A Special Birthday Cake

My Father's Birthday Cake

My father celebrated his 71st birthday two weeks ago and this is the cake I made for him. The inside of this cake is a vanilla flavored cake which is popular for birthday celebrations and other occasions.  It has a light and moist texture with a sweet buttery flavor.  This cake uses the creaming method where the butter and sugar are beaten together first then the eggs and when completely combined the flour and milk are added.

There are a lot of ways to decorate a cake and you just need to use your creativity and imagination. To make the cake special, I added Deka Crepes choco bananas and choco nuts, maltesers and mini oreos.

 Little malt flavoured balls covered in chocolate called Maltesers
Photo from Wordnik.com

Deka Crepes Chocolate Banana & Peanuts
Photo from Ceritamu.com

Mini Oreo (Vanilla Flavor)
Photo from corporate.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk

A delicious vanilla cake surrounded by crunchy Deka Crepes and maltesers topped with mini oreos and crushed crepes

VANILLA CAKE INGREDIENTS :

1  Cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2  Cups granulated white sugar
3  Cups sifted all purpose flour
4  Large eggs (room temperature)
1  Tablespoon baking powder
1/2  Teaspoon salt
2  Teaspoons vanilla extract
1  Cup milk (room temperature)

CONFECTIONERS' FROSTING :

4  Cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1  Cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1  Teaspoon vanilla extract
2 - 4 Tablespoon milk or light cream
Food color gel paste (if needed)

DIRECTIONS

      Vanilla Cake :

1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit  (180 degrees C)
2.   In a bowl, combine the sifted flour, baking powder and salt
3.   Beat the butter until soft and creamy using an electric mixer (use the paddle).  You may use a hand mixer if you do not have the electric mixer
4.   Add the sugar gradually until fluffy
5.   Add the eggs one at a time and beat well
6.   Add vanilla extract
7.   Add the sifted flour and milk alternately  (make sure the mixer is on low speed when doing this) and beat until combined
8.   Divide the batter between the two pans  (use 9 inches x 2 inches round pan).  Apply vegetable shortening first on the pans before placing the batter. 
9.   Bake for 27 to 35 minutes or until tooth pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean
10. Place the cakes on a wire rack until completely cool before frosting

      Frosting :

1.   Beat the butter until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer or hand mixer
2.   Add the vanilla extract
3.   Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar with the mixer on low speed
4.   Add two (2) tablespoons of milk and beat until combined
5.   With the mixer on high speed, beat the frosting until light and fluffy.  Make sure you get the right spreading consistency.

Please visit my other blog :
http://flowersblooms-elvierose.blogspot.com


Peach Cupcake...Fresh and Perfect for Summer !

PEACH CUPCAKES
Butter and a fresh flavor of a good peach makes these cupcakes with a moist and tender crumbs a perfect dessert or snack for summer time.

INGREDIENTS :

Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (60 ml) milk
1/2 cup (113 grams unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cups (130 grams) granulated white sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Zest of 1 large lemon (outer yellow skin)
1 can (825 grams) peaches, chopped into cubes

Buttercream Frosting
 
1/2 cup (113 grams unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar, sifted
2 tablespoon milk or light cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted food colors (if desired) 

DIRECTIONS :

1.   Preheat oven to 350 degress F (177 degrees C) and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
2.   In the bowl of your electric mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3.   Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition.
4.   Add the vanilla extract
5.   In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, lemon zest and salt.
6.   Add alternately the flour mixture and milk in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Make sure the mixer is on low speed when doing this. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as required.
7.   Add the chopped peaches and mix until combined.
8.   Fill the muffin cups with the batter evenly and baked for about 20 minutes or just until set and a  toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean
9.   Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
10. Frost with icing once the cupcakes have completely cooled.

Delicious peaches (Photo from boldsky.com)

 Frosting :

1.   In an electric mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth.
2.   Gradually beat in the white sugar with the mixer on low speed.  Scrape the sides of the bowl when needed.
3.   Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (4 minutes) 
4.   Check the consistency of the frosting, add a little more milk or sugar when required.
5.   Tint the frosting with your desired food color.  I used the gel type food color here.

I prefer to use gel type food color because colors are vibrant

Lovely peach cupcakes with swirls of buttercream frosting decorated with some sugar sprinkles and  Maltesers, a round chocolate shell with sweet honey and savory malt inside

Please visit my other blog :
http://flowersblooms-elvierose.blogspot.com