On our travels in Germany last December, we were able to see a demonstration on how to make a Black Forest Cherry Cake. This is my absolute favorite cake in the whole wide world, and I thought I'd share some cake tips with you on how to make it.  You basically want three layers (done in three 8 inch pans) of chocolate sponge cake. Whatever chocolate cake recipe you have will work.
As for the rest of the cake, you want:
2 cups sour cherries
3 Tbsp cherry jam
8 cups of whipped cream
5 tsps Kirschwasser (cherry schnaps, which you can buy at your local liquor store)
1/4 cup chocolate shavings
Directions:
Bake your cake and cool.
When assembling your cake spread the jam on the bottom layer and cover it with cherries (except the center part of about 1 and 1/2 inches). Cover with whipped cream (about 3/4 inch thick). Put the next layer of cake on top of that and sprinkle the Kirschwasswer evenly. Cover with another 3/4 inch of whipped cream and place the last layer on top. Cover the whole cake with the remaining whipped cream and decorate with chocolate shavings. Mark the top of the cake with a cake slicer. Put whipped cream in a pastry tube with a star decorator tip and squeeze little curls on each piece. Decorate each one with cherry on top of the curls.
And there you have it. Enjoy and don't weigh yourself after eating!

 

I know you'll love this yummy chowder recipe that is a specialty of my good friend Jill Barnett, who is kindly sharing it with all of us. Perfect for a stormy day at the beach. Or anyplace else for that matter!
Ingredients:
4 small cans minced or chopped clams (use juice from 2)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of potato soup
3 small stalks of celery, diced
1/4 small sweet onion, diced
1/2 stick butter
 4 - 5 slices of bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
1 quart half and half
3 medium potatoes (cook in microwave in skins, then peel and dice.)
salt and pepper to taste
Add two dashes of cayenne for spice if wanted
Directions:
Cook potatoes in microwave until tender. Cool a few minutes, then peel and dice into small cubes. Cook bacon until crisp and crumble. Set both aside.
In a large pot melt butter, add diced celery and onion and cook until tender. Dump in all clams and the juice from the two cans. Then stir in both soups, add half and half and diced potatoes and bacon. Cook about 15 minutes on low. Garnish with chopped green onions or chives if you like. Serve with garlic bread.

It's apple season! If you've got an apple tree in the backyard or if you've found a sale on apples, you'll want to try this lovely cake. It's always a hit.
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
1 and 1/2 cups oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups chopped apples
1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
2 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Mix eggs, sugar and oil and vanilla, then add dry ingredients a little at a time. (Batter will be stiff). Add apples and nuts. Bake in a greased and floured tube or Bundt pan for one and a quarter hours at 325. Let cool before removing from pan.

THESE ALMOND PANCAKES ARE A REAL BREAKFAST TREAT.
I came back from our anniversary cruise with even more of me to love. Too much! So I'm reining in my appetite and eating more healthfully. These almond pancakes make a nice breakfast treat. Gluten free and filling. I think you'll enjoy them, too!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 eggs
1/4 cup almond milk
1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp almond extract
Directions:
Mix together dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add eggs and beat well. Then add almond milk and almond extract and mix. Place on griddle on medium heat. (I dish them on using a soup spoon.) Watch them carefully and lower heat if necessary as they can burn easily. Serve with a dab of butter and fresh berries or a small spoonful of jam.

I've had this recipe since my kids were little. A fun little treat!
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups cake flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups milk
24 small chocolate eggs, unwrapped
Directions:
Cream together butter and sugars, then add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients in a sifter and sift in, adding alternately with the milk. Fill 24 greased or lined muffin cups 1/3 full and place a chocolate egg in the center of each. Top with remaining batter until cups are 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Top with colored buttercream or chocolate frosting.

Autumn is here and that means it's time to start making soup. This Zucchini Soup is the perfect one to help you to kick off fall and use up the last of the zucchini from your garden. Easy to make and yummy! Serves 8
Ingredients:
3 medium sized zucchini, cut into cubes (don't peel)
1 small onion
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
6.5 ounce tub of spreadable cheese (I use Alouette garlic and herbs)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Grind onion, garlic and zucchini in your blender or food processor along with some of the broth. Add the rest of the broth and the cheese and mix well. Season and pour into pot. If it's thicker than you prefer add a little more broth. Cook over medium heat until done. It won't take long!
Enjoy with French bread

These oatmeal cookies with chocolate covered Heath toffee bits were a huge hit at our beach party. Thought you might enjoy them!
OATMEAL COOKIES
Ingredients:
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp soda
2 cups oatmeal
1 package (8 oz) milk chocolate Heath toffee bits
Directions:
Mix together sugars and oil and add egg. Combine dry ingredients and sift into mixing bowl with oil, sugars and egg. Mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and flatten slightly. (The size of your cookie will depend on the size of the spoon you use - I use a soup spoon.) Bake at 350 for ten minutes or until lightly browned.
Makes 2 dozen.

CONGRATULATIONS TO KAREN LeMORE, WHO WON THE SET OF RACHAEL RAY POTS AND PANS IN OUR STARTING OVER ON BLACKBERRY LANE CONTEST. HERE'S KAREN'S RECIPE FOR EASY HASH BROWN QUICHE. I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO TRY IT. I'M SURE YOU'LL WANT TO, ALSO!
HASH BROWN QUICHE
Submitted by Karen LeMore from Jacksonville, Florida
Ingredients
3 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
3 TBSP cooking oil
Optional: Diced ham or crumbled bacon
Directions
* Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté onions and potatoes in oil. Pat evenly into a quiche dish or pie plate. Bake for 20 minutes. * Reduce oven to 375 degrees. Whisk eggs, milk, and salt in bowl. Spread ham and cheese over potatoes. Pour egg mixture on top. * Bake for 30 minutes.
Notes
Great dish for breakfast or for dinner!

We have a new recipe to post in honor of STARTING OVER ON BLACKBERRY LANE. These blackberry scones are bound to be a hit next time you have your girlfriends over for brunch!
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup blackberries
1/2 cup (1 cube) butter
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar, depending on your taste
2/3 cup milk
Directions:
Sift together flour, salt, baking powder and soda into a large bowl, then mix in butter as for pie crust using a fork. Add sugar, then add milk and mix until it forms a dough. Form the dough into two balls and knead on a floured surface. Shape into two flat rounds and cut into quarters. Bake on an un-greased cookie sheet 12 - 15 minutes at 400. Cool on wire rack. Serve with jam and Devonshire cream.