Cousins and Cake

Who can argue that the first time a little one has “Happy Birthday” sung to them, or they have their first bite of birthday cake isn’t a sweet moment for everyone involved!  And even if the party is a simple family affair, if it includes yummy cake, and cousins, the whole thing is sure to be a hit 🙂 This little dollie, Miss Annabelle Rose, turns 1 today!

This was not a fancy affair, but it was surely a fun one.  We had a small but very happy family party to celebrate Annabelle with her cousins, and of course some cake. It was her very first bite of cake by the way.  And she loved it!

Annabelle Turns 1! from Two Chums on Vimeo.

Sometimes we mistakenly believe a party has to be elaborate, even for a 1 year old, to be significant.  But it isn’t all the decorations and well planned party activity that makes a party a success.  It’s the love of those attending that makes sweet and beautiful memories.  Kids, singing, candles, cake….this all makes for so much love, joy and abundant living!

Speaking of abundance, we also want to wish Jackie’s oldest grandson, Scott, a very happy birthday.  A very special young man is he!

Best White Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing
(aka Perfect First Birthday Cake)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 cup milk, room temperature
6 egg whites, room temperature (about 3/4 cup)
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened

Instructions:

1. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans (I use vegetable shortening to grease the pans and then all-purpose flour to coat.)
2. In a medium bowl, mix the room temperature milk and egg whites along with the vanilla and almond extracts until blended.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Cut the butter into cubes and add it to the bowl then cut in the by hand (a pastry blender works well!) until the butter pieces are the size of small peas.
4. Add the milk mixture and beat on medium speed just until combined. Remember, over mixing the cake batter results in a dense cake.
5. Pour the batter evenly between the two cake pans.
6. Bake at 350 for 25-27 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cakes.
7. Cool the cakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto plates and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Cool the cakes to room temperature before icing.

For the recipe for delicious Italian Buttercream Icing click here!