Monday, June 20, 2011

That Chocolate Cake, and breaking the Baker's Curse with a Rosanna, Inc. Giveaway!



I suffer from a little something that I like to call 'The Baker's Curse.' (Don't worry--it's far from lethal. ;-P)  The Baker's Curse is when you're the designated baker in your circle of friends, and you make everyone birthday cakes for their birthdays (and wedding cakes for their weddings, and so on), but no one ever--and I mean ever--bakes *you* a cake for *your* birthday.  I'm sure many of you out there are familiar with this affliction.  Everyone seems to get so flustered and worked up with the misconceived insecurity that no cake they bake, they think, could ever possibly live up to your standards, but what they don't all realize is that it's not really the cake that counts as it is the thought.  To just have someone put in the time and energy and thought into wanting to make a cake for me and then spending the effort to decide on a type of cake, look up the recipe, go to the store for ingredients, turn on the oven, etc etc --I don't really care if the cake doesn't rise or I could use it to play frisbee; all I care about--and I'm sure that many who suffer from Baker's Curse would agree with me--is that you actually tried.


So this year, for my birthday, I'm determined to escape the Baker's Curse, and to do so, I've enlisted the help of the awesome, awesome folks at Rosanna, Inc.  Rosanna, Inc. is the tableware company behind my absolute favorite cake stands--the ones I've used on this blog over and over again.  I have quite the collection of their cake stands, and I can honestly say that they are downright gorgeous and whimsy and cute (otherwise I wouldn't be using up blog space to tell you about them!).  And now, the folks at Rosanna, Inc. have graciously donated this beautiful 8" La Gateau cake stand as incentive to you all for helping me cure the Baker's Curse this year.


Here's the deal.  This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for participating, and stay tuned for the winner announcments! To enter this giveaway, leave a comment with your name, a way for me to get in touch with you (anonymous entries will be disqualified), and tell me:
What cake would you bake for me for my birthday?
If you have a link to the cake recipe, please include it in your comment, but even cake ideas/inspiration sans recipe are welcome.  I will review all of your submissions for awesome birthday cake ideas and pick the awesomest few to try out and then ultimately pick a most awesomest winner as the cake for my birthday coming up.  That winner will receive this 8" La Gateau cake stand from Rosanna, Inc.  (and let me tell you right now how jealous I am of you--even I don't own one like this!)


I'm also throwing in TWO! random drawing prizes: not one but two random winners will each get a white Rosanna, Inc. petit treat cupcake stand because I adore these stands so, so much and really want to share them with you (I use them for everything from mini cakes to cookies).


You have until 23:59 PST, Sunday, June 26, 2011 to enter your cake idea.  One cake idea entry per person, please.  I'll give you an extra entry in the random drawing if you tweet about this post, but in your tweet, you must mention me (@shihbakes) and include a link to this giveaway (http://bit.ly/dfbrosanna) so that I can track all of your entries!  This contest is open everywhere except where prohibited, but please note that I am not responsible for any import duties or taxes beyond shipping that may be charged by your country if you are overseas.  Winners will be announced on or before July 4, 2011 here on the blog, so please check back.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that Rosanna, Inc's stands always come packaged in the cutest hat boxes?!
In the meantime, here's one of my favorite, simplest, yet most delicious cake recipes to get you in the cake-y mood: *that* chocolate cake, from the Scharffenberger chocolate book.  This is an insanely easy cake to make, but it's so moist and light and yet rich with chocolate flavor and wrapped up with this delicious fudge-ganache-cross dark chocolate frosting.  It's one of those cake recipes that you have to just keep in your back pocket for whipping up at a moment's notice.


I am so looking forward reading everyone's cake ideas!  Please do go and check out Rosanna, Inc. (like them on facebook; follow them on twitter), because they make absolutely wonderful things.  :-)  And here's to ending the Baker's Curse this year!


Read on for recipe....




*That* Chocolate Cake
adapted from The Essence of Chocolate
makes one 3-layer 8" cake

for frosting:
1 3/4 cups (350 gr) sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
7.5 oz (213 gr) unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
12 Tbspn unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/2 tspn vanilla extract

1. In a saucepan, bring the sugar and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the cream and sugar for six minutes. Be careful not to let the saucepan overflow.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate and butter until they have completely melted.
4. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Let the frosting cool completely, whisking every now and then during cooling.  (You can do this step in the refrigerator to speed up the process)  Once completely cool at room temperature, the frosting will be spreadable.

for cake:
3 cups (600 gr) sugar
scant 3 cups (425 gr) AP flour
1 cup + 2 Tbspn (135 gr) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 1/2 tspn salt
2 1/4 tspn baking powder
2 1/4 tspn baking soda
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cup hot coffee

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease, flour, and line the bottoms of three 8" round cake pans. If desired, wrap the cake pans with bake-even strips.
2. In a mixer bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the beaten eggs, vegetable oil, and milk. Stir to mix. Then, with the mixer on low, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix on low until evenly distributed.
4. Pour the hot coffee into the batter and mix on medium low until smooth. The batter will be soupy.
5. Divide the batter between the cake pans.
6. Bake for 35-45 minutes. When a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out cleanly, the cakes are done. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
7. Level the cakes (this is easier if they've sat in the freezer for at least one hour beforehand).
8. Stack the cakes, spreading a layer of frosting in between each cake layer. Frost the outside of the cake--for a smoother finish, use a hot knife.

Note: this recipe also works for a 3-layer 9" cake, with slightly shorter layers.


Enjoy!

193 comments:

  1. Sammy & Susie would make you those mini Red Velvet with buttercream frosting cupcakes like we had at the family party last week!!

    And we're wondering why Dr C isn't making you a Bday cake???

    Happy Birthday Darlin'!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I totally know what you mean about the baker's curse! Might be while I spoil myself so much every time it comes close to my birthday >.<

    Here's the cake I would bake for you, from Tarts & Typography: http://tartsandtypography.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/perfect-birthday-cake/
    It's so pretty and the cream cheese icing sounds like the perfect addition to the cake, adding some much needed tartness.

    Also, what a gorgeous cake stand! Bonus is that there's even a branch in New Zealand where I live, which was nice to discover.

    My contact details: twospoons[dot]blog[at]gmail[dot]com

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  3. Oh my gosh that is the prettiest cake stand ever! And the little ones are soo cute too!
    I am baking my own birthday cake in 10 days too, have forbidden the husband from buying one, no bakery cake will do for one day of no guilt cake eating!(Birthday calories don't count :) Will be great to see everyone's ideas here!

    I would bake you Dorie's Perfect Party cake, fill the layers with lemon butter/curd ( delicious way to use up the yolks), mango curd or other fruit/berry curd, then slather it all with a whipped cream frosting that is flavoured with bits of the fruit whipped with it :)
    Here is a lemony version on my blog:

    http://magpiesrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/04/dories-perfect-party-cake-lemonized-for.html

    In case you pick me( fingers crossed)you can drop a comment on my blog- the fastest way to contact me :)

    www.magpiesrecipes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the cakestand and happy early bday. Mine was last week and no one baked me a cake but I did make myself raw vegan coconut & chocolate chip cookie dough bites.

    A cake. It would be chocolate, with some sort of cream cheese frosting or buttercream, with more chocolate sauce. Super decadent.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I totally get what you mean about the baker's curse! I make my own birthday cakes!!

    I would make you an english victoria sponge cake with a twist by using fresh beautiful strawberries in the buttercream as well as a great homemade strawberry jam in the layers. Buttery light cake with two fillings and decorated with fresh strawberries and a light glaze is just perfect for summer :)

    coeur.de.verre@hotmail.co.uk

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  6. I hope you have a fabulous birthday.... given the chance I would bake you a dark chocolate mud cake with chocolate ganache and bitter orange icecream. However if you prefer citrus, I could manage a lemon cake with lemon drizzle and lemon curd and double cream. Or a white chocolate mud cake with raspberry sauce....though lately I have been making cupcake towers - dark chocolate for my niece's 21st and white chocolate with orange for my mum's 90th. Have a wonderful day and a great cake!
    If I'm lucky enough to win the adorable cake stand you could contact me at su_al@bigpond.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would make you one of three:

    1) My all time favorite: {Secret Ingredient} Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/02/secret-ingredient-chocolate-peanut-butter-cake

    2)Chocolate Raspberry Forest Cake http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/03/chocolate-raspberry-forest-cake-birthday

    3)Vertically Layered Owl Cake http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/03/three-tier-vertically-layered-owl-birthday-cake or http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/06/owl-cake-miniature

    Haha...I just have so many favorites!!! :-) And bless you for trying to break the baker's curse. ;-) I love it!!!

    Thank you for the giveaway! The cake stands are gorgeous! :-)

    caroline@chocolateandcarrots.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I so get what you are saying. I too suffer from bakers curse so I had to make my own birthday cake this year too. I think I would either make you that cake I made myself, which was my version of an almond joy cake...Chocolate cake, toasted coconut Swiss meringue butter cream frosting, dark chocolate ganache, topped off with slivered almonds.

    OR my version of a smores cake. I make the actual cake with graham crackers instead of flour just put them in the food processor first. It's frosted with marshmallow frosting and topped with chocolate ganache.

    Happy Birthday!!

    Rita
    curtrita@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd make you this strawberry cake with white chocolate buttercream: http://www.keepitsweetblog.com/the-cake/

    keepitsweetlcl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would bake you this delicious cake http://loveitshamelessly.com.au/recipe/black-forest-cheesecake-1/

    A lovely combination of cheesecake with chocolate and cherries - yummy. And I would add some cherries on top and birthday candles - no birthday without making a wish!

    If I'm the lucky winner of one of the totally gorgeous cake stands, you can contact me by leaving a comment on my blog!

    Happy birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The raspberries at the market have been huge and delicious this week, and I've been dying to do something cake-y with them so I would have to say a lemon layer cake with a wonderfully pink raspberry frosting.

    Happy Birthday!

    sara(dot)g(dot)babcock(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/02/cocoa_layer_cake
    This is the cake you NEED to have for your birthday. So chocolaty and decadent. It's simplicity and deep chocolate flavor are absolutely perfection. Add fresh raspberries or raspberry jam in each middle layer on top of the ganache. Heaven.
    I love the cake stand and thanks for turning me on to Rosanna Inc. Pretty stuff. I hope to order a few things once I get to look around a bit more. Have a happy birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just gorgeous dear! And I totally know what you meanh about the baker's curse hahah. Luckily I won that book and chocolate, too so I just HAVE to try this soon!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I totally agree with you. Birthday cakes should be special because you're surrounded by friends/family, not because of how intricate they are. (Save that for a wedding!)

    When I was 10 years old, I flew back to California to visit any family there. It was a treat for my 10th birthday. My nana, notorious for going the extra mile, made me a tres leches cake and I was allowed to have some for breakfast, because of its "nutritional value", of course.

    So, since you have dessert for breakfast, I figured someone should make you this cake.

    I don't have the exact recipe that she followed (I don't even know if she still has it), but here is one that sounds perfect:

    http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/09/tres-leches-cake/

    It makes a perfectly light cake that can soak up the deliciously sweet milk. Tres Leches is one of my favorite cakes, and I think it'd be great for your birthday!

    I dunno how these commenting things work with my Google Account... but I can be reached at samcat.main@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Aw, Happy Birthday! Totally understand the Baker's Curse. If I was remotely near you, I would definitely make you a cake. Do you consider a flourless chocolate torte a cake? Cause you seem to have a thing for rich dark chocolate, so I'd make you a torte with really high quality dark chocolate, maybe black cocoa, and a bit of sea salt. I'd base it off of the Williams Sonoma recipe, which has never failed me. D'aw, now I really wish I COULD make this for you...

    Oh, you can send me an e-mail at adustingofsugar@hotmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm not entering the giveaway, but I would make Cook's Illustrated chocolate sour cream cake. It is my go-to. David Lebovitz's Devil's Food cake is really good too, though.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I totally made my own birthday cake this year...

    I would do something completely different and make you an icebox cake made of homemade chocolate chip cookies layered with a slightly sweetened whipped cream/mascarpone cheese mixture and dusted with chocolate curls. Just saw it in an old Martha magazine and am planning to make it as soon as possible! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. That cake looks amazing!!! How cute are those cake stands! Hmm birthday cake. I would make an orange blossom cake layered with fresh lemon curd and topped with a sweet buttercream icing, maybe with some candied orange zest as garnish.

    I also tweeted you!

    vsmith623 at yahoo dot com.
    Vanessa

    ReplyDelete
  19. that chocolate cake looks amazing!! aah I need a cake stand so bad. I just made a birthday cake for my sister and I had to put it on a "cake stand" made out of a plate and a sorbet glass. (pictures are on my blog) That little cupcake stand is so adorable!

    If I were making your birthday cake I would make a Belgian chocolate cake, with chocolate pudding between each layer, frosted with chocolate buttercream and drizzled with caramel sauce.

    email: vmaxfield@me.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. If I were making your birthday cake, I'd make you a pretty pink lady cake, with a fluffy cream cheese frosting! I'd decorate it with piped roses and thinly sliced strawberries - yum :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. I never knew what I suffered from had a name...

    I am the only baker between my family, my boyfriend's family and all of our friends. My birthday is also coming up within the month. It is one of those milestone years and everyone has decided we should have a party. But, get this, I have still been given the task that I am responsible for the cake! My own cake!

    Unfortunately, I do not have a recipe for the cake I would make for you. Growing up my grandmother used to make a banana cake with a maple icing. I don't know if as an adult I would even like the cake. But my memories of that cake and the corresponding celebration are so ingrained in my head as the best times of my childhood.. that I would want to share that feeling with anyone I could. Sadly, she passed before anyone could get many of her recipes. I have searched for similar recipes, to no avail.

    I guess part of the great taste of any cake is knowing that someone made it for you out of their love and adoration for you.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Aww, while I am the one who bakes cakes for everyone, my very best friend is an awesome baker too. She has made me tres leches cake, cheesecake, and a pie for my birthday!
    If I had to make you a cake, I would make it triple layer with two different fillings. Something extravagant and gorgeous. Or maybe cheesecake birthday cake?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Stephanie! If I were to bake you a birthday cake, I'd definitely make a all natural pink lady cake with thick Swiss buttercream. No jello and frozen strawberries will be involved. Only ripe strawberries blended into a puree. Maybe a couple drops of beet juice. (I never had/will have food coloring in my house). This cake will exuberate cuteness and good vibes as well represent the glorious warm weather.

    Best way to contact me is through twitter (@whatnicoleate) or through my baking blog: http://www.thebakingrookie.blogspot.com
    I tweeted you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would make you my favourite cake, the cake my mom still makes for me every year on my birthday, and which I hope she'll continue to make forever. I believe the official, glamourous title of the cake is "self-ice cocoa cake". It has a brown sugar coconut "icing", and a dark chocolate, devil's food cake base. The icing is made by melting butter, brown sugar and coconut in the bottom of the cake pan, turning it into a sort of fudge. The cake batter is the poured in on top. After the cake has baked, it is immediately turned out of the pan (so the icing doesn't solidify and stick to the pan), resulting in the moistest cake with a crunchy-chewy-fudgy topping. Ohhh, I hope my birthday comes soon...

    ReplyDelete
  25. i'd make you a white chocolate cake with raspberry and mouse filling... never made it before, but it sounds heavenly! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've been dying to bake this lemon thyme layer cake http://tinyurl.com/3vgqkp5. Not a fan of buttercream, so my thought was to slather it with a honey whipped cream, or the same thing only mixed with a little mascarpone. I know they say never to make something you're new to for a special occasion, but I'm fairly confident it'd be delicious even if I butchered it. Of course I'd be very apologetic, given it's your birthday cake...

    Happy, happy to you, and cheers,

    *Heather*

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd make you a pineapple upside down cake with real maraschino cherries. Still my favorite cake ever.

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  28. So fun! I, too, suffer from "Baker's Curse," although I never knew it had a name. I usually end up either baking my own cake or letting my husband buy me one from a local bakery. Boooo!
    My new favorite celebration cake is a Champagne and Strawberries cake. It would be perfect for your birthday cake! And if you lived nearby I'd bake one for you...maybe double the recipe to make it tiered, extra tall and festive. :) Photos here: http://lovelylayercakes.wordpress.com/2011/05/21/a-festive-cake-from-our-new-kitchen-champagne-and-strawberries/
    Recipe here:http://lovelylayercakes.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/recipe-champagne-cake-with-strawberry-swiss-meringue-buttercream/
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  29. Even though I enjoy fancy cakes, I often prefer the simplest yellow cake with chocolate frosting (but not buttercream frosting) for birthday cakes. I'm agnostic on whether the frosting should lean towards semi-sweet or full-on dark chocolate. That would be up to the birthday girl.

    The way you have decorated the cake in these pictures is perfect for a birthday cake - there is no way to beat that.

    Your friends are lucky to have you. Hopefully, this year you will get a year of cakes - one each month from a different friend.

    @foodblogstudy

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love the cake stands and the chocolate cake looks dangerously delicious!! I would make you a red velvet strawberry shortcake (recipe here: http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2011/04/red-velvet-strawberry-shortcake.html)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I absolutely love the chocolate cake you have made but if I have make a special cake it would be a green tea sponge with dark chocolate ganache...or this fab Biscuit Joconde Imprime
    http://debugcooking.blogspot.com/2011/01/daring-bakers-january-2011-challenge.html
    Twitter: @debugcooking

    ReplyDelete
  32. Without hesitation I would make a Guinness Chocolate Cake with a cream cheese frosting. You cannot understand until you make this dessert. Though I love making desserts, I never actually had a personal favorite dessert until I found this recipe. LIFE ALTERING. No exaggeration. I promise.

    http://www.designsponge.com/2010/10/in-the-kitchen-with-katie-quinn-davies-guinness-cake.html

    ReplyDelete
  33. Well, first off, Happy upcoming Birthday :D
    Right now the most frequently requested cake I have is lemon cake with a lemon passion fruit curd filling and cream cheese frosting. I have a recipe somewhere, but haven't gotten around to posting it on line yet. I can send it to you if you like. And those stands are ridiculously cute!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I totally understand what you mean about the curse too! Every since I went to culinary school, no one cooks or bakes for me. Except this year, my mother-in-law broke out the checkerboard cake form she used in the 80s for my husband and his siblings and let me choose my colors (spring green and robins egg blue). It was seriously the best cake and I was so grateful to have it!

    So, I would make you either a checkerboard cake (you pick your two colors) or a lemon chiffon with tasty raspberry buttercream because the berries at the farmer's market now are simply delicious!

    Curse no more!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'd add that in addition to Baker's Curse, there's Blogger's Curse too! People seem to assume that just because you have a food blog, you're the 'MasterChef' in the kitchen and nothing they cook can be good enough for you. Sadness!

    For your birthday, I'd make a Pandan Bavarian (http://www.beyondtheplate.net/events/30for30/pandan-bavarian/), a Southeast Asian twist on Tartine's Pastel de Tres Leches cake.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'd make you my favorite cake - http://www.dishingthedivine.com/2011/05/09/flourless-chocolate-cake/. This flourless chocolate cake is FLOURLESS. You do know what the means, right? No flour = more chocolate. :) It's the most amazing cake I have ever had. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. A special someone loves Angel Food as their favorite cake, so I've been trolling for recipes that make this standard interesting again. I like this one with a heaping dose of citrus and brightened further with strawberry curd.
    http://www.jasonandshawnda.com/foodiebride/archives/5443
    I haven't made it yet and would be interested to see how you make it yours.

    R.

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  38. This is my favorite cake! My mother in-law made it for me for my Birthday...as soon as the cake was gone, I had to make it on my own . So good!
    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/triple-hazelnut-cake-with-chocolate-buttercream-frosting-recipe/index.html

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'd concoct something special just for you, using layers of strawberries, Nutella, moist vanilla cake, and freshly whipped cream! Yum. I think I'll make one to test it out first, just to make sure it is yummy enough for you ;)

    ReplyDelete
  40. I would make the traditional birthday cake among my friends. This is not a very fancy cake, but it is the cake that my best friend's family makes for every birthday. I am fortunate enough that my friend also carried on the tradition with our friends and makes it for our birthdays as well. It is a two layer strawberry cake with a strawberry jam filling and a fluffy vanilla icing. For me it is birthday cake and while it doesn't always look the prettiest, it is definitely delicious! Happy Birthday!
    twitter: @thebossysister

    ReplyDelete
  41. This cake is making me so hungry! If I made your birthday cake I'd make you a Banana Cake + Dulce De Leche + Brown Sugar Buttercream. http://www.takeamegabite.com/?p=6811

    It's my current favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  42. baker's curse! i definitely feel that...i made myself a birthday pie this year. honestly if someone would make me a rainbow chip cake from a box w/ the same frosting i'd be stoked.

    i baked a strawberry cream cake a couple months ago that was so good! i'd bake you that
    http://www.hungrygirlporvida.com/2011/04/recipes-feature-on-hey-gorgeous.html

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  43. Yay! Stephanie, happy birthday!!! That cake stand is pretty darn gorgeous. Love it. You KNOW that I totally suffer from baker's curse as well. Darn my friends. But if I were to bake a cake for you, It would be a fancy strawberry shortcake cake like this. But mostly because I like strawberry shortcake. Now give me a slice of your cake!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I have the Baker's CURSE!!! I realized a few years ago that I hadn't been given a homemade birthday cake in 15 years! I FORCED my husband to make me one for my 30th birthday. It was the best cake I ever had :) For you I would make a lemon-rosemary cake that I've been oogling over in my recipe book for years. *sigh* Someday I will make it. If I win this cake stand it will look so regal sitting on it's throne.

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  45. LOVE this, mostly because I still don't have a cake stand and my husband my divorce me if I continue to keep looking for "the perfect one" and don't buy one very, very soon!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Oh that happens to me all the time! I made my own cake last year, and that's the cake I would make for you! 6 layers of white cake in rainbow colors, encased in pale pink swiss meringue buttercream ruffles!
    here are photos:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/47111257@N08/5787698325/in/set-72157623311374730
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/47111257@N08/5787698261/in/set-72157623311374730/

    This is such a happy cake and perfect for a happy birthday!

    http://jilliancupcake.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I too have the curse, but am mostly happy to bake my own--last September, my roommate and I threw a huge birthday potluck, eschewed cake altogether and made three birthday tarts instead! (Salted chocolate; lemon curd w/ almond crust and blackberries; maple cream.)

    For you, I would go to the first layer cake I ever made: Roopa's Earl Grey Cake with Kumquat marmalade and Almond buttercream. The bergamot is fragrant, not too sweet, pairs great with the rich swiss meringue buttercream, and the bright, just-bitter marmalade is surprisingly easy to whip up. It's one of my all-time favorites, and makes for a delicious summer birthday.

    So, happy birthday! I'm Veronica, at androgyne at gmail dot com.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I also have the baker's curse. And I'd be delighted to bake you a cake for your birthday. A Hummingbird Cake is my favorite cake on the planet. The link to a picture (on my blog) is below and there is a link to the Southern Living recipe in the story.

    http://bit.ly/ijBLWh

    Happy Birthday!
    Rodney Bedsole

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  49. I would make you a lemon cake with fresh raspberry buttercream :)
    Delicious and pretty! Perfect for summer :)

    you can reach me at stardust4849@yahoo.com

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  50. Happy birthday! I've been cursed for years and took matters into my own hands long ago. I began making my own birthday treat every year. Whether this one qualifies as a cake (and therefore is eligible for the give away) is really up to you. I just wanted to share and play along.
    -Lori
    http://www.lemonsandlavender.com/2010/05/chocolate-eclair-torte.html

    ReplyDelete
  51. I tend to lean toward the cheesecake side of cakes. For our wedding we did mini cheesecakes. :-) my two favorites were a white russian cheesecake and a rootbear float cheesecake. But if you are a cake cake gal, I would make you a glorious almond cake with layers of pastry cream and raspberry that is covered in marzipan (similar to a princess cake). And I'd top it with macaroni because we are supposed to visit homeroom some time.... Okay, I'm rethinking the macaroni topping. Maybe flowers instead a la:

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150204612210214.445713.10150101885950214#!/photo.php?fbid=10150571469135214&set=a.10150204612210214.445713.10150101885950214&type=1&theater

    Happy Birthday. We should grab a drink/macaroni and celebrate! charissa@zestbakery.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. i absolutely adore those cake stands - i think i need to place an order immediately. and your chocolate cake looks so fun! i'm seeing my family next weekend for the holiday, and i think this cake will be a necessity.

    i tend to go for light cakes for myself, like lemon and pomegranate cake. but in the spirit of this super chocolatey post, i submit this incredible looking dobos torte, posted by smitten kitchen last week. i've been obsessing over it since i first saw it. i want to substitute the caramel layer for an espresso, kahlua layer - i love coffee and chocolate together, and i think it would be gorgeous. yummy!

    http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/06/dobos-torte/

    ReplyDelete
  53. Ok I am in love with those cake stands!! And I want some of that choocolate cake.....

    I think I'd make you my chocolate cake with coconut milk
    http://inthelittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/chocolate-and-coconut-milk-cake-my.html

    It's one of our favs and we've had it for many birthdays around here.

    happy day!

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  54. I think I would make you a coconut cake with lime icing, but maybe that's because the idea occurred to me and I would make that cake for anyone right now.

    My blog is the fastest way to get ahold of me, at rufflingmyfeathers.blogspot.com. I hope you get lots of inspiration!

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  55. I know all about that curse. But I adore making cakes, so my own birthday just gives me an opportunity to make something unusual that I'd never get to make for anyone else. If there's cake, it's kind of a win-win for me.

    But if I could make you, generous baker, a special birthday cake, I'd be hard pressed to ignore my latest favorite creation: a seven-layer Apple Cider and Walnut Cake, with walnut dacquoise, brown-butter French génoise brushed with cider syrup, and frosted with rum buttercream. Photos and recipe here: http://www.onehundredeggs.com/?p=1512

    Happy Birthday! That's a gorgeous cake, by the way. How on earth do you get each sprinkle so precisely placed, especially on the sides? Love it.

    - Beth
    beth[at]onehundredeggs[dot]com

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  56. I've been wanting to make this 5 ingredient carrot cake forever. I think it's going to be my next birthday cake. And of course I'd have to add some cream cheese icing on there, too. Carrot cake's just not right without it.
    http://thestonesoup.com/blog/2010/10/eat-cake-get-more-veggies-in-your-diet5-ingredients-simple-baking/

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  58. I don't want to enter the competition, but just comment on your post.

    Your sentiments completely resonated with me. For the last few years, I've stopped making my own cake (what I had to resort to!), and tried to enlist others instead.

    It's not been easy, and to date, still haven't received a homemade cake.

    My 10 year old niece is a keen baker, so this year I'm going that angle. We even had a 'test run' two weeks ago to build her confidence.

    Fingers crossed this year will be the year someone bakes me a cake from scratch! :)

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  59. Great give away and question! I would make you an almond cake with raspberry layers and amaretto butter cream frosting. I've made it twice before (but have yet to blog the recipe) and it's fantastic.

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  60. Oh happy soon to be birthday! I would bake you a graham cracker cake with toasted marshmallow frosting and chocolate ganache!

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  61. I'd love to make you a Chocolate and Passion Fruit cake! Vanilla cake, filled with two layers of milk chocolate ganache (not dark, as to balance the tartness of the passion fruit) and the middle layer of passion fruit curd! Topped with chocolate frosting, it's like a delicious, tropical surprise inside!
    Link to Passion Fruit Curd: http://cookingwithbooks.blogspot.com/2011/05/fruit-focus-passion-fruit.html

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  62. I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/nella22/statuses/82955611586826240

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  63. Cake always tastes better when shared, so I would have to make you this delicious cocnut layer cake! It's vegan, wholesome, somewhat healthy and just looks amazing!
    http://coconutandquinoa.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/coconut-layer-cake/

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  64. I just made a lemonade cake this weekend that was really popular, and well summery.
    http://sparecake.wordpress.com/2011/06/19/lemonade-cake/
    Happy Birthday~

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  65. Please try this cake
    http://recipesfromsouthamerica.blogspot.com/2011/05/lucuma-meringue-cake.html
    Is the most popular cake in my country.
    Happy B-day preparations!

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  66. I had no idea there was a name! I love the cake stand, it is stunning! That cake looks amazing too, I think that is going on my list to make next!

    For your birthday I would make you PW's Strawberry Shortcake Cake. It is soooo good. Every time I have made it people rave and moan with delight.

    http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/05/strawberry-shortcakecake/

    judywitbeck@gmail.com

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  67. Technically, this recipe is for cupcakes, but my friends baked this into a sheet cake for my birthday and it was delicious, so I highly recommend it: http://cathlincooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/peach-cupcakes-with-peach-buttercream.html

    :)

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  68. i would make you a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake -- yumMMMmmMMmmY. I hope you enjoy eating (err reading) all of your cakes! :)
    strongverbs@gmail.com

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  69. I'd go with a snickerdoodle layer cake. Thanks!

    Chris M.

    zekks at yahoo dot com

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  70. Nothing gets better than a classic chocolate cake in my opinion. This recipe even has the seal of approval from my dad, which is not given out lightly. It is not a flashy cake, but what is under the delicious frosting is outstanding!

    http://delectablymine.blogspot.com/2011/03/old-fashioned-chocolate-layer-cake.html

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  71. Butter cake, filled with salted caramel, frosted with chili chocolate frosting!

    Sorry about the curse :(

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  72. Well Happy Birthday!!!! i also suffer from this baker's curse.. but my solution is to go out to a restaurant with an awesome dessert menu, make it known that it is in fact my birthday, and delight in the adorable birthday candle that sits atop a delicious dessert i get to eat alll by myself :) I do understand though that as awesome as this is, it wouldn't beat a home-baked cake from one of my friends.

    SO I would bake you a cake that I have been dying to make for a couple years now! It's a cake that is a little too unconventional for most of my friends' tastes--but I think perfect for a daring food-lover like you!

    Here it is: the Spicy Chipotle Chocolate Cake with nutella (yum!) frosting from whatwereeating.com. Enjoy! :)

    Recipe Link: http://www.whatwereeating.com/recipes/spicy-chipotle-chocolate-cake/

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  73. The Baker's Curse is the story of my life! I don't even mind if the cake someone makes me is from a box!

    I would make you a chocolate cake with a salted caramel frosting, or a chocolate cake with alternating layers of marshmallow frosting and malted chocolate frosting for a smore's-y taste.

    Happy Birthday!

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  74. I'd make you a pink peppercorn infused pound cake with whipped chocolate frosting and sliced strawberry garnish. I've never made this type of cake before, and I'm not sure exactly how you might go about it, but it sounds delicious in my head. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday and that someone provides you with a delicious and satisfying cake!

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  75. Great idea for a giveaway and happy birthday! I'd bake you this caramel apple cake: one of my favorite ever birthday cakes! :)
    http://cupcakemuffin.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-birthday-part-1-caramel-apple.html

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  76. I hate that darn baker's curse. I pinned this b/c Im in love with the pictures. Im staring, just staring at them.

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  77. i totally suffer from the baker's curse, too! i always end up making my own birthday cake, and it's gotten to the point that my friends are even getting shy about having me over for dinner and cooking for me. it's honestly so silly, because i so love and appreciate anything that anyone does for me, makes me, or bakes me. and also, nearly everyone excels at making at least one or two dishes beautifully, and who doesn't appreciate that?

    anyhow. for your birthday, i would make you something beautiful, simple, and absolutely delicious. i'm enamored with retro-inspired desserts, so i would make you a full-sized version of my chocolate icebox cake, which is layered with homemade irish cream-infused mousse. it's rich, chocolatey, and made with love: who doesn't want that on their birthday?

    here's the link in case you're interested in trying it out: http://foodpluswords.com/2011/03/mini-icebox-cakes/

    and here's the link for my homemade irish cream liqueur: http://foodpluswords.com/2011/03/homemade-irish-cream-liqueur/

    those cake stands are absolutely stunning. i have an ever-growing collection of cake stands, and any of the Rosanna stands would make a welcome addition to my happy little collection!

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  78. You are so right about the curse. I never get cake. This year one of my coworkers felt so bad when he found out that no one had made me a cake that he went out and bought cupcakes so that was pretty nice.

    I would make this cake for you:
    http://www.simplysifted.com/2010/02/23/bourbon-ball-cake/
    It's a recipe I invited for a friend's birthday and it was awesome.

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  79. Wow, I never knew so many others suffered from the same curse! I always have to bake my own birthday cake and sometimes it gets a little depressing. I was planning on making a margarita cake for my own birthday next month, but now I think I may have to have chocolate instead (your pictures are so beautiful!) so hopefully you'll try mine because it is the best party cake ever:
    vanilla cake recipe with 2 teaspoons lime zest, 1/4 cup lime juice and 2 tablespoons of tequila added (adjust other wet ingredients as necessary), with gran marnier cream in the middle and a light icing made with 2 cups confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of tequila, 2 tablespoons water or rice milk (milk curdles with the citrus) AND - most important - a pinch of salt (and a drop of green food coloring if you have it, but it isn't vital). The icing gets poured over the cake and hardens a little and then a rim of colored crystal sugar makes it extra pretty. It is the best summer party cake and always surprises people with how well the tequila comes through. A very happy birthday to you!

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  80. Happy coming birthay. I love the cake you have posted here ... hmm anything chocolate is fine by me. I'll bake you this awesome, awesome Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake which I have used for birthdays http://sugareverythingnice.blogspot.com/2009/09/triple-chocolate-fudge-cake.html

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  81. While I'm also ailed with the Baker's Curse, I have no qualms about baking my own birthday cake for I'm a picky eater. Not that I won't be smitten if someone else actually bothers to put in the effort of making one for me, I must admit that would be awesome as well.

    Last night I was dreaming up cupcake flavors and teh tarik halia (Malaysian pulled tea with ginger) came to mind, so I reckon this would be a kick-ass cake for you, with a bit of your own twist. That is, if you know, going by your resmue... you haven't already made if before.

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  82. I would bake Junior's carrot cake or their cheesecake for you.

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  83. Honey cake
    http://letterberry.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-post.html
    Recipe in Russian, if necessary, I had to translate.

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  84. I suffer from that very same curse! :)

    The cake I would make you for your birthday is this:

    http://www.marthastewart.com/263520/butterscotch-pecan-cake

    But I like to add some nice bourbon to all the components...the cake, the frosting and the sauce.....it's delish!

    Hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

    elderberry44 AT yahoo.com

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  86. Oop,s I just noticed you said one cake idea only and my previous post had two (one of you had a party and one if you were eating it alone...lol) So I think I'll just go with the I proposed for the latter situation.

    I would bake you a dense mocha-vanilla sponge cake with maple syrup frosting and topped with candied pecans. Because THAT would be a perfect birthday breakfast in bed. Happy Birthday!

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  87. This cake is fantastic!!!

    Merci beaucoup!

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  88. wowwww, this cake looks like it wants to cause death by chocolate overdose in the best possible way. Sounds so simple too! Next time I want to whap out an impressive cake this is definittellyyyy going to be the one i choose
    In fact i might just make it for the sake of it anyway...it looks so goddam good!

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  89. I would make you the cake I made for Easter, as I can totally relate to being the designated baker....

    it's 4 layers of cake (just 2 round 9" cut in half): 2 layers of chocolate cake and 2 layers of white chocolate raspberry cake. Between two layers is white chocolate raspberry cream cheese frosting, then in the very middle a layer of dark chocolate ganache, and frosted all around with whipped chocolate almond buttercream.

    Sinful, but sure does make one special cake! (I have a great picture of it on my phone...LOL)

    Danielle
    missesrita@hotmail.com

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  90. What a beautifully decadent looking cake; I also endure the curse of designated baker. I think people really are just insecure about not doing as good as you; but the thought is what counts!

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  91. I would make you a light and refreshing cake...help you digests all the cake you had eat on your bday, lol. it's will be the TRIPLE LEMON CHIFFON CAKE-from: Sky High: Irresistible Triple Layer Cake. I make this cake pretty offend for a BBQ party and birthday cake. In fact I had make 5 times in this 2 last months), you will never had enough of this.

    Happy birthday!

    Jamie H
    ismemimi@yahoo.com

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  92. I would bake you the ultimate chocolate cupcakes with ganache filling, the absolute most delicious cupcake I have ever eaten! (check it out at http://delectablymine.blogspot.com/2011/04/ultimate-chocolate-cupcakes-with.html)

    These are my absolute favorite cupcakes, and that's saying something when I usually prefer white cake to chocolate.

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  93. I've got the curse! The cake I would make for you is Opera Cake from this recipe...

    http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Cuban-Opera-Cake-108593

    Amazing!
    Happy Birthday!!
    Susan A

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  94. OK, so this isn't a contest entry, but rather a story for you. My mother-in-law lives 1000 miles away from us, and only once has our visit coincided with her birthday. I love to bake, and she loves chocolate, so I whipped her up my favorite chocolate birthday cake. That was her 82nd birthday, and she told me that no one had made her a birthday cake since she was a child. She was a mother, grandmother & great grandmother & made many cakes every year. I was stunned no one had ever reciprocated. Yes, my cake sunk in the middle, but she loved every bite. No more Bakers Curse for her!

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  95. I, too, suffer from the Baker's Curse! As much as I love to bake I always appreciate it when someone else bakes for me, but this rarely occurs. My cake recipe is basically the exact opposite of the one you have shared. It is Magnolia Bakery's vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. I know it sounds very plain and simple but I seriously cannot think of a more perfect birthday cake and frosting. They use the most beautiful colors in their icing, too- so feminine and eye catching! Food Network has shared the (cupcake version)recipe here:http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/saras-secrets/magnolias-vanilla-cupcake-recipe/index.html
    but you can also buy the actual cook book (a VERY worthwhile investment) here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/more-from-magnolia-allysa-torey/1005420780

    Enjoy!
    Lauren K
    LKay2325@gmail.com
    Twitter: LOLKatz41

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  96. I might be super plain but I love a yellow cake with chocolate buttercream icing as my birthday cake. And just because it's a birthday cake, sprinkles are a must!

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  97. I'm pretty simple -- I would make a hazelnut brown butter cake (Sunday Suppers at Lucques)-- which is to me the most delicious beautiful cake if dressed with a simple chocolate ganache. Honestly some people want layers and white cake for their birthdays -- but for you class and sophistication the whole way through. Make sure you have a glass of champagne too! Wow I made myself hungry :)

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  98. I would love to see a date, chocolate, avocado cake with white chocolate frosting + chopped roasted pistachios on top!

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  99. oh yes i know exactly what u mean! the other day i made my mom bake me a normal unfrosted plain jane chocolate cake. =) just for the heck of it. hehe.
    onto your bday cake.. i think id bake you hmmm.... white chocolate cake filled with raspberry buttercream and frosted with white chocolate mousseline .... or maybe a chocolate butter cake with crispy chocolate layer and a chocolate praline buttercream to fill and frost... or maybe a yellow cake filled with strawberry whipped cream and frosted with ganache... ...or maybe a plain jane chocolate cake =)

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  100. Now that you mention it, I have been making my own birthday cakes for a while now, hmmm... Love the pretty cake with the perfectly swirled frosting, YUM!

    Might you enjoy a chocolate stout cake with ganache? http://nicoledula.com/recipes/chocolate-stout-cake

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  101. Since it's the summer and I'm assuming you like rum, I would bake you a chocolate rum cake, which taste best when cold. Since fruits are now in season, after you cut it up, I would serve it with some whipped cream and fresh strawberries. (or if you are a nuts person, amerreto instead of rum and whipped cream with toasted almond.)

    *hug* Happy birthday and thanks for doing the giveaway! =)

    I can be contacted at my gmail account.

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  102. Yup. that pretty much sums me up.... The bakers curse. I am it.
    For your birthday I would want to make you these cupcakes or if you want I would make it into a cake. They are so pretty and taste soooo good.
    Happy early birthday to you! Thanks for a chance for the giveaway!
    www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/05/triple-salted-caramel-cupcakes.html

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  103. That's some cake you've got there! :)

    For your birthday I would make you a carrot~ginger layer cake with orange(the flavor, not the color) cream cheese frosting, topped with marzipan carrots. The tastiest carrot cake ever!

    http://www.munchkinmunchies.com/2011/04/carrot-ginger-layer-cake.html

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  104. I just started reading your blog. I can empathize with "Baker's Curse." Ever since I started baking (and even more now I'm in culinary school), it is assumed that I bake all the family birthday cakes. I don't really even like cake all that much! However, there are two favorites that stand out in my mind.
    Since I don't know your taste or dietary preference, I would probably make you one of these classic family cakes: "Miss Flora's Pound Cake" or "Aunt Dar Cake." Miss Flora's is an almond pound cake with a lemon glaze that is baked in a tube pan. I might bake you this one because it is a favorite family recipe. Everyone loves it- it's crispy on top, has a deliciously moist crumb, and is perfect for family gatherings and birthdays. It is always made with care, which is something the "Cursed" baker looks for in a homemade cake. You may know a better recipe and it may not come out perfectly everytime, but knowing the motivation behind this cake makes it special.
    The other cake, "Aunt Dar Cake," looks very simple. It is something of an everyday cake: yellow sheet cake (always homemade) with fudge frosting. The frosting, however, is a labor of love and a family secret. Aunt Dar was the only one who knew how to make this frosting and claimed the magic was in a particular spoon she used. She must have had arms of steel, for no one can duplicate the recipe without a Kitchen Aid mixer. This cake is an all-American flavor combination, but Aunt Dar's version was impeccably good. She would whip it up when she knew company was coming, when there was a family reunion in the near future, or when someone had a birthday. Everyone clamored for the corner pieces because they had the most of the famous frosting. The love that Aunt Dar put into this cake everytime she made it is what anyone senses when they get a homemade birthday cake. It is what I wish for you on your upcoming birthday! Best wishes,
    Caroline Kuhn
    saraline.c@gmail.com

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  105. I'd make you a sponge cake filled with fresh raspberry filling and frosted with white chocolate frosting. In our world, we just call it the cake and worship it-----and not from afar.

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  106. I'd definitely make the Triple Chocolate cake from Rose Levy Berenbaum's Cake Bible - the praline sheets are so awesome and delicious, and even if they end up a bit sloppy (I am not the neatest cook), they are still beautiful. I can't find it on her site, but a blog post I found has some pictures: http://cakebible.blogspot.com/2008/06/triple-chocolate-cake.html
    Awesome. : )

    melaniecipher(at)gmail(dot)com

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  107. I'm more known for my pie, so i would bake you a rhubarb pie and cut your initials in the crust.
    But I am going to try this fabulous cake, so I will think of you while I do!

    And Bakers curse is very similar to Knitter;s curse, so for fun, what would you knit me?
    reneemclaren@hotmail.com

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  109. If I were to bake you a cake it would be a roasted black sesame and vanilla cake with coconut frosting. It's speckled black and white and rather lovely :) Unfortunately I have bad luck in baking - whenever I bake for someone else it tends to go a bit wrong. So your cake might be a bit funny shaped and the frosting might be a tad scruffy, but at least I can say it was made with love :)

    Anna (dark.moonlight(at)hotmail.co.uk)

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  110. I usually find chocolate cake too rich, but yours looks so good I think I'd have to make an exception! My favourite for birthday cakes is my trusty sponge recipe http://bunnybanter.posterous.com/impromptu-baking but I'd jazz it up a bit with some buttercream in the middle with the fruity jam, then some piped on top, with fresh raspberries, a good dusting of lustre powder and plenty of candles - yum!

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  111. I would make you Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake (http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/184/HERSHEY'S%20%22PERFECTLY%20CHOCOLATE%22%20Chocolate%20Cake.aspx)

    with my fabulous mocha buttercream from http://bakeblogging.blogspot.com/2011/05/vlog-simply-complex-mocha-buttercream.html

    It would be absolutely divine!!

    catharine.ellie [at] gmail [dot] com

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  112. I love this banana cake with brown sugar buttercream, the frosting is the best. So I would make it for you. Here's the link to the recipe http://cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2009/07/how-to-make-banana-cake/
    Thanks!
    purple_lindsay@hotmail.com

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  113. For you, on your special day, I would make.....
    Orange scented poppyseed cake, which is lovely and nutty, and the slightest bit dense. Three thin layers, piled high.
    And in between the layers I would pipe a lovely light mascarpone cream---it would be creamy and cold, and pale against the cake.
    And in between, there would be sections of grapefruit supremes, bright pink against the cream, and looking like summer and tasting like refreshment. It would pair wonderfully with a raspberry bellini or even just a good cup of coffee.

    And for your birthday, you'd also find that cakes (especially this one) taste better when made by someone else, especially someone who's watched you make such lovely things all year long for all of your special people.

    Thank you for sharing your blog with all of us....and here's to another great year.....

    Skylermcgee@gmail.com

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  114. Baker's curse! So sad! I would make you a delectable, rich and creamy cheesecake made from my grandmother's recipe!

    marlomarizza (at) gmail (dot) com

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  115. I would make my famous pumpkin cake that so's rich and wonderful even pumpkin haters love it....

    sigh..maybe I'll just make one for me right now!!!

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  116. I have been eating more than my fair share of cake lately and consider myself a bit of an expert on the matter. I'd make a vanilla sponge cake layered with summer berries and mascarpone and drizzled with rose scented simple syrup. It's light and healthy (hey, it has berries!) and you could totally justify eating the entire cake :)

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  117. I've got two recipes everyone seems to really enjoy that would make great birthday treats:

    1. a white vanilla cake (egg whites, no yolk) in two layers with whipped cream and strawberries between layers, topped with chocolate frosting and strawberry halves to decorate. perfect for summer.

    AND
    2. chocolate buttermilk cupcakes with butter cream frosting.

    happy birthday!

    (lbevel@gmail.com)

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  118. This week I'm breaking the cake curse for a fellow co-worker who always brings in b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l cakes for everyone's birthdays. I'm making coconut cake (a two layer round) and decorating it with berries and almond slices (see here: http://nibsblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/opt-party-magic-cake_.jpg?w=478&h=450)
    The recipe for the cake and frosting is actually one for cupcakes out of Vegan with a Vengance (you can see it here: http://veggiemama.blogspot.com/2007/09/coconut-heaven-cupcakes.html). It's gonna be yummy!!! Hope your cake curse gets broken!

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  119. Oh! and you can reach me at amoulton11(at)gmail(dot)com. Yay!

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  120. Red velvet cake with white chocolate frosting!

    http://www.cooksrecipes.com/cake/red-velvet-cake-with%20white-chocolate-frosting-recipe.html

    Leah
    leahlundgren@aeneas.net

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  121. Oh I totally hear you about the baking curse! I've been making my own bday cakes for years and im only 21! :P
    I've been eyeing a cake recipe that just seems so special that I just don't want to spoil the big day when it will be finally made. The cake is a poppy seed cake with lemon curd and coated with white chocolate ganache! It is in a cook book so I'm not sure if I should write it now, but I'm guessing not :)
    I wish you that your baking curse stops this year! :)

    varadicsilla@hotmail.com

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  122. http://adampaulgreen.com/

    Treat yourself and those you love to the “Healthy Chocolate!"
    "Xocai Healthy Chocolate”, which is "70% Cocoa", is a "guilt free" alternative to the traditional chocolate consumed which are low in the "antioxidant rich"
    unprocessed cocoa powder and "high in sugar."

    ~Adam Paul Green
    http://mxi.myvoffice.com/cacaopow/
    http://myxocai.com/cacaopow/chocolate-and-weight-loss-1
    http://myxocai.com/cacaopow/15-reasons-to-try-xocai
    http://myxocai.com/cacaopow/healthy-chocolate

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  123. wow, we've been looking to this cake for something like 10 minutes! it is absolutely gorgeous!

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  124. OOOH I totally understand the Baker's Curse! It means that for my birthday my co-workers always buy something very fancy be it cupcakes or patisseries, and they are always chocolate flavored! Which, if I'm being honest, is not my first choice. But I'm not really going to complain since I make whatever I want for THEIR birthdays. And since I always love something with lime I would make YOU a Lime Chiffon Cake. Definitely something I love and would hope you do too!

    http://theflyingquiche.blogspot.com/2010/08/lime-chiffon-cupcakes.html

    eclairegoget AT gmail.com

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  125. My favorite birthday cake was baked especially for me by my beloved babysitter when I was just a girl. She made me a strawberry cake and decorated it with candied violets on top, which looked perfect against the pink icing. To this day, that has always been my favorite cake, though no one has ever baked me that one. However, I have baked many a strawberry cake for my coworkers, but never have I given them the special candied violets on top. I would make an exception for you though, being that your site is of such inspiration in keeping my love of baking alive.

    So, the recipe for the strawberry cake (from All Recipes) I make is as follows:
    1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
    1/2 cup cold water
    1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
    4 eggs
    1 cup vegetable oil
    3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, thawed
    6 tablespoons butter
    2 cups confectioners' sugar

    Directions

    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.
    In a large bowl, dissolve the gelatin in cold water; stir in the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, flour and 1/2 of the strawberries. Beat for 5 minutes on the medium speed of an electric mixer. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
    Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the layers spring back when lightly pressed in the center. Cool cakes in the pans on wire racks.
    To Make Frosting: Cream the butter, sugar and the remaining half of the strawberries in a medium bowl until light and fluffy, adding additional confectioners' sugar if needed for a spreadable consistency. Spread the frosting between layers and over the top and sides of cake.

    *Candied violets for the decoration can be purchased from most baking specialty supply stores or online at Market Hall Foods http://www.markethallfoods.com/products.php?product=Candied-Violet-Petals.
    *As an added touch, I sometimes poke holes in each of the layers and pour any of the leftover strawberry juice in them for extra flavor.

    leahrfitzpatrick@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  126. As a fellow Stephanie with a similar weakness for dessert breakfast, I think I know just the ticket. My favorite dessert combination is chocolate and salt - there's a reason that it's in every dessert recipe - and what goes better with chocolate and salt than salted caramel? Thus, my favorite cake right now is Baked's Sweet and Salty Cake, which is from their first book and features a brilliant whipped caramel buttercream. For some reason I was able to find the entire recipe (including the commentary) with a quick Google search, but I highly recommend the book if you haven't tried it out yet. I made this cake for a New Year's party and it disappeared within minutes.

    http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/ild/2009/baked/sweet-salty-cake.html#axzz1Q8Gj6upi

    For a layer cake, that one comes together pretty easily - BUT if you have a weakness for pistachios, and feel like devoting a day to the most elaborate cake in the world - this next one is the one for you. Pistachios and marzipan and dark chocolate ganache, oh, it's so decadent but so worth the effort it takes to make.

    http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/06/pistachio-petit-four-cake/

    I hope that two recipes isn't cheating!

    ReplyDelete
  127. ooh. well I'd make you nigella lawson's old fashioned chocolate cake, because if ever there was a cake deserving a proper cake stand, that was it.

    also, I'm a bit hit and miss with big cakes, but this one always comes out 'hit' and it looks like a *proper* cake.

    however! I'd make the final unveil a staged one, getting you to share me some expertise in how to ice (frost) it properly...you have skills that I just don't! I am in awe of the pattern on this choccy cake!

    ReplyDelete
  128. The Cake is absolutely georgeous and the Cake standing is adorable!!
    Here is my link a cake I mad for my twins, with pleasure I would make or you,

    http://canelakitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/chocolate-and-almonds-mousse-cake-twins.html


    Im following you!

    http://canelakitchen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  129. I would most definetely make this cake!
    http://chocolatecoveredtherapy.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-birthday-raspberry-lemonade.html
    I loveeee lemon cake more than anything, the added raspberrys make it even better!
    That cake stand is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  130. Everyone can bake Choc Chip cookies so how about this fun IceBox cake Barefoot Contessa just profiled on her show! I love the marscarpone cheese & instant espresso ingredients. Check it out here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mocha-chocolate-icebox-cake-recipe/index.html

    and Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  131. Happy BIRTHDAY Stephanie! I've been a quiet follower as usual.. If I were to bake you something, it will be my luscious chilled creamy lemon cheesecake with crumbly aromatic butter cookie base baked from scratch and some scrumptious strawberry tarts. Perfect for Summer. Cheers, Jo from Chic & Gorgeous Treats

    Chilled Lemon Cake: http://chicgorgeous.blogspot.com/2011/06/creamy-lemon-cheesecake-chilled.html

    Scumptious Strawberry Tart:
    http://chicgorgeous.blogspot.com/2011/05/scrumptious-strawberry-tart.html

    ReplyDelete
  132. the cake stand is GORGEOUS! I don't have one in my small apartment kitchen so I recently flipped over a bowl and used a large plate to serve my cake. You gotta get crafty when you don't have all the tools and utensils on hand!

    I'm completely obsessed with St. Germain at the moment... I think a Butter Lime cake with Blackberry Elderflower Buttercream would be fantastic for a Summer Birthday! I don't have a recipe YET but I'll have to get on that! Another great recipe is my key lime pie with macadamia + panko crust. It's the perfect combination of tang, tart, and creamy! Find the recipe here: http://theimprovkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/05/nuts-for-pie.html

    contact me at theimprovkitchen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  133. I also suffer from the baker's curse in my circle of friends! I try to keep track of friends and family's favorite flavors and then bake a cake (or cupcakes, brownies etc. based on those flavors). I think one of the most unusual/successful was a mint chocolate cake based on a friend's love of Andes mints.
    For your birthday I might go back to my Dad's favorite cake. He loves a simple, rich chocolate cake with homemade vanilla whipped cream and sliced ripe bananas between the layers. It is very simple, but the flavors combine to make a special cake that never fails to put a smile on everyone's face.

    Laura L.
    lajohnson555@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  134. every year for my birthday i have an angel food cake with whipped cream and heath frosting so i'd definitely make you that for your birthday! have a lovely birthday! :)

    adashofmegnut@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  135. I would make you a funfetti cake, fairly simple, but always fun :)

    email: kmwelch222@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  136. I just tweeted about the giveaway (katherine_welch)

    email: kmwelch222@Gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  137. Hi there. Love this idea. You are so clever!!! If I were to bake you a birthday cake, I would make you a chocolate, hazelnut and meringue cake from Mertha Stewart's collection. http://www.marthastewart.com/281100/chocolate-and-hazelnut-meringue-cake
    This is a great cake. Not too difficult, but with tons of WOW factor. I once made a small one for a friend's birthday and while taking it to her across the snowy parking lot, I slipped on ice, fell and somehow sent the cake flying. I was more upset about the cake than the fall, but it weathered the fall great! The meringue is hard on the outside, protecting it, but inside, gooey and chewy and utterly delicious!
    Happy birthday! And my contact details, just in case you like this cake: staceynminton@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  138. Hi Stephanie,
    I would make you this completely gorgeous Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate cake Cheesecake.
    Seeing is believing ;)
    http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2011/03/peanut-butter-cup-chocolate-cake.html

    Best,
    Judy

    judyrom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  139. I'd make the same cake I make for MY birthday- cold oven pound cake baked in a sheet pan with "That's the best frosting I ever had" from the Tasty Kitchen website.

    ReplyDelete
  140. For a while now I have been wanting to make this cake - http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2008/09/chocolate_cake_with_fleur_de_sel_caramel_filling

    Its a chocolate layer cake with a fleur de sel caramel and chocolate ganache filling topped with chocolate ganache and almonds. Drool!

    I would definitely bake this cake for you if I was there- I would bake it for anyone if they asked me to but sadly no one trusts me enough to make their birthday cake yet (well nor do they offer to bake me a cake and last year I made my own cake- http://thenovicehousewife.wordpress.com/2010/12/28/birthday-cake-lavender-chiffon-cake/). Well, I guess I'll just have to surprise someone with it!:)

    ReplyDelete
  141. Ok, this one deviates from a traditional birthday cake however it is just so yummy and I know I would love it if someone made it for me for my birthday! It's a pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting......so moist, so good! Here's a link for the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Libbys-Pumpkin-Roll-with-Cream-Cheese-Filling/detail.aspx
    Happy baking and most of all - Happy Birthday!

    Joy Couture joycekul@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  142. I recently made this tuxedo cake and got SO many compliments on it. It's a beautiful cake!Inside and out! :)

    http://urbakinmecrazyy.blogspot.com/2011/01/tuxedo-cake.html

    Meggs♥
    urbakinmecrazyy@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  143. I make the birthday cakes for all of my co-workers (let's face it, no one wants to eat the weird chemically ones from the grocery store). I take requests and make plans weeks before the birthday in question. So it was a little sad when most of them, when wishing me a happy birthday this year, said "bake yourself something good for us!" Um, it was my birthday, maybe I could spend it *not* baking for other people?

    That said, I'd give you the chart I give my co-workers, with the checklist of flavors, the type of dessert. And if you said "surprise me?" devil's food cake with peanut-butter cream cheese frosting. Because that's my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  144. Today is my birthday, and I am ALSO suffering the Baker's Curse! I am making my own insane cheesecake/brownie/Reese's delight. Oh well.

    I would bake you the classic birthday cake that, at some point, every birthday girl should have! Tasty vanilla bean with swiss meringue buttercream and lots of sprinkles. Oh, and candles...duh.

    ReplyDelete
  145. I would bake you a chocolate cake frosted with King Arthur Flour's 7-minute icing (http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/favorite-fudge-birthday-cupcakes-with-7-minute-icing-recipe)
    rosietulips@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  146. Would LOVE to bake a very special cake from my parents home country, Austria, it's called a Sachertorte. Its delectable for many reasons #1- there are only 2 places on Earth where the original torte is available and (on to the real reason!) #2- the torte is a mouthwatering combination of bitter dark chocolate cake and layers of apricot preserve, one in the center and one layer just under the chocolate icing! Apricots are out soon, can't wait to go picking.

    This seems like a very good recipe in English, according to my folks...MMM MMM MMM...

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/wolfgang-puck/wolfgangs-sachertorte-recipe/index.html

    Time to get back in the kitchen and plan more tasty adventures...

    Thanks!
    Beatrix Sieger
    tsieger@hotmail.com



    ­­

    ReplyDelete
  147. ooooh I would make you a white chocolate buttermilk cake with strawberries and cream filling and a brown sugar creme fraiche for the icing.

    I'm sorry I posted as anonymous but each time I tried to sign into my google account it wouldn't let me comment as me, it still said anonymous. my email is aunderhill@calchef.every1.net

    ReplyDelete
  148. Since Raspberries are in season, I thought of Annie's Chocolate Raspberries Truffle layer cake.I think it would look beautiful on this cake pedestal.

    http://annies-eats.net/2011/05/13/chocolate-raspberry-truffle-layer-cake/

    ReplyDelete
  149. So funny! I always end up making my own cake too!

    I would make you a rich chocolate cake layered with homemade cake batter ice cream and frosted with a whipped cream cheese icing!

    If I win (fingers crossed) you can contact me here! http://fleurdelectable.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  150. I have made many birthday cakes for my friends, family and of course my kids. I don't usually blog about birthday cakes because I have no natural decorating talents. The cake I made for my mother a few years ago was my favorite. Moist chocolate cake with milk chocolate pudding filling, covered in chocolate cream cheese frosting and garnished with double dipped chocolate strawberries. Hope you have a fantastic birthday!
    miss@missinthekitchen.com

    ReplyDelete
  151. I make my own cakes too, now! My family would just buy a store bought cake otherwise. oh, the horror *shudder

    I'd make you a snickerdoodle white chocolate ice cream cake! Essentially, snickerdoodle vanilla bean cake(http://www.jamesbeard.org/index.php?q=recipes/show/snickerdoodle_cake, plus add some vanilla bean paste or vanilla bean seeds), with a lusciously rich white chocolate gelato ice cream(http://www.amandascookin.com/2009/09/white-chocolate-ice-cream.html), layered with my absolute favorite vanilla mascarpone frosting (http://cookieconfession.blogspot.com/2010/03/carrot-cake-with-vanilla-mascarpone.html). :)

    It sounds complicated, but it's really not. It's just really good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  152. I'm in love with a concept that I have yet to make, though I have made variations on it with varying degrees of success, always at least partially as birthday cakes.

    The idea is simple, a marble cake of three colours using a simple sponge recipe with chocolate made with a bar of excellent dark chocolate, pink made with a punnet of crushed raspberries and pale green made with crushed pistachios; a simple chocolate icing of melted chocolate, butter and a touch of golden syrup.

    Its utterly simple and yet a little bit special, exactly what a birthday cake should be when someone else is making it and there are crowds to please.

    ReplyDelete
  153. I recently happened upon this black forest cake from Cooks Illustrated that is absolutely delicious (and I am not a huge cherry fan) with the morello cherries from Trader Joe's soaked in kirsch and a cherry reduction with chocolate genoise and frosted with lightly sweetened whipped cream and covered with bittersweet chocolate shavings!

    ReplyDelete
  154. Maybe you can try baking together with your friends, and who knows they'll get addicted to baking. That happens to me :)

    For your birthday, I'd like to suggest a bacon cinnamon chocolate cake. The idea came from http://faceyourbatter.blogspot.com/2010/09/sweet-and-savory-bacon-chocolate.html.

    What makes it a different chocolate cake is the bacon dipped in chocolate. I'm sure it's going to be sooo good, sweet and savory altogether. Anyway, have a blast on your birthday!

    cathz_jc@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  155. I would bake you this cake: http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/06/dobos-torte/, mostly because I really want to try it and it would give me a great excuse! Also it is slightly fancy with all those layers but not painfully so, and with a high-quality chocolate, it would be to-die-for!

    ReplyDelete
  156. well, goodness those stands are stunning and I have loved them everytime you've used them!

    I think a triple layer spiced carrot cake with thick buttercream like cream cheese frosting, with just a hint of lemon.

    Of course contact me (Jasmine - The Gluten Free Scallywag) at jas {@} glutenfreescallywag.com

    Ps your Yosemite trip looks gorgeous - there are some of the most spectacular vistas in your part of the world!

    ReplyDelete
  157. Lynn from Order in the Kitchen wants to make you the chocolate peanut butter cake from SmittenKitchen. I've been dying to make it and was planning to do it for my boyfriend's graduation when he told me he would rather just have Duncan Hines (oh men...) So I would love to make this for you and then display it on my new cake stand ;)

    here's the link!:
    http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake/

    ReplyDelete
  158. Sadly, I've never made a cake for a grown up. In my circle of friends we're all too tired out from raising small children to makes cakes for each other.

    But I wish I could make you a cake with 17 layers. There's a recipe for a dobos torte in Martha srewart's baking handbook that would fit the bill nicely. I also think this would do nicely: http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/06/dobos-torte/ .

    ReplyDelete
  159. I would bake a dense chocolate cake with a mint white chocolate mouse filling, topped with a chocolate ganache...
    I have the same curse I'm sorry to say! My sweet roommate last year convinced my husband to buy some packaged shortcakes for my birthday cake though!

    ReplyDelete
  160. I love cakes! And cake stands! For my birthday, I'd have a moist yellow cake with chocolate icing....so many recipes would do. Please do me a favor and choose me, pick me...nanngumm@aol.com!

    ReplyDelete
  161. Happy birthday! I would make your a spiced apple cake, such as this: http://www.sassyradish.com/2011/04/russian-apple-spice-cake-charlotka/

    ReplyDelete
  162. I just made it before the deadline!

    I love cake and there's nothing better than a homemade cake for birthdays.

    The best one? This white layer cake with blackberry buttercream. It's super easy to make, tastes amazing, and looks incredible.

    http://kitchentrialanderror.blogspot.com/2010/08/white-layer-cake-with-blackberry.html

    ReplyDelete
  163. I would bake you a Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel and Fleur de Sel Praline.

    ReplyDelete
  164. I would make you a coconut cake (my favorite!)

    ReplyDelete
  165. caramelised pear Charlotte with lots of lemon scented chantilly cream... comes in too late, but you deserve it for the lovely idea, the delicious blog ... and obviously for your bday!

    ReplyDelete
  166. Your beautiful photos have captured my soul .. your chocolate cake Simmy I follow my heart happy

    ReplyDelete
  167. I would make you a Guinness chocolate cake (you wouldn't taste the Guinness ;)but it gives a lovely color) with a strawberry swiss meringue icing!

    ReplyDelete
  168. This is soooooo True about the bakers Curse .
    And i share your sentiments . In My Circle of friends and Family I am the Baker ..and i bake for almost all Birthdays BUT when its my Birthday I wish to eat / cut a Cake some friend or family bakes for me .Just suprise me !!!
    So Now I order a cake( one of my favourites ) for myself from another homebaker .
    For you I would Bake A Rum cake with bacardi rum or dark meyers rum .Easy to make and very Delicious .One of my favourites during Xmas !!

    ReplyDelete
  169. Now, here's a classy idea: Champagne Cake (not too sweet!) with Rosé Champagne Buttercream (as sweet as you'd like :P). But the real kicker? A fine sprinkling of crushed strawberry Pop Rocks around/on top of the cake...it mimics the bubbles of the champagne! This was a big hit when I made it.

    ReplyDelete
  170. I swear, I typed that last comment before the deadline, but my internet went out :(. I hope you accept it!

    ReplyDelete
  171. Happy birthday!! I would do a rose water pistachio cake(so pink and green)

    ReplyDelete
  172. This is soooooo True about the bakers Curse .
    And i share your sentiments . In My Circle of friends and Family I am the Baker ..and i bake for almost all Birthdays BUT when its my Birthday I wish to eat / cut a Cake some friend or family bakes for me .Just suprise me !!!
    So Now I order a cake( one of my favourites ) for myself from another homebaker .
    For you I would Bake A Rum cake with bacardi rum or dark meyers rum .Easy to make and very Delicious .One of my favourites during Xmas !!

    ReplyDelete
  173. caramelised pear Charlotte with lots of lemon scented chantilly cream... comes in too late, but you deserve it for the lovely idea, the delicious blog ... and obviously for your bday!

    ReplyDelete
  174. I would bake a dense chocolate cake with a mint white chocolate mouse filling, topped with a chocolate ganache...
    I have the same curse I'm sorry to say! My sweet roommate last year convinced my husband to buy some packaged shortcakes for my birthday cake though!

    ReplyDelete
  175. Lynn from Order in the Kitchen wants to make you the chocolate peanut butter cake from SmittenKitchen. I've been dying to make it and was planning to do it for my boyfriend's graduation when he told me he would rather just have Duncan Hines (oh men...) So I would love to make this for you and then display it on my new cake stand ;)

    here's the link!:
    http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake/

    ReplyDelete
  176. I recently happened upon this black forest cake from Cooks Illustrated that is absolutely delicious (and I am not a huge cherry fan) with the morello cherries from Trader Joe's soaked in kirsch and a cherry reduction with chocolate genoise and frosted with lightly sweetened whipped cream and covered with bittersweet chocolate shavings!

    ReplyDelete
  177. I'm in love with a concept that I have yet to make, though I have made variations on it with varying degrees of success, always at least partially as birthday cakes.

    The idea is simple, a marble cake of three colours using a simple sponge recipe with chocolate made with a bar of excellent dark chocolate, pink made with a punnet of crushed raspberries and pale green made with crushed pistachios; a simple chocolate icing of melted chocolate, butter and a touch of golden syrup.

    Its utterly simple and yet a little bit special, exactly what a birthday cake should be when someone else is making it and there are crowds to please.

    ReplyDelete
  178. I make my own cakes too, now! My family would just buy a store bought cake otherwise. oh, the horror *shudder

    I'd make you a snickerdoodle white chocolate ice cream cake! Essentially, snickerdoodle vanilla bean cake(http://www.jamesbeard.org/index.php?q=recipes/show/snickerdoodle_cake, plus add some vanilla bean paste or vanilla bean seeds), with a lusciously rich white chocolate gelato ice cream(http://www.amandascookin.com/2009/09/white-chocolate-ice-cream.html), layered with my absolute favorite vanilla mascarpone frosting (http://cookieconfession.blogspot.com/2010/03/carrot-cake-with-vanilla-mascarpone.html). :)

    It sounds complicated, but it's really not. It's just really good. :)

    ReplyDelete
  179. So funny! I always end up making my own cake too!

    I would make you a rich chocolate cake layered with homemade cake batter ice cream and frosted with a whipped cream cheese icing!

    If I win (fingers crossed) you can contact me here! http://fleurdelectable.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  180. ooooh I would make you a white chocolate buttermilk cake with strawberries and cream filling and a brown sugar creme fraiche for the icing.

    I'm sorry I posted as anonymous but each time I tried to sign into my google account it wouldn't let me comment as me, it still said anonymous. my email is aunderhill@calchef.every1.net

    ReplyDelete
  181. Ok, this one deviates from a traditional birthday cake however it is just so yummy and I know I would love it if someone made it for me for my birthday! It's a pumpkin roll with cream cheese frosting......so moist, so good! Here's a link for the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Libbys-Pumpkin-Roll-with-Cream-Cheese-Filling/detail.aspx
    Happy baking and most of all - Happy Birthday!

    Joy Couture joycekul@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  182. Hi there. Love this idea. You are so clever!!! If I were to bake you a birthday cake, I would make you a chocolate, hazelnut and meringue cake from Mertha Stewart's collection. http://www.marthastewart.com/281100/chocolate-and-hazelnut-meringue-cake
    This is a great cake. Not too difficult, but with tons of WOW factor. I once made a small one for a friend's birthday and while taking it to her across the snowy parking lot, I slipped on ice, fell and somehow sent the cake flying. I was more upset about the cake than the fall, but it weathered the fall great! The meringue is hard on the outside, protecting it, but inside, gooey and chewy and utterly delicious!
    Happy birthday! And my contact details, just in case you like this cake: staceynminton@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  183. I just tweeted about the giveaway (katherine_welch)

    email: kmwelch222@Gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  184. I also suffer from the baker's curse in my circle of friends! I try to keep track of friends and family's favorite flavors and then bake a cake (or cupcakes, brownies etc. based on those flavors). I think one of the most unusual/successful was a mint chocolate cake based on a friend's love of Andes mints.
    For your birthday I might go back to my Dad's favorite cake. He loves a simple, rich chocolate cake with homemade vanilla whipped cream and sliced ripe bananas between the layers. It is very simple, but the flavors combine to make a special cake that never fails to put a smile on everyone's face.

    Laura L.
    lajohnson555@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  185. Happy BIRTHDAY Stephanie! I've been a quiet follower as usual.. If I were to bake you something, it will be my luscious chilled creamy lemon cheesecake with crumbly aromatic butter cookie base baked from scratch and some scrumptious strawberry tarts. Perfect for Summer. Cheers, Jo from Chic & Gorgeous Treats

    Chilled Lemon Cake: http://chicgorgeous.blogspot.com/2011/06/creamy-lemon-cheesecake-chilled.html

    Scumptious Strawberry Tart:
    http://chicgorgeous.blogspot.com/2011/05/scrumptious-strawberry-tart.html

    ReplyDelete
  186. Everyone can bake Choc Chip cookies so how about this fun IceBox cake Barefoot Contessa just profiled on her show! I love the marscarpone cheese & instant espresso ingredients. Check it out here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mocha-chocolate-icebox-cake-recipe/index.html

    and Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  187. The Cake is absolutely georgeous and the Cake standing is adorable!!
    Here is my link a cake I mad for my twins, with pleasure I would make or you,

    http://canelakitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/chocolate-and-almonds-mousse-cake-twins.html


    Im following you!

    http://canelakitchen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  188. As a fellow Stephanie with a similar weakness for dessert breakfast, I think I know just the ticket. My favorite dessert combination is chocolate and salt - there's a reason that it's in every dessert recipe - and what goes better with chocolate and salt than salted caramel? Thus, my favorite cake right now is Baked's Sweet and Salty Cake, which is from their first book and features a brilliant whipped caramel buttercream. For some reason I was able to find the entire recipe (including the commentary) with a quick Google search, but I highly recommend the book if you haven't tried it out yet. I made this cake for a New Year's party and it disappeared within minutes.

    http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/ild/2009/baked/sweet-salty-cake.html#axzz1Q8Gj6upi

    For a layer cake, that one comes together pretty easily - BUT if you have a weakness for pistachios, and feel like devoting a day to the most elaborate cake in the world - this next one is the one for you. Pistachios and marzipan and dark chocolate ganache, oh, it's so decadent but so worth the effort it takes to make.

    http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/06/pistachio-petit-four-cake/

    I hope that two recipes isn't cheating!

    ReplyDelete
  189. OOOH I totally understand the Baker's Curse! It means that for my birthday my co-workers always buy something very fancy be it cupcakes or patisseries, and they are always chocolate flavored! Which, if I'm being honest, is not my first choice. But I'm not really going to complain since I make whatever I want for THEIR birthdays. And since I always love something with lime I would make YOU a Lime Chiffon Cake. Definitely something I love and would hope you do too!

    http://theflyingquiche.blogspot.com/2010/08/lime-chiffon-cupcakes.html

    eclairegoget AT gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  190. wow, we've been looking to this cake for something like 10 minutes! it is absolutely gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  191. Oh I totally hear you about the baking curse! I've been making my own bday cakes for years and im only 21! :P
    I've been eyeing a cake recipe that just seems so special that I just don't want to spoil the big day when it will be finally made. The cake is a poppy seed cake with lemon curd and coated with white chocolate ganache! It is in a cook book so I'm not sure if I should write it now, but I'm guessing not :)
    I wish you that your baking curse stops this year! :)

    varadicsilla@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you and reading your comments! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog. Happy feasting!