Saturday, September 1, 2012

Birthday Boy and September's Give-Away Apron

Today, is my husband's birthday and I went all out making special meals for him all day long--whew!  It started at breakfast when I made his favorite poached eggs with home fries and veggie bacon; that put a smile on his face.  However, it was the dinner menu that I worked on as the piece d'resistance including an ice cream cake.
Pumpkin and gingerbread happens to be two of his favorite flavors, so I made a pumpkin cake and found a Gingerbread cookie vegan ice cream and a Lemon Sorbet to layer it with.
I know what you're thinking..."you didn't make homemade ice cream!"  Well, I had planned to, but my work load has been a little crazy and sometimes, you just have to get help:-D  The cake had been planned for a few weeks since I discovered a wonderful new pan at Williams-Sonoma--Ice Cream Cake Pan.
I baked the pumpkin cake in this silicon mold, cooled it completely, then, sliced it into thirds and layer the ice cream in between.  Simple. 

For the rest of the menu, let's say, I did soup to nuts!

Roasted Corn~Potato Chowder with fresh chives & dill
Apple, Gorgonzola & Field Greens Salad with an apple cider vinegrette
Cedar planked Salmon with a Peach Glaze
Baked Tomato Frittata
Homemade Rolls & Butter

Pumpkin Ice Cream Cake

Pumpkin Ice Cream Cake
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 T Pumpkin Spice
1/2 tsp. ground cardamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1 2/3 cup King Arthur all-purpose flour

2 cups each of two different ice creams (1 pint)

Preheat oven to 325F-degrees.  I lightly sprayed the silicon mold with a baking spray and placed it on a baking sheet. (The mold shouldn't come into direct contact with flames).
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars thoroughly.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Add the canned pumpkin and the spices.  Mix well.
Add the dry ingredients and mix on low to combine.  Spoon mixture into the mold and tap lightly to settle the cake.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until a wooden skewer poked in the middle comes out cleanly.
 Let the cake cool for 15 minutes, then remove the "pin" at one end and transfer the pumpkin loaf to a rack to cool completely.
When cool, slice the loaf into thirds.  Place the bottom third of the cake back into the mold, then add softened ice cream.  Spread with an off-set spatula.

  Add the second layer, more ice cream, then the final layer on top.
  Wrap the ice cream cake with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours.  Remove the pin, slice and serve.
Cake and ice cream all in one--how easy is that.

Now, as promised, I have done the impossible--I actually have September's apron sewn and posted on the 1st of the month--LOL!
This lovely Poppy material represents the last hurrah of Summer for me.  I've noticed leaves starting to fall and the early mornings are quite chilly.   To have a chance to win this month's apron, just comment on any (or all:-) of the posts this month and I will draw a name from those who participate.
Good luck.  I'm tired and there's a pillow with my name on it. Enjoy!

33 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to your husband!
    The pumpkin ice cream cake looks terrific. Look forward to the other recipes from your dinner menu.
    Enjoy you Sunday, Susan!
    Angie

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    1. I'm a vegetarian, but hubby does like salmon and living in the Pacific Northwest, it's a staple! The salad was my version of one that is in September's Fine Cooking magazine except I switched out gorgonzola for blue cheese and used a combination of greens instead of just escarole. The baked tomato frittata came from a cookbook by Paul Bertolli, "Cooking by Hand." I cut the recipe into thirds and substituted fontina cheese for the havarti. The soup is my recipe and I think I've posted that before, but if not, I am happy to put up the ingredients. My hubby loves it so much that he said the salad and soup would have been surprise enough! Love that guy! XOXO

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  2. Happy Birthday to your husband!
    A day of feasting and celebrations!
    The seasons are definitely moving on and there is an autumnal nip in the air over here. Have a lovely weekend.x

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    1. In the morning, I have on a t-shirt, sweater and jeans; by afternoon, it's just the t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Although, I think all seasons have their splendor, I do love fall, but there's just so many darn leaves to rake!! XOXO

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  3. what a great menu! can you make the same for me on my birthday? I'm sure you both enjoyed it.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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    1. Now, me, I would have preferred the chocolate cake, like shown on the box, but my husband is like you in that anything spice is his preference. I certainly slept well last night and it's a good thing because that mountain of work is still staring at me! XOXO

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  4. I'm sure you hubby was utterly delighted!
    Happy Birthday to hubby.
    Jane x
    The poppy fabric is wonderful..they are such beautiful,blowsy flowers.

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  5. Oh.my.goodness that looks good. You are a cracker-jack in the kitchen, Susan. You have one lucky hubby. "Happy Birthday, to him". My retired-guy has a birthday tomorrow.
    Love the apron. My love for poppies is a bit over the top. I want to have a whole field of them someday. Have a great day. Deb

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    1. Another interesting fact about our Sisterhood--we are both married to Virgos! Mine has a very dry sense of humor and has kept me laughing for almost 44 years (16th of September), so making a wonderful meal for him was fun, but very tiring. He's on his own today while I work on deadlines! XOXO

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  6. Such a lovely dinner and amazing cake! Happy Bday to Chuck (right?)!! I'm with your hubby, though, on loving the pumpkin or gingerbread. :) I'm not a huge chocolate fan. Yes, I know...So, what are the plans for your anniversary? Staying close to home or going away? Good luck with your deadlines today...At least you have wonderful leftovers to look forward to! Lv, me

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    1. We both have to fly out on the 17th for work, so I'm not sure if he'll get a big meal on the 16th. We'll probably take a quick trip to Portland at some point, but this time of year, we're just both so busy. XOXO

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  7. Happy Birthday to Chuck!!! Hope he had a wonderful day. Xoxox

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    1. All day long I heard, "It's my Birthday!!" Only Chuck would be happy about turning another day older:-D He said, "I'll probably still be working until I die--on that day, tell the office I'm calling in sick!" You know his sense of humor oh so well, XOXO

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  8. What a wonderful birthday dinner!
    My anniversary is the 2nd and my daughter's BD is the same day (5 years later). My hubby is in charge of our anniversary dinner. My daughter is 3000 miles away so I am hoping her hubby makes her day special:-)
    I love the flavours of pumpkin. It makes me feel like autumn is only around the corner.
    Enjoy this long weekend.

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    1. Autumn is coming on fast here too! Our birthdays are all in a row--August, September, October, November and two of us love chocolate and two loved pumpkin! Our anniversary is the 16th, but both of us have to leave on the 17th for work, so I'm not sure how elaborate it will be this year. We're thinking of a getaway to Portland (our other favorite city) at some point. Happy Anniversary to you and your husband, XOXO

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  9. Hello..I'm bj from Sweet Nothings.
    Your hubby is one lucky man...this birthday meal sounds soooo delicious. The cake looks to die for.
    I love this beautiful apron and am keeping my fingers crossed that it might hang in MY kitchen someday. :)
    O, and I am linking up to follow.
    xoxo bj

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  10. Wow Susan you made an amazing meal for your guy! Very nice! Love the idea of the ice cream cake! This months apron is adorable!
    hugs, Linda

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    1. He said, "at our age, I'd rather have one of your great meals as a present!" His wish was granted:-D

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    1. Absolutely!! I sent aprons to Great Britain, South Africa, Australia, and Malta to name a few. I believe the apron chooses the recipient and I "must obey:-)"!! XOXO

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  12. That is a simply fabulous menu. What a terrific culinary day it was at your house! Thanks for continuing to inspire. We are harvesting prune plums today in Fort Collins. Tobi

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    1. Ooh! Plums make wonderful jams, jelly, and rustic tarts! Wish I was at your house Tobi:-D

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  13. What a lucky man your husband is Susan! His birthday celebration day was certainly filled with great meals. Somehow I think that is always the case at your home! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. xoxo ♥
    Martha Ellen

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  14. That pumpkin ice cream cake looks delicious! And that potato soup looks soooo good! Yum!!!

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    1. The days being a little on the cool-side, just called for soup:-)

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  15. Now this is an apron, an apron for me! Throw my name in the hat and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

    That was one amazing meal for your hubby!

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    1. Consider done! I love red poppies, which will be in my new book next Fall. There was a alternate pattern of these poppies on a light background, but the black made them Pop! XOXO

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  16. I am new to your blog and found you through a comment that you left on the Nancy Creative blog. What a great dinner you made for your husband. Good for you--spoil him, absolutely spoil him all you can! What a nice tradition you have with your monthly aprons. Aprons are a great excuse to get to play with pretty fabrics, don't you think?! :)

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  17. I'm starting to use the f-word (fall), too! And I'm loving it! I love all the fall goodies. Your apple bread makes my mouth water. Happy birthday (belated :)) to your hubby.

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  18. Mmm, pumpkin ice creamcake. The weather cooled off last night here... feels a little more like fall. I am vetoing ready to jump into fall/pumpkin recipes.

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  19. I am new to your blog! Found it through Linda's and I love your sweet aprons and all of your wonderful recipes! Happy Fall!

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  20. PS WOW! A lot has happened since I wrote the comment above! I am enjoying one of your beautiful aprons for a little while...until I pass it on! You are very talented! And I wear an apron every day of my life....have for years! It protects my clothes when I cook and eat...and looks pretty!

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  21. I just found your blog so am too late to join in on the fun this month for a draw for the apron. But the lovely recipes are a great win for me! I'm so glad I found you! I can't wait to try some of these recipes. The apron is gorgeous! My daughter collects, wears and displays beautifully her collection of aprons, of which she has two so far! LOL! She's a young girl! Ha! Good luck everyone! Carolyn

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