Sunday you are going by to fast!!! (Salted Caramal Chocolate Cake, BBQ Sauce)

The weekend has went by way to fast and I sure needed it off and have enjoyed it..  Starting last Thursday May 12th I worked everyday until yesterday..  That kind of stretch is brutal on the mind and body..  we were getting ready for Inventory..  fun times let me tell you..  the climbing ladders and crawling on the floor to the in between was hard on my body.. by Friday morning at 4:15am when I walked out of Target(or I should say limped out of Target)I was done.. I came home and fell into bed and slept for about 5 hours and got up and limped around the apt for a while..  I don't remember really cooking real food any of the 9 days..  Then yesterday I had some really nice alone time..  I loved it.... I read a little,  watched Message in the Bottle,  watched a few episodes of Glee and made myself a nice juicy hamburger for dinner..  so yummy..   :) 
I went to the nail salon this morning,  felt so wonderful,  what my feet needed..  and I have very bright, summery nails..  :)  love them..  then went and got some stuff from SuperTarget,  came home and put up the food and started making the caramel for the Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Cake..  yummy

Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Cake

18 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped
10 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c water
2 1/4 c heavy cream
1/2 tbsp fine sea salt
1 1/2 sticks room temperature butter, cut into cubes
1 chocolate cake recipe, recipe follows
sea salt flakes

Put the chocolate in a large bowl.  Put the sugar and 1/2 c water in a saucepan and place over medium heat.  Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to a boil.  As soon as that happens, stop stirring and let it boil until until it turns and amber color,  8 to 10 minutes or so.  (If you think that it needs another stir,  brush down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush and stir the entire mixture, picking up the pot itself by the handle, being careful not to touch the caramel or else it would crystallize.)  Once the mixture reaches that dark amber color,  turn the heat down and stand back from the pot and slowly add the heavy cream,  stirring with a heatproof spatula.  Continue to stir until all is incorporated.  Once the mixture is smooth,  stir int he fine salt.  Take off the heat and por the caramel over the bowl until all is incorporated.  Once the mixture is smooth,  stir in the fine salt.. take off the heat and pour the caramel over the bowl of chocolate.  Whisk to combine,  making sure all the chocolate melts.  Pop in the fridge for about 1 hour until completely chilled. 

Take the frosting out of the fridge and beat it with a hand mixer just until it becomes spreadable,  add the butter in pieces and mix until it is all combined.  pop back in the refrigerator for another hour. 

Place 1 cake layer on a cake platter,  evenly spread 2 c of the frosting over the top.  Sprinkle with sea salt flakes,  then put the other cake layer on top,  spread the rest of the frosting over the top and on the sides of the cake.. sprinkle the top with more sea salt flakes.. 

Chocolate Cake

2 sticks butter, softened
1 1/4 packed brown sugar
1/2 c granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 c semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 c flour
3/4 c cocoa1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c buttermilk

In a large mixing bowl cream the butter with the brown sugar and sugar,  add the eggs 1 at a time and beat well..  mix in the vanilla and beat well.  add the chocolate and mix well..  add the flour 1/2 c at a time and then pour in a little buttermilk and mix well.   continue adding the flour and buttermilk until all is gone...  pour into 2 prepared(greased and floured)9 inch pans..  place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes..  cool and frost... 

Barbecue Sauce

1 tbsp oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c ketchup
1/4 c plus 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 c molasses
4 tbsp chipotle adobo sauce
3 chipotle peppers, chopped finely

In a saucepan heat oil and then add the onion and garlic and cook about 5 minutes over medium heat until softened, add the rest of the ingredients and simmer over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes..  brush over chicken or ribs..  it has a bite to it..  yummy!!!!

For dinner tonight we are having BBQ chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, roasted corn on the cob, sauteed green beans,  broccoli, carrots, snow peas and worcestershire sauce and garlic toast..  yummy!!!  I guess when I don't cook for a while I miss it and have to make up for it in one day..  :)