Facing My Fears

Like most Foodies or pop-culture enthusiast I watched the movie Julie and Julia. The movie was excellent. Not just for Foodies, it's a great story of two people trying to find their place in the world. Even if you have no desire to make toast let alone boeuf bourguignon, you will enjoy this movie.
Because really who hasn't had that moment in their life when you ask yourself, "What am I doing with my life?".  This movie made me laugh and inspired me. More then that it made me really ask "what am I doing with my life?".
I love food, I love cooking and baking. I have shelves full of cookbooks that I could and do spend hours reading. I could blow an entire day reading food blogs. I always admire the people who make these recipes who aren't afraid to try something challenging.
I have a confession I haven't spent nearly enough time in my kitchen lately. Honestly it was making me sad. So the other day I was reading one of my favorite cooking blogs Smitten Kitchen when I came across a recipe for Chocolate Peanut butter cake .  Seriously what is not to love about a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing nothing thats what.
I wanted to bake this cake I had to taste it for my self. I had a party at friends house that weekend so I decided that would be the perfect place to take this cake. Once I committed to making it. The fear started sinking in.
What was I thinking? Three layer cake with two kinds of icing? Plus as I've mentioned before cake decorating is not one of my strengths. I wanted to back out of it. Call my friend and tell her I would bring brownies or something easy like that.
At that moment I realized I will never get good at layer cakes if I don't start making them. I can't keep running from challenges, I need to just do it. Even if it fails that's better then not trying. So I decided at that moment I going stop letting fear run my life. I was going to bake that cake!

First step baking the cakes this was easy

This is when things get tricky putting the layers together.

Crumb coat of icing so far so good.

Final icing before chocolate glaze

The finished product!

This cake is so good. I swear this cake is the cure for any bad day. Just thinking about it makes me smile.  I am so glad I baked this cake. Not only did my friends love it. I will never let fear stand between me and a good dessert again!