| How to Make a Triple Chocolate Cake Posted: 15 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST If you want a decadent chocolate cake with three different flavors of both cake and frosting, this is the cake for you. With white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate cake as well as frosting, this three-layer cake will satisfy any chocolate lover who has a passion for cake. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]The White Chocolate Cake[1] - all-purpose flour
- white sugar
- butter, softened
- 1-2 eggs
- buttermilk
- white chocolate
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- hot water
[Edit]The Milk Chocolate Cake[2] - + all-purpose flour
- sugar
- cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- milk
- vegetable oil
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- vanilla extract
- boiling water
[Edit]The Dark Chocolate Cake[3] - + all-purpose flour
- sugar
- milk
- 1 egg
- teaspoons baking powder
- baking soda
- dark cocoa powder
- salt
- vegetable oil
- vanilla extract
- – boiling water
[Edit]For the Frosting White Chocolate Frosting[4] - white chocolate
- all-purpose flour
- milk
- butter
- sugar
- vanilla extract
Milk Chocolate Frosting[5] - butter
- cocoa powder
- powdered sugar
- milk
- vanilla extract
Dark Chocolate Frosting[6] - butter
- dark cocoa powder
- powdered sugar
- and milk
- vanilla extract
[Edit]Making the White Chocolate Cake - Preheat the oven to . Grease and flour a round 9-inch cake pan.
- If you have one, try using a cake pan with a removable bottom. This can make it easier to remove the cake from the pan later.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Melt the white chocolate. Using a small saucepan, melt the white chocolate and combine it with the hot water. Mix the combination until it becomes smooth.
- Allow the white chocolate mixture to cool.
- Combine the butter and sugar. Add the butter and sugar to a large bowl and cream them together using a hand mixer.
- Crack the eggs into the butter and sugar mixture, one at a time. Mix well after adding each egg.
- Alternate between adding the flour mixture and buttermilk. Combine well.
- Add the white chocolate into the cake mixture and mix well.
- Pour the cake batter into the cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the leftover cake batter out of the bowl and into the pan.
- Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Allow the cake to cool for about ten minutes.
[Edit]Making the Milk Chocolate Cake - Preheat the oven to . Grease and flour a round 9-inch cake pan.
- If you have one, try using a cake pan with a removable bottom. This can make it easier to remove the cake from the pan later.
- Sift the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder with a whisk.
- Add the wet ingredients. Crack in the eggs and pour in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients together for about two minutes, or until fully mixed.
- Stir in the boiling water with a spoon. The batter will be thin at this point, which is normal.
- Pour the cake batter into the cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the leftover cake batter out of the bowl and into the pan.
- Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes. The time may vary. However, you can tell when the cake is done if you poke a toothpick into the center, and it comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool for about ten minutes.
[Edit]Making the Dark Chocolate Cake - Preheat the oven to . Grease and flour a round 9-inch cake pan.
- If you have one, try using a cake pan with a removable bottom. This can make it easier to remove the cake from the pan later.
- Sift the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and dark cocoa powder with a whisk.
- Add the wet ingredients. Crack in the eggs and pour in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients together for about two minutes, or until fully mixed.
- Stir in the boiling water with a spoon. The batter will be thin at this point; that's normal.
- Pour the cake batter into the cake pan. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the leftover cake batter out of the bowl and into the pan.
- Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes. The time may vary. However, you can tell when the cake is done if you poke a toothpick into the center, and it comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool for about ten minutes.
[Edit]Assembling the Cake - Remove the cakes from their pans. Run a knife around the edges of the cake pan to make the cakes easier to remove, then place wire racks over the top of the cake pans and flip the cake pans over. Pull the pan off the cake carefully and allow the cake to fully cool.
- If you used cake pans with removable bottoms, pop the bottoms of the cake pans out and move the cakes to the wire racks to allow them to cool fully.
- Use the time that the cakes are cooling to make the frostings, as you can't frost the cake when it's still warm - the frosting will melt if you try.
- Make the white chocolate frosting. The white chocolate frosting will add a delicious, light flavor to the layer cake.
- Start to melt the white chocolate in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir it continuously to ensure that it doesn't burn.
- Add the flour and milk to the melting white chocolate. Mix it until the mixture has thickened considerably.
- Set the mixture aside to fully cool.
- Cream the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a separate bowl until the mixture is fluffy.
- Gradually mix in the white chocolate mixture, and continue to beat the mixture with a hand blender until the consistency resembles whipped cream.
- Make the milk chocolate frosting. Be aware that you'll need to make more of the milk chocolate frosting than the other frostings, in order to cover the entire cake.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
- Add in the cocoa powder and mix.
- Alternate between adding the powdered sugar and milk, stirring thoroughly while adding.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and mix.
- Make the dark chocolate frosting. This frosting will give the cake an extra touch of the deep flavor of dark chocolate.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan.
- Add in the dark cocoa powder and mix.
- Alternate between adding the powdered sugar and the milk. Mix the combination thoroughly while adding.
- Add in the vanilla extract and mix.
- Place the milk chocolate layer on a plate.
- Frost the top of the milk chocolate cake. Use either the white chocolate frosting, or the dark chocolate frosting.
- Stack the white chocolate layer on top of the frosting.
- Frost the top of the white chocolate layer. Use the flavor of frosting that you didn't use for the milk chocolate layer - for example, if you frosted the milk chocolate layer with dark chocolate frosting, frost the white chocolate layer with white chocolate frosting.
- Place the dark chocolate layer on top of the frosting.
- Frost the whole cake with milk chocolate frosting. You can use a clean palette knife to smooth out the frosting, or in a pinch, a rubber spatula.
- If you have enough frosting, try decorating the cake with the frosting, such as by piping it.
- Garnish the cake, if desired. You can try many things to garnish the cake - you can top it with fresh berries, chocolate curls or shavings, chocolate sauce, or whatever you want that would go well with your triple-chocolate cake.
- Serve. Cut the cake into slices and place them on plates. Serve the cake alongside ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!
- If you want to frost the cake with white chocolate frosting or dark chocolate frosting instead of milk chocolate, you can cut the recipe for milk chocolate frosting in half and then double the recipe for the desired frosting.
- Try stacking the cake layers in different ways (for example, with the dark chocolate layer on the bottom) if you want to change up the look of the cake.
- The boiling water added to the cakes will moisten them, so you may want to avoid omitting it.
- Consider garnishing the cake with 1 cup of your favorite nuts such as walnuts or pecans.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful not to over-mix the cake batter, or the cakes may turn out to be rubbery and tough.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 3 9-inch round cake pans
- 3 wire racks
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer
- Spoons
- Measuring tools
- Rubber spatula
- Knife
- Plate
- Palette knife (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Encourage a Child to Participate in an Activity Posted: 15 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST Participating in a new or challenging activity can be intimidating for children of all ages. While you may be able to clearly see the long and short term benefits, it may take them a bit of time to build confidence and feel comfortable participating in an activity. However, you can help encourage them to participate by figuring out what motivates them and finding activities they'll enjoy. [Edit]Encouraging a Shy Child - Use their interests as a starting off point to get them involved.[1] To help encourage a shy child to get involved in a new activity, first ask or observe them to figure out what some of their interests are. Then, try to use that information as a starting off point to help the child segue into the new activity and make it more appealing for them.[2]
- For example, if you notice that a shy child in your class likes to draw, try encouraging them to participate in your class play by putting them in charge of drawing a set design. They'll likely be more motivated to participate if you make the activity more interesting for them.
- When you approach the child about participating, try asking them, "I've noticed that you're an incredibly talented artist. Would you mind helping us out by drawing the set design for our play?" This helps them feel like an important part of the activity and allows them to contribute by doing what they love.
- Take them to watch the activity before they get started. If you know a child is shy and nervous to try a new activity, try taking them to watch it first so they'll have a better idea of what to expect. Shy children may need more time to get accustomed to new places, people, and activities. By taking them to watch the activity beforehand, they'll likely feel more comfortable when it's time for them to participate.[3]
- If you aren't able to go to the activity location beforehand, it can also be helpful to show them pictures or videos online.[4]
- For example, if you're trying to encourage your shy middle schooler to play ice hockey, taking them to watch a practice at the rink may help them feel more comfortable and confident going into their first practice.
- Pair them up with outgoing children whenever possible. When you sense that a shy child is reluctant to participate, try putting them in a pair or small group with a few outgoing children that you know will be welcoming and encouraging. In a small group setting, more outgoing children may pick up on their reluctance and try to help them open up and feel more comfortable with the activity.[5]
- Similarly, try getting them involved in activities with their friends or children they know so they'll feel more comfortable from the get-go.
- Give them a role that encourages them to interact with others. In many cases, shy children are reluctant to participate in activities because they're intimated about the social aspects. To help them move past this, try giving them a role that requires them to interact with other kids to fulfill their assignment. Interacting in a more structured setting can help them feel more comfortable being social with others and feel more inclined to participate on their own over time.[6]
- For example, if you're teaching a middle or high school debate class, try assigning the shy child to serve as the debate moderator or timekeeper. That way, they'll be able to participate and interact with other kids without the pressure of debating on a team themselves.
- Choose small group activities so they won't feel overwhelmed. To help a shy child feel more comfortable with new activities, try signing them up for activities that take place in small group settings. While joining the football team may be overwhelming for some shy kids, for example, small group tennis lessons may be a less intimidating environment.[7]
- Activities that are more individualized and have an easier pace may also be a good option. Yoga classes, for example, can be a great option for shy children because they can participate in their own way and move at their own pace.
- Let the child know you're proud of them. Whether the child excels at an activity or not, it's important that you use positive reinforcement to show them that you're proud of them for participating. Giving them a hug, a high five, or complimenting something they did well will go a long way in helping a shy child feel more confident, which will likely make them more motivated to continue to participate in the activity and improve.[8]
- For example, if your daughter recently joined the school orchestra and had her first concert, try telling her afterward, "You sounded amazing during that last song!" Even if they made several mistakes throughout the concert, focusing on what they did well helps boost their confidence and feel more inclined to stick with it.
- In addition, it can be helpful to use tangible rewards occasionally to encourage the child to participate. For example, if they've been hesitant to participate in classroom activities at school, it may be helpful to allow them to earn a small reward for a positive report from their teacher.
- Urge them to try an activity more than once. Trying a new activity can be stressful and intimidating for shy children, which can make them want to dismiss an activity after the first try. In many cases, though, they might just need another chance to gain a bit more confidence. Unless the activity caused physical, emotional, or mental harm, it may be beneficial for you to urge them to try it one more time to see if they like it a bit better once they know what to expect.[9]
[Edit]Helping a Child Participate in Physical Activities - Introduce them to a wide variety of activities to find what they enjoy. Perhaps the best way to encourage a child who is reluctant to participate in physical activities is to find an activity that they'll enjoy. While it can take some time and effort, introducing the child to a number of different activities will help both of you narrow down what they like and don't like. Once they find an activity they're interested in, they'll be much more likely to get out there and be more active.[10]
- For example, take them to both a football game and a yoga class. If they seem bored in the yoga class but attentive during the game, try signing them up for a group sport that's more competitive.
- While this is particularly important for young children, who are still trying to figure out what they like, it can also be helpful for older children as well. By encouraging them to try out a wide variety of new activities, you'll show them that it's never too late to be more active and start participating in something that's both fun and good for their health.
- Look for activities that suit their personality and strengths. When looking for a physical activity that a child will enjoy, it can be helpful to consider what their strengths are, and what personality traits may make them more inclined to enjoy certain activities. If the child is particularly outgoing, for example, you may want to try signing them up for a more social activity, such as a soccer team, rather than an activity that can be more solitary, like cross-country running.[11]
- If the child is particularly curious and adventurous, for example, try taking them hiking or signing them up for rock climbing classes. Allowing them to explore and learn more about the outdoors may help them get over their reluctance to physical activities.[12]
- Choose age-appropriate activities so they won't feel out of place. When you're looking for a physical activity that they'll participate in and enjoy, try talking to their doctor first, as well as the potential coach or teacher, to assess if the activity is appropriate for the child's age and abilities. If you try to get them to participate in activities that are too easy or too physically advanced, they'll likely feel bored or overwhelmed and therefore, less inclined to commit to the activity.[13]
- For example, if you want your middle school son to get more exercise but he isn't naturally athletic, try signing him up for an activity he can ease into on his own like running or biking. Both of these are great options because they'll allow him to participate on his own time and build his endurance over time.
- Pushing a child into an activity that they aren't ready for or able to fully do could be both emotionally and physically harmful.[14] In addition, it could make them resent an activity that they may have enjoyed if they'd tried it at the right time.
- Get any supplies they'll need ahead of time so they'll be prepared. When a child is trying a new physical activity, they'll likely feel a bit nervous or anxious beforehand. Getting any supplies and equipment they may need ahead of time will help them feel prepared. Feeling prepared can calm their nerves and make them more willing to participate.[15]
- If they're prepared and able to fully participate in the activity as soon as they get started, they'll be much more likely to do so.
- For example, if you signed your daughter up for a swim team, make sure that she has all the equipment she'll need beforehand. If she shows up to practice ready to go with her suit, goggles, cap, or flippers, she'll probably feel much more comfortable.
- Schedule time to participate in physical activities with them. If you're finding it hard to motivate a child to be more active, try making time to do more physical activities with them. Leading by example shows them the benefits of being active and allows you to spend some quality time together as well.[16]
- For example, try scheduling fun activities you can do as a family. Going for bike rides, shooting hoops at the park, and rollerblading are all great activities that encourage your children to be more physically active.
- Talk about what you know they'll like about the activity. If a child seems reluctant to participate in an activity, it can be helpful to take some time to talk to them about the aspects you know they'll enjoy. By focusing on how much fun they'll have, you'll be able to get them excited to get started.[17]
- If you're trying to get a middle school child to be more physically active, try signing them up for their school's rowing team and emphasizing how much fun they'll have with their teammates. For example, try telling them, "You'll have so much being on the water every afternoon at practice and you'll get to hang out with your best friend Joe even more!"
[Edit]Getting Older Kids to Participate and Honor Commitments - Describe the reasons why they should participate in the activity. While it's important that you try to find activities they enjoy, there will inevitably be situations where older kids will need to participate in activities they don't like. When this happens, take time to explain to them why it's important that they participate, and what they'll be able to learn by doing so. In many cases, they'll be more inclined to participate if they understand the benefits.[18]
- For example, if your child is in high school and wants to quit working on the school paper, try making it clear to them why it's important that they continue to participate. Instead of telling them they have to participate "Because I said so," take time to explain how honoring their commitment to the paper will help them get into the college they want.
- Get them involved in activities where others depend on them. If you notice that a child isn't self-motivated, try encouraging them to get involved in group activities where other people will depend on them to do their jobs. Like adults, older children are often motivated to honor their commitments because they know others are depending on them. Finding a group activity helps hold them accountable while giving them a strong sense of purpose.[19]
- If you're a high school teacher and you've noticed that one or more of your students isn't participating much in class, try giving the class a group project and assigning each group member a specific role. The students that are usually reluctant to participate may feel the pressure to contribute more since their group members are relying on them.
- Explain that there are a variety of ways they can participate. In many cases, there are a number of ways that people can participate in an activity. If a child is reluctant to participate in an activity they've never done before, they may have a narrow idea of what that activity entails. If they're not interested in participating in the most obvious sense, try encouraging them to participate in some capacity, even if it's not how they originally envisioned.[20]
- For example, some students participate in classroom activities by raising their hand a lot, while others participate by answering questions directed at them and taking diligent notes. By explaining the variety of ways they can participate more in school, they'll be more likely to figure out what type of participation works best for them.
- If you're trying to encourage your son to get involved in more extracurricular activities but he's not interested in joining a sports team, for example, try encouraging him to participate by becoming the team's student manager.
- Apply what motivates them in other areas to this particular activity. To encourage an older child to participate in an activity they don't want to do, try first asking them why they enjoy an activity they're already involved in. If you can assess what motivates them to participate in that activity, you may be able to find ways to apply that to the new activity as well.[21]
- For example, if you're trying to get your daughter to read more and watch TV less, try first asking her, "You're so committed to your bowling league. What do you like about it so much?" If she tells you that she loves bowling because it's fun and she gets to hang out with her friends, try suggesting that she start a book club with her friends. By adding in the social aspect that she loves about bowling, she may be more motivated to read.
- Don't force them into an extracurricular activity if it's not a good fit. When you're trying to find an extracurricular activity that a child will participate in, it can be frustrating if they don't show interest in something that you think would be good for them. While it's important that you encourage them to give it a fair chance, if they really aren't enjoying it, they likely won't be motivated to participate.[22]
- In addition, if you try to force them to participate in something that they're really just not feeling, they could end up feeling resentful towards you and the activity.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Your Own Body Lotion Posted: 15 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST Making homemade body lotion is a fun project that you can complete in less than an hour! The ingredients are easy to get your hands on and all you need is a blender to combine them. This recipe is gentle and fragrance-free, making it safe to use on sensitive skin, but you can easily incorporate a subtle scent using your favorite essential oils. If you're making large batches of lotion to sell commercially, consider adding skin-safe mica, oxides, or specialty extracts to make your product colorful and unique. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Simple Fragrance-Free Body Lotion - 1 cup (230 grams) of unrefined, 100% organic shea butter
- of coconut oil
- of vegetable glycerin
- of vitamin E oil
- 2 ounces (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (3 ml) of essential oil (optional)
- Skin-safe mica, oxide, or powdered pigments (optional)
- Specialty extracts for added properties (optional)
Makes about 20 ounces (600 ml) of body lotion [Edit]Making a Simple Body Lotion - Scoop 1 cup (230 grams) of shea butter into a blender. Use a measuring cup to portion out 1 cup (230 grams) of unrefined, 100% organic shea butter. Scrape the shea butter out of the measuring cup into a high-powered blender with your fingers or a spoon.[1]
- Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect your blender first!
- If you plan to make lotion regularly, you may want to buy a dedicated blender for this instead of using your everyday kitchen blender.
- Add of coconut oil to the blender. Measure out the coconut oil and dump it into the blender with the shea butter. It's totally fine to use the same measuring cup that you used for the shea butter without rinsing it out first.[2]
- Pour in the vegetable glycerin and vitamin E oil. Measure out of vegetable glycerin and dump it into the blender with the shea butter and coconut oil. Then, do the same with of vitamin E oil.[3]
- Buy vegetable glycerin and vitamin E oil at natural food stores, specialty shops, and online.
- Get the highest quality products you can afford if you plan to sell your lotion.
- Add 2 ounces (60 ml) of extra virgin olive oil to the blender. Measurements don't have to be precise, but about 2 ounces (60 ml) is recommended. Olive oil is nice and thick, so it's great for body lotion. However, if you prefer, you can substitute the same amount of:[4]
- Jojoba oil
- Avocado oil
- Sweet almond oil[5]
- Blend the ingredients on high speed until they're fully incorporated. Body lotion is thick, so stop the blender occasionally and scrape down the sides to ensure ingredients distribute evenly. Pulse the blender for 1-2 minutes total. Scrape down the sides a final time once the ingredients are thoroughly blended.[6]
- Check the consistency by dipping a finger into the lotion and massaging it into your hand. If there are still lumps, blend the mixture for another 1-2 minutes.[7]
- Transfer your lotion to a 20 ounce (600 ml) container with a lid. You should be able to pour the lotion straight from the blender into the container, but if you made yours super rich, grab a spoon to help you transfer the mixture. It's best to store the lotion in an air-tight container, especially if you don't plan on using the lotion right away. Glass and plastic containers work great.[8]
- If you're making lotion to sell, definitely store the lotion in an air-tight container.
- If you're making the lotion for yourself, feel free to screw a pump dispenser onto the mouth of the container instead.
- Store the body lotion in a cool, dry area for up to 18 months. Since this lotion is oil-based rather than water-based, you don't have to worry about mold and bacteria growing during storage. However, oil is prone to oxidation and degrades over time. For the best results, use your homemade lotion within 18 months.[9]
- Be sure to store your body lotion out of direct sunlight.
[Edit]Adding Scent, Color, and Extracts - Add 1 teaspoon (3 ml) of essential oil to the mixture, if desired. If you want to jazz up your lotion with a subtle scent, add your favorite essential oil to the mixture while it's still in the blender. You can use a single essential oil or a combination of several—it's completely customizable. If you aren't sure what scents you like, you might try:[10]
- Lavender oil for a relaxing, slightly herbal scent
- Rose oil for a classic floral fragrance
- Citrus oils like sweet orange and grapefruit for a bright, energetic scent
- Patchouli or cedarwood oil for a deep, woody scent
- Myrrh, frankincense, or benzoin for a dramatic, resinous scent
- Blend the lotion for 1-2 minutes to incorporate the essential oil. At this point, test the lotion on your hand to see how you like the fragrance. If you want a slightly stronger scent, add another teaspoon of essential oil and blend the mixture again. However, avoid using more than a total of 2 teaspoons (6 ml) of essential oil.[11]
- Essential oil is very concentrated and can irritate the skin if it isn't properly diluted.
- Use skin-safe mica, oxides, and powdered pigments to add color. These products are oil-soluble, so they're perfect for this recipe. Instructions will vary by brand, but the process typically involves dissolving the pigment in oil and blending it into the lotion mixture with the other ingredients. Shop at specialty stores and always check the packaging to make sure products are skin-safe. Keep in mind that adding color only affects the way your lotion looks, so using it is completely optional.[12]
- Some skin-safe mica formulas can even add a little sparkle to your lotion!
- Check product instructions for how much pigment to use with the amount of lotion you made.
- These pigments are potent and intended for use in big batches of lotion. It will be hard to add them to a small amount of lotion.
- Add extracts to enhance your lotion with special properties. There are many extracts out there and the properties are different for all of them. You can buy extracts at specialty soap-making and beauty stores. The general usage rate is of extract for every 1 pound (453 grams) of product, so it's difficult to use them unless you're making big batches. Check individual instructions for different products for more information. [13]
- For example, chamomile extract has anti-inflammatory properties and can soothe irritated skin.
- Green tea extract and aloe extract are skin soothing extracts.
- Evening primrose and buckthorn extracts are often used for their anti-aging properties.
- Oat extract soothes irritated skin and is a great option if you have sensitive skin.
- Mallow extract has intense moisturizing properties.
- Add powdered zinc oxide if you want the lotion to have SPF. SPF 20 is a pretty standard amount and offers great daily sun protection. To calculate how much zinc oxide you need to add to achieve SPF 20, multiply the total amount of lotion you have by .20.[14]
- For example, if you have 4 ounces (113 grams) of lotion, you would use .8 ounces (22.6 grams) of zinc oxide.
- Use a digital kitchen scale to measure out the zinc oxide for the most precise results. If you don't have a kitchen scale, measuring cups and spoons will work fine.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Regular spoon or spatula
- Air-tight container that can hold 20 ounces (600 ml) of product
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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