Free Starbuck's Refresher from 12-3pm on 7/13/2012

In our culture when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday (which is does three times in 2012, with January and April preceding this one in July) and reasons as to why abound.  Some are Christian relating to the 13 disciples, Judas's betrayal and the crucifixion of Jesus. 

Others are Norse legend involving Loki, the god of mischief uninvited arrival at a party of 12 other gods, making him the 13th and his orchestration of convincing Hoder (blind god of darkness) use arrow to shoot the to shoot Balder the Beautiful (god of joy and gladness) killing him and sending the Earth into darkness. 

Another is Knights Templar when King Phillip the IV of France who owed huge debts to the Knights Templar and decided the best way to take care it was to devise a plan  to have all of them rounded up and killed on Friday the 13th, 1307, accusing them all of heresy.  As they used medieval methods to torture confession, most were, but the plan to have the grandmaster,  Jaques De Molay, publically admit heresy before being burned at the stake, he instead used it as platform to explain what the King was doing and his final words were to curse the King and the Pope, who condoned the King's actions, would die by the end of the year; both did.
 
There is even a name for the fear of Friday the 13th:  Paraskavedekatriaphobia

But with this promotion at Starbucks, maybe one good thing can happen on this Friday 

This Friday from 12-3pm Starbucks is offering a free 12 oz refresher (Very Berry Hibiscus or Cool Lime) at participating stores (be sure to ask the location before ordering if they are participating).

May your luck be good and may God bless you:)

promotion found via Facebook link

Inspired by Starbucks - Chocolate Cake with Salted Carmel Icing

This is based on a recipe over at Salsa Pie made using a chocolate cake mix, canned frosting and carmel topping made from scratch.   It is super-rich - I was not able to eat this entire piece and a good serving size for this would be about 1/4 of the above piece and delicious accompaniment to serve with tea or coffee between meals.   I think this would also be good with smashed pretzels sprinkled on the top instead of the sea salt to give it added texture.

Over at  Salsa Pie she also has instructions on making everything from scratch.

Ingredients:

• 1 boxed chocolate cake mix (I used a Fudge Chocolate cake mix)
• Ingredients required to make the cake (mine was 1/4 vegetable oil, 3 eggs and 1 cup water)
• 1 can white frosting
• Carmel topping or Homemade Carmel topping

 Ingredients for Carmel Topping

•  1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup cream or milk
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp sea salt

Bake cake according to instruction on the box and allow to cool..

 Once cake has cooled, frost with canned frosting.

Mix together brown sugar and cornstarch in saucepan.  Turn on heat to medium -high.

Slowly add milk to mixture a little at a time mixing the entire time then add butter and continue to stir until melted.

Bring to boiling then turn heat down to medium and cook for 8-10 minutes stirring regularly.  Allow to cool before putting on the cake.

Use a large spoon and drizzle the carmel topping on top of the cake.

I put 1 Tbsp of sea salt in a bowl and started to use the spoon to shake over the top, but it went on too heavy and I ended up using my thumb and forefinger and pinching a bit and the sprinkling on the top for better control.