Halo Party!

I know, I know. There's a new game in town. Xbox 360.

It's also still $600, including the 4 controllers and Halo3. I've played it. I'm unimpressed. They changed the controls on me! Grrr.

I digress. I love Halo. The original. Even Halo2 (but the boards are SO big). My beloved threw me a party this weekend (hence the delay in the column) and we played. Lots of us.

I won

Just a few, but mannnnnnnnn ;) LOL!
And during Halo, you need refreshments. You need something that is easy to eat, not sticky. We had cake. Oh, glorious cake. (I MIGHT have gone a LITTLE overboard:) This recipe is actually based off of a recipe that I found at MGIG, but theirs was dry, heavy, nasty. Here's the improved version:



Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Cake

3/4C sour cream (make sure it's GF)
4 whole large eggs
1/4C shortening, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
60z Dutch cocoa powder (or Hershey's is fine)
1 1/2C glutinous rice flour
1C water
1/4C tapioca starch
1 1/3C white, granulated sugar
3 tsp Xanthan gum
1 1/2tsp baking soda
2 1/2tsp baking powder
1 1/2tsp glycerin (You can find this at Michaels or your local cake store)


1. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar to soft peaks.
2. Add sour cream and shortening, slowly, and mix well.
3. Mix in the vanilla, glycerin, and cocoa powder (I recommend sifting the cocoa first)
4. In a separate mixing bowl, sift together the rice flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, and baking powder. If you don't have a sifter, then just mix together with a fork.
5. Slowly mix in the flour mixture into the egg mixture. This will get stiff- it's fine to beat at high speed (no glutens will get stiff here!).
6. Slowly, mix in the water. You may have to add more water. To test: take a heaping spoonful of batter on a tablespoon, and allow to drip off. If the batter does not first drip off in 7 seconds, add more water, 1/4C at a time.
7. Bake as described, in well greased pans:

For Cupcakes (2 pans of 12 regular-sized) bake at 345*F for 20 to 25minutes.
For Cakes (2 pans, each 9" diameter) bake at 350*F for 30minutes

8. Be sure to release the cake/cupcakes while they are still warm, or they will stick to the pan.


The topping in the picture is fondant "frosting". It's actually more of a white taffy, than a real frosting. It's what you find on wedding cakes. (and Ace of Cakes- LOVE that show!). If you want to know how I did that, you'll have to check back!





















Enjoy the goodies!
The Irish Lass