Our family has had a very bad week. Our almost 21 yr. old cat was attacked by a neighbours dog and had to be put down. I really need some inspiration to get me out of the blues. Can you guys recommend some cake batters to try this weekend for the wedding cake? The couple is thinking chocolate so if you have or know of a good recipe for a not so good cook...send them my way!!!
Gonna try baking my way out of the blues.

Awww, I'm am so sorry to here about that. I bet once you taste your cake you will be okay. Keep your head up!

The Chocolate Layer Cake recipe on this site is wonderful and fool proof. I always get wonderful results with it.

I'm sorry about your cat. It's always difficult to lose a loved one. We lost a cat 3 years ago and we still miss her and talk about her alot. My kids talk about seeing her in heaven. We keep pictures on our frig of her. We have other pets but nothing will ever take her place. Time does help dull the pain but you will always have a special place for your cat. Take care of yourself and enjoy baking.

I feel your pain hun. One of our family dogs (einstein) died last week from complications of doggy flu. He was getting better but somehow had scratched his eye and for the most part had lost it. But it was getting better so hubby took him to the vet. Vet said all things were looking good gave hubby more meds. Einee started coughing again that evening. This was Sunday. So we were going to take him back to the vet on Monday afternoon when I got off work.
He didn't make it through the day on Monday. I had let him outside to do his business. He seemed a little tired but thought he was going to be ok. Kids were gonna be up in a few minutes anyway so I went to work.
Came home and one of our neighbors with a p-up truck met me in the yard and asked if I knew what had happened. I didn't know but guessed that Einstein didn't make it.
Well he was buried on a farm. My kids and my hubby didn't take it too well.
BTW sorry for your loss. I know how you feel hun.
As for the recipe, I had submitted a very easy chocolate cake on there called "Wacky Cocoa Cake".
It's quite easy, chocolately (dairy free to boot) and you don't need to get out the ol KA to mix it up.

Thank you....I just saved and printed both recipes and will give at least one a try this weekend.
So both of these would be suitable for the future wedding cake? (square base with filling (?) and a round layer on top....garden wedding)
(((thank you )))) for your warm wishes and thoughts, they are truly appreciated. So sorry for your losses also. It is very difficult to go through.

I like the Super Enhanced Recipe from this site - just add it to any mix.

We just lost out 13 year old Dog 3 weeks ago too. My first "baby" and we still miss her like crazy. There is a site callled the rainbow bridge that is really a nice poem and gave us a nice feeling that we will see her in heaven. If you can't find it, PM me and I'll copy it for you. Took me 2 weeks until I could read it, but is really nice. Hang in there!!!!!

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your loved one.....we lost our precious Spike (Bassett Hound) of 13 years last November...and the hurt is still there.....

I will pray for you and your family......again, I am sorry.

So sorry to hear about the loss of your family member, Taigen. I have two kitties and would be lost without "my boys". My heart goes out to you and hope that you find some peace soon although your kitty will always have a place in your heart.

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. Our pets are so precious to us. We lost one of our cats to the dog next door also. One week after my Mom passed away, we had to put our very sick 15 year old german shorthair down. The same day my Dad suffered a major stroke. It was a tough time to work through. Time helps and you learn to adjust to a new kind of normal.

The chocolate cake recipe that I absolutely love comes from Colette Peters and is as follows...

2 cups sugar
2 eggs, room temp
1 cup milk, room temp
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 hot, strong coffee

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease, flour pan and use parchment on the bottom.
In mixer, combine all ingredients in large bowl. Blend till mixed. Slowly add coffee. Bake for 35 + minutes (depends on the pans and your oven)
Let the cake(s) cool for 30 minutes in the pan and then let them cool the rest of the way on wire racks.

This recipe will make about 6 cups of batter.

I have made this recipe many times and everyone loves it.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry about your cat......