Cherry Crumb Cake & 2 D-LISH Giveaways!

I had no idea how much I loved cherry season until I moved to this area. Look at what I did today, I am so stoked on this because I am many things but a baker I am not... or maybe I am now...


Ingredients:

***Cake***

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup coarsely chopped pitted fresh cherries, tossed with 2 tablespoons flour

***Topping***

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Preparation:
Heat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
With an electric mixer, cream 6 tablespoons of butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream until blended.

In another bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter just until blended. Fold in cherries. Spoon into the prepared baking pan.

Combine 6 tablespoons of butter with 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pecans. Mix well. With fingers, crumble the streusel mixture evenly over the cake batter.

Bake the cake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Serves 8 to 10. Enjoy!


Now down to business. There are a couple fab giveaways I am excited to let you in on...

• Robin over at Threadbear Thoughts has this sweet pinapple necklace she brought back from Charleston just for the giveway! Go. Enter. ASAP!
• Alya at Pomegranate and Patchouli is giving away some jeans, umm hello... do I even need to tell you to Go. Enter. ASAP?!?!

But before you do... leave me some blog lovin' because it brightens my day! I hope your Sunday Funday was full of laughter & happiness!

Taco-licious Tuesday

Dear Fred,

It's that day of the week again, you know the one where every slick rick and beach bunny in SoCal hoards in to consume numerous amounts of tacos and margaritas.

I miss you for your Baja Fish Tacos, black beans and rice, and The Cadillac. Truly, a fiesta on my pallet.

Me and Fannie enjoying our Cadillacs @ Fred's Mexican Cafe, go tequila!

-Missing the Cali life! But I am gonna suck it up and make tacos at home while the wind blows and rain pours down. I found a new recipe, these lil jems are called Not So Fat Tacos. If you are interested in exploring new, healthier options for your diet maybe you should take a gander at this...

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 - inch chunks
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 - inch chunks
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 cup bulgar
8 ounces ground sirloin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 15 ounce can low sodium crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 6 inch corn tortillas
4 ounces crumbled feta
2 cups shredded romaine

• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium heat. Add peppers, scallion whites, and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for about 7 minutes or until peppers are crisp-tender. Stir in bulgar. Add sirloin, chili powder, and cumin and cook, stirring until beef is no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
• Mix in tomatoes and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes or until bulgar is tender.
• Using tongs, hold each tortilla over the burner for about 15 seconds or until lightly toasted. Spoon 1/2 cup filling down the center of each tortilla. Top with feta, romaine and scallion greens.

Perhaps I should have waited until after I try this recipe but I am too excited! I am sure they will be dericiousness. Now I just need to find a perfect margarita and I am set! Off to watch The Hills from last night.

Ciao for now!