Good Morning!  I am so happy today is Friday!  WHAT.A.WEEK.  🙂

While most of my travel this week took me West to Des Moines, one of my favorite stops in Iowa has always been a little town in SE Iowa situated on the Mississippi River.   Burlington.   There are so many reasons to love Burlington…the small town feel, the historic downtown, the eclectic little shops, and the amazing local restaurants!  Over the last 5yrs, I have come to love frequenting the Ivy Bake Shoppe.  Martha Wolfe & Susan Saunders, the owners, serve delicious homemade breakfast, lunch, and dessert!  I’m telling you…it is all amazing…but the desserts are OUT OF THIS WORLD.  While Martha was busy running 2 busy locations (Burlington & Ft Madison), she also wrote and published one of my favorite cookbooks, “Ivy Bake Shoppe Cookbook”.  If you don’t have a copy, I highly recommend you purchase one…there are only ~500 copies remaining.  I have given one to nearly all of my close friends and family…and they’d agree!  http://www.ivybakeshoppe.com/

When I stopped in last week, I sat down with Martha to get her advice on writing and publishing a cookbook.  You read that right…my friend Sara and I are in the preliminary stages of writing a cookbook!  Due to my belief in everyday indulgences and Sara’s take on clean, nutritious eating, we hope to create a book that satisfies both with a combination of our individual recipes.  (http://www.sarabconsulting.blogspot.com/)  Thankfully, Martha was there to point me in the right direction and offer some much-needed advice.  Thank you, Martha!  If you, the readers, have suggestions, requests, favorite recipes, or ideas for what you would or would not like to see in a cookbook, please share your thoughts!  We want to hear what you have to say.  Click on the “Contact” tab above and send me a message!  More details to come later…

During my visit with Martha, we also talked about my blog and the new tab “Northcut Inspired”.  Martha immediately jumped out of her chair and said, “You have GOT to try this cake.”  She handed me a piece to take home…and the second I took my first bite…I knew she was right.  HEAVEN in a springform pan. 

So this weekend, as you are looking to satisfy your sweet-tooth, try this recipe of Martha’s.  I dare you to eat just one piece.  And while this recipe is not “cassin free”…it is “gluten free”.  I made my first Mousse Cake last night…I CAN’T wait to dig in!

MARTHA’S MOUSSE

• 2 – 8oz pkgs Semi-Sweet Chocolate
• 4 Sticks of Butter
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Cup Half & Half
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• 8 Large Eggs
• Chocolate Glaze (below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 10 inch springform pan.

In a 3 quart saucepan over low heat, heat chocolate, butter, sugar, half & half, vanilla, and salt.  Stir frequently until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Don’t overheat or the chocolate will burn.

In another large bowl, whisk eggs.  Slowly beat in warm chocolate mixture until well blended with eggs.

Pour batter into springform pan so that is spreads evenly.  Springform pans can have a slow leak, place tin foil or a cookie sheet on the rack below in the oven to catch drippings.

Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake 2 inches from edge comes out clean.  Cool cake completely in pan on a wire rack.

When cake is cool, carefully remove side of pan and wrap cake (still on pan bottom), in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate until well-chilled…at least 6 hours or overnight.

Prepare Chocolate Glaze.

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CHOCOLATE GLAZE

• 1 – 6oz pkg semi-sweet chocolate pieces
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tbsp milk
• 2 tbsp light corn syrup

In a heavy 2 quart saucepan over low heat, heat chocolate and butter, stirring frequently until melted and smooth.

Remove pan from heat and beat in milk and light corn syrup.

Set aside until ready to use.

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Unwrap cake and remove the bottom of the pan.  Line cake plate with waxed paper strips.  Place cake on plate and spread with warm glaze.  Discard wax paper.

Enjoy bite after delectable bite!

And the next time you stroll through Burlington or Ft Madison, Iowa, be sure to stop in and visit Martha at the Ivy.  You won’t be disappointed!

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.