Chocolate Layer Cake

Caleb searched for quite a while before he found the perfect birthday cake for me to make him this year. He chose well, it was delicious AND easy - the best combination ever, if you ask me!!!



Chocolate Layer Cake
(modified from this recipe)


Ingredients:


1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 (3.9 ounce) package chocolate instant pudding
4 eggs
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup cooking oil
1/2 cup water
1 (8 ounce) package semi-sweet baking chocolate, divided
2 cups thawed whipped topping
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 tablespoon water

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with mixer on low speed just until moistened, stopping frequently to scrape bottom and side of bowl. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes or until well blended. Chop 4 chocolate squares; stir into batter. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round pans.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
Stack cake layers on plate, spreading COOL WHIP mixture between layers. Microwave butter, corn syrup and remaining chocolate and water in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 minutes; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Spread over top of cake, allowing glaze to drip down side.

The Easiest Tortilla Soup in the World

Yesterday I was pretty busy, I didn't get home from work until 3:45 and it was Halloween so I had some things to get ready for that.  But I had it in my mind that I HAD to make tortilla soup, so I modified a super easy recipe I found on Allrecipes.  It came together in a jiffy!! (I'm laughing that I used that word, I don't know if I've ever used that word before.  Jiffy.  heehee)  I was worried about how it would taste, but the worries were unfounded - it's delicious!!!

The Easiest Tortilla Soup in the World
Recipe by Kathee Clifford

Ingredients:

1 (19 ounce) can green enchilada sauce (use Macayo's, don't waste your time with any other brand)
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded (optional)
Tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese and avocado for garnish
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a pot, mix the enchilada sauce, water and garlic powder.  Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Mix in the beans, tomatoes, and corn. Simmer until heated through. Mix in chicken and cook until heated through.   After ladling into bowls to serve, garnish with crushed tortilla chips (are you loving my orange and black Halloween tortilla chips?), cheese and avocado.  Season with salt and pepper to your taste and serve!!  Fast and easy!!