Cake_2

Tuesday night I took one step closer to the inevitable. In the weeks before my birthday, I spent nights awake wondering, "Lady Baltimore or Coconut Chiffon? Italian Meringue Icing or White Chocolate Buttercream?" Because it’s much easier to worry about the kind of cake you’ll make for your birthday than it is to realize that at 28, you’re not at the point you thought you would be when you were a kid looking into the future.

But then I found myself surrounded with my dearest friends, old and new, and my beloved Ben, with a glass (or two, or three?) of champagne in my hand. Around me people were talking and laughing and eating cake; music played in the background and as I sat back for a moment, a sense of pure bliss coursed through me. I thought, life plan or no life plan, I have everything I need.

And the cake, you’re wondering? I made Martha Stewart’s Inside Out German Chocolate Cake. The cake layers were thick and fudgy like brownies, not as high and fluffy as I had expected. The custardy, crunchy filling was delicious, and the ganache was fruity and smooth (I stuck my finger in both concoctions during preparations to taste). Everyone loved it, but I was too busy drinking champagne and gazing lovingly at the people around me to even have a slice.

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13 responses to “Birthday Cake”

  1. Molly Avatar

    That cake looks and sounds (custardy! crunchy!) wonderful, Luisa. But more importantly, happy, happy birthday!

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  2. mzn Avatar

    Happy birthday, Luisa. Enjoy your youth while it lasts.

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  3. Robin Avatar

    You’re far from being the only young lady in publishing to have such thoughts on a birthday! I’m glad it turned out happily and deliciously.

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  4. mumu Avatar

    Happy birthday Luisa! Great looking cake.

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  5. ilva Avatar

    Happy Birthday! Lovely cake!

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  6. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you, everybody! Thank you, thank you.

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  7. Melissa Avatar

    Happy Birthday Luisa! I know the scenario well – you spend all that time and energy on a cake, and at the crucial moment it’s the furthest thing from your mind! Hopefully there were leftovers for you the next day 😉

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  8. shuna Avatar

    I think we should start a club,
    “Those Who make Their Own Birthday Cake.”
    So glad to see others with the same sesibilities about this.
    Oh, and HB!

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  9. Angie Avatar

    Happy Birthday, Luisa!
    I like that idea of making your own cake. I’d love to know what the inside of the cake looked like–German Chocolate Cake is our family favorite.

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  10. Luisa Avatar

    Melissa – Thank you! The cake was gone the next day, but I was so happy that everyone enjoyed it. I didn’t miss it at all.
    Shuna – I like the idea of this club. Because it’s funny how much resistance there is to the idea that you would want to make your own cake! And thank you.
    Angie, thank you! The inside looked a lot like two brownies sandwiching a layer of that filling I posted a linked photo of. And it’s fun to make your own cake. No artificial frosting or flavors you don’t like. Oh, and like I mentioned, it’s a great way to ignore whatever heavier issues surrounding your birthday you might have! 😉

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  11. abby Avatar
    abby

    I made this cake for my bookclub and they loved it!! Not a morsel to bring home. I used 9 3/4 inch springform pans, but the cake was so thin I could have used regular cake pans. Also, only took 10 mins to cook since the cakes were spread so thin. So good.

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  12. Luisa Avatar

    Abby – I’m so glad you tried this!

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  13. Hilary Avatar
    Hilary

    anyone know a place to go for my daughter’s birthday where we can design, bake, and decorate our own mini cakes? This sounded fun, but not exactly what we’re looking for.

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