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.
Happy birthday to Julie! She looks so very grown up!
Posted by: Elena | October 12, 2010 at 07:59 PM
It blows my mind that she was only *3* when I first met you here in Bloggersville! Happy birthday, Julie!
Posted by: Tonya | October 12, 2010 at 08:53 PM
Happy Birthday to Julie! I, too, found this blog when she was a toddler...wow!
Posted by: Erin | October 12, 2010 at 09:54 PM
Nine! Happy Birthday! My son just turned nine last week.
Posted by: Sharon | October 13, 2010 at 08:39 AM
Happy Birthday to Julie!
Posted by: Kelly | October 13, 2010 at 12:25 PM
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.
Posted by: Elena | October 13, 2010 at 12:37 PM
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.
Posted by: Liz - Meal Makeover Mom | October 14, 2010 at 12:12 PM