Leap Year Cocktail

The Leap Year is a somewhat popular cocktail, at least it's been around for many years (1930's at least) and if not on the tips of tongues, in the back of minds and a well-rounded Martini alternative.


Ingredients:
-2 oz gin
-1/2 oz sweet vermouth
-1/2 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur
-1/4 oz lemon juice -lemon twist for garnish

Preparation:
-Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
-Stir well.
-Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
-Garnish with a lemon twist.

Birthday Cake #2

So last night I baked the birthday boy his second cake... His favorite, Kahlua cake!

Here is the recipe.

Kahlua Cake 
Cake Ingredients: 
1 yellow cake mix, preferably Duncan Hines
1 (6 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding 
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup oil
4 large eggs
1/4 cup Kahlua
1/4 cup vodka
3/4 cup water

Glaze:  
1/4 cup Kahlua
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for serving
Directions: 

• Preheat oven to  350°F and oil & flour a bundt pan, I just Pam for baking. 
• In large bowl, combine all cake ingredients, about 4 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing top, then bake until wooden pick or skewer inserted into center comes out clean, about 45-50 minutes.
• While cake is baking, make glaze. In small bowl, whisk together Kahlua and powdered sugar. 
• Pour over warm cake, after it is removed from the pan, and sprinkle with additional powdered sugar before serving. 
• I added a little powdered sugar on top for effect :) 

Birthday Cake #1

Well that time of year is here again... Birthday time for a special guy in my life. Last year I was trying to win him over with my culinary abilities, so I decided to make his 2 favorite cakes, Angel & Kahlua. When I asked him this year what kind of cake he wanted, he replied with both as his answer. He said... I made them both last year and it was my fault to have started the trend. I think I have created a birthday monster, but then again I love to bake and love to try and make birthdays special. 

I dropped the Angel Food cake off to his work. I made your standard Angel Food cake & drizzled an orange glaze over it. So simple, zest 1 orange and juice it. Mix in powdered sugar until it is the consistency you desire and slowly drizzle it on top. You could also add some dark chocolate shavings to the top.