Pioneer Woman Test Kitchen: The 5am Chocolate Sheet Cake

So this month, I Pintertested the Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake.

Technically, not a pin.

But technically, it's been a crazy week.

And technically, I Pintertested these for my Olympics party, but forgot to take photos.

(They were super easy to make, and everyone seemed to enjoy them).

Anyway, Mel invited Jessica and I over to her place on Tuesday for a Pioneer Woman Potluck.

It was a crazy busy weekend, and I got home at midnight the night before.

Thankfully, I picked a recipe I could make quickly and easily ahead of time.

And that would transport well.

Enter, the Pioneer Woman's Sheet Cake. 

Also, enter 5am.

It hurt.

But was so, so worth it.

Also, coffee.

Lots, and lots, and lots of coffee.

Sprinkle in the cocoa to the batter.

Sprinkle it into your mug too.

But don't grab a spoon to stir because it's only 5:30am and you are SO tired.

Just drink it.

Also, ignore the yellow lighting.

Because the sun isn't up yet, and it hurts to turn on any brighter lights.  

And, butter. 

A LOT of butter.

Here is the best part. 

Sheet cake cooks in 20 minutes. 

Which means by the time you whip up the super delicious icing, the cake is READY.

Half hour and BOOM.

You have a potluck ready Chocolate Sheet Cake.

5am Sheet Cake. 

You also have a kitchen that looks like this.

For two whole days.

That pot did not get washed for over 48 hours.

It didn't move from the stove top at all until last night.

This might be the messiest kitchen I have ever had (maybe).

And the longest it stayed that way. 

I had a little anxiety about it the whole time.

So back to the cake.

It survived 8 hours of tempting my coworkers in the breakroom.

A trip across the bay.

And ended up in amazing company on Mel's famous dessert table.

Lucky for me, everyone was super stuffed from all of the delicious food at the party, so I took a good amount of the cake home, and back to the office, where my coworkers were very happy.

I also took a Texas sized piece to my friend Wendy (hi Wendy!), 

and an Alaska sized one one to my parents. 

There was a LOT of cake to go around.

Which is good.

Because this cake is GOOOOOOOOD.

At least I really, really think so.

I most definitely will be making it again.

Definitely.

Also, rumor has it, this recipe is almost identical to Keri's which can be found here.

Which I actually did pin.

So...legitimate Pintertest complete.

BOOM.

Linking up with Jessica!

Weekend: All Fun, All The Time

This past weekend was the best.

One of the best of the best.

In fact, this whole week has a whole lot of awesome going on.

More to come on that!

I mean, I had to schedule myself to wake up at 5am Tuesday to bake a cake, because the fun has been so jam-packed into each moment of each day.

Friday, I took the day off to prep for my Olympics Party.

Which was all things wonderful.

Good friends. My amazing parents. Delicious food. 

Saturday, I slept in. 

Sort of.

And despite my pure exhaustion, made it to the bridal shower of beautiful Jamie.

Jessica throws a mean shower, and does an incredible job making the bride feel so special.

And I got to spend some quality time with one of my favorite people in the whole world (no exaggeration), Betsy, since she was in town for the weekend. 

We have over a decade of friendship under our belts, 

and we have come a long way since the 13 and 20 year olds we once were. 

Definitely not those same girls.

Well, we are. 

Just with more degrees, more life experience, more awesome.

Saturday night, I celebrated my brother in law's birthday with their Crossfit Friends.

He got flaming Baked Alaska.  

Actually, he got two.

Super Paleo.

Sunday, church.

Followed by a return trip to Nordstrom.

I really feel like I need to invest in some faux eyewear. 

Clearly Napoleon knew what he was doing with lenses like these.

After the mall, and continuing our Junior High adventure, Marge, Betsy, Emily and I hit the links.

Or mini-links.

We are pretty much pro now, so...hello US Open 2013. 

And what would a Junior High adventure be without a trip to the movies.

To see Step Up 4: Revolution.

Betsy & her friend Katie truly are the Step Up Franchise's biggest fans. 

This crowd is all because of them.
They truly created a revolution.

I feel like Step Up owes them a DVD boxed set.

And really, any movie that can turn Performance Art into Protest Art, I'm sold.

Also, it inspires us to flash mob the escalator. 

Haven't seen it? 

Go.

But have a good attitude. 

Know what you are getting into. 

You are there for the dance sequences, not the acting. 

Or the plot. Which left me slightly confused.

Monday, I played hooky.

Except, when you are a grown up, it's called "taking a vacation day".

Betsy and Emily took me on an adventure day to the City. 

And we all know I love adventure days, and the City.

We hit up the good touristy spots, 

Musee Mechanique (for photobooth pics). 

Ghirardelli Square (for Sundaes).

and Pier 39 (for Sea Lions).

We also spent an hour inside this gallery. 

Charging my iPhone. And you know, enjoying art.

Also, flash mobbing.
Once again,

Performance art turned protest art.
No one saw it coming.

Step Up 4. Go see it. 

It was planned several months ago to hit up the Giants Game with 

Cindy, Ellen, and my sister to celebrate Ellen's 30th. 

It might be her 34923th birthday celebration this year,
but when you turn 30, you go big or you go home.

So Betsy, Emily and I parted ways, and I was Club Level bound with my sister-friends.

I picked up some Giants Cupcakes earlier in the day at Ghirardelli Square,

 and they actually made it safely to the ballpark.

Almost without any casualties, almost.

It was a crazy exciting game.

We were winning.

We were losing.

We were tied.

We were rallying.

We were winning.

We were losing.

We lost.

But it was still. So. Fun.

(Also, Casilla. No thanks.)

And then, 5am wake up.
To make Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake.
It was exhausting.
But so, so, so worth it all.

Geriatric Bedtimes are very much needed, ASAP.

Also.
Mug Swap.
Did you sign up yet?
It's blowing up.
50+ signups yesterday alone!

And here is what you really need to do,
head over to Katy's place and check out some awesome
Mug Finds and Ideas at her Festy of Etsy Loves.

The Mug Swap is Here! The Mug Swap is Here!

Hello Faithful A Cuppa Kim Readers!
I am so excited!
I have a BIG announcement to make.

I began blogging almost two years ago!
Last year, to celebrate my one year blogiversary I hosted the first annual Mug Swap!
The response was so much bigger than I had hoped.
And it was SO. FREAKING. FUN.

It was probably one of my most favorite things I have ever done via blogging!
I have been looking forward to hosting the second annual mug swap for a few months now.
And I know a few of you have asked when it would be!

Well, here it is!
(And check out the cute new logo courtesy of Katygirl Designs)

Are you ready for the info on how it works?
Okay, here we go:

Step 1. Email me. (cuppakim@gmail.com) Leave a comment here. Text me. Instagram me. Tweet me. Facebook me. Let me know you want in, and leave me your email address. I'll sign you up - and contact you for your mailing address. Sign ups close at Midnight on August 8th. (a week from today).

Step 2. Spread the word. Last year we had 33 participants. It was awesome, because this is how I got to know a lot of people in the blogging world. Friends of friends signed up. And now you are my friends! The more people who sign up, the more fun this will be.

Step 3. On Sunday, August12th I will email you your assignment.

Step 4. On or before August 23rd Find & Mail your mug. This means your mug should be en route to its recipient NO LATER THAN the 23rd.

Step 5. Receive & Document your mug! This is the fun part! Blog, Instagram, Tweet your Mug Swapping Adventure. Be sure and use #mugswap on Instagram & Twitter so other Swappers can find you!

Step 6. Link up! This year, I will be hosting a Linky Party on September 10th for those of you who are bloggers and want to link up your posts! (This gives you plenty of time to make sure your mug arrives & recap your adventures!)

That is it.
It's pretty simple.
Sign up & send. 

Now, I know a lot of people have more questions about the details, so here are some FAQ's!

Mug Swap Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I have to have a blog to participate?

Nope! 

Not at all. Everyone is welcome.

2. Do I have to spend a ton of $?

Nope. 

You can spend anywhere from $0 & up. I advise you don't spend more than $20.

Unless you are sending a solid gold mug, in which case, I think this swap will be VERY popular next year. 

3. Am I sending to and receiving from the same person?

Nope. 

I guess technically you aren't "swapping", more like a daisy chain or domino of mugs will be flying through the skies via USPS (God Bless Them). You will send to one person and receive from someone else.

This way you get to know at least two people!

4. Is it a secret?

Kinda. 

I will only be telling you who you send to.

It's kinda fun to find out who your mug is from when you get your package.
Like a Secret Santa.

But, I guess it's kinda up to you.

5. Where should I get a mug?

Anywhere. 

You could get one from Etsy, or Target, or the Dollar Tree, or a Thrift Store.

That is the fun part about mugs, there are millions of fun, funky, creative ones out there. 

If you do order online, you could save yourself a step and have it shipped directly to the recipient.
You decide the direction you want to go. The mug can be something YOU love
or something you think your recipient would love. No real rules here. Just be fun.

6. I never got my assignment.

When you email/comment/tweet/instagram/facebook me signing up - I WILL reply confirming you are IN.

(And asking for your mailing address). 

If you did NOT hear back from me, it means I did NOT get your email/comment/tweet/etc.

Make sure you follow up.

I don't want anyone to miss out!

7. Are you doing a giveaway?

But of course!

I almost forgot!

Every participant is automatically entered in my 

Blogiversary Mug Swap Giveaway!

Woo to the hoo.

Prizes include:

A pair of WifeySinger Earrings
Note Cards from Jenze
A Print from Katygirl Designs

$10 Starbucks Gift Card

1lb of Starbucks Blonde Roast

Miscellaneous goodies.

What, you want Additional Entries? You got it!

You get an additional entry for the doing any of following prior to August 8th:

Tweeting about the Mug Swap

Blogging about the Mug Swap

Instagramming about the Mug Swap

Repping the Mug Swap Button on your sidebar

Okay, I know this is a TON of information.

But here's the synopsis:

Sign up.

Spread the word.

Get your assignment.

Send a mug.

Blog about it.

Link up.

<center><a href=" http://www.acuppakim.com/search/label/mugswap "><img border="0" src="http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af252/kkfults/mugswapcopy.png"/></a></center>