Yesterday was my first anniversary here at Relishing It. For me, it’s a bit mind-boggling. I remember the day I told Radd that I wanted to write a food blog. I recall mulling over what I wanted the blog to be about, and being both excited and nervous when I finally took the plunge with that first post. As much as I love having a visual place to keep my most-loved recipes, I really wanted share them with people. And, of course, I wondered if anyone would read them? Thankfully, all of you have been stopping by to share in this with me. You’ve helped make blogging a wonderful experience. ‘Life-changing’ may sound a bit dramatic, but for me it’s close to the truth.
I was a bit fearful that I’d be doing this solo– sequestered in my kitchen cooking/baking away then writing to no one about it. Instead, blogging has opened up a whole new social world. I had no idea there were so many MN food bloggers. And I was surprised to see how close-knit, and accepting they all were. In the last year, I’ve made friendships through blogging that mean the world to me. I’ve also been lucky enough to “meet” so many wonderful people through Twitter. People who are as excited about food, health, and the environment as I am. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with chefs and writers that I admire in the culinary world– people who have taken the time to help with advice and support. The internet can really close those vast spaces between people, and I’m thankful that through Relishing It, my world has expanded beyond our little neighborhood in St. Paul, MN.
I will say, there are definite ups and downs to food blogging. It’s a huge commitment. Testing the recipes, taking the photographs, and then writing about the experience often takes a colossal amount of time. And it’s not exactly convenient. As I write this, I chuckle when I think about how many times I’ve cursed at having to open the kitchen door in mid-January to try to squeeze the last bit of sunlight into the room for a decent photo. And trying to keep two small children entertained while frosting a multi-layer cake always makes things ‘interesting’. Even so, it’s been such a wonderful experience for me.
As a thank you to you readers who stop by my little corner of the internet to see what I have to say; and to my wonderful friends and family who are always so encouraging, I’m giving away a prize to mark my first anniversary! By now you all know that I love cookbooks. One lucky reader will get to choose one of these lovely cookbooks that I often turn to for inspiration: “In the Kitchen With a Good Appetite” by Melissa Clark, “Plenty” by Yotam Ottolenghi, and “Super Natural Every Day”, by Heidi Swanson. A crisp new one, of course (I wouldn’t dream of parting with mine.) To enter the contest just leave a comment– say whatever you want– at the end of this post. If you follow me on twitter , and tweet about my giveaway, you’ll get a second entry. You must come back to the comment section here and tell me you did so in a separate comment. Here’s a sample tweet. “Enter to win a cookbook from @LaurieJKul to celebrate “Relishing It’s” first blogiversary! Enter here: https://relishingit.com/2012/03/16/tres-leche-cake-one-year-of-blogging-and-a-giveaway/ #giveaway”. You can even enter a third time if you subscribe to Relishing It– again, just tell me in a separate comment on this blog post. The contest ends on March 22, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. It’s is only open to US residents (sorry). Please be sure to leave your email in the appropriate spot in the comment section, so that I may contact the winner. Allow roughly 4 weeks to receive your cookbook. (I’m just being realistic folks — why is it so hard to get to the post office?) Good Luck!
UPDATE: The winner of the cookbook giveaway is Tammy Kimbler! Congratulations Tammy! The winner was chosen using Random.org. Thank you All for the very kind and wonderful comments. I enjoyed reading through all of them.
And since we’re celebrating, I thought it fitting to share my family’s go-to celebration cake. This is the King of the Cakes in our house– all four of use would pick this beauty over anything else. The is cake layered in three different types of milk…well, actually four. It’s a simple whipped cream “frosting” with a bit of creme fraiche mixed in to help it hold its shape. If you can’t find creme fraiche, just make it without it. The extra fat content in creme fraiche helps the whipped cream keep it’s shape longer, but will certainly be delicious without it. This cake can last for about 2 days in the refrigerator if covered, but for optimum results should be eaten right away. The best part? It’s quite easy to make. I hope you give it a try!
The Recipe: Tres Leche Cake
For the Cake:
2 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup (5 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup, canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour (4 1/2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature (or microwaved a few seconds)
For the Soaking Liquid:
1/2 can (7 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup half and half
For the Topping:
1/2 cup (2 1/4 ounces) confectioners’ sugar
4 cups heavy cream, cold
1/3 cup creme fraiche, cold
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 8-inch round cake pan by buttering it, lining with parchment paper, buttering the parchment, and lightly coating it with flour. Tap out any excess. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix on medium for about 2-3 minutes, or until there is a bit of volume and the mixture is a light pale color. Add the oil, and mix for a minute longer, until it is thoroughly combined. Scrape down the sides, as needed. Sprinkle dry ingredients over the wet and mix until combined, about 30 seconds. Add the buttermilk and mix until just combined — do not over mix. Bake for 25-27 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a cake tester comes out with almost no crumbs. Cool completely in the pan.
When the cake has cooled, begin making the soaking liquid. Mix the sweetened condensed milk, half and half, and vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside.
Run a knife along the edges of the pan to loosen the cake. Invert cake onto a flat surface, such as a plate. Using a serrated knife, horizontally cut the cake into two equal halves. Place each half, cut side up, into it’s own rimmed baking sheet, or anything flat that it will fit into. Slowly pour the liquid equally over each of the cake halves. Let it soak in while you prepare the whipped topping.
In a cold bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the cold whisk attachment, add the heavy cream. Start on low and slowly increase the speed to medium-high. After about a minute, add the creme fraiche. Continue beating and when it’s about half-way whipped slowly sprinkle the confectioners’ sugar into the cream. Continue beating on medium-high until it is fully whipped, is smooth and has shape. Be careful not to over-whip or it will look curdled.
On a cake stand place the bottom layer of cake, cut side up. At this point, it’s a good idea to tuck waxed paper under the edges of the cake. It will catch any topping and make clean-up a cinch. Mound 1/3 of the topping onto it and smooth it out with an offset spatula. Place the other layer of cake, cut side down on top of that. Place 1/3 of the topping on the sides, and 1/3 on the top. Smooth out with an offset spatula. Garnish with raspberries. Best if eaten right away, but will keep fairly well covered in the refrigerator for 2 days. 3 days is pushing it, but I’ve certainly devoured a piece at that point.
Source: Adapted from this recipe originally from Cafe Latté in St. Paul, MN
A special thank you to my husband, Radd, for all of his help on this blog this past year — I truly appreciate it. To Radd and our kids — thank you all for being so patient as I snap picture of our dinner before we devour it. And thanks for always being excited (or pretending to be ) to try new things. Thanks to my readers, once again for always stopping by to say hello! I can’t wait to see where this next year will take us!
Laurie
Relishing It 
Congratulations on Year 1 of your blog. I adore your blog and have made quite a few of the recipes, all of which turned out well. I tend to skip the desserts, as I am diabetic, but truly enjoy the others. I have passed word of your blog to others, of course, because, like you, I enjoy finding and sharing good recipes!
If I win the cookbook, you wouldn’t have to mail it – just send it along with your patient husband, Radd. We work in the same office. Hope that doesn’t disqualify me! Having him bring the scrumpious food to work helps more than the pictures, because I get to taste, smell and see the goods with my own eyes, nose and mouth!
Take care, and keep up the good work!
A delicious looking cake! I finally have a couple of round baking pans so I will have to try this.
Congratulations on 1 year!!
Laurie, this cake looks “out of this world good”!!!! One I certainly will make to entertain or simply just for us to enjoy.
Thank you for all the beautiful pictures and wonderful recipes, it’s so much fun to open your blog and see what’s the latest yummy food you’ve created.
Please keep up the great work!
Irene
So glad to have met and connected with you through the blog world 🙂 And to think that you live less than a mile away and who knows if we would have ever crossed paths. Your recipes, blog, and photos are wonderful, but more importantly you are a wonderful woman!
Congratulations! I really enjoy reading your posts. All the best, Alice-fellow St. Paul mom:)
Gotcha covered, Laurie, posted in my Twitter and facebook page! Hopefully you’ll see some coverage 🙂 Oh and Happy Blogiversary!! Keep going girl, your recipes are out of this world!
hugs,
Jan
I love you! I’m so happy that blogging and twitter introduced me to you! I’m very lucky to know you and call you a friend. Congratulations to one year of this wonderful blog – I love your recipes, writing, and beautiful pictures – cheers to many more to come! (and you know I’ll be tweeting up a storm about this giveaway :))
Laurie you are doing a fabulous job with you blogging. Have loved seeing all the creations. So glad you have ad the opportunity to live your dream. Keep up the blogging. I have enjoyed it. You’re a very talented woman. 🙂
Congratulations on one year! I just tuned in a few months ago and love your recipes, commentary and pictures. Keep up the good work. Tres Leches = fattening but oh so delicious and I can’t wait to make this cake for a special occasion.
Hey chickie! I LOVE your blog:-) your recipes are amazing and your writing is wonderful. I wish i could sneak into your kitchen and cook with you!
For contest i entered here and on twitter 🙂 Happy 1yr for Relishing it!!! Heres to many more!
That cake looks amazing, Laurie! Congrats on your blog-i-versary, you’re doing a fantastic job with your posts. Keep up with your awesomeness!
As a lurker who has enjoyed quite a few tasty creations courtesy of your blog, I’ll raise a glass in your honor today! (and I’ll be adding this cake to my list for an upcoming birthday celebration as well) Congratulations on your first year – cheers to many more!
Congratulations! 1 year is no joke. Not even 1 year myself.
Woohoo! Happy Blogiversary! Relishing It just keeps getting better and better…thanks for all the recipes and the eye candy 🙂
And I tweeted it. Thanks for the great recipes!
Congrats on 1 year of blogging! That cake looks amazing
tweeted!
Laurie, you’re a kick! Here’s another comment for the Twitter posting. Really am looking forward to making the cake, it’s going to be our naughty cheat for the week 😉 Showed it to hubby..he can’t wait!!
Here’s my second comment to let you know that I tweeted about this! I am itching for Heidi’s book! 🙂
Congratulations on one year!
Happy Blogiversary Laurie! So, so glad you decided to take the leap. Love, love, love your blog, your pictures, stories, you. Gotcha on the tweets and fb:) P.S.: Cake looks divine!
Yayyyyyyy!!!! For two reasons – first, and foremost, your one year anniversary. I’m so proud of you for taking this on and doing it so successfully…and second, because you’ve posted my very very very FAVORITE dessert in the whole wide world!! Its delicious!!
Can’t wait to try this one! this and red velvet are my two favorites- and the boys’ too 🙂 congrats on the anniversary-how exciting! I look for your recipe every week. Glad I connected w/Radd on FB so I can see your yummy ideas.
What a delicious cake! Congratulations on your first year of blogging! Well done! Can’t wait for your future posts!
Happy Anniversary! You have a great blog.
Tweeted! Yay!
Congratulations on your first year of blogging! The cake looks SO delicious – yum!
Fanastic!! That topping looks rad. And tasty. Congrats on the blogiversary!!
Laurie, Thanks for sharing all the wonderful recipes over the past year. They all look delicious and you do a fabulous job on the photos. I would love to be a little mouse in your house and catch any crumbs your little helpers might drop. Keep up the good work.
Congrats on the first year! I love that cake, too. It’s one of my favorites.
This past year has been such a delight getting to know everyone and spend time together. What a terrific group of people!
I just subscribed too! Don’t know why I haven’t done that sooner.
Aaaaand tweeted….. (can you tell I’m itching for a cookbook?)
Wow! I can’t believe it’s been a year! Congratulations. I’ve so enjoyed the recipes that I’ve made and can’t wait to make more. If I win, I will venture east to pick them up and we can finally catch up. Even if I don’t win, I’ll still come your way for a visit sometime soon!
I’ve tweeted!
And now I’m subscribed too. Although, I don’t really need a reminder to check your blog. It’s pretty much part of my daily routine. 🙂
Congratulations on your one year bloggiversary!
Being your mother-in-law shouldn’t disqualify me — right??? Love your blog, love your photos, love your committment to a healthy lifestyle, and love you (the most).
Congratulations to you on your one-year blogging anniversary! You’ve definitely put a lot of hard work into this and it shows. The tres leches cake looks divine, by the way. Next time I need to make a cake, I’m going to give this a whirl.
Tree leches is one of my fav cakes. This one looks beautiful. Congrats on your 1st blog-aversary. Wishing you many more.
love your post have to give the cake a try
Thanks for sharing such yummy recipes on your blog. I cant wait to try this cake! Happy 1 year blogiversary!
Happy 1 Year Blogiversary! I’m new to your blog but also a Minnesota Food Blogger! I’m so happy I stumbled across your blog! : )
Congratulations on a year of blogging! It was so fun to meet you at the MN Food Bloggers event 🙂 To another year of tasty treats!
I love this take on my favorite cake! Gorgeous – as always. Congratulations, Laurie.
Congratulations to your blog anniversary! I always wanted to make tres leche cake. Yours looks really tempting.
Laurie, I LOVE everything about your blog. Beautiful pictures, fab recipes, and the warmth of the commentary you give on each entry. You put your heart and soul into every post and it shows through.
P.S. Love your cookbook choices! The best.
I tweeted 🙂
I’m a new subscriber. Didn’t know I wasn’t on the list because I think I read your posts as quickly as they are posted!! Hot off the press 🙂
I’ll bite. Congrats on a year and here’s to more desserts without nuts.
Congrats Laurie!!!!!!!
Your blog is awesome. I feel like I’m apart of your day every time I read it. I feel like I miss you less. I love your food, pictures and all your great stories.
Wishing you many more years of happy food blogging. Take care girlfriend. I’m tremendously proud of you.
Laurie- Congrats on 1 year! Love all if your recipes and reading the blog. 🙂
Ps- i subscribed too. 🙂
Congrats Laurie! I love following your blog…reading new recipes, looking at your pics and being brave enough to try making a recipe or 2! You have such a special tallent! Not just for cooking and baking, but for writing and photgraphy. I love it all! Cheers to 1 year!
Congrats on your one year blogiversary 🙂 I’d be diggin’ that Super Natural Every Day cookbook! I’m a novice vegetarian chef 🙂 And I’m definitely pinning this Tres Leche Cake onto my Pinterest board! LOL
and, I just subscribed to your blog! yay – can’t wait to read through all the recipes! now if i could only figure out how to actually *use* my twitter account…hehehe
Just discovered your blog a couple of months ago & loving it!
Yeah on the one year anniversary!
I subscribed a couple weeks ago for all the yummy recipes.
Cake looks fabulous, as does everything on your blog. I’ve been following for a while and look forward to your posts!
I subscribed as well!
Your lovely Mother & I have followed you for the entire year, loving the pictures, enjoying the history & drooling over the recipes!!! You have done a very wonderful blog. P.S. YOU make the best CORNED BEEF!!!
What a cake! I must say, I’m more attracted to your savory recipes but I admire your photo skills. All your recipes are clearly explained and the pics inspire to cook. Happy 1st anniversary, may it be the first of many!
Wow, I almost gave up I had to scroll down so far to leave this! Just shows how much people love you and your passion for food. I remember the first time you told me you were thinking about starting a blog. I thought what a great idea and who else better than you to do it. I love being able to hop online and surf your blog and see what I want to make from it. It has helped me get back on track with cooking anything at all. I have shared it with many friends and they also enjoy looking at it. I love that we are both into good, healthy, and if you can get it around here, local, food. I could not be prouder of you and your accomlishment on this blog. Congrats Laurie Ann on a job very well done!!
Hey Laurie,
Big Congratulations on a great year. Can not believe it has been a year. I love reading your blogs and drooling over your photos. We have tried quite a few recipes and have loved them all.
Keep the delicious recipes coming!
Kenrea
PS Still waiting for the healthy banana bread recipe 🙂
Congrats on your 1 year blogging anniversary! 🙂 And thanks for the giveaway! I would love to cook from any of these cookbooks.
Cat
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted!
I subscribe to you via email 🙂
Thanks
Cat
I love your blog. I have made several of your recipes and many of them have become favorites. I have made the lentil, cumin, and lemon soup probably 10 times in the last year! Thanks. A fellow St Paul-ite.
Hi Laurie — congrats on the blogiversary!
And, now I’m subscribed as well. All the best!
Congratulations on one year. Just learned about your blog through a Melissa Clark RT! I can’t wait to spend some time catching up. I’m also subscribing.
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary. I would like to enter your cookbook giveaway.
i just tweeted your cookbook giveaway! enter me again! 🙂
For my third entry, I am now subscribed to your blog.(i would have done that anyway, giveaway or not). Enjoy your words and food! Thanks for the chances to win.
I’m a new subscriber, and I’m glad I’m not late to this party! Tweeted about the giveaway in the nick o’ time, too!
Happy Blogiversary, too!
Happy 1 year!
Just discovered your blog which is so lovely, as is the cake!
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary and as you say, publishing a food blog with recipes requires time and effort and I’m glad you’re persistent!
These cookbooks inspire me as well. Thanks for hosting the giveaway and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
tweet sent!
I follow already and tweeted @icywit
Excellent! So in love with the cake and strawberry garnish on top! Congrats on the 1 year anniversary too! Always need to find a reason to celebrate!
Also left a tweet to the giveaway via @couturerin
I now have such a craving for that cake! I would love to win your cookbook giveaway and get cracking in the kitchen with the new spring produce =)
Excellent giveaway and excellent blog!
Congrats on 1 year! I just discovered your blog via the Heavy Table with the carbonara recipe which was perfectly timed because I have all the ingredients on hand to make it for dinner tonight!
And I just signed up to subscribe to your blog so I won’t miss another great recipe! Thanks! 🙂
What a beautiful cake!! Congratulations on your anniversary! 🙂
So THIS is the cake you’ve been talking about! I’ve been craving another tres leche and must try your version. Great big CONGRATS on your 1st year blogiversary!! I’m so happy to know you!
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Hello!! That cake looks amazing! How do you manage to mount one layer over the other without breakig it since it is so wet! Thanks for your recipe
It just works! Give it a try– I’ve never had a problem. 🙂