Chai Cake ♥

Well yesterday I baked a chai cake.
Not as delicious as when my mother makes it, but good nonetheless.
I slightly messed up the amount of baking powder >_>;
but it still rose nicely.
I recommend this cake for anyone who loves chai :D,
however Watkins is the only place I know of the get chai powder
(it's great to drink too.).
My mom sells the stuff, so we come by it easily.
For others...I guess you could order it online :)?

I admit it doesn't look as pretty as I'd like...
but we had company and I had to put the glaze on rather quickly.
(Didn't have time for it to harden nicely before cutting.)
Anyways here is the recipe:

Chai Cake

Ingredients
3 tbsp/45 mL Chai Latte
2/3 cup/160 mL hot water
1 cup/250 mL flour
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL Baking Powder
1 tsp/5 mL Cinnamon
170 g1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Cloves (Ground)
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Ginger
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Sea Salt
1/2 cup/125 mL butter or margarine
3/4 cup/180 mL granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp/5 mL Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract

Chai Glaze
2 tbsp/30 mL butter or margarine
1-1/2 cups/375 mL powdered sugar
1 tsp/5 mL Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Cinnamon 170 g
Reserved 2 tbsp/30 mL prepared Chai Latte from cake recipe
Grated cinnamon stick (optional)

+Cooking Directions
Heat oven to 325°F/170°C. Grease and flour a round cake pan (8"/20 cm).
Stir hot water into Chai Latte until blended.
Measure 1/2 cup/125 mL for cake and set aside 2 tbsp/30 mL for glaze.
Mix flour, baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, cloves, ginger and salt.
Set aside. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl with electric mixer
on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy.
Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth and blended.
Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with 1/2 cup
Chai Latte until smooth. Pour into pan.Bake for 25-30 minutes or
until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes;
remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
Spread Chai glaze over top of cake, allowing some to drizzle down side.
Sprinkle with additional cinnamon.
*For glaze: melt butter in 1-quart/litre saucepan over medium heat. Stir in remaining ingredients until smooth. Drizzle glaze on cake. If desired, grate cinnamon on top as garnish

A Personal First!

Ah the smell of baking!

For the first time, I baked with no outside help whatsoever. Normally when I actually bother to cook or bake it's with someone else. I mean sure I've made the occasional no-bake cookies by myself...but otherwise I've been pretty dependent on people for help. Well no longer!

Above is a picture of one of my scones I made today. I even mushed it/kneaded it with my fingers (which is an accomplishment I assure you.) Though they differed slightly in the size department, the taste seemed un-effected.

With determination, reading abilities and a good recipe the previously thought impossible was brought to light! (I even filled the flour canister up, which weighs a ton!)

I feel so...independent now. Like I could cook rice and chicken and have them ready at the same time.....Actually I better not push it, last time I made chicken....well....lets just say Tandoori chicken will never be the same in my mind.

Anyways there is the amazing story for today, they were ほんとうにおいしかった！ (Really very delicious) If you too want to experience the thrills of scone making, let me know! The recipe I have is great, whipping cream....vanilla.....stuff that's not in the average scone. Easy enough too!

If I can do it, you can to!