Do you ever bake at night so that you can fall asleep to heavenly scents?
I do that a lot in the fall. My baking this time of year contains a lot of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. If I take something out of the oven right before I head up to bed, I can actually drift off for the night with all those autumn spices whirling around my senses. I highly recommend you try it.
Even though it’s soaring back up to the 90s this week here in the sunny DC area, I’ve been baking for crunchy leaves and cooler breezes since Labor Day ended. This cake is no exception, and it’s magnificent. The base is pumpkin goodness, filled with all those lovely spices and chocolate chips. Did I mention that the whole cake is smothered in a rich chocolate glaze?
Last week was full of mishaps. As in, just a terrible week. On Wednesday I was at work when I learned that one of my teachers had fallen, so I rushed down the hall to check on her. On my way, I slipped in a stealth water spill and fell down too. Irony? The teacher was fine, but I couldn’t walk so well. I had to get to the urgent care clinic because my doctor wouldn’t see me without some kind of crazy workman’s comp claim number that I could’ve easily given him later (can I rant about healthcare sometime soon?) for an x-ray. Luckily, nothing was broken, but I’m very swollen and bruised.
To compound that (yes, I’m complaining), I had a 22-mile commute the next day to a training class. I don’t like commuting. More complaining.
That evening was Back to School Night, which means I had to be on my A-game to meet with parents. I put a pair of sneakers on over my bandaged foot (not my typical Back to School Night uniform of cute dress and heels) and went to work from my training class. When I opened my mouth, I realized that the fun continued. My voice was going.
See, I’ve had a cold for about a week, but it’s just been hovering. Do you ever have a hovering cold? It’s kind of polite in nature. It doesn’t intrude too much into your life except in the early morning or late at night, but then it really intrudes. No warning, and BAM! Suddenly, you’re going mute in front of parents.
By the next day, I had to face down my students with no voice at all. I spent the day croaking and rasping at them and feeling completely done in. Thank heaven the next day was Saturday. It was time to sit down and shut up. I was never gladder to do both.
One day into the weekend, and things are looking up. My foot is very bruised and still somewhat swollen, but it’s getting better. My voice is a light rasp now as opposed to completely silent, so yay. And I can bake even without a foot or a voice, so that’s the best news of all.
This cake is lovely. I don’t usually pair butter with pumpkin, but special occasions call for a fancier cake. What occasion, you might ask? Feeling better, y’all!
Because pumpkin and chocolate chip is the best combo ever, I had to put them into a decadent bundt with the best chocolate glaze in existence. This is my favorite glaze recipe bar none. It’s super easy, and it’s thicker than most glazes. It’s impossible not to love!
Last week was full of mishaps, but this week will be better and full of cake. It’s not how many times we fall, but how many times we determinedly get back up again. That’s what really matters!
Ingredients
Instructions
How do you fondue?
If you don’t, then there’s a big hole in your life. You know, that void where you have never experienced the joy of dipping food into melty cheese or chocolate. Be sad if you haven’t been there.
But feel free to change your ways, and now! I’m attaching a warning to this recipe: you will eat it and not be able to stop. Be ready. Come with an empty stomach!
Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone! I hope you’re reading this with festive food in front of you. It might be early, but how about a margarita? Honestly, I’m going to have to be careful here. If I don’t watch myself, I’ll wind up writing a 20-page essay about the glory of the margarita and never actually get to the dessert I made.
Because margaritas are just…yeah. I don’t have to explain, do I? They’re nice. Let’s leave it at that. But because it’s still morning where I am, I decided to start the day with these little bundt cakes instead.
I never used to think about when I ate. Until I had children.
Turns out, kids like to eat on a schedule. A predictable one. They like to know that they’ll eat, I guess. Constantly. And as a result, I now always contemplate my next snack or meal as well. I think I used to spend that spare energy napping.
But seeing as how I haven’t napped since 2008, I spend a lot of time preparing meals and snacks for my brood. You’d think that I’d be eating a lot more as a result, but I kind of lose my appetite after I’m done fetching milk and napkins and yogurt squeezies and more napkins to wipe up the spilled milk and then more milk because, you know, it spilled.
Oh Mir!! You deserve every single bite of this gorgeous cake all for you! I hope this week is a little less – eventful, shall we say? Hang in there my friend.
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Monte Cristo Salad
Me too! Hanging in there, Kate. Thanks for being my cheering section!
I’m not the biggest fan of pumpkin, and I normally like my desert with gluten, but this is really amazing.
I can’t believe you actually tried something I baked. #jasonateit #whoisjason #iloveyou
I will definitely have to try baking before I go to bed…I’ve done that before, but I’ll have to notice if the spices work! Looks delicious, Mir. You can’t go wrong with chocolate an pumpkin!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Roasted Parmesan Herb Sweet Potatoes
The spices are so soothing, Gayle!
Mir, oh my goodness!!! You had a rough week but I’m so glad things are looking up and your foot is feeling better and you’re getting your voice back. . as a teacher, I’m sure your voice is crucial! This pumpkin chocolate chip bundt cake is everything!!! and love the idea of baking at night so you can fall asleep smelling all the wonderful things .. the sign of a true baker! 🙂 have a great week!!! and wear those sneakers!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Crunchy Kale Salad
It’s always fun trying to teach with no voice. The kids are usually really cool about it, but it can be hard if they get loud! 🙂
Oh wow, you had one hellova week, Mir! I say vent away! I mean if you can’t complain here, where the heck can you?? Sorry you slipped and fell, but I’m glad your foot is better! And I’m glad your voice is coming back… I am thinking having a voice is pretty imperative for teaching. 😉 Anyways, You know I don’t like pumpkin, but daaaang you are making it look gooooood!! This bundt cake is so pretty! I’ve tried baking at night, but the smells just make me hungry! Lol. I’m thinking if I made this at night I’d never sleep because I imagine this cake smell FAB! Cheers, girlfriend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki Quinoa Bowls
I sometimes wish I had a classroom megaphone for those days when my voice decides to take a break. But that would be bad, right? 😉
This bundt cake looks delicious- pumpkin and chocolate pair so well together and I love how the pumpkin flavors get more intense each day after baking 🙂 Also night baking sounds incredible!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Vegan Spicy Sabzi Salad {Sweetgreen Copycat!}
It’s so true. Pumpkin only gets better with age!
That sounds like quite the week! Hope this next one is better for you! Probably will though if this cake is involved. Pumpkin and chocolate IS the best combo ever!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Pumpkin and chocolate is where it’s at, Stacey!
This cake would surely make all my troubles go away! Sorry for your week of mishaps, Mir…Murphy’s Law at its best!!
annie@ciaochowbambina.com recently posted…Grilled Cucumbers and Yellow Squash with Dorot Herbs
Murphy’s Law is such a #$%^. 🙂
Oh my gosh what a horrible week. 🙁 You deserved to eat this entire cake!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie
I’m working on it, Dorothy! 🙂