Sunday, March 25, 2012

OOOOOOO MMMMMMM GGGGGGG

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Can you believe I missed my own blogaversary??????  Well if you knew me at all, you would be shocked.  I thought it was April but in actual fact it was March 16th. I never forget stuff like this. (hangs head in shame).  I’m the one who remembers everyone’s birthday. I’m that freaky friend who always remembers.  But yes, I forgot my own blog’s birthday.  Bummer.

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Well the last year has been amazing.  I’ve met so many wonderful people and learned so many things my head just might explode from all the excess.  And if I hadn’t gone to the gym or for a run now and again, I probably would have gained 100 pounds from all the sweet treats I’ve baked and read about.

So what have I learned about blogging?  Well where to begin.  I think I’ll just list ten things, in no particular order.

  1. Be yourself.  Don’t try to emulate another blogger or a celebrity chef if you want people to come back.   Write what you know.  Share enough about yourself that you feel comfortable sharing.
  2. Write naturally and don’t offend your readers.  I write the way I talk.  Which may not be great for an 5000 word English essay in university, but works really well when trying to engage your readers.
  3. Start slow and be patient .  There’s no reason to go crazy out of the gate but don’t be nonchalant either.  Start with 2-3 posts a week and increase from there.  Keep your blog fresh.  New and fun items brings your readers back for more.
  4. Stats are great but don’t get obsessed with them.  I’m still learning this one.  I was lucky if I got more than 100 hits a day.  Your readers will come. Be patient.
  5. Read other blogs and comment frequently if there’s a blog you like.  If you want people to comment, they want to know that you do the same.  Quid Pro Quo.
  6. Use other social media to “advertise” your blog.  I was a techno-free zone when I started.  Then I created a Facebook page and my husband got me a Twitter account.  Be careful, it’s addictive.  Follow people and use proper etiquette.  I just watched what others were doing and followed along.
  7. Build relationships.  Other bloggers are your best source of information and inspiration.  Ask questions.  Don’t be shy.  They love to help out.
  8. Also use your social media to share other’s work.  If you like something, share it.  I love sharing what other awesome people have made.  This helps build relationships.
  9. Never steal, always credit.  If you didn’t create it, don’t claim it.  There are a lot of people out there claiming stuff as their own when they’ve never come close to making something like it.  Never ever do this.  It’s a sure fire way to end your blogging career.  If you do use another’s picture, ask first.  Most bloggers will say yes.  They deserve the credit!
  10. Have fun.  If it starts to feel like ‘a job’, then maybe blogging isn’t for you.  I love thinking up my next creation or sharing what I’m craving.  If I don’t want to be bothered to make something, then I don’t.  It should never feel like you have to do something.

So in honour of my blogaversary, I baked you a cake!

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Dark Chocolate White Chocolate Mocha Bailey’s 6 Layer Cake

  • 4 cups plus 2 tbsp unbleached flour
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp dark chocolate cocoa
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate mocha powder
  • 2 scant tsp baking powder
  • 2 scant tsp baking soda
  • 2/3 tsp salt
  • 3 3/4 sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 2 scant cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 cups plain greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup Baileys
  1. Combine flour, cocoa, mocha powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugars together.  Add eggs one at a time.
  3. Scrape down bowl.
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients with Greek yogurt.
  5. Add Baileys.
  6. Divide batter into 6-9 inch pans and use a small off-set spatula to make smooth.  Make sure to spray and parchment your pans.
  7. Bake until knife comes clean.  Let cool.

Baileys Dark Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream:

  • 5 large egg whites
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cap full of Baileys
  • 4 1/2 ounces melted semisweet chocolate
Directions
  1. Combine egg whites, sugar, and salt in the heatproof bowl of a standing mixer set over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly by hand until mixture is warm to the touch and sugar has dissolved
  2. Attach the bowl to the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Starting on low and gradually increasing to medium-high speed, whisk until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy and glossy, and completely cool (test by touching the bottom of the bowl), about 10 minutes.
  3. With mixer on medium-low speed, add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all butter has been added, whisk in vanilla and Baileys.
  4. Fold in chocolate
  5. Keep buttercream at room temperature if using the same day.  It makes about 5 cups.

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Thank you again for joining me on my journey through the sweet treat world!

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and Thanks for looking and to another year!  Now make a wish!  I did :)



Linking with:
Mix it Up Monday
Mingle Monday
Melt In Your Mouth Monday
Mouthwatering Monday
Mangia Mondays
Made By You Monday
Tasty Tuesday
Crazy Sweet Tuesdays
Tuesday Tutorials
Tea Party Tuesday
Hearth & Soul Blog Hop
Cast Party Wednesday
Mrs Fox's Sweets
Sweet Treat Thursday
Full Plate Thursday
It's A Keeper Thursday

24 comments:

  1. OMG indeed! Happy blogaversary! Can I have some cake please?!

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  2. Happy Anniversary Karen! Great post and great advice. As for the cake, you had me at Baileys LOL.

    I'm so glad that I found your blog and very grateful we grew a friendship from this connection.

    P.S. You and I share the same blog anniversary date :)

    P.P.S. Hoping we are able to connect in person again this year.

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  3. Happy ANNIVERSARY KAREN. I Love this post.
    Delicious cake! I hope I'm not too late to have a slice!

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  4. Happy happy bloggiversary!! Our blog babies are almost twins!! We should get them together and eat cake!!

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  5. Happy Blogaversary! I am so glad I have gotten to know you over the past couple of months. I love your blog, its fun to read and delicious to look at....and I LOVE MY CAKE....you went all out..SMBC with BAILEYS!!! Yum.

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  6. Happy belated Blog-versary!! It's always a joy to read your posts and see your creations. I look forward to more!

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  7. Happy Birthday!! Congrats on being a year old! That is so exciting:)

    Thanks for taking the time to share what you have learned with us. I am taking notes:)

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  8. Wow this cake sounds and looks amazing! Happy Blogging Anniversary! :o)

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  9. hello, I found your bog through made for you Mondays. Happy blog anniversary! Your cake looks delicious.

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  10. WOW this cake sounds so yummy! Happy blogaversary!! Very exciting :)

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  11. Happy Blogiversary and the cake looks delicious!

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  12. Happy Anniversary! This cake looks amazing and I love the blog tips... Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday :)

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  13. Happy Blogoversary to you! You've included some great advice for new bloggers. My blog/website is 10 years old this year and I enjoy it more every day. I hope you will always feel that way about your blog too (and it's so lovely I can't see why you wouldn't!!). As for that wonderful cake - OMG indeed! It's absolutely gorgeous and it sounds just mouthwatering. I love the dark and white chocolate combination, as well as that lovely icing! By the way, what is white chocolate mocha powder? I'm not sure we have it here in the UK, but it may just be called something else. Can you share a brand name with me?

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    1. Hey April, thanks so much! The white chocolate mocha powder is from Ghiradelli, I got it at World Market here, not sure where you would get it in England.

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  14. Happy Blogiversary Karen! I have so enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you over the past year. I love your tips, all of them are 100% true! And here's to many more birthdays. :)

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  15. Happy Happy BLOGGY BIRTHDAY for YOU!! Wow it is fun to "get to know ya" a bit over the past months. I really enjoy how you right and following along w/ what Rowan is doing. Being a virtual part of her birthday with that amazing cake was fun!! Your blog tips hit home, very helpful that is for sure. I did much of the same. I have found that the minute blogging feels stressful one needs to just take a step back and get back to the basics. Big hug friend!!

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  16. not fair! I want cake now:P Happy birthday to you and your blog.

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  17. That is one AMAZING cake! Happy one year!

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  18. Happy blogaversary !:)
    The cake looks FANTASTIC

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  19. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Your recipe is being featured today at Cast Party Round Up!
    http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=26889
    Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at Cast Party Wednesday! Please grab a "featured" button ---Sheryl---

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  20. Happy Blogaversary to YOU Karen!
    Now that is a cake and worthy to celebrate with, it is beautiful and a great presentation! Hope you have a great week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  21. Congratulations!
    Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a fabulous week end and enjoy you new Red Plate.
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

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  22. Happy Blogaversary!
    Your cake looks so good! =)

    Following you from Miz Helens blog.

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