Rach’s Cakes Challenge

Over at Rach’s Cakes, this month’s challenge was “Halloween”.  I made a cake for one of my husband’s coworkers this week, so that’s my submission.  It is a carrot cake with cream cheese decorator’s icing.  Piped pumpkins adorn the top.

And I thought I’d also share another pumpkin cake I’ve made in the past.  This one was actually for a baby shower, but it would be great for a Halloween or Thanksgiving cake too, minus the baby on top!

 

Rach decided to take a ‘hiatus’ on the challenges until January, but I can’t wait till the next one!

White Chocolate Walnut Blondies

So, you know those amazing “sizzling” blondies you can get at one of the big chain restaurants?  The one with the walnuts and white chocolate chunks and is topped with ice cream and bathed in a sinful sauce that sizzles when it reaches the hot skillet they serve it on?  You know the one?  Sure.  I’ll pause a minute while you wipe the drool from your chin. 

Okay…now that you’ve composed yourself…I’m going to show you how to make that SAME awesome dessert!  Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Blondies:

4 egg whites

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

8 oz. white chocolate (coarsely chopped, or use chips)

1 cup chopped walnuts

 

Preheat oven to 325.  Whip the egg whites to stiff peaks.  Add the softened butter, sugars and vanilla.

 Mis this until smooth. 

In a seperate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Then add the dry ingredients to the wet.

Mix until smooth.  Stir in the white chocolate and walnuts.  Spread into a greased 9×13 pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes.

While the cake bakes, combine the following ingredients for the luscious sauce:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

1/4 tsp salt

Stir it all together.  When the cake is finished, pop the sauce mixture in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds until warm and pourable.

 

To assemble…Place a big ol’ hunk of blondie on a plate…

Oh man.

Now, plop a big scoop of ice cream on the blondie…

Oh my.

Now, smother the whole thing in that luscious, sinful sauce…

Oh yeah baby.  That’s what I’m talking about!

Heaven help me. 

Now, you can heat up a cast iron skillet and do it up just like the famous restaurant does…but I was too lazy for that.  But if you wanna…go ahead.  It won’t taste any different, but it’s a nice presentation none the less.