Tuesdays with Dorie: Caramel & Peanut-Topped Brownie Cake

Thursday was my 35th birthday. I am not one to let birthdays bother me; I love celebrating my birthday. In fact, I was excited to turn 30. I bragged to everyone..."I'm thirty, and I still get carded for R-rated movies!" At the time, my (now ex) husband and I were starting to talk about having kids. "But I've got another 5 years to make that decision," I protested, thirty-five being my baby deadline.

Oh my, how quickly those 5 years have gone by.

So, here I am...35. My life is completely different that I expected it to be. I am 35...and babyless. That's okay, though, I haven't really ever been thrilled about motherhood. And, who knows...motherhood may still be in my future ( I think that clock thing might finally be ticking). And, I still get carded all the time!

Don't get me wrong...I don't fixate on having babies. Quite the contrary, actually. I'm just saying that 35 is hitting me just a bit harder than 30 did. Nonetheless...

I had a wonderful birthday, a celebration that lasted a long weekend. On Thursday, Jerad gave me a huge Le Creuset dutch oven, new wine glasses & decanter, and a wine & cheese pairing book. He also took me out to dinner at Niche, and it's as good as I expected it to be. We tried the "fried pig's head" (pork cheeks) with foie gras, the chicken liver terrine (the best pate I've ever eaten), a green apple & rosemary sorbet (compliments of the chef), seared scallops, the "pork duo," liquid chocolate cake and carrot cake semifreddo.

On Saturday, we took a few of my girlfriends out in a limo. We had dinner at Vin de Set, beers at The Stable, White Castles at 2:00 in the morning, and copious amounts of champagne. At dinner, my best friend Sarah asked, "Do you realize we've been friends for 21 years?" She went on to remind me of all we've been through together...high school & college, 1 almost marriage, 2 marriages, 1 divorce, 1 baby, several deaths, a period of silence, so many concerts...all of the good times and bad times. She then took out a small, black velvet box.

"After 21 years, I think it's time we make it official," she said as she opened the box. "Will you be my BFF...forever?" Inside was a silver diamond ring.

It was hysterical!

With all of the birthday festivities, I didn't make myself a birthday cake. So, I am considering this my birthday treat.

This week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe, Caramel & Peanut-Topped Brownie Cake, was chosen by Tammy of Wee Treats.

I decided to make cupcakes that would be easy to take to school. I imagined that the batter wouldn't rise very much, leaving room in the cupcake liners to spoon in the peanuty caramel. But, I was wrong.

So, using a spoon, I created little wells in each cupcake when they were still warm.

I then spooned the topping into the cupcakes, letting it spill over the edges a bit.