Tuesday night I took one step closer to the inevitable. In the weeks before my birthday, I spent nights awake wondering, "Lady Baltimore or Coconut Chiffon? Italian Meringue Icing or White Chocolate Buttercream?" Because it's much easier to worry about the kind of cake you'll make for your birthday than it is to realize that at 28, you're not at the point you thought you would be when you were a kid looking into the future.
But then I found myself surrounded with my dearest friends, old and new, and my beloved Ben, with a glass (or two, or three?) of champagne in my hand. Around me people were talking and laughing and eating cake; music played in the background and as I sat back for a moment, a sense of pure bliss coursed through me. I thought, life plan or no life plan, I have everything I need.
And the cake, you're wondering? I made Martha Stewart's Inside Out German Chocolate Cake. The cake layers were thick and fudgy like brownies, not as high and fluffy as I had expected. The custardy, crunchy filling was delicious, and the ganache was fruity and smooth (I stuck my finger in both concoctions during preparations to taste). Everyone loved it, but I was too busy drinking champagne and gazing lovingly at the people around me to even have a slice.
That cake looks and sounds (custardy! crunchy!) wonderful, Luisa. But more importantly, happy, happy birthday!
Posted by: Molly | December 15, 2005 at 04:35 PM
Happy birthday, Luisa. Enjoy your youth while it lasts.
Posted by: mzn | December 15, 2005 at 05:28 PM
You're far from being the only young lady in publishing to have such thoughts on a birthday! I'm glad it turned out happily and deliciously.
Posted by: Robin | December 15, 2005 at 09:56 PM
Happy birthday Luisa! Great looking cake.
Posted by: mumu | December 16, 2005 at 12:02 AM
Happy Birthday! Lovely cake!
Posted by: ilva | December 16, 2005 at 12:53 AM
Thank you, everybody! Thank you, thank you.
Posted by: Luisa | December 19, 2005 at 11:57 AM
Happy Birthday Luisa! I know the scenario well - you spend all that time and energy on a cake, and at the crucial moment it's the furthest thing from your mind! Hopefully there were leftovers for you the next day ;)
Posted by: Melissa | December 20, 2005 at 09:04 AM
I think we should start a club,
"Those Who make Their Own Birthday Cake."
So glad to see others with the same sesibilities about this.
Oh, and HB!
Posted by: shuna | December 20, 2005 at 11:41 PM
Happy Birthday, Luisa!
I like that idea of making your own cake. I'd love to know what the inside of the cake looked like--German Chocolate Cake is our family favorite.
Posted by: Angie | December 21, 2005 at 02:23 AM
Melissa - Thank you! The cake was gone the next day, but I was so happy that everyone enjoyed it. I didn't miss it at all.
Shuna - I like the idea of this club. Because it's funny how much resistance there is to the idea that you would want to make your own cake! And thank you.
Angie, thank you! The inside looked a lot like two brownies sandwiching a layer of that filling I posted a linked photo of. And it's fun to make your own cake. No artificial frosting or flavors you don't like. Oh, and like I mentioned, it's a great way to ignore whatever heavier issues surrounding your birthday you might have! ;)
Posted by: Luisa | December 27, 2005 at 08:27 PM
I made this cake for my bookclub and they loved it!! Not a morsel to bring home. I used 9 3/4 inch springform pans, but the cake was so thin I could have used regular cake pans. Also, only took 10 mins to cook since the cakes were spread so thin. So good.
Posted by: abby | January 12, 2006 at 12:29 AM
Abby - I'm so glad you tried this!
Posted by: Luisa | January 13, 2006 at 05:31 PM
anyone know a place to go for my daughter's birthday where we can design, bake, and decorate our own mini cakes? This sounded fun, but not exactly what we're looking for.
Posted by: Hilary | November 6, 2006 at 08:57 PM