Now about the cake. Paradoxically, I almost did not make this cake. Why? Because in the cookbook they make it topped with strawberries, which is sinfully gorgeous. And I hate fruit with chocolate. But every time I thought about making the cake, it kind of killed me to not have the gorgeous hillocks and valleys created by placing strawberry halves across the top of the cake. Finally in a fit of cake obsessed desperation I decided I was being silly, and we whipped this cake up for Alex’s friend, who was coming to spend the night. I told myself oil based cakes are extra easy (absolutely true–no creaming of butter required and often can be mixed by hand) and that it would be fun to have cake for Alex’s friend (whom I knew to have a sweet tooth) and to just make the darn thing already.

I am so glad I did.

Yes the strawberry halves are breath-taking, but this cake is delicious and perfectly attractive on its own also (in a rustic way–which is my favorite anyway). I invited the girls to share a slice of pre-dinner cake with me (it was so I could take pictures! Honest!), and much giggling ensued as 3 girls plus myself shared a single piece of cake before dinner. We also had it after dinner, and I was told by Alex’s friend’s mom that her daughter was super impressed by the chocolate cake we had made. And seriously if you can make muffins you can make this cake. And have super impressed guests! And have the pleasure of eating the cake yourself! It’s a win-win-win!

If you are curious, the authors suggest a fruity or neutral olive oil. For myself, Zoe Extra Virgin Olive Oil is always my choice for baking, ever since my sister brought me home some from Spain. I now buy it at Jungle Jim’s, but I have seen it at most Mediterranean import stores and if you follow the link, Amazon has it as well.loeroui No time to linger Blue Hope The scenery on the road mikeini wushueni Left to their own grief And you together romantic And you together romantic quwneru