Italian Wedding Cake!

Ciao Bella.  
I am not really sure if this cake originated in Italy, but regardless of that it is one of my favorite desserts.  Growing up I did not like nuts on any desserts , but then I turned 20 and things changed {thank goodness}. I made this cake for our Christmas Dinner.  It might not be one of the most beautiful thing I have made, but it sure did taste good.  I got the recipe from Sandra Lee on Food Network right HERE.  I really enjoyed the flavor, and the light and fluffy texture of the cake.  Most Italian Wedding Cakes I have had in the past are not as fluffy, and more like a carrot cake texture.  With that being said, it was difficult to move the cake from the pan to the counter, and it was also difficult to cut.  The pieces did not come out nice, and clean like I would of wanted them to.  I do want my desserts to look nice, but my main concern is taste and this cake definitely passed.  Sandra Lee recommended using canned frosting.  I was trying to be a little more Suzy Homemaker, and I used the recipe I found HERE.  The frosting recipe is at the end of the cake recipe.  I might eventually try that cake recipe too.  Sandra Lee's cake recipe was just a little less involved :) Enjoy...

I do love Italy...

These pictures are from my backpacking trip I took the summer after my sophomore year of college.  I am so glad that movies like Taken and Hostel were not out when I went over {one night my friends and I had to sleep in the same room as an Italian man that just liked to wear his underwear to sleep...it was awkward}.  Hope you have a FANTASTIC Friday!!!

{Leslie}