Black Forest Cake - The Easy Way!

Chocolate and cherry is a favorite flavor combination for my son. When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to keep it on hand and share with you.

Vegetable oil spray a 9 x13-inch baking dish. I like using the glass, Pyrex type. No such pan in your kitchen? Use a couple of layer cake pans or even a tube cake pan. Just adjust the time for the changes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 box chocolate cake mix - your choice.
20-ounce can of cherry pie filling
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of cinnamon
Grated zest of one orange (optional)

Combine all the ingredients in your mixing bowl and mix on medium speed until the mixture is just combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan(s). Bake for 40-45 minutes (depending on size you used for pans). Test cake  by inserting a toothpick in the center of the cake. It should come out 'clean' with no wet batter.

Cool completely and serve with freshly whipped cream.

1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all the ingredients in a mixer bowl and beat until stiffened and fluffy. Don't over beat as you aren't looking for making butter here!

You can either frost your cold cake with the whipped cream or serve it along side a generous slice. The whipped cream holds up well for about three days in the refrigerator.

Until the Cows Come Home . . .

More and more, I am observing an epidemic that is invading even the 'more polite' society of the world . . . gum chewing. Whereas the habit of chewing gum used to be with the younger, bubble gum set, is now a part of many grownups' life style. Nothing more fun than being crammed in a plane seat with a jaw-snapping gum chewer. You can often hear the popping of an ardent gum chewer an aisle or two away in the supermarket. You attend a funeral or wedding and it is not unlikely that the father of the bride will come down the aisle, jaw in motion. What is disheartening are the senior citizens who have joined the movement of the jaw.

Is open-mouthed gum chewing now considered a fashion statement? Have any of these people every taken a look in the mirror to see what they are showing others when pursuing this occupation? What is the value of a wad of gum that's been pounded between teeth for hours? The flavor is long gone. Am I out of touch because I don't indulge in the occupation?

One Sunday, I glanced over and saw a large family in an adjoining pew, all completely in rhythm as they listened to the sermon and 'kept time' with their busy jaws loaded with a wad of gum. It was like seeing a line up of cows happily ruminating on their cud.

Now, I'm not against gum. It can have it's uses but to share the contents of one's mouth to view on a constant basis and still be classy . . . sorry, it doesn't work.