National Chocolate Day Almond Joy Cake w/Amish Friendship Bread Oct 29, 2011

   October 28th is National Chocolate Day. Okay, okay, I am a day behind. Need a break, here. Classes start Monday and I have been investigating how to go about taking online classes at a new school. I am slightly overwhelmed.

   Back to chocolate. I found a recipe for Amish Friendship Almond Joy Cake. I just so happened to have all the required ingredients in the house (thanks to The Stocked Kitchen .) So first I had to take out the starter from the freezer, and the almonds, also, to bring them to room temperature.

   Now, please understand, this is not my own original recipe, I am using a recipe from The Amish Friendship Bread Kitchen (click here). Just had to make that understood right up front.

   I had a lot of comments on my Facebook page, when I posted a photo of someone else's finished cake, so I thought this would probably be of interest to all you out there.

   Okay, so I followed the recipe closer than I usually follow other peoples' recipes (only used one box of pudding mix--only had one and it was dark, sweet chocolate,  I used sliced almonds, not slivered., and I added 1/2 teaspoon almond extract). and that's VERY unusual for me.

   Here they go into the oven:

   The aroma is driving me crazy! So while I wait for the last 20 minutes of baking time I am going to investigate making a ganache. I have an alternative in mind, so if I don't find anything that I feel like making, I'll go to Plan B.

   Okay, looks like Plan B it is--I am out of cream today. Dang, even using the Stocked Kitchen, I guess once in a while you can run out of things!

    Here's a photo of the pans fresh out of the oven:

 Plan B icing: I took a can of Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Frosting, and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds, to soften. I added 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and 1/4 cup sweetened coconut. OMG! Touchdown!