12.04.2009

A Lovely Torte, A Lovely Idea and Some Lovely Awards

The  Torte
My very first posting was a Chocolate Cinnamon Torte. It occurs to me we often post our favorite and best recipes first...and get few, if any, comments. Then they get lost in the shuffle of newer recipes. I was experimenting back then, not sure I would continue or not. It took me a while to understand you get blogger comments (aside from friends and family who rarely comment anyway) after you comment on other blogs. Helloooo. And then I read someplace that over 90% who read your blog don't comment at all. I find that hard to believe, but perhaps you all have an opinion on that astounding statistic.
Anyway back on subject... let's move on to the absolutely, positively MOST DELICIOUS TORTE YOU'LL EVER HAVE.

Chocolate Cinnamon Torte



Ingredients:

2 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 and 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs (room temperature)
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 cups whipping cream
1/2 square grated unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 square of German cooking chocolate (make some decorative curls for the top)

Method:

Prepare the pans: I use 4 cake pans as I can fit this many in my oven at the same time. You will be making 12 cookies so you will cool, reline and reuse the cake pans. Cut wax paper circles to fit the bottom only of the cake pans. Lightly grease the bottom of the pans, put in the wax paper and then lightly grease the top of the wax paper. Set aside.
Preheat your oven to 375°.

Beat the butter and sugar well and add the eggs one at a time. Add the flour and cinnamon. When the dough is well mixed, use about 1/3 cup of dough in each cake pan, spreading it carefully all over the bottom. It will be very thin, but make certain the bottom is entirely covered. Bake for 8-12 minutes. Watch carefully as it burns easily. You want the "cookies" to be a little brown but remove them before the edges darken. You must take them out of the cake pans immediately while they are still soft; with the tip of a sharp paring knife lift up the edge of the wax paper under the cookie and slide the wax paper (along with the cookie) out of the pan. I spread newspapers on my counters as the cookies are greasy and they need to cool. You should have enough dough for 12 cookies.

While the cookies cool, whip the cream, reserving 1 cup. With the remaining whipped cream, layer the cookies, carefully removing the wax paper as you do each layer. I probably spread about 1/2 cup of whipped cream on each layer. End with a cookie.
To the remaining 1 cup of reserved whipped cream, add the unsweetened grated chocolate, the cocoa and the sugar. Place on top of the last cookie layer and top with chocolate curls.

Refrigerate at least overnight as the cookies are crisp and the cake will break if you try to slice it the same day. Overnight, the cookies soften. Serves 10-12 if not more.

The Idea
A friend of mine emailed this to me today. I think it is a fabulous idea and hope you will all join me.
When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

The Awards
Forgive me for being so slow to acknowledge some awards I have received recently. No excuse for it, really.
I want to thank Shaz from Test With Skewer for the One Lovely Blog Award. It was my first.



And thank you to Julianna at Simple Recipes for the Kreativ Blogger Award.



Kristy  at My Little Space presented me with The People Love This Site Like Peas Love Carrots Award...thank you Kristy!



This week, Kate at Serendipity presented me with the lovely Honest Scrap Award. Thank you again, Kate.



I am honored to receive all these wonderful awards and hope you won't mind if I combine rules on a couple awards- killing several birds with one stone as it were. I'll pass on the Honest Scrap award to seven bloggers.

Here are the rules for the Honest Scrap Award: Present this award to seven others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
Tell those seven people they’ve been awarded HONEST SCRAP, inform them of these guidelines, and ask that they link back to you. (Here's the thing: some of you may not accept awards, some of you may already have this award and some don't want to bother with all the lists. That's OK with me. I still want to pass the award on. Whatever you decide to do is fine with me.)

Here goes:

1. Grace at A Southern Grace because her comments encouraged me from the start and she has a beautifully designed blog, let alone a wonderful way with words.

2. Lecia at A Day That is Dessert because I simply love her photographs
3. Heavenly Housewife at From Donuts to Delirium because of her sense of fun
4. Kathy at Sweet Up-North Mornings because she is amazingly creative, sweet and from Michigan!
5. TKW at The Kitchen Witch because she makes me roar with laughter
6. Pam at Sidewalk Shoes because I love her cats
7. Buffalodick at Opinions and Rectums, We All Got One because not only is he the first male blogger I followed, but he's a fellow Michigander and that counts for a lot.

And now 10 honest things about myself. 

1. Recently had a hip replacement. Arthritis has also attacked my shoulder. I am putting off doing anything about it. I'm chicken. PS: the hip is fine, I am back to normal.
2.  The Atlantic ocean is right across the street.
3.  Used to love duck hunting.
4.  I work out 6 days a week: step, weight classes and pilates.
5.  My hometown was Algonac, Michigan.
6.  Love and adore my three grown children: two sons and a daughter.
7.  Don't like really spicy food. (It doesn't like me, either.)
8.  Reading is my favorite thing to do, besides the computer.
9.  Love college football. M Go Blue! (Go Lions.) No groans and pity, please.
10.  I've traveled pretty much all over but have two favorite places, both in the Caribbean: Anse Chastanet on St. Lucia and Grace Bay Club on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

62 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing these things about yourself! And thanks so much for your kind words about my photography. xoxo

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  2. Congratulations on your awards!

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  3. Aren't you sweet? And congrats on your awards--well deserved, I might add.

    And I'm excited to check some of these other bloggers out! Thanks!

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  4. Oh thank you so so so much daaaaaaaaaaahling, its an honour *kisses*.
    Your torte is an absolute masterpiece. Look at all those beautiful layers! Guess what? I made my masterpiece too today! Can you believe it? I made macaroons :D. 7th times a charm LOL.
    Have a fabulous weekend :)
    Lots of love, HH

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  5. Congratulations on all your awayrds!! This sounds lovely.

    I am not a huge cinnamon fan and would probably take it out and keep... the chocolate in your recipe!

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  6. M go Blue! Thanks for the award!

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  7. oh this looks yummy! congrats on your awards to~

    i love your blog, but i confess to being a very lack comment poster... i follow 100s of blogs, i use my dashboard like a morning paper, dine and dash, then out for the day, if i tried to comment on all i read my day would be 24/7 online...

    personally, i think if 10% comment even that is HIGH! i have friends that get 1000s of hits a day and still have their core 15-20 comments a day... i think blogging is wonderful that so many share so much and allow us to peek into their lives, if we are able to chat or not, i love that everyone keeps sharing, and thats my thank you to you!

    ps, i would still love to share your pics at food with style, i love your food and pics!

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  8. This actually looks like it would be the most delicious torte I'll ever have! I'll be giving it a try later this month so wish me luck! I love that Christmas card idea!

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  9. Oh my, that torte is just incredible! It's on the top of my list but will probably have to wait until next year because I'm going on holiday in just over a week. Great too to learn more about you; my Dad has arthritus and had both hips replaced but they're perfect now and I like the same kinds of exercise as you; gotta burn off the calories somehow and it gives you a great feeling!

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  10. Lecia: Your blog is a constant delight!

    Erica: Thanks!

    TKW: Well you ARE funny! No getting around it.

    HH: I am sooooo impressed! You kept at it until you did it.

    Dolce: Hate to tell you but the cinnamon is in the cookies! The chocolate is just on the top.

    BD: Didn't know if you were an award person or not, but I doubted it. Still..... you deserve it.

    Blue Moon: Love your blog; I commented on it today. Blog problems are soooo annoying!

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  11. Congrats on your award and thanks for passing it on to me!

    You work out 6 days a week!! Wow! I try for 5 unless something gets in the way (and it usually does).

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  12. Great post for so many reasons. First, I completely agree that those early posts we all did got lost..I've thought of doing some "do-overs" myself so that somebody might actually read them! I fully support this idea :) Second, congratulations on your awards. You deserve them. I really enjoy your blog and read it every day (or as often as you). And finally, I liked your list of truths...it's always fun to get a closer glimpse of the person behind the blog.

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  13. That torte deserves an award!

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  14. Pam: We all have things that get in the way- like Thanksgiving!

    HD: Thanks! I hope nobody missed "The Idea"- didn't know where to place it.

    Duck: You're telling me! It's a crowd pleaser, but it's work intensive. (Day before work though!)

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  15. I tend to agree with your comment that the way to introduce yourself is to comment on blogs of people that you like/admire... Anyway, I am glad you posted the torte again - it would have been a shame to have it lost in all the new recipes as you say because it is beautiful!

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  16. Barbara,
    Congratulation on all of your awards, they are well deserved. The torte looks wonderful.
    Mimi

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  17. that is a killer dessert! congrats on the awards, i love learning new things about my bloggy friends!

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  18. Barbara congrats by your awards, well deserved, is nice heard more things about you.
    The Torte look amazing! really, gloria

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  19. Mmm... the torte looks so good! I would so love a slice right now! Congrats on all of your awards!

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  20. Trissa: The torte is one of my favorite desserts.

    Sophie: I really like the idea of sending a card to our injured soldiers. Glad you agree.

    Mimi: Thanks!

    Teresa: I do too!

    Gloria: It IS amazing!

    Natasha: Thanks!

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  21. This torte looks fabulous, with all the flavors I love.

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  22. Barbara, your Chocolate Cinnamon Torte looks and sounds delicious! I love your creative idea of cookies stacked with that incredible filling. I am definitely going to give this a try.

    Also, many thanks for sending on the Christmas card idea. What a wonderful way to thank one of our country's great heroes for their service. I don't think we, as a country, really understand their sacrifice nor their family's. A really great idea!

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  23. I completely agree with you and have had blog-worries (read, the end) for a couple of months. Not only did I put up all my faves early on when they got no readers...I am feeling so much pressure all the time to make something new (and not an old fave) that we don't get to eat them anymore! What to do--I am actually planning to post about my dilemma.

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  24. Judy: I adore this cake too. The cinnamon cookies are wonderful.

    George: Thanks! The torte is a hit everytime I serve it. I even have people ask me to make it for a party they are giving. (Glad you like the card idea- I thought it was wonderful.)

    Cook: I understand completely. This is the first time I have used an old post, but it is the best torte I have ever eaten. I did it this time because some other blog talked about it and had done the same thing.

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  25. Congratulations on your awards-so many and so deserved! :D Love the look of that torte too-all those layers makes it look like a giant stack of crepes! :)

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  26. The Torte looks lovely!! Congratulations on your awards!! You deserve them. I too, like Southern Grace. Thanks!

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  27. Lorraine: Thanks so much! The cookies are very crunchy at first, but soften up overnight so you can cut it.

    Teacher: Thanks! Grace is a gem.

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  28. Barbara, So much to think about in this post. You are right about bloggers posting their best recipes at the very beginning of their new blogs. I know I did. That is why I always go back to the old posts of bloggers that I find for the first time. Will be looking at your stuff. I am from Michigan also. I will be sending a soldier a card this year. Good for you for thinking of it and congrats on your awards - you deserve them and I am glad I found your blog from your comments on mine.

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  29. thank you so very much Barbara, for you supportive comment. yes, hubby has one job offer on the table and is entertaining another.. but no decision made as of yet. he promotion tested just yesterday, and i know the outcome of that will most definitely make an impact on his decision. i've promised to do as i always have, and support any decision he makes... though i'm praying that retirement is in our near future. ;) thanks again!

    p.s. just had to tell you that my word verification is "healin".. how great is that!! :D

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  30. So many awards! How nice eh?! And what to say about that wonderful looking torte? Love the layers and I'm a sucker for anything cinnamon with chocolate!

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  31. Penny: Thanks! I'm so pleased to have found your blog too!

    Tracie: (I have a daughter Tracy!)
    I wish you nothing but the best..we were in the AF too, but not career. I'll be following your blog to see where life takes you!

    CC: It's a gem of a recipe!

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  32. Hello Barbara!!! I've been gone overnight and found your sweet award for me here!!! You are a precious friend and even though I'm an Award free blog I so apprecieat your thoughtful kindness...Glad your hip is great since the replacement...Mine too!!! Hope your having fun preparing for the Holidays...I so love this time of year, makes my heart happy!!!! Thank You again and the torte looks over the moon delish! xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  33. You are so right about the first posts. No one read them, and some of our favorite and best recipes were in them. I have recently started to re post a few oldies.
    Congratulations on all of your awards. Your blog is beautiful and I enjoy reading it. Your pics are pretty nice also.
    I discovered your blog through Kate at Serendipity. It's quite nice to connect with people through similar interests such as food and writing. Thanks for sharing. Pam

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  34. Congratulations on your well deserved Awards Barbara. I loved finding out more about you.
    That torte looks and must be delicious and I would like to cook this one day. Thanks for the recipe.

    Happy weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  35. Lots of love spread around :) Congrats on all the awards and thanks for sharing your favourite torte recipe, it looks sensational!

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  36. This looks great.I love the photo! Congrats on all the awards!

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  37. Kathy: I love visiting your blog- so many creative ideas!

    Pam: Pleased to have a new blog friend!

    Carolyn: Thanks! And yes, try the torte.

    Shaz: It is!

    Fig Tree: Glad to have found your site too.

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  38. That is one beautiful and delicious looking torte Barbara! I laughed about the commenting part. Yes isnt it strange,,,family n friends never ever comment and I was pretty blur too when I first blogged....wondering why there were no comments n realising later that it takes a comment to get a comment! :))

    Oh and congrats on the awards n nice to know somethign about you :)

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  39. congrats! The torte looks amazing. Love with with so many layers!

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  40. congrats on your awards!

    I think it is very true that most of our readers don't comment. It took me a LONG time to start commenting on other people's blogs and even now there are some I read that I don't comment on. It is also true that you don't get comments if you don't comment yourself. It's a very reciprocal relationship.

    This cake looks fantastic! Thanks for reposting it. I wouldn't have wanted to miss it.

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  41. Such a beautiful torte. I love the favor combination - scrumptious. And congratulations on your awards - they look amazing!

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  42. so much to say!
    first and foremost, AWESOME torte. it makes me wish i wasn't a lazy bum and that i had someone to make one for me. :)
    secondly, thanks so much for the award and for your very kind words. i'm unbelievably flattered and honored!
    finally, congrats on the pile of awards and thanks for sharing a thing or ten about yourself! i'm glad your hip didn't keep you down for long and doesn't stop you from being a workout fiend!

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  43. Zurin: Once, for encouragement when I had just started blogging, my old computer teacher commented!

    Pigs: 12 layers!

    Joanne: Thanks! And I agree about starting...you have to spend some time reading and commenting on your favorite blogs. Although much as I love Smitten Kitchen, I don't comment as there are usually 300 before me! I somehow don't think she needs encouragement!

    El: Yep...chocolate and cinnamon are a super combo.

    Grace: It truly is awesome and I KNOW these are two of your favorite ingredients! It serves a lot of people; make it for a party. You are NOT lazy! And no, I wasn't down for long; had a new procedure that heals quickly.

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  44. Congrats on the awards! That torte is just beautiful!

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  45. Your torte really look amazing barbara. Wonderful combination of flavoring too.

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  46. What a stunning cake! It looks amazing Barbara. And congrats on the awards.

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  47. wow great dessert and lovely to know you better love your blog so happy to know you Rebecca

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  48. Such interesting statistics but what really interests me is that torte! Oh my goodness, it sounds delicious.

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  49. Great torte and well deserved awards! Thanks for the great idea and address.

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  50. Simply: Thanks!

    Elra: I make it a lot- everyone loves it.

    Cakelaw: Thanks for your kind words.

    Rebecca: Thank you and I feel the same way about your and your blog!

    Savoring: Can't remember where I read that statistic- but I was surprised. I am NOT surprised you like the torte- it's wonderful.

    Ellie: So pleased you liked "the idea". I hope everyone who read this carried through with a card.

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  51. Wow!!! What a stunning cake!! That would look perfect on anyone's holiday table! And congrats on all of those awards!

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  52. So "freakin" delicious Barbara!!!
    Congrats on all your awards dear!

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  53. that looks so impressive! I bet it tastes even better though :)

    I had to laugh out loud at the first paragraph of your post. I agree! Although, I feel like I still don't get many comments. It can be frustrating to try so hard on a post, and then get 1 or 2 (or 0!) comments on it. It's nice to think that more people are reading though :) And I do it because I love it, not because people comment :)

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  54. Yup...spicy food hates me too. I think it's because I'm Scottish.

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  55. Your torte looks amazing. What a beautiful dessert! I am from Michigan originally, too. Mackinaw City.

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  56. Love this recipe, love the fact you posted the address to send a Christmas card to a solider & loved your top 10. Your quite the woman. Congrat's on your awards, very deserved. xx

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  57. Wow, that looks utterly amazing and quite a feat of building too! I'd be scared to dig in and ruin it. Congrats on your awards :)

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  58. What a pretty stack....and yes, when I didn't have a blog, I didn't comment much...on other blogs!

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  59. You're most welcome, Barbara! Oh gosh, the torte looks terribly delicious! Can't wait to try the recipe out soooon. Thanks a lot! Cheers.

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  60. This is a great recipe and it is pretty to top it off. I have never had the patience to do this but maybe, just maybe, I will give it a chance. It has to be delicious.

    Thanks for linking to Chocolate Obsession. I think, we will have lots of fun there, each week. Come on back.

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  61. Hello,
    I am Angela from Australia and I have just stumbled upon your blog...I think it is simply amazing...truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing so much with the world. I feel honoured that you would give so much time to make our lives better in many ways.

    Anyway, I would love to make this as it sounds so simple but obviously very tasty...what size pans are required to make it?
    Thank you again.
    Warm regards from Australia,
    Angela

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  62. Angela: Use your regular cake pans.

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