chocolate fudge frosting and no one to lick the bowl

by Michelle

thickening

Funny how you can have three daughters, love them each intensely but miss one of them, more, at times. My heart was hurting, a little, yesterday for Sara.

I never told you about her leaving. It was too hard to write about and would’ve been harder still for Ralph to read. It’s been eight weeks since I’ve looked into those beautiful blues eyes.

She was the last, of our three daughters, to leave home. When the girls were small, Sara used to say to her sisters, “You go first…” Some things never change. Her leaving was as hard as the first two but I’ve gotten better at coping – or so I thought.

Knowing she’s having the adventure of her life and no matter how supportive and proud I feel, some days, without her, just suck.

Raising fearless daughters has it’s down side.

Watching the girls lick the spoon, beaters and bowl was my favorite part of baking them a cake. Today, as I rinsed the bit of left-over frosting down the drain, I remembered how sweet  their little faces looked with chocolate smeared on their lips and noses. They’d love this frosting…

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Rich Creamy Chocolate Fudge Frostingfrom Blue Eggs and Yellow Tomatoes Cook Book
Enough to fill and frost a 3 layer cake

12 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped into 1” pieces
1/3 cup butter,
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1 ¼ cups whipping cream
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla

THE STEPS:

Place the chocolate and butter in a medium sized mixing bowl then set aside
Mix the sugar and water in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
Place sauce pan over medium heat and stir sugar until it’s dissolved.
Add the cream and salt then bring to a boil.
Once mixture is boiling, remove the pot from the heat and pour cream over chocolate and butter.
Let it stand for 5 minutes then whisk until smooth
Add vanilla extract and whisk well
Let the frosting cool at room temperature then chill until it’s a spread able consistency. Don’t let the frosting harden in the refrigerator – you just want it spreadable!

THE LOVE: If you’re going to the trouble to make this frosting be sure to use chocolate with at least 60% cacao. No sense skimping…

click here for the printable recipe

slice of cake

one year ago: coq au vin blanc

two years ago: pasta with spicy tuna and grape tomatoes

close up

Thanks for reading.

19 comments

Michèle C. Brideau February 24, 2014 - 12:15 pm

The story about Sara means I will never forget this frosting… thank you (and Ralph) for sharing.

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 1:23 pm

xo

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Judith February 24, 2014 - 12:29 pm

I know a few people that would likely act as a ‘stand in’ while Sara is away!

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Ralph February 24, 2014 - 12:56 pm

I miss our girls…………………………………………… ;[

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 1:23 pm

I know.

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 1:23 pm

Hmmm…whom might they be? – lol!

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Mary Sue McClain February 24, 2014 - 1:41 pm

I understand exactly how you feel. Though it has been some time since my “boys” flew the coop, I still occasionally feel sadness for what once was. I feel sometimes that maybe I did too good a job teaching them to fly.
I love and relate to many of your posts. Thank you!

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 10:31 pm

In a completely selfish way, i wish I would have made my girls a bit more needy…but then they wouldn’t be who they are. It is what it is.

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Tammy February 24, 2014 - 1:53 pm

Who would ever of thought just how hard this time in life would be. Being proud and supportive comes so easy. Having those crushing moments when you realize everyone is beginning a new chapter and it’s not how you planned it….well that’s another feeling altogether. :).. hugs.

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 10:32 pm

It is indeed. xo

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Kaitie February 24, 2014 - 3:09 pm

YOU RINSED THE FROSTING DOWN THE DRAIN?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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meggie February 24, 2014 - 5:04 pm

I can’t even believe it! And she ate this cake for breakfast and it’s not even her birth! It’s like she is breaking all the rules now that we don’t live there!

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meggie February 24, 2014 - 5:04 pm

birthday*

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 10:33 pm

There’s no one here to keep me in line! xoxox

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 10:32 pm

I knew you’d key in on that point! xoxoxox

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Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate February 24, 2014 - 6:01 pm

Licking the beaters is definitely the best part!

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Michelle February 24, 2014 - 9:06 pm

I agree

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Sheila February 25, 2014 - 3:59 am

The frosting looks beautiful and delicious! And your story is precious, resonates with my mom heart. ~ Sheila

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Michelle February 25, 2014 - 11:49 am

I think every mom can relate…It’s that bittersweet piece of being a mother.

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