BIRTHDAY CAKE

There are many cakes which are perfect for celebrating a birthday, a simple butter sponge decorated with cream cheese frosting is my favorite.  This cake has a nice buttery flavor & a light & moist texture. The entire cake can be decorated with a single colour & then topped with a pretty icing patterns or one can use multiple colours. It all depends on your imagination & creativity.

This cake uses the creaming method where the butter and sugar are beaten together first and then the eggs, followed by the flour and milk is added later. So not only is this recipe easy to make, the cake is delicious in taste too.

I choose to make this beautiful butterfly shape cake. This does not require any fancy mould. It is cut out of a regular 9 inches round sponge. One has to be very careful while cutting the sponge. If you are not too confident then use a scale to make the markings.

For the frosting you will need butter, icing sugar, cream cheese, pure vanilla extract & icing colours. I have used the Philadelphia cream cheese which has excellent flavour and the end result is a good quality spreadable icing which is ready to use. Icing should not be too thick or else it will tear off the crumb and not too thin which will make it too runny. To get a perfect consistency you need a bit of experience.

 Cut off rounded top of the cake to make a flat surface. Cut the cake half into two as shown in the picture. Cut each half into 1/3 and 2/3 pieces. Place the cake pieces on platter to form a butterfly. Gently separate the cake pieces to form wings.

Spread top & sides of the cake with thin layer of frosting to seal in the crumbs. Refrigerate for atleast half an hour so that the frosting is well set. Now frost the cake with another layer of frosting to give it a finishing touch. 

I have used a candy stick, M & M’s, jelly beans & some chocolate chips to decorate the body of the butterfly.The top of the cake can be decorated the way I have done it, or use your imagination. There can be many ways of doing it, it all depends on how much time you have in hand & the candies available.

I am sure this will be a big hit for your birthday. So simple to make yet so elegant.

Happy Birthday!

Your baker

Chica's Bakehouse.