Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to me.

Today is my birthday.

Another year older. But not much wiser.

But that just means I can have my cake & eat it too.



This is the cake I made for myself. I plan to take it to work & share it with my co-workers. It'll be like 3rd grade all over again. If I feel so-inclined, I might pick up a package of Ninja Turtle napkins and a "Happy 8th Birthday!!!!!" card at Party City, too.

Since I'm a professional now, I guess I can stop buying grocery store cakes and continue to make my own.
This cake is a 2-layer yellow cake. The icing is a buttercream-cream cheese hybrid. I had a piece for breakfast this morning. It tastes pretty good.

Classic Yellow Cake
(2 9-inch cake pans OR 1 9X13 pan)

8 eggs
1 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
1 1/2 cups Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 sticks butter, room temperature and cut into pieces

In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, lightly combine the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.

In the bowl of your electric mixer combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and salt) and mix on low speed for about 30 seconds or until blended. Add the butter and Mix on low speed until the butter pieces are pea-sized. Gradually add the egg mixture, in 3 additions, beating about 30 seconds after each addition to incorporate. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about 2 minutes to aerate. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with an offset spatula. (Pans will be about half full.) Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center.

Leave the cake in the pan to cool for about 10 minutes. Next, invert the caks onto a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Buttercream

2 cups powdered sugar
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
10 oz butter, cold, cut in pieces
2 tsp vanilla extract

Beat cream cheese in mixing bowl until smooth. Gradually sprinkle in confectioner's sugar until incorporated. Add in the butter and vanilla extract last, beating well until smooth.



Birthday cake from dinner with friends

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About the author

Nikki Miller-Ka

Nikki Miller-Ka

Ms. Miller-Ka is a classically trained chef with a BA in English from East Carolina University and a Culinary Arts Associate Degree from Le Cordon Bleu-Miami.

Formerly, she’s worked as a researcher, an editorial assistant, reporter and guest blogger for various publications and outlets in the Southeast. She has also worked as a catering chef, a pastry chef, a butcher, a baker, and a biscuit-maker. Presently, she is a food editor, freelance food writer, and a tour guide for Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.

Leave a reply

  1. Happy Birthday my friend. All the best.

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  2. Happy Birthday Nik!! I hope it was all you hoped for:D

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  3. Happy Birthday! I'm glad you had cake for breakfast!

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  4. Nikki,
    Happy Birthday! Have a fantastic day. That's really nice that you're sharing your cake.

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  5. Love a cream cheese frosting. It really pairs well with any cake. Yum. Great way to do your birthday!

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  6. Happy Birthday! Mmmmm, cream cheese frosting. Nothing better on a cake!

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  7. Nikki, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. May you have many, many more. Best wishes to you.

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  8. While I am sure your cake would be superior to most others, I feel a little bad for anyone making her own birthday cake.

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  9. Happy Birthday Nikki! Love the sound of the frosting.

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