Fancy Pants

Yeah, that's what the other cake pans call the bundt pan.  Fancy Pants.  I wanted something a little special for Scott's birthday today, after all you only turn 40 once.  I was torn because I worked today and had it been the weekend, I would have blessed him with a dessert that took WAY more time, but you do what you can-I guess.  I decided on a lovely bundt cake, because they look special and are very easy at the same time.  I have an amazing recipe for homemade chocolate cake, got up at my usual time and only had to forgo my sitting down cup of coffee time.  That's how easy and fast it is.  The cake goes like this, 3 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 6 tablespoons cocoa (I use Ghirardelli), 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cup oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 cups cold water.  Mix it all together and pour into a REALLY WELL GREASED AND FLOURED fancy pants pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour, let cool for 10 minutes before turning out.  I think the WOW value is only increased by a rich topping of genache, equally easy to make.  16 ounces good quality sweetened chocolate, 1 cup cream and 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted in a double boiler (or a glass bowl over a kettle of boiling water) until smooth.  Let it cool for a little bit and drizzle over your super fancy, delicious cake.  Tonight we will be heading to St. Cloud for the traditional mexican meal and then straight home because old guys have to get to bed.  But first, we will have a little slice heaven because the old guys wife was slavin' in the kitchen all day long....Happy Birthday Scott-we love you!