27 and my new favorite chocolate frosting

 We are so exciting to celebrate our birthdays (they are a week apart) with a date at the local bowling alley restaurant, The Grill.

The cupcakes I made. This was the first time I'd tried chocolate frosting. It was great!

"...Happy Birthday to Mo-om. Happy Birthday to you!"

I think I already have everything I could wish for. Except maybe a backyard. And a garage. And my own house. And...maybe... ok, I'll stop now...

Whole Wheat Chocolate Cake from 100 Days of Real Food (yes, this recipe has sugar in it, but it would still be a much better option than a cake from a box or a grocery store!)
2 cups whole white wheat, sifted
1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup coconut oil
1 1/2 cups water
2 eggs
2 Tbl vanilla

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients including flour, cocoa, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a small bowl, combine coconut oil, water, eggs, and vanilla. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix by hand with a whisk. Bake at 325* for 18-20 minutes.

Dark Chocolate Cream Frosting
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/3 cup plus 2 Tbl pure maple syrup
1 cup whipping cream

Cream together cream cheese, cocoa, and syrup with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Slowly pour in whipping cream while  mixer is still going on a high speed and whip until thickened.



Here's a Nora-ism for your day:
Nora is sitting on the changing table getting her hair combed after her bath. I say, "Oh, you're such a pretty girl." And then she burps.