Making cakes have never been my forte. They require a level of patience that really doesn't come naturally to me. Seriously, I've always been the kid that asks "are we there yet?" a thousand times on a trip to the local mall, so imagine me waiting for a cake to cool...
On top of that I'm a pretty spontaneous baker, rarely do I plan what I am going to make or when I will do it. Setting out ingredients to be brought up to room temperature was one of those steps I've always skipped (and is a factor in my unsuccessful cake making career).
But for the first time I did things right. I set out the butter, eggs, and milk to warm up, I sifted all the dry ingredients, I added the eggs one at a time, and scraped down the bowl after each addition. In essence, I did everything that I'm supposed to do...hence the messy kitchen. I have found that the messier the kitchen the yummier the food (which is why I don't trust people who cook yet have pristine kitchens).
I chose this cake specifically because it calls for cake flour which was all I had on hand. I snagged the recipe for the cake from
Smitten Kitchen (I have a major girl crush on this woman), however the chocolate frosting recipe is mine.
The cake was beautiful without the sprinkles, but you know me, I just love adding a feminine touch anywhere I can.
I like love the cake and frosting combo. Yellow cake tends to come out dry and crumbly, but this recipe results in a delicioulsy moist cake that's not saccharine sweet. In order to elevate the sophistication of a butter cream frosting I used coffee leftover from my parents breakfast and some kosher salt to intensify the chocolate flavor. I like that the frosting went on smoothly allowing for a thin coat since I hate thick layers of frosting. It was a major exercise of my willpower to not eat more than one slice. Thankfully my Dr. Daddy will be taking the rest of the cake into work as a treat for his nurses.
Right when Dr. Daddy came home from work he was greeted with a plateful of cake. I think it is HILARIOUS the way he still inspects my food carefully (left picture) before he's willing to take a bite. I don't know why though, I mean look at that happy food face (right picture). Heehee. I don't think he knows I caught that on camera.