And thank you, Smitten Kitchen, for the Best Birthday Cake recipe. I have to confess that at first I thought it was kind of bold of her to label this the BEST, but now I realize she had every right to call it the best. Despite having some issues with the frosting not softening quite as much as I had hoped (I left it in the fridge too long), the cake still turned out quite well, and oh, it is yummy. So, it’s kind of a foolproof recipe (I love to bake, but I would not consider myself super skilled). Now, I am usually all about the frosting, but with this cake? The cake is super delicious. It is moist and has notes of vanilla and buttermilk, and it pairs beautifully with the somewhat tangy and super chocolatey frosting. Super yum. Y’all should make it!
Okay, now I’m going to go find some elastic waistband pants and pass out on the floor.
Happy Belated Birthday to you, too! (Did you have to make your own cake?)
wow, that guy is 80? He looks fantastic! So does the cake, btw.
That sounds like my next few weeks: homemade cheesecake, three batches of ice cream, a huge cake (well, a huge cake turned into a ginormous # of cupcakes), a cake for a friend who took the bar.
It’s a good thing we can run or we would be forced into round puddles of goo on the floor!
Happy belated birthday Mariko!
This looks like the perfect cake to make for my boyfriend’s birthday coming up – thanks for the link!
I thought birthday cakes didn’t have any calories in it?!
I just got the book in the mail today. Thanks so much. I love it! I think running (or maybe walking) is going to be my new healthy obsession. Thanks a million –
Jennifer
Must. Try. Best. Cake. Recipe!!!
Thanks for posting the link, I’m not one to turn down cake, either. 🙂
buttermilk & vanilla in the cake sounds so divine! it reminds me of the Magnolia chocolate cupcake recipe. If you liked this cake, then you’ll like Magnolia’s recipe just as much! (it’s always a hit at parties- people just can’t seem to get enough!)
And such cute candles!