June 2022 | gianna1.com

Hello June

I'm feeling kind of meloncholy at this time. Our country is going through so many changes, BUT eating good food is a must! Let's remember to feed our bodies with food that makes us feel good.

June was a popular month between Father's Day and my daughter's birthday.

Her brother was always by her side.

Vanessa's birthday, always made homemade cake.

Me, my sister and the birthday girl

Elephant carousel cake

Every year I would ask what kind of cake should I make. This time, she wanted animals. I decided to create marshmallow elephants for decoration, creating a carousel using a plastic straw and red ribbons.

The filling was chocolate in a white cake. I made pink icing for my girly girl.

She loved it and she enjoyed the marshmallow elephants!

Grandma Conte, Paul, Tony and Sissy and the birthday girl!

Chocolate pudding filled Birthday Cake

Here's the recipe for this chocolate cake with chocolate and vanilla filling:

1 box chocolate cake mix - follow box directions, except for the addition of 1/4 cup of sour cream blended into the batter.

1 chocolate pudding mix, prepared (I add 1 TBS of pure cocoa)

1 vanilla pudding mix, prepared (I add 1 tsp pure vanilla)

After cooking the two layers of cake, with sharp long knife, carefully cut layer.*

Fill with prepared chocolate pudding between one of the cakes. Do the same for the remaining cake with the vanilla pudding.

Icing:

One 12 oz bag of chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

In microwave, carefully melt the chocolate chips with the heavy cream. Be very CAREFUL not to burn the chocolate chips. Add the vanilla and stir until completely smooth.

Frost the prepared and filled cake. Do the sides first and then the top.

*You can cut the layers of the cake with unwaxed dental floss.

Two years old!

Graduations

Graduations are the milestones that should be celebrated. I graduated from High School in 1969

Look at that hairdo. That's a long time ago.

Weddings

My older sister Grace, got married on June 4. She was a beautiful bride. I was her maid of honor. Andy was a groomsmen.

Graduation Day, June 1969

Comments

05.06.2022 21:04

Jay

same year I graduated! Love the photos you include with the recipes and stories!

05.06.2022 21:44

Jan Conte

Thank you for your kind words. I'm really enjoying sharing my recipes and family stories. I appreciate your comment!

05.06.2022 05:15

Jill

Loved reading this. Marshmallow elephants?! Wonderful. You were and are still stunning, Jan. Andy is still handsome. You two make a magnificent couple. Thank you for this June entry.

Let's get baking!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

1 whole thin skinned orange, remove the stem and cut in quarters. Keep the skin on the oranges.

In a clean large food processor, add the orange quarters, 1 1/4 cups of sugar, three large eggs, 1 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp of orange extract, 1 tbsp of Triple Sec liqueur, optional, 2/3 cup vegetable oil.

Pulse all ingredients in the processor and then puree until mixture becomes a batter with specs of orange peel.

Add to the processor:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Process all dry ingredients until they are entirely incorporated into the batter.

Bake in a greased and floured spring pan, using a parchment paper circle on top of the greased bottom.*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.

Remove from your oven and let it cool down completely. Dust with powdered sugar or make a drizzle of 1/4 cup powdered sugar and fresh squeezed orange until thick and smooth. Pour onto the cooled fresh orange cake.

Cooking with Love

with Gianna Conte (Jan)