Today I have a guest post from my friend, Takiya! She made a bomb.com Brown Butter Cake, (and you know how I feel about browned butter…spolier: it’s heaven) and she wrote these lovely words on the Beauty of Where You are NOW!

I hope you enjoy it…I know I did! :)

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While you eat your brown butter cake, ponder this – the beauty of where you are now! There’s nothing wrong with venturing out into the world and experiencing new places, but there is something to be said about contentment, appreciation, and mindfulness.

I was born and raised in the DMV (that’s DC/Maryland/Virginia…not the dreaded place where you wait in line for hours), and I love it! My friends, however, often express their discontentment with living here. Perhaps you’ve always lived in the same place and feel the same way. I encourage you to appreciate where you are. Look where your eyes wouldn’t normally fall. Maybe you’re always sleeping on the bus – try taking a look out the window next time. Every person has a story and a full day ahead of them. Take a moment to wonder about all the creatures living in the green space on either side of the highway.

The truth is, if you want to appreciate where you are – you can! Even if you don’t live in the most pleasant place, your mindset is your reality. Make a point to experience something new about wherever you are in the next week. For anyone in the DMV, I strongly recommend visiting Chesapeake Beach. There are car shows, fishers, kettle corn, and loads of dogs. It’s a gem, indeed!

Lift your eyes; be grateful and sensitive to those around you. Peace and richest blessings.

-Takiya

Here’s the recipe!

Brown Butter Cake

Treat yourself to this moist yellow cake with brown butter icing any time. It’s easy to make and easier to enjoy!

2-Layer Yellow Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Bowl 1 (biggest bowl); mix:

• 1 3⁄4 cup of cake flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon of salt

Bowl 2; beat:

• 4 eggs
• 1⁄2 cup of whole milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Bowl 3; beat:

• 2 sticks of unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 1⁄2 cups of sugar

Alternate adding Bowl 2 and Bowl 3 to Bowl 1 while beating.

Butter and flour two cake pans (shake out the excess flour). Like this:

Divide batter evenly between the cake pans. Cook at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Cool on rack for 1 hour before frosting.

Brown Butter Frosting:

• 6 Tablespoons of butter
• 3 cups of confectioners’ sugar
• 4 1⁄2 tablespoons of milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Heat butter at medium heat in a saucepan until it becomes a nutty brown color. Immediately transfer it to a shallow glass dish, and refrigerate it until it is firm. Blend in the rest of the ingredients until smooth and an amazing icing appears! Yum!

Frost each layer of the cake, slice, and enjoy!

French phrase for fun:

Merci pour le gâteau délicieux , Takiya!
Thank you for the delicious cake, Takiya!