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A Big Dose of Confidence

acouchroll.jpgIt's amazing  how having a successful attempt at something you have wanted to do for so long can give you that extra boost of confidence you need. This past weekend I made the Lighter Than Air Chocolate Cake Roll and it was a huge, delicious success. For so many years I've been watching people make cake rolls and I've been so envious, certain that doing something like that and having it result in one piece without cracks was beyond my culinary baking capabilities. To that fear I say, farewell! I now know that I can make a cake roll and I know that I can do it well. A task that was intimidating me for so long ended up being really not that difficult. I could kick myself for not tackling this sooner.

To make up for lost time, I'm now on a cake roll kick. The one cake roll that my husband always comments on is the Pumpkin cake roll. Every holiday season we'll go somewhere and there will be a pumpkin cake roll and he gets so excited... it is one of his favorite desserts. Well, today is his birthday so as his cake I made him a pumpkin cake roll. It was surprisingly simple and incredibly delicious!

For those of you who commented after my Chocolate Cake Roll post that you too have been intimidated by cake rolls, kiss that fear good bye. Follow the recipe instructions carefully and you too can be a master of all cakes rolled.

Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 03:15PM by Registered CommenterKristen | Comments21 Comments

Reader Comments (21)

Looks fantastic - great job! Happy Birthday wishes to your husband. =)
January 23, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterLisa
You are such a great wife! I can't wait to have someone to cook for besides myself! Pumpkin roll cake is one I'm drawn to. I'll either do that one or a lemon one when I decide to make one...oooooo...lemon could be good for Easter! Hmmmm.
January 23, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterClaire
i can't even imagine attempting something like that! It looks FABULOUS!!!! Oh I want some soooooo badly!!

If you ever want a website to review your baking - just courier some over to our place! :)
January 23, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterJanice (5 Minutes for Mom)
PS - soooo thrilled you are coming to the party! :)
January 23, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterJanice (5 Minutes for Mom)
that looks great! it seems much thinner than the first one.

i too have had some more courage in my cooking lately. i fried something breaded for the first time. i started using some of the food i have in new ways. i'm not big on making desserts since i live alone. i'll eat them all! but i bet it would be really fun to try that.

i need to find a recipe for something like this but that more meal worthy. like if the cake were pizza crust and the inside were sausage, cheese and tomatoes . . .
January 23, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterRachel
Kristen, these cake rolls are certainly a feast to eye, and I can imagine how wonderful they taste! Now you say 'bye' to fear, I say 'welcome' to many more of your delicious cakes!
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered Commentergattina
WOW again!! Nice work!

Pumpkin rolls somehow were new to me until a late night over Christmas while skiing. After many cocktails, strangely it was perfect.

You are seriously getting great at this roll cake thing - and your pictures have been really nice too.

Happy b-day to your husband!
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterKirsten
Kristen, you're a very skilled baker - I'm glad your fear of rolls is now gone, because I'm sure you'll make more wonderful things from now on!

Happy birthday to your - very lucky - husband!
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterPatricia Scarpin
Wow...that looks in-credible. I've been eyeing making a desert like this :)
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterJeff
This looks yummy, a bit like one in the Pastry Queen book that I keep harping on about! My husband (whose American) loves Pumpkin to perhaps I'll make it for our anniversary in February!
Happy birthday to your husband!
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterFreya
That roll looks absolutely positively divine!!My kids would flip for this dessert!:))
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered Commenterasha
My goodness!! That's the stuff dreams are made of. :) What a lucky family (and friends) you have that they get to eat that. I would just pick it up and eat it all--like a burrito. :)
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered Commentersher
Lisa - Thank you! I can't wait to try the recipe you sent me.

Claire - Lemon is on my list of the next kind of cake roll I want to try. Yummy! I also want to do an angel food with strawberry one.

Janice - You should just move in next door. All of my neighbors get to enjoy what I bake. If it's in the house, its in my mouth so I try to get things out of the house ASAP!

Rachel - It's funny that you thought it was thinner because it was actually quite a bit thicker. I thought for sure it was going to break when I rolled it up.

Gattina - Thank you! I've now found something fun to make...glad you are enjoying it.

Kirsten - Thank you so much for your kind comments.

Patricia - Thanks :) My husband is lucky, but the luck goes both ways for us. He's a gem.

Jeff - I bet you'd be great at cake rolls. Can't wait to see your first one!

Freya - Thank you. I hope you do give it a try... your hubby would be thrilled, I'm sure!

Asha - My kids really liked it, however I didn't share very much with them!

Sher - Too funny. I can just picture it being eaten like a burrito. I'd love to see a picture of that :)













January 24, 2007 | Registered CommenterKristen
So, I'm here to tell you: You are a genius in the kitchen and on the computer!
This obviously is super special if it's for your husband's birthday! It's good to have pumpkin more than just at Thanksgiving!
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterMy Kitchen in Half Cups
Oh, Kristen, that is lovely! You are a genius!

Now I have cravings...
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered Commentermimi
that settles it, i must learn the art of the cake roll. finally a cake with enough filling, i can stop stealing everyone elses frosting. maaaybe....
January 24, 2007 | Unregistered Commenteraria
Nice cake roll! And I totally agree with you, a couple successes make you feel real good... or in my case, give you a big head.
January 25, 2007 | Unregistered Commenterbrilynn
Kristen... that looks SO good! I love pumpkin things. :)
January 26, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterKaren Beth
Looks delicious!!! Love your blog :)
January 27, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterLinda
Beautiful baking...your husband is a lucky man! Happy Birthday to him.
January 27, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterElle

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