Red White and Blue…and Chocolate

Is it possible to improve upon perfection. At one time, my answer would have been a firm and immediate no…but now, I’m not quite sure. What has brought about this change of heart? To start at the beginning, I had this wonderful scrumptious butter cake…yes the very one featured in the blog post. It was the cake for which dreams are made. But maybe, possibly, could I add a touch…a really big touch of…wait for it… chocolate? Yes I could and yes I did…the verdict…the perfection of perfection!

The Usual Cast Of Characters

2 sticks butter, melted

1 pkg chocolate cake mix

3 eggs (one egg for bottom cake layer THEN two eggs for filling layer)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup cocoa powder

16 oz confectioners sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

The Steps to Glory

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 convection) and prepare a 9-inch by 3-inch round cake pan OR 9×13 dish. (I have heard a bundt works as well!)

2. Combine the cake mix, 1 egg (you will use the other two eggs elsewhere), and 1 stick melted butter (1/2 cup), and stir until well blended.

3. Pat the mixture into prepared pan and set aside.

4. In a stand mixer on medium speed (or using a hand-held mixer), beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs and the cocoa powder.

5. Lower the speed of the mixer and add the powdered sugar. Slowly add the remaining 1 stick (1/2 cup) of melted butter. Add vanilla and continue to beat the mixture until smooth.

6. Pour filling over cake mixture in pan.

7. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. (check at 30 minutes with 9×13) Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking.

8. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces.

Served wonderfully with Red, White and Blue!

inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty.Made by you.Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday.Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Party in your PJs. Wednesday blog hop. Home and garden. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Grandma’s house DIY. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. Morning cup of joe. Home matters sweet inspiration best of the weekend. Create bake grow. 5 Things Friday. Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon. Your whims Wednesday

Friday Favorites #432

I hope your 4th was as exciting as a fireworks show…or as relaxing as a bike parade!

76C9B380-FF21-4B62-B4E3-92B53E5E94F9

The blog party is looking for hostess! Come join our team!


Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming AliceFB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage PresentsTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

</p>
<p style=”text-align: center;”><a href=”http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/&#8221; target=”_blank”><img class=”aligncenter” src=”http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg&#8221; border=”0″ /></a></p>
<p>

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! Continue reading

Beautiful America

My country, ’tis of thee,Sweet land of liberty,


Of thee I sing;


Land where my fathers died,

Land of the pilgrims’ pride,


From ev’ry mountainside


Let freedom ring!

inspire me Monday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty.Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Talk of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Wednesday blog hop. Home and garden. Waste not. Style showcase. Grandma’s house. Vintage charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Thursday favorites. Share your cup. Morning cup of joe.Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. 5 Things Friday. Fresh market. Faith and family. Sunday at home. Snickerdoodle happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday.DI&DIAmaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon. Dagmar’s house

your whims Wednesday

Friday Favorites #431

If you have a minute please pray for my City Of Annapolis…How do you wrap your head around brokenness of our world? 

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming AliceFB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage PresentsTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

</p><br /><br /><br /><br />
<p style=”text-align: center;”><a href=”http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/&#8221; target=”_blank”><img class=”aligncenter” src=”http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg&#8221; border=”0″ /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br />
<p>

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! Continue reading

Sitting on the Front Porch…

…not a place but a state of mind.

The first time we set eyes on this house, the front porch beckoned to us…

…and we fell in love.

During the summer, so much of life happens here…

…and we are always open for company!

Although the Princess would rather be back on the beach!

inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday. Tuesday at our house. The scoop. Make it pretty. Made by you. Metamorphosis. You’re the star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday.Talk Of The town. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Party in your pjs. Share your cup. Home and garden. Thursday favorites. Waste not. Dagmar’s house. Style showcase. Grandma’s DIY. Wednesday Blog Hop. Vintage Charm. Friday features. Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Pit stop. Faith and family. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Best of the weekend. Create bake grow. 5 Things Friday. Fresh market. Sunday at home. Share it. Snickerdoodle. Happiness is homemade. Saturday shuffle. Silver pennies. Create with joy. Inspiration Monday. DI&DI. Amaze me. Smell good Sunday. Over the moon.

Friday Favorites #430

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming AliceFB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage PresentsTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas SkyTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

</p><br />
<p style=”text-align: center;”><a href=”http://www.simplysweethome.com/category/friday%20favorites/&#8221; target=”_blank”><img class=”aligncenter” src=”http://www.simplysweethome.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Friday-Favorites-Button.jpg&#8221; border=”0″ /></a></p><br />
<p>

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! Continue reading