Chocolate Dipped Strawberries on Chocolate Cake

This past week my brother and I made a cake for his girlfriend.  He lost a bet with her a few months back and therefore had to make her a chocolate cake.  Obviously, he enlisted me for some help.

He decided he wanted to make a German Chocolate Cake with chocolate buttercream and filled with bavarian cream.  However, he also wanted to top it off with chocolate dipped strawberries.  Let's just say his girlfriend is one lucky gal.

So... together we came up with this cake.

 

 

Chocolate French Macarons

Along with many other people, I have been hooked by the French Macarons that have been seen in many places lately.  I tried them a few weeks ago in downtown Seattle and was convinced to try to make them myself.  They are gluten free as they are made with ground almonds and no wheat flour.  This will satisfy many dessert lovers who are trying to keep gluten out of their diets.

For a first try, I would have to say that these were a success (both appearance and taste) and I am looking forward to trying several other flavours!