tandy takes the cake

when i first read the “tandy takes” name on the recipe sent to me by my friend suvarna, i thought it was avoiding a copyright issue and frankly i thought it sounded like a little kid was trying to say kandy kakes (the tastykake treat). Well, it turns out in the 30s kandykakes were actually called tandytakes, and rumor has it that it was named that way because that is how a small child would say it. interesting. in any case, i couldnt pass up the opportunity to make a somewhat healthier version of this packaged treat. fresher is better, right? right.

it was my friend danielle’s birthday, and her fiance told me that although she loves (read: is obsessed with) cupcakes, she had gotten them from everyone she knows so maybe i should make something else. i was looking through my recipes and decided on this one without realizing that i was technically making cupcakes until i was already too excited to turn back. oops. i had a feeling she would forgive me though, especially since i made some of them square (cupcakes arent square, ya know), and they contained peanut butter and chocolate. (side note: she forgave me, and loved them) i am pretty happy with the way they turned out, but if i make them again, i think i might tweak the cake recipe slightly.

i know you cant really see the peanut butter that well in the finished product, so i wanted to show you the goodness that lies underneath. try not to drool on your keyboard.

although these cakes are awesome, i submit for your approval the most exciting addition to my kitchen: a new breakfast bar! (oooh! ahhh!)

i have a good amount of counter space, and a dining room table, but i was lacking somewhere to put food out for company, to casually eat (other than tv trays or the coffee table), to put all the things i already finished baking when i am in a frenzy, etc… turns out it is also a pretty sweet place to sit on my computer, updating all of you about my kitchen adventures. i have been wanting to install this for about two years now, but first i needed to wait for jeremy to have time to come help make the plans (he teaches, coaches like three hockey teams, and has a ton of other stuff going on), then couldnt decide what kind of wood i wanted, then the wood warped while sitting in storage, then it just kinda fell off for a bit. thankfully my wonderful stepfather offered to help and got the ball rolling again!

since i decided to go with tile, the original curved design i had picked out was going to be a problem, but going straight across isnt so bad– i just had to make sure we avoided having a sharp corner on the entrance to the room since i am incredibly clumsy! i love home improvement projects, so i was eager to help out on this…however, in order to get a head start and not take up my parents entire trip working on this, my stepfather cut the tile as well as the wood base and trim back in tn, and all we had left to do was assemble it here, which was still fun!

i am *really* happy with the way it turned out! i realized though that after this, there are only a few projects left before i would have to start redoing thinks that have already been done (dont worry… i wont! i will sit contently and enjoy my home, or at least stick to minor decorating updates).

Recipe:

4 eggs

2 c sugar

1 c milk (i can vouch for it working fine with almond milk instead)

1 tsp vanilla

2 c flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

peanut butter (i used approx a small jar)

large milk chocolate bar

Beat eggs until thick and fluffy. Gradually add sugar; continue beating. Add milk & vanilla; continue beating. Blend dry ingredients carefully and fold into egg mixture. Pour into greased 13×15 jelly roll pan (i used two muffin pans instead). Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden, making sure they do not start to burn. Remove cake and spread peanut butter over hot cake immediately, completely covering. Cool cake. After cooled, spread melted chocolate bar over top as icing.