I rarely make traditional birthday cakes. Maybe because I never really learned how to decorated a birthday cake with butter cream frosting.
So ……this is my last week of being 45.
Next week I begin the slide towards the big 5-0! Say it isn’t so! lol
To celebrate my final week, I decided to try my hand at decorating a cake!
Thanks to the help of two fabulous cake decorating masters, Amanda and Kristan, for all their, tips, hand holding and encouragement!!
It all started with Amanda’s post on cake decorating ideas. She makes it look SO easy!
I ordered two 6″x3″ round cake pans from Sweet Baking Supply and they arrived in no time! Funny story here, I was actually on skype chatting with Cindy while she was working at the shop that day, so we video skyped while I “shopped” she showed me the items I wanted, I even watched her box them up to give to the mail man!! – so fun!! Like having a personal shopper!
Kristan gave me some really awesome tips on frosting my cake with her butter cream recipe.
- Cool cakes, remove from pans, and refrigerate for several hours
- level cold cakes
- place first layer cut side down, using an offset spatula, spread frosting on the top (the part that was the bottom when it was in the pan)
- place next cake layer cut side down, press and make sure it’s level
- spread a thin “crumb coat” layer of frosting over the whole cake
- refrigerate overnight
- frost and decorate the following day
I was thrilled with how it all turned out. Not, perfect but not bad!! Next time I will cut my layers in half, to make it 4 layers and have more frosting in the middle.
Getting the cake level, and frosting smooth on the cake……..will take a lot more practice! But thanks to my friends, I went outside my comfort level and tried something new!!
For the cake “recipe” I just used my favorite Duncan Hines French Vanilla “doctored up” to taste like homemade.
Ingredients
- 1 Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe French Vanilla Cake Mix
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup butter (use butter not margarine)
- 1 cup of water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Melt the butter in the microwave.
- Combine butter with remaining ingredients in medium bowl.
- Mix on low for 1 min. Then mix on high for 1 min.
- Bake time: 2- 6? cake pans 35-40 mins * 2 -8? cake pan 35-38 mins * 9?x13? pan 35-38 mins. * cupcake 20 mins.
Notes
(cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.)
• Cool cakes, remove from pans, and refrigerate for several hours
• level cold cakes
• place first layer cut side down, using an offset spatula, spread frosting on the top (the part that was the bottom when it was in the pan)
• place next cake layer cut side down, press and make sure it’s level
• spread a thin “crumb coat” layer of frosting over the whole cake
• refrigerate overnight
• frost and decorate the following day
You will be amazed that your batter is nice and thick and creamy – not thin and runny like it is when you follow the box instructions. I love Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe French Vanilla Cake Mix.
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http://tidymom.net/2011/how-to-decorate-birthday-cake-with-butter-cream/
*Amanda’s Butter Cream Frosting
I wish I could share a piece with you…….it was SOOOO good!!
Maybe next year I can make a rose cake with vertical layers like Amanda made for her birthday or a Breaking Dawn (Twilight) cake like Kristan made for a friend!
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so cute- I can’t believe it was your first time! Thanks for the tutorial…
I’m turning 30 in a month…I’ve announced I am having my 2nd annual 29th birthday party.
I LOVE your cake! It’s so pretty!!!!!
Beautiful and yummy looking cake! I love the cake stand also. =]
Your cake turned out BEAUTIFUL!! I’ve been wanting to try that pretty cake myself, so thanks for in the extra incentive. And I hope you had a very happy birthday!!!
Adorable! HB, Cheryl.
This is my first time to your great blog. I am in love with this beautiful cake. What a great idea to use smaller pans. It makes the cake look so “custom” & original!
Warmly, Michelle
this cake looks amazing!! I want to try it!
That is super adorable. I am so glad I ran across your site. I am a photographer but I want to learn how to bake so badly! I know you do a lot on here but I can learn a lot from you! Thank you to my new blogger buddy!
Heather
http://hdstokesphotography.blogspot.com
It looks great and sooo yummy!
It’s a lovely cake & beautifully done for a first attempt!
Do you think this doctored up cake mix is sturdy enough for fondant?