A group I belong to is having an Italian Dinner, so I thought it would be fun to make the dessert.  Doing a little research, I decided an Almond Cake with Whipped Cream laced with Gran Marnier would be one good one, but my favorite might be Tiramisu.  I have not made one, so tried two different recipes and invited my good friends, who just happened to be Italian for a tasting.  It was impulsive and fun.

The first recipe used Ladyfingers laced with dark rum, but I did not think the presentation was very pretty.  But is surely did taste

The second Tiramisu was made with two sponge cakes cut in half and laced with brandy. This one is much prettier, but the brandy was not as good.  So for the final it will be a combination of the two.

Be sure not to leave Ladyfingers out if you have a cat.  They were all over the floor in the morning.  I don’t think he ate many of them, but he sure did make a mess.

I find baking soothes my soul.  On a gray day, (which we have a lot in Washington) it makes my happy.  I don’t really ever eat what I cook, so pass it on to friends.  My local Fire Department is the recipient of many desserts.  I never baked too much when I was younger as I was always busy with my three sons.  They are grown, I am mostly retired and do not sit around very well.

Yesterday I made a Caramel Chocolate Cake, that tastes a lot better than it looks.  My step sons came by and loved it.  The caramel frosting did not set up, so it just kept rolling off the top, kind of like a slow lava lamp.

It is wrapped and ready to go to the local firemen.  I have not gotten any complaints yet.  Chocolate – Cake – Caramel – FREE!  No wonder no complaints.

I think people need to do what ever they need to do to be happy.  Baking makes me happy, so I bake.  Do something to make yourself happy every day.