Leila’s younger son’s birthday party was today. He’s 9. She’s not here to bake him a cake, so I offered to do it. I’ve only ever made three cakes in my life – two for Jonah’s first birthday parties (yes I had two birthday parties for him when he turned 1) and one for his second. So not only was I honoring my friend whom I miss very much, but I was also getting practice, which I think she would have appreciated.
I was instructed that the preferred cake was yellow with chocolate frosting. I debated between two recipes. This one from Smitten Kitchen, and this one from Chow.com.
The Chow one seemed less intimidating because it didn’t involve “cake flour” which sounded more intimidating.
I realized, after I’d baked the layers and they were cooling on my counter, that the SK recipe would have been better because it might have made a BIGGER cake (just guessing since it was 4 cups-ish vs 2-ish on the flours). Suffice it to say, I worried a bit between last night and today about whether we’d have enough. I bought ice cream, in order to stretch the dessert-value of the thing. I almost baked a second cake, or at least another layer, later that night, but that would have involved dividing the recipe in half and with the eggs in multiples of threes, not to mention that I’d already cleaned the kitchen…
In any case, I arrived at the party today with the cake – just barely. Did you know that if you put a cake on parchment paper and then put it in a cake saver, it slides ALL OVER THE PLACE, even on the slightest of hills, or when you are accelerating slowly from a complete stop? And you thought people talking on cell phones while driving were distracted. Lord.
But we made it, me and the cake. I’d brought along flower shaped confetti sprinkles – I wanted to make sure they were approved by the birthday boy before applying. They were. I’m sorry to say I don’t have a photo of the fully-bedecked cake, but I am glad to report that despite the fact that the party was attended by fully 1/3 more guests than I’d been told about, there was enough for everyone. There was even a piece left for the two folks who came after the party had already ended. Well, there were two pieces – the couple ate one, and then the birthday boy swung by the table and swooped up the other.
All gone.
And so, my friends, I present to you: Cake.
Dear Leila, I wish you could have tasted this one. Love, Julie.
Your cake looks great, and what a great way to honor your friend.
Just beautiful, Julie…
(also, I’m completely smitten with SK)