Wow - I had so many problems making this block. I blame it on Mercury (see below). Maybe it was having to resize it, then calculate making the half square triangles. Maybe I'm just not that into this sew along.
The Lone Elm Tree Block - 9"
Here is the first block which is too small.
Okay - Mercury! We get it. You're in retrograde.
See this link to learn more about it. I think I'm sensitive because as a Gemini, I'm a Mercury girl and it is my ruling planet. 
Hooray for Derby Day. I always love the tradition of watching.
We had a nice group meeting up at the quilt show a couple of weeks ago so I decided to bring Birthday cake for my friend, Norma. It is called Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake. Yum!
I made a baby cake for Mr. Fun since he wasn't coming to the show.
Mmmm. It has a warm fudge like frosting. Did I say Yum?
Have a great weekend Everyone.
xo
CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY CAKE
Cake:
1 pkg plain devil's food cake mix with pudding
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure almond extract
Chocolate Glaze:
1 c sugar
1/3 c butter
1/3 c whole milk
1 pkg. (6 oz; 1 c) semi sweet chocolate chips
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly mist a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with vegetable spray. Set pan aside.
Place cake mix, cherry pie filling, eggs and extract in a large bowl. Blend with a mixer on low for 1 minute. Stop and scrape down bowl. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more. Batter should look thick and well blended. Pour batter in pan, smooth top. Place in oven.
Bake cake until it springs back when lightly pressed and pulls away from the sides of the pan. 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack. Prepare glaze while cake is hot.
Make a glaze, place sugar, butter and milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips. When chips are melted and glaze is smooth, pour it over the warm cake, covering the entire cake. Glaze will be thin but will firm up as it cools.
Your block is very cute ! But I found it a little bit difficult me too ! I have a friend who has no blog and i will share her blocks too !
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipe ! Oh my..... delicious yummy ! 😆
I wish you a lovely and happy Friday !
Glad the blocks turned out ok in the end and now I am craving chocolate cake for breakfast :)
ReplyDeletecake is good for breakfast! I wish I knew your email - have a good weekend
DeleteGlad the blocks turned out ok in the end and now I am craving chocolate cake for breakfast :)
ReplyDeleteI love how your block turned out - PITA or not! The chocolate cherry cake recipe sounds like a keeper - can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteYour block looks great. I too had problems with this one, the tree trunk measurement was too short and had to be recut larger and resewn. That cake looks and sounds absolutely delightful - must try it soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat job resizing the Lone Elm block and enjoyed seeing the ones made by your friends. Congrats on the big win! Chocolate cake looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI say slap a border on that first tree and viola...it's the perfect size! Now I need to go find out more about this whole mercury issue, I had no idea. :)
ReplyDeleteThat chocolate cake looks delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Congrats on the win!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat block, despite the mercury interference! I love the little cake for Mr. Fun!
ReplyDeleteYum! And your block is just fine. Sorry that Mercury got in the way, but I love it anyway. I'm not doing this one this time. Maybe I figured it would be just too much math! I love watching others sew-a-long!
ReplyDeleteI love the Derby Day too. Congrats on the win and on winning the upper hand on your block. I haven't done mine yet. I know, procrastinator #1 here. lol. Enjoy the cake. So sweet that you bake a mini for hubby. He's a spoiled hubby. ;^)
ReplyDeleteI always feel like I am missing something that I don't do Barbara's SALs, but now I am glad I didn't have the frustration of this one. I like Diane's suggestion. : )
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your win.
"Sweet" of you to make Mr. Fun his own little cake. It sounds very delicious!
Enjoyed seeing the different blocks...ummm ummmm did someone say cake???
ReplyDeleteGreat looking blocks by everyone, but I'll admit I got sidetracked by the chocolate cherry cake!
ReplyDeleteThat cake looks and sounds fantastic! I'm pretty sure I have all of those ingredients in the house... Good thing there are 6 cake eaters here too :0) I like all of the Tree of Life blocks - I've always liked that block. Hopefully the next BOM block gets you more excited again.
ReplyDeleteI like your pink block! I haven't made mine yet and will be continuing with the red, white and blue colors. I'm not sure how the colors will be arranged.
ReplyDeleteCute tree block! It's frustrating when things don't go as planned. If you aren't "feeling the love" for this sewalong why stick with it?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the win!! Hope your weekend is grand, friend!
Your blocks look Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your friends blocks too.
Thanks for sharing your yummy Cake recipe, will have to try this one.
Oh yes, yumminess all around. Yummy cute blocks and cake AND FUDGE ICING!!!!
ReplyDeleteMmmm Cake!! I'm having such fun reading all your blog posts!
ReplyDelete