to you all! And that cake makes me hungry...Christine

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  14. Your baby granddaughter is so precious. What a blessed time for all of your.
    I wish I could reach out and grab that delicious looking cake. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  15. That is one yummy looking cake, and it would not last long in my house!!
    Congratulations on that little grandgirl...She is a beauty :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen. Nothing last long at our house either, LOL!

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  16. Your grands are absolutely darling Cindy! From the week old to the 12 year old. That cake is a chocolate lovers dream.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  17. You have such a beautiful family, Cindy, your grandchildren are adorable! The cake looks delicious! :)

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  18. You grandkids are so sweet and that cake recipe sounds sweet, too. May have to try it soon. Happy weekend, Cindy!

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  19. Oh my goodness, your baby granddaughter is so precious and the big grand girl is a beauty too. Happy 12th to her. Grandchildren bless us daily. Who knew when we were struggling to raise our kids, the rewards of grands would make it all worthwhile. That cake is to die for. I'm thinking it might be a new favorite around here. Chocolate and oreos...nothing more yummy.

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    Replies
    1. Beverly, those grands are indeed our reward. Try the cake...your family will love it. So moist!

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  20. Cindy!! OMG!! Your Grand Daughters are so beautiful!! Once again, Congrats to you!!
    What a yummy looking cake!!
    Thanks so much for dropping by, my friend!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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So glad you stopped by to visit.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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