So this is post #1 for me. I know what you are thinking: Liv why in the world would you choose pistachio bundt cake as your first recipe?! I wanted to start with something I would never think to make. This whole journey for me is supposed to be about growth and getting to know my family so why not start with some obscure, totally out there bundt cake? Plus Dad said it was one of Grandma’s favorite, so let’s start our working relationship off on the right foot shall we?

I’ll let you know this was a struggle for me. I actually had to end up making this into cake pops because my bundt pan was not kind to me and my cake flopped out onto the cooling rack in a sad heap. But you know? This right here was a pivotal point for me — was I going to trash this, my first ever attempt? My start to my blog? The first step toward my goal? Or, do I pivot and move forward and still post this?

It look a solid minute just staring at my failure before I decided it was not a failure, but a learning curve. Guys, I’m going to be honest with you all right now. I am no expert. I am simply learning and trying to get better at something I find truly enjoyable. So I’m making a promise to you right now. I’m gonna post everything. The fails, the triumphs, the days where I didn’t even feel like getting in the kitchen, and the days where I was over ambitious. Because that is the only way I am going to accomplish my goal.

Well, long intro done so here is the recipe:

Ingredients (Cake):

• 1 pkg of yellow cake
• 1 box of pistachio instant pudding
• 1 cup of OJ (fresh squeezed)
• 4 eggs 
• ½ cup of oil
• ¾ cup of Hershey’s syrup
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 tsp of salt 

Ingredients (Ganache):

• Chocolate for melting
• Heavy whipping cream

Instructions:

**before doing anything grease your bundt pan with shortening and then flour**

1. Mix all together — the package of yellow cake calls for 3 eggs and ½ cup of oil and 1 cup of water. Omit the water (it’s replaced by the OJ) and add 1 extra egg. 
2. Pour ⅔ of batter into bundt pan
3. Add chocolate syrup to remaining batter
4. Pour remaining batter into bundt pan
5. Bake for 1 hours at 350
6. Either dust with powdered sugar or pour chocolate ganache over top . . . or do both 🙂
7. To make ganache (in case you’re going that route) pour melting chocolate and heavy whipping cream into sauce pan and stir until combined

As a reminder: I had never made a bundt cake until I attempted this cake. For the most part it’s easy enough to follow the instructions and end up with thick, gooey, sugary cake batter. However! Do not do what I did and forget to grease and flour your bundt pan thoroughly. If you do forget that and things don’t go well, you’re in luck! This recipe also makes amazing cake balls.

Things I learned on this first recipe of mine:

1. Things are not always going to turn out perfect and Instagram worthy the first time but it doesn’t mean they won’t taste delicious!
2. When things don’t work out, it’s not an immediate fail, just an opportunity to grow
3. Chocolate ganache is fancy to say and SUPER easy to make!

I think Grandma Bev would’ve been happy with my first attempt. Hope you guys liked it too! Please feel free to leave comments, questions and points of view. I’ll leave the light on for you.