A Very Chocolate Mud Cake

Maybe a statement that everybody loves chocolate is a little bit ...hmmm...I even don't know how to call it..untruthful? Because let's be honest - not everybody loves chocolate. Moreover, there are so many kinds of chocolate - white, milk, dark, with nuts, orange zest, raisins and so on and so forth. But when you are told to think of some kind of pastry that will satisfy almost everyone, I have no doubts that it will be a chocolate cake. Am I right?

I've made already different chocolate cakes - Chocolate & Espresso Cake and Kladdkaka. And these two recipes are among the most visited on my blog! But you know that there can't be enough of it! And I should tell you that this Chocolate Mud Cake has the most rich chocolate flavor so far! This cake is for true chocolate lovers and for everyone else, even if you think you are not into chocolate at all. Give it a try. I am sure you will like it.

Easter Bread

Easter bread, called Paska, is traditionally eaten in Ukraine during Easter holidays. Interesting that the recipe for it is similar to Italian Panettone, which is baked in Italy for Christmas. The tradition of eating Easter bread comes from religious reasons - Great Lent. Paska is made of all ingredients that are forbidden during the Lent and people break the fast by eating Easter bread loaded with butter, eggs, milk and sugar. Easter bread can be bought anywhere during the holidays, but there is something mysterious and magical in family tradition of baking Easter bread. The recipe goes from mother to daughter and each family has its own secrets.

I will be honest with you. In our family the right of baking Easter bread still belongs to my mother, because she is the one who keeps the family together. But all the fun belong to me, because I'm responsible for decorating part! Traditionally Paska is decorated with royal icing and sprinkles on the top. However lately in bakeries there are a lot of fancy variations which involve chocolate frosting, ganache, macaroons ans meringues, that I used last year. This time I went for less effortless, though not less beautiful dried fruits and nuts.

And to be totally honest, I wasn't planning to make a blog post out of it. Because I post only those recipes that I make by myself. But as long as I had brought home a huge bouquet of lilac the other day, I just couldn't resist not to use the opportunity.  

Red Velvet Cake Mini

Till recently I was completely indifferent about red velvet cake, while it is truly North American dessert and here in Europe red velvet can be found in bakeries and cafes very rarely. And to be completely honest, I was afraid of eating cake with red layers, because it seemed very unnatural and I just couldn't imagine what taste it could possibly have.  However, not long ago I was lucky to come upon red velvet cake for the first time and I was just blown down with it! I had no idea that this cake can be so good. It is not simply a chocolate cake, it has a distinguishing flavor and texture, unlike any other. I knew the next cake I bake definitely will be a red velvet.

You know that I don't need a reason to bake a cake, but since the Valentine's Day is just around the corner...red velvet cake seemed to be a perfect thing to bake. Also I didn't want to make a giant cake and waste huge amount of ingredients. Plus, I was not sure whether it turns out eatable good. So, I had an idea of making mini cake for two. How great is that?! Especially when you need only two 400 ml (14 oz) cans to bake the layers! I adore this idea. And I am sure I will make more mini cakes. 

So, the cake not just turned out eatable good, it was fantastic! Moist, crumbly layers and a delicate cream cheese frosting both with a hint of orange (inspired by naked red velvet cake by Michelle, which looks magnificent, by the way!). One of the best cakes I have made so far. The recipe makes two mini cakes 8 cm (3 inch) in diameter each. But you can divide ingredients in two to make just one mini cake.

Whole Grain Waffles with Coffee & Cardamom Ganache

Are you aware of what happens when in your kitchen appears a waffle maker? No? I am here to tell you it is not good. Really. The first thing you will do, you  take any old google recipe and immediately try it out. You will be disappointed, because the waffles turn out disgusting, they taste like a piece of rubber. Then you try again, and again, and again. Now you are devastated and you want to throw that stupid waffle maker out of your sight. Then approximately in a month, when you have calmed down, you become obsessed with an idea of finding a perfect recipe. This is war. 

A little bit dramatic and exaggerated? Yes. But it is a true story. And I just had to vent my feelings. 

Five waffle recipes in a week. Six waffle breakfasts in a week. And I don't wanna have another piece of waffle on my plate for the next month, again! But my efforts are rewarded. I won the war. I found that very one recipe! And I'm happy about it even though I can not look at waffles any more. Joking.

Gingerbread Men

Hello guys! First things first. I want to wish you guys happy winter holidays! 

It's been a while. A long long long while. I am so sorry for not updating, maybe some other time, when I feel the right words, I will share my thoughts on this matter. But not today! Because it is holidays and no one is interested in lyrical digressions. And honestly, after half a year break I have a feeling like I am writing a post for a first time - I don't know where to start at, I don't have the right words and I feel like I am a first-former without knowing an alphabet.

I haven't been baking lately except for my date sweetened oatmeal cookies, that became a must on my kitchen, and occasionally some birthday cakes for my relatives. And to be honest, I wasn't planning Christmas baking this year. But as it turned out, I couldn't imagine winter holidays without baking. It just didn't feel right! I literally had an urge to bake, bake, bake. 

What does smell like Christmas? Bingo! Gingerbread Man. I've been baking gingerbread every Christmas. And it even never occurred to me that I can share the recipe, because it seems that everyone knows it, even children. But these cute little gingerbread men are so good! The recipe always works well, it is easy and fun to make and the smell...they smell like Christmas!

Greece, Rhodes

No, I haven't been to Greece recently, but cleaning a computer can be a very useful thing! This is how I came across these 2 year old photos in my archives. I have to say that it was a pleasant surprise, while almost all of the photos have been shot in RAW.  Which means I could give them a second birth, because back then I was only a beginner and I had no idea of how to use Photoshop and Lightroom.

Plus, tomorrow I will be on my way to Dresden, where I will spend the next month. So, I thought it is the best time to show photos from trip to Greece, 'cause the next time I will post something is gonna be not earlier than I am back home and it will be for sure about my time in Germany. But anyway I will always update my Instagram account and I will keep in touch. I don't want to bring my laptop with me, just to travel light and enjoy my trip as much as I possibly can. Love you all, guys!
More photos inside.

Buckwheat Poppy Seed Pancakes with Blueberries (GF & SF)

I did it... I have finally passed all summer term examinations! To say that I am happy is to say nothing! Yesterday I just spent the whole day in bed, sleeping after a farewell party, reading a book in between and planning out summer holidays.  About that, in two weeks I am leaving for Germany for a month! I am so so so excited. I wanted to spend summer holidays somewhere far from home to distract the mind, so I hope this journey will be a bit of change for me. I am gonna stay in Dresden, though I really want to travel the country a lot. And also I thought about spending a few days in Prague. So, if some of you feel like sharing a cup of coffee with me, it would be a pleasure!

I made these pancakes something like a week ago, when I was preparing for examinations. These are a great healthy, nutritious and gluten-free breakfast. I have cooked with buckwheat flour for the first time and I have to say that the nutty taste of buckwheat is just amazing! I am already experimenting with buckwheat in different recipes and hope to share the results in the upcoming posts.