23 August 2007

A birthday cake only a 4 year old would appreciate


Today we celebrate Orange's 4th birthday. Having been inspired by Pilgrim Parent's entry on homemake cakes in which the kids can participate in decorating, I'm re-embarked on my journey of cake-baking. The last time I baked a cake was almost five years ago.

18 Aug (Sat) - Practice run on baking basic choc cake.
Last minute change of recipe. No baking power. Decided to use self-raising floor. Halved the recommended sugar.
RESULT: Cake rose & cracked. Seems way too high. Taste: None (almost)

22 Aug (Tue)
10am - baked two chocolate cakes.
Followed recipe to the T (as far as possible)
RESULT: not that nice looking but taste of choc cake is discernable (whew!)

3pm - Icing Preparation
Step 1 - Dark Choc + Butter over boiling water (looking good)
Step 2 - added icing sugar (with O's help)
RESULT: bottom layer of clumped up choc mass + top layer of oil = disaster!!!

5.30pm - Icing Attempt 2
Did basic white icing (cannot go wrong type, I thought) + Cocoa
RESULT: Looks decent at first.... but final result: please see picture. Notice the gaps at the side.

6.30pm
Orange & Jambu were invited to decorate the cake.

Jambu's response:
Darling, it was a great effort. (with the most encouraging tone he could muster)

As Orange decorated the cake, she said:
So pretty! I love it! Thank you, mama.

She was so happy that she grinned almost the entire time we decorated the cake together.

FINAL RESULT:
A happy 4 year old, absolutely thrilled by her birthday cake.
....... nevermind the adults

You made my day, Orange. :0)

4 comments:

little miracles said...

It's ok, mama! Yi yi loves it too! What matters is Orange knows it's family effort! Three cheers for trying! I tasted it. I think it's great!

kumquat said...

Thank you, yiyi. You're always so encouraging.

Loved the roast/baked chicken. Need the recipe. ;)

pilgrimparent said...

Gorgeous cake! So glad Orange loved it - what's not to love?!

kumquat said...

You're right, if O loves it, no reason why I should not. :)

Thanks for the inspiration.