Olive Annie and NY Trip!

Let it be known throughout the land...Olive Annie has almost arrived and she is already leaving her beautiful and creative mark on The Willows.

In preparation for all the wonderful things to come, Lani and I headed off to NY to find new "frocks" and luxuries for all of you! New York weather sure makes us appreciate Arizona!

However, we stumbled upon some of the most amazing eateries ever! Somehow I think we ate more dessert than anything! Check out the amazing icecream treats at Serendipity!

Also, the Spotted Pig was amazing! Their Orange & Bourbon chocolate cake recipe even made it in the most recent issue of Domino magazine! We thought we'd share it with you!

Cake:

1/2 lb bittersweet baking chocolate at least 70% cocoa content

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, cut up)

3 tbsp bourbon (preferably Maker's Mark)

1 Orange, zested

4 eggs

2/3 cup granulated sugar

Spiced Cream:

3/4 cup chilled heavy cream
2 tbsp confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/3 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cardmom

1/8 tsp ground cloves

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter and flour sides of a round 9-in baking pan and line bottom with parchment paper.

Melt chopped chocolate and butter in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Mix in bourbon and orange zest; set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat eggs and granulated sugar in a bowl until mixture is thick and pale yellow ribbons form, about 6 minutes. Fold mixture into chocolate little by little. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 35 min or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

With mixer, beat cold heavy cream until frothy. Add confectioners' sugar and spices; continue beating until soft peaks form. Chill in refrigerator. Tranfer cake to a serving platter; garnish with spiced cream and chocolate shavings.

Enjoy!

There was another teeny tiny reason we went to market besides the food....the buying!!! We saw some amazing showrooms and purchased some amazing new items for both Olive Annie and The Willows. We are so excited to show you! Here is a preview.

Keep checking with us for updates! Olive Annie here soon! Amazing sales still going on at The Willows!