Vanilla Layer Cake with Chocolate Cheesecake

I still can’t believe I get to be creative with some of the most luscious bits of  goodness.

This particular creation was inspired by a cake I baked several weeks ago – chocolate cake with traditional cheesecake.  Why not construct a cake with vanilla sponge and chocolate cheesecake?  Oh heavens… why not?!

This seemed like just the cake to take to a dinner out with family and friends.  I love it when my life partner and I get to spend a wonderful evening with people that know how to laugh and have fun.

How this cake went together…

These are all the components I baked… the 9″ round layers of vanilla cake (with enough batter leftover for a few cupcakes)  and a square chocolate cheesecake.  I was having trouble finding a round springform baking pan when I needed one a few months ago, but there were plenty of square sizes to choose from.  Ok.  I guess.  Upside?  The bits I trim away are always good for taste-testing.

After the crumb coat, I’m always faced with the choices of cake decorating!  Here’s a blank slate… now what?   As evidenced by the many blog posts, I love drippy chocolatey things…and swirls.

Unfortunately, I had made a few not-so-bright decisions.  This is a 9″ cake and I’d placed it on a 10″ scalloped cake board. I don’t know what I was thinking.  In really trying to make it work, I decided to keep the bottom edging simple…err… it looks pretty awful.  #epicfail #cakewrecks

Placing the entire cake on my Fiesta Ware Sea Mist two-handled cake plate was a smart decision.  I knew I could work with this size very well.  Again, unfortunately, the smoothness of the buttercream never reached this same level of goodness – I’d just messed with it too much.

These little cookies were soft and chewy and such a fun surprise.  I had baked these the night before.  To get the size I was looking for was harder than expected.  I used the mini chocolate chips to have at least a chance, but it takes surprisingly very little batter to make a cookie the size of a quarter/2euro coin.

I love this little slice of cake.  Our friends seemed to really enjoy it.  And my dude said he loved it. 

My life is great…I get to be creative, I have the support of my people, and my life partner is my biggest cheerleader.  None of it is possible without sobriety.  And I look forward to being back in rehab.