Beverly...loving wife, mom of 5 beautiful children, a truly thoughtful friend, hostess with mostest, lover of all things good and holy, and someone who knew how to have FUN! (She'd also want to me add: Aggie!) ;) I'm not sure I've ever met a more energetic, faith-filled, and giving person than Beverly. She made every person she met feel welcome, special, and important.
To be a witness to how she handled her cancer diagnosis and treatment with such grace and faith was a true honor. My one regret is that we didn't become friends sooner. I know there would have been a lot more laughs...and probably more margaritas. We really should have been friends years earlier. I can see now that God kept putting her in my path, but I didn't realize it at the time.
When our kids started high school, a little group of 5 of us began monthly lunch dates...which usually ran upwards of 3 hours long. We're going to continue those lunches and I know Beverly will still be with us.
It was really bothering me that I didn't know Beverly's favorite dessert. HOW COULD I NOT KNOW THIS??? She was a lover of desserts...and read the blog and commented on the blog before we even met. I thought Beverly's husband and kids were probably busy with important things and I'd hold off asking them my burning question...what was her favorite dessert???
Then one morning last week as I was brushing my teeth, it hit me. Nutella. (No, I wasn't brushing my teeth with Nutella.) I don't know if Nutella was Beverly's favorite, but I DO know that every time Nutella was in the news, or she came across a particularly delicious looking recipe involving Nutella, she would let me know. Last year, a new cupcake shop opened in our town and Beverly texted me to let me know she was eating their Nutella-frosted cupcake...you know, for testing purposes.
So, a Nutella recipe for Beverly was required. I've had this recipe pinned for a while now.
The cookies look happy...and I think that's what Beverly would want. We're still mourning, but this faith-filled, loving lady would want us to live every moment with joy.
And lots of Nutella.
Cake Cookies with Nutella Frosting
{makes about 20 cookies, recipe adapted from Baker by Nature}
cookies:
4 cups unbleached cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup salted butter, room temperature
1 & 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sour cream
Nutella frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 cup dutch-process cocoa
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup Nutella
Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375.
Whisk together the cake flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the extracts.
In three additions, add the flour, alternating with adding the sour cream. Scrape down the bowl after each addition and mix just until combined.
[note: Check the ingredients on your sour cream. I'm a big fan of Daisy brand. Look at that ingredient list: cream.]
Scoop the batter onto the cookie sheets using a 1/4 cup measuring cup. With damp fingers, press the cookie dough into a circle about 3" across.
Bake 15 minutes or until the tops spring back with lightly touched. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the frosting:
In a large bowl, beat the butter until fluffy. On low speed, add the powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt and mix until combined. (It will look dry.) Mix in the milk and almond extract. Then, mix in the Nutella, beating until well combined and fluffy.
Spread the frosting onto the cooled cookies using an offset spatula.
Beverly, I miss you, my friend. ♥
{PS: Beverly homeschooled her 4 younger children (14, 12, 10, and 7) while her oldest (16) is in high school with Jack. As you can imagine, this will be a HUGE transition for their family. If you are interested in donating to an education fund for the children, please click here.}
