Julie Mae Is 9

Somehow my baby has turned 9 years old! How did this happen? Here she is taking a breath in between blowing out all the candles on the cake she helped make, frost, and decorate:

 

It was delicious as well as pretty. Here's the recipe:

Classic Yellow Birthday Cake

2¾ cups all-purpose flour
2½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
2 sticks (8 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
1⅓ cups whole milk

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease and flour two 9" round cake pans.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2–3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and milk in three parts, mixing until just incorporated.

4. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 35–40 minutes. Transfer the pans to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the pans to release the cakes and invert; let cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Frosting

2 1/2 sticks (10 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups confectioners' sugar
1 Tbps pure vanilla extract
1–2 Tbsp milk

In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk. Beat at high speed until fluffy, adding an additional 1 tablespoon milk if necessary.

Comments

[Elena]

Happy birthday to Julie! She looks so very grown up!

[Tonya]

It blows my mind that she was only *3* when I first met you here in Bloggersville! Happy birthday, Julie!

[Erin]

Happy Birthday to Julie! I, too, found this blog when she was a toddler...wow!

[Sharon]

Nine! Happy Birthday! My son just turned nine last week.

[Kelly]

Happy Birthday to Julie!

[Elena]

BTW, this is a kid after my own heart. A yellow birthday cake with vanilla frosting! I have one every year for my own birthday. I love chocolate, but not in a birthday cake.

[Liz - Meal Makeover Mom]

My son just turned 12 and is now in middle school. Time sure flies by! Happy Birthday to Julie (your veggie eater!).
I just shared your 2-bite healthy eating tip on our Facebook fan page and on our new Picky Eater Makeover page. Let me know if you need the link, and thanks.