30 Days Hath September, Day 5

Today's plan was to work on the parasol, and then do a social engagement later this evening, and make something little because I probably wouldn't get the parasol done again today. Well, plans changed a bit when my husband's coworker texted him. "Are you doing anything tomorrow? You guys should come over. I'm making Hawaiian pulled pork."

Hawaiian pulled pork. Change of plans! My mouth is watering just typing this. He invited us over much earlier than my other plans too. But hey, I can make that sacrifice. So here's the little simple something for today's Make N Tell challenge:



Plus a bonus, an edible one. I love to make baked desserts, cakes especially, and this one's a mouth-waterer. I've actually won a prize for it in a dessert contest. I call it my “Hot Chocolate” Cake:



Cake ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix (not milk chocolate)
1 package instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
¼ cup water
~ 1 tsp ground or fine chopped dried hot peppers, with seeds (add more for extra hot cake, to taste)
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz dark chocolate chunks or chips
4 oz chili infused chocolate, chopped (the best ones can be found in the cheese department at Whole Foods, or at Cost Plus)

Frosting –
1 container chocolate frosting (not milk chocolate)
4oz of chili infused chocolate, grated

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease inside of pan, then dust with 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate cake mix. Tap excess in to mixing bowl.

Mix all ingredients with electric mixer till uniform, using a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Batter will be very thick. Spoon into cakepan, smoothing with back of spoon or spatula. Bake 45 minutes, until cake surface springs back when touched and toothpick comes out clean. The bottom of the cake will bulge and crack when cooking, but don't worry - you invert it and no one will ever see it.

Let cool 10 minutes in pan, then invert onto serving dish.

Fill a large mixing bowl ~1/2 full of hot water. Scoop frosting into smaller metal mixing bowl, add grated chocolate. Place smaller bowl in hot water, and fold with spatula until frosting and chocolate melt slightly and mix. Use spatula to spread on still-warm cake. Can be served with vanilla ice cream. Garnish with dried peppers for looks.