Vanilla Layer Cake with Raspberries and Mascarpone Frosting

September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 18 Comments

This is THE cake of your dreams. I promise.

I never want to make and then consume another cake or frosting ever again. This cake is too good. I saw a cake like this and loved how pretty it was but couldn’t find a recipe that I liked. I looked for months. Then finally, I found it. With a few little tweaks I’ve found what is the best white cake/frosting combo of all time. You choose the fruit/filling of your choice and I promise you dreams will come true.

The older I get the more I like fruit with my dessert (I literally remember being so annoyed when all the old church ladies would bring lemon bars and fruit desserts to all the potlucks and now I’m starting to get it. Plus there’s the diabetes I guess…). Don’t get me wrong, fruit certainly isn’t a necessity in my desserts. I literally just sat on the couch and ate an entire sleeve of graham crackers dipped in Nutella while binge watching Netflix. Damn you Netflix for nurturing my bad habits. Fruit desserts just seem to be creeping their way higher and higher on my list (but it’s fruit which means it’s healthy).

I just had a terrifying realization…I was about to reminisce about how it’s totally cool to devour garbage foods while binge watching Netflix because winter is on the way and that means I can hide myself under sweaters and baggy clothes…wrong!! I have to wear yoga clothes and be an example of health…what have I done!?

JK…(for the most part). Yoga is the greatest thing ever and it actually helps me eat way healthier when I know I am headed to class or to teach! But even yoga isn’t going to stop me from eating all the cake at all times of the morning, day and night!

Aren’t you obsessed with these pictures. The raspberries look sooooooo pretty. And seriously this cake tastes even better than it looks!

And then you slice into it…and it is filled with even more beauty. More raspberries and MORE frosting. This frosting is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. I ate that on graham crackers too…and then I ran out of grahams so I just switched over to regular crackers. I HAVE A PROBLEM.

You could also mush up the raspberries for the middle/filling of the cake if you wanted more raspberry in every bite. You could also just do a layer of jam or a homemade sauce throughout this layer (or chocolate/caramel)…the list goes on and on!

Whether you’re looking for a cake for a party or celebration or just feel like making a cake for no reason (that’s what I did), I recommend you try this recipe as soon as possible. It’s delicious! And no one has to know if you eat the entire thing on the couch while binge watching Netflix. I promise you won’t be the first….

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Lately

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 10 Comments

This was my last full week of real-life work.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

If you would have told me 4 months ago after I finished my teacher training that I would actually be able to quit my job and teach full time yoga I would have hugged you and then punched you in the face. I’ll admit it was the goal/dream, but now that it’s the reality I don’t know what to think. It’s starting to sink in and I am so excited/fearful at the same time.

There is excitement in the unknown. There are so many opportunities and I can’t wait to get out there and discover them. There is also so much fear of the unknown and failure. I have an incredible support system but my mind can be my worst enemy at times. Yoga has taught me so much, but there are times I can’t get out of my head and the doubt rushes in and I feel paralyzed in my own thoughts. Trying to practice what I preach can be the hardest thing sometimes!

Mikey rolled his ankle last night and it totally brought me back to last year at this time when I had my sprain and was forced to be patient and take time to rest my body, which caused my head to spin temporarily. We get so caught up in what we should be doing, what everyone else is doing, or what they have and how we want it. It makes me so sad to think of the moments that pass by that I don’t even see because I’m thinking about what’s next.

Mikey is doing well, btw. He’s an ankle-sprain veteran and we did the ice/ibu/air cast routine last night and he is now off to work (with a mad hobble). It’s amazing how it can take life bringing you to your knees before you actually open your eyes and take a look around. Sometimes we have to be forced to change our perspective in order to learn, grow and then take the next step.

I’m so excited for this next step. I’m excited to bring you all along with me as well and promise to keep you updated on the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m sure there will be plenty of all of it! I hope you’re doing well, my friends. Thanks for the sweet notes, comments and encouragement along the way! This little blog has become a support system for me and I thank all of you so much for sticking with me!

Cheers to the weekend! Lets look at some beautiful pictures of the things I’m loving lately!

I found this beautiful food styling blog and fell in love with all the food pics, especially this yummy bun and coffee. There is nothing I love more than a buttery carb!

The mountains are calling and we have answered. Mikey and I are headed to Denver next week for our second annual trip to the Great American Beer Festival where Mikey’s brother will be representing as head brewer of Dry Dock Brewery. We are crossing our fingers for some medals for him and his team!! We are also looking forward to spending some time hiking, eating, and drinking amazing beer with family and friends!

Well isn’t that cute.

An ice cream cone with a disco ball on it. Love it. Do you think if you eat the disco ball you’ll poop glitter?

Fall is coming. It’s still hot, but there is a slight breeze at night that suggests the change of season ahead. I’ll admit that I am ready for more sweaters/hats/fall beer…but I’ll also admit that I am not ready for sitting al fresco to end. I’m not ready for tanned shoulders and walking barefoot outside to be over….BUT, when it does end, I want to wear this outfit and go apple picking (so basic of me).

Last but not least, homemade creme fraiche. With some figs and cheese and honey and things. YUM. These are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.

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Sriracha Lime Corn Salad

September 16, 2015September 16, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 5 Comments

Corn is my favorite. The only time I met a corn dish I didn’t like was the time it was in my ice cream. I’ve tried it like, 3 times. I can’t do it.

This salad, however, is the thing dreams are made of. Plus, it’s spicy. Sriracha is one of my favorite flavors/spices. The salty and sweet Cotija cheese is a delicious addition and the corn is fried up to perfection.

Remember a year ago when I had that lip surgery? I don’t know how much I talked about it…it was embarrassing. It basically went a little something like, “I love corn on the cob. I’m going to chomp a hugeeee bite into this corn. Oh crap, I just bit into my lip so hard”…that lead to A. a bloody lip and B. an invasive surgery to remove a swollen salivary gland. It was fun…

This time of year seems to be my injury prone time of year. Maybe it’s the change in weather (doubt it). Maybe it’s the lack of sleep/too much fun all summer and my body is shutting down (probably). All I know is that last year there was the lip, then as soon as that healed I rolled my ankle while jogging and I still have random pain from that…PLUS, last night I stepped on a piece of glass and I can’t really walk very well…SOMEONE LOCK ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ARRIVES AND DON’T LET ME OUT UNTIL OCTOBER. Does anyone else feel my pain (not literally)??? But for real, does anyone else have like, a more injury prone type of year? Is this a thing? Or is it just me (I have a strong feeling it’s just me). I’m going to go into a padded room until October 1. If you need me you now know where to find me…

But until I hibernate, and now that I’m a year healed from the lip fiasco and can eat solid foods again, I am back on my corn game (I was never really off of it. The “incident” couldn’t keep my love for corn at bay).

This is an amazingly easy and TASTY corn salad that I could eat in one sitting by myself easily. It’s quick to make and could be adjusted with other herbs, spices and veggies to taste. You can serve it warm or cold and it honestly packs a punch from all the Sriracha. We loved it.

I discovered this recipe on food52, one of my favorite places to find recipes as well as beautiful gifts and interesting articles.

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Lately

September 11, 2015September 11, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 3 Comments

This has been an exhausting week. Every day feels like Monday and we didn’t even work Monday due to the Holiday…cue the violin and, yes, I would love some cheese with my whine.

BUT, we made it through the week and it is finally FRIDAY!!!!

Also, as promised last week I have some super exciting news to share with you! No, I’m not pregnant. I’m at the ripe old age of 28 and I’ve been married for 6 years so literally everyone, including strangers, ask me if/when I’m having a baby. But I digress. So, the big news issssssssssssss………….

I quit my job to become a full time yoga teacher!!! I’m soooo excited to begin this new chapter of my life and I am SO amazed by the opportunities that have presented themselves already! I am teaching at 2 studios, have 2 corporate clients as well as private lessons and I feel blessed beyond words. The mentors, friends and amazing students I have already met in the past 4 1/2 months have been awe inspiring and I can’t wait to keep growing with them!

I have one of my best friends visiting from out of town this weekend and I can’t wait to celebrate with a toast of bubbly! Or perhaps this AMAZING Apple Cider Rum Old Fashioned. I would sub rum for whiskey or brandy being the Wisconsin gal that I am. But omg, I’m ready for some fall cocktails!

Boot weather is fast approaching and I am in need of some new booties. I didn’t buy any new boots last fall which means I deserve a new pair (or two). I am obsessed, and I mean obsessed with these Jeffrey Campbell Cutout Booties. Dear boot God’s, please send me a pair in a size 8. Thank you, I love you…sincerely, Bethany.

Anthropologie can do no wrong. Their blog is so inspiring and tasty. I always find so much deliciousness whenever I browse through. Fall is coming (can you tell I’m excited) and that means campfires are coming too. Look at these Bonfire Night Chorizo Dogs…and then thank me for the hunger pains that fill your belly.

Someday Mikey and I want to build a home. Thankfully someone crawled into my brain and did it for me.

White for days. Windows for days. It’s all I’d ever need.

Speaking of all I’d ever need. Probably this cake…

It looks a little fudgy for me…but I’m pretty sure I could manage. The salty peanut butter plus a glass of milk is all I would need to eat myself into a coma/shock. Anyone want to challenge me to a bake off? Or maybe you just make this cake and then I’ll come over eat a ton of it and then sleep on your couch. Yes? Ok great, be there in 5.

Buckwheat Scones with Fig Jam

September 8, 2015September 8, 2015 / mikeysinmykitchen / 5 Comments

There is nothing better than pretty food and great lighting for taking pictures. I made these scones and the lighting was absolutely perfect. I had a SUPER hard time choosing what pictures to use and which to toss…so I just used a bunch of them.

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend! I know I did and am now ready for a full on detox! It is still crazy hot and humid here and I will admit I am ready for some fall weather. I heard on the news that the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks is back today…that means it’s fall now, right?!

The best scone I have ever tasted was when I lived in London. We went to afternoon tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace. They brought us the most delicious scones with clotted cream and jam and I was in heaven. Everyone was dressed beautifully and I felt so fancy. I had never even had a scone before then and that was where I fell in love.

Any item that serves as transportation for clotted cream or jelly is a favorite food of mine!

I was inspired to make these particular scones because they serve a version of these at my favorite coffee shop in our neighborhood. It’s called La Colombe. They are slightly sweet and salty and they go so well with your coffee!

I would add a slight sprinkle of coarse sugar if I were to make these again. They were perfect when served with some extra jelly and cream cheese.

Scones seem like a fall brunch/snack to me so since I woke up feeling ready for some cooler weather this seemed like a fun recipe to share with you today (instead of a detox salad). Enjoy this shortened week, and maybe plan to make some scones this weekend and relax with a cup of coffee and some friends!