Super-Easy 1940's Vegan Cake

Okay, so the fact that this cake is vegan has less to do with any type of ethical conviction and more to do with necessity. The recipe was borne of the need for something delicious, while still adhering to familial rations of the war era...and it doesn't disappoint...It's an excellent, budget-friendly snack cake that I'd recommend for an anytime treat. I iced mine with a sour cream icing (just used what I had on-hand) but for an everyday treat it can be eaten without the icing. It's a nice "surprise" in your lunch box...that you put there yourself...

You can find many iterations of this recipe online...I can't even remember where I found this one...It's scribbled on the back of a used envelope, as I am wont to do.



You will need:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 heaping tbsp cocoa powder
1tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp vegetable oil (I used butter, as we are not rationing :)
2 tsp vanilla (pure)
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 cup cold water

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350*. In an 8 inch square baking dish, sift all of the dry ingredients together.

2. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients.

3. Stir to combine.

4. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

While you are baking the cake, why not whip up this delicious Sour Cream Icing I found on Cooks.com

You Will Need:

1 cup chocolate chips
6 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c sour cream
2 1/2-2 2/3 cups icing sugar

Directions:


1. In a double boiler set over (not in) simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth.

2. Remove from heat and add vanilla and sour cream. Beat with electric mixer until combined.

3. With the mixer on low, slowly add the sugar 1/3 cups at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved. If you put this icing in the fridge for a few hours, it will firm up nicely.

When the cake has cooled, spread with the icing and enjoy...I know I did!

Wedding Wednesday: Adorable DIY Favour Ideas!

I think that favours are probably my favourite wedding element. They not only help you personalize your special day, but they're also a lovely way to thank your guests for making it so special. I have compiled a few of my favourite wedding favour ideas from my favourite wedding bloggers.

This first idea combines my love of favours with my love of terrariums. It would be simple to do with some fishbowl vases from your local craft shop and some succulents from your local garden store. Throw in a few shells or river rocks, and voila! I was considering this as an option for my own wedding, but I think it would be really well suited for an eco-conscious wedding or a woodland theme. Find out more from Martha...it's her idea after all!



This lovely idea would be the perfect way to showcase fabric or paper that incorporates your colour palette for your day, and as a bonus, it would double as a centrepiece...just be sure there's one per guest (vary the height and volume for visual interest) and be sure guests know they're meant to take them as they leave. I found this idea at I Do It Yourself...check out this resource...it is amazing and invaluable with tons of free printables and great ideas.




These DIY ice cream favours from Style Me Pretty would be perfect for an outdoor summer wedding.



These matchbox covers are a classic idea...You can find the template here and you can mix and match computerized fonts and designs or you could go really wild and calligraph your own..hooray for typography!



Finally, since the importance of presentation cannot be overstated, I have found some lovely cut and fold boxes (including the butterfly one below) here to put something lovely into...like, oh, I don't know...some truffles or Parisian macarons...



Happy crafting!

Simple and Delicious: My Mom's Apple Crisp

Nothing warms a home like the smell of cinnamon and apples baking away in the oven. I sincerely love making apple crisp...especially this recipe.

For the topping you will need:

1/2 c all purpose flour
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c cold butter cut up

For the filling you will need:

6-8 Granny Smith apples (enough for about 2 inches of apples in an 8 inch square baking dish)
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp butter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350*

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the topping except the butter and stir to combine.



3. Add in cut up butter, and using your hands work the butter into the ingredients until it is well-integrated. The topping should form pea-sized crumbs.



4. Set the topping in the fridge until you are ready to use it.



5. Peel the apples (bonus points if you can peel them in one coil...it's a game I like to play...I know...but I can't help it)



6. Core the apples. I use a melon baller for this task...waaaay easier.




7. Slice the apples, and in the baking dish, toss them with the sugar, flour cinnamon and nutmeg meant for the filling.



8. Dot the apples with the butter for added richness...or skip the butter...it's optional. Sprinkle the reserved topping on the apples.



9. Bake at 350* for 50-60 minutes



10. Enjoy!



This is delicious served with vanilla ice cream as a simple dessert. It's also stellar for using up apples that are too soft to eat out of hand...I've been eating it for as long as I can remember and it never gets old.