A Cake Full of Memories and Love \ud83c\udf6b\u2615\ud83e\udd43
Some recipes are more than just ingredients on a page\u2014they become part of our story.
I baked a lovely Chocolate, Rum and Coffee Cake today, a recipe that holds a very special place in my heart. My gran was never one for sweet treats, yet this was the one cake she could never resist. She would finish her slice and always ask for more.
For the past 21 years, I have been baking this cake, and it remains a winner every single time.
The rich chocolate, hint of rum, and depth of coffee create something truly special, but it’s the memories attached to it that make it priceless.
Baking has always been my safe zone\u2014my place to slow down, be creative, and simply enjoy the process. There is something therapeutic about measuring, mixing, and watching simple ingredients transform into something that brings joy to others.
On Tuesday afternoon, as the aroma filled the kitchen, it reminded me that some traditions are worth holding onto, one slice at a time. \u2764\ufe0f
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“The best recipes aren’t written in cookbooks\u2014they’re written in the memories we create while making them.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A Cake Full of Memories and Love \ud83c\udf6b\u2615\ud83e\udd43 Some recipes are more than just ingredients on a page\u2014they become part of our story. I baked a lovely Chocolate, Rum and Coffee Cake today, a recipe that holds a very special place in my heart. My gran was never one for sweet treats, yet this was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[178],"tags":[177],"class_list":["post-938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kitchen-shenanigans","tag-bakingfromtheheart-chocolaterumcoffeecake-familytraditions-bakingtherapy-madewithlove"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260616_195019.jpg?fit=748%2C596&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":949,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/21\/sunday-shenanigans-for-fathers-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":938,"position":0},"title":"Sunday Shenanigans for Father’s Day","author":"admin","date":"21 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"What better way to celebrate Father's Day than spending time in the kitchen?Today I baked a homemade carrot cake and tackled something completely new for me\u2014a Swiss roll with caramel filling. I'll admit I was a little nervous rolling it for the first time, but it came out perfectly!There's something\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"#FathersDay #SundayShenanigans #HomeBaking #BakingJoy #MadeWithLove\"","block_context":{"text":"#FathersDay #SundayShenanigans #HomeBaking #BakingJoy #MadeWithLove","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/tag\/fathersday-sundayshenanigans-homebaking-bakingjoy-madewithlove\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782053268690.png?fit=716%2C821&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782053268690.png?fit=716%2C821&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782053268690.png?fit=716%2C821&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782053268690.png?fit=716%2C821&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":761,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/11\/announcement-my-memoir-is-finally-here-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":938,"position":1},"title":"ANNOUNCEMENT: My Memoir Is Finally Here","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"11 March 2026","format":"link","excerpt":"After years of memories, healing, and reflection, I\u2019m incredibly proud to share that my memoir, Wildflowers in Winter \u2013 Beauty in the Midst of Hardship, will officially be released on 25 March 2026.Pre-orders open on 11 March 2026.This book is more than a story. It is a journey through grief,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Memoir"","block_context":{"text":"Memoir","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/memoir\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot_20260310_112119_Gallery-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot_20260310_112119_Gallery-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot_20260310_112119_Gallery-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot_20260310_112119_Gallery-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot_20260310_112119_Gallery-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C554&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":339,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/14\/breaking-barriers-my-valentines-day-half-marathon-triumph\/","url_meta":{"origin":938,"position":2},"title":"Breaking Barriers: My Valentine\u2019s Day Half Marathon Triumph","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"14 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Run with love, and every step becomes lighter.\" Valentine\u2019s Day 2026 will forever be etched in my memory\u2014not for roses or chocolates, but for the pounding rhythm of my shoes on the ARC Irene road, the cool breeze on my face, and the moment I shattered my personal record in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Road"","block_context":{"text":"Road","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/trails\/10km-arc-road-race\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260214210127384.jpg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260214210127384.jpg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260214210127384.jpg?fit=675%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":371,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/15\/finding-joy-in-buddhism-our-familys-chinese-new-year-at-nan-hua-temple\/","url_meta":{"origin":938,"position":3},"title":"Finding Joy in Buddhism: Our Family\u2019s Chinese New Year at Nan Hua Temple","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"15 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Buddhism has given me 17 years of peace, and today at Nan Hua Temple, I celebrated that gift with my family. \u201cIn the stillness of meditation, I found joy in the love of my family.\u201d This year marked our third visit to the Chinese New Year celebrations at Nan Hua\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Family Trips"","block_context":{"text":"Family Trips","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/travel\/family-trips\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260215210313938.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260215210313938.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260215210313938.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260215210313938.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dji_export_photo_20260215210313938.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":157,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/01\/arts-crafts\/","url_meta":{"origin":938,"position":4},"title":"Arts & Crafts","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"1 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Saturday, 31 January 2026, we went to Create at The Big Red Barn after our morning 10km Road Race. As we have been here before and made such amazing memories, the time has come to revisit, Create, and get our art on. Each of us decided a piece that we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Family Trips"","block_context":{"text":"Family Trips","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/travel\/family-trips\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260201_164516-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260201_164516-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260201_164516-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260201_164516-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20260201_164516-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":901,"url":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/02\/chasing-trails-tails-tenacity-a-rainy-race-day-to-remember\/","url_meta":{"origin":938,"position":5},"title":"Chasing Trails, Tails & Tenacity: A Rainy Race Day to Remember","author":"Rey De Bruyn-Walters","date":"2 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The morning began with doubt\u2014rain tapping against the windows, a cold chill in the air, and the quiet thought that maybe the race wouldn\u2019t happen at all. But 45 minutes later, everything changed. The skies cleared, the breeze softened, and at Grootfontein Bike Park stood two very excited German Shorthaired\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Trail"","block_context":{"text":"Trail","link":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/category\/trails\/trail-running\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/debruyn-walters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img-20260501-wa00101460032414418336007.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/ph3bPZ-f8","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=938"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":939,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/938\/revisions\/939"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/debruyn-walters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}