Birthday Stage Cake Food

BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH HOT PINK BUTTER ICING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter and flour a 9-inch cake pan, a 6-inch cake pan, and a 3-inch cake pan.
• To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until smooth. Finish mixing by hand to be sure the batter is well mixed. Proportionately divide the batter between the 3 cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula, and bake as follows: the 9-inch pan for 45 minutes, the 6-inch pan for 35 to 40 minutes and the 3-inch pan for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean in each cake. Cool in the pans to room temperature.
• For the frosting, cream the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until thickened. Add the food coloring and turn the mixer off. Using a spatula, fully incorporate the color into the frosting.
• Frost each cake separately, saving some frosting for decoration. Chill the cakes before stacking.
• Place the 9-inch cake on a plate. Center the 6-inch cake on top of the 9-inch cake. Center the 3-inch cake on top of the 6-inch cake.
• For the decoration, pipe or spoon the remaining frosting around the base of each cake and around the top edge of the 3-inch cake. Finish decorating with the pieces of candy.

BIRTHDAY SHEET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 12 by 18 by 1 1/2-inch sheet pan.
• To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until smooth. Finish mixing by hand to be sure the batter is well mixed. Pour evenly into the pan, smooth the top with a spatula, and bake in the center of the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan to room temperature.
• For the frosting, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted. Off the heat, add the corn syrup and vanilla and allow the chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chocolate mixture and softened butter on medium speed for a few minutes, until it's thickened.
• Spread the frosting evenly on the cake. Have the children decorate the cake with chocolate candies.

BIRTHDAY CAKE FREEZER KIT

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment and coat with baking spray.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar and salt.
• Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the cocoa and stir together. Add the boiling water, stir, return the mixture to a boil and allow to boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and pour the cocoa water over the flour mixture. Stir slightly to cool.
• Combine the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and beaten eggs in a pitcher. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the cooled flour/chocolate mixture and make sure it is thoroughly combined so you have a smooth, brown batter.
• Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes.
• For the buttercream: Meanwhile, make the frosting by adding the powdered sugar, butter and vanilla to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a blade attachment. Beat on a medium-low speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Remove and add to a large resealable bag. Flatten as much as possible and place on a sheet pan or tray.
• Remove the cake from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut the cake into 4 equal rectangles and remove from the pan. Wrap each in plastic wrap and add to the sheet pan or tray with the frosting. Complete the kit with a resealable plastic bag of sprinkles and freeze until ready to assemble. (Can be frozen for up to 1 month.)
• To assemble: Remove the kit from the freezer and allow everything to thaw for 2 to
• 3 hours.
• Assemble the cake adding frosting, caramel syrup and chocolate syrup between each layer. Finish by icing the sides and top, then decorating with sprinkles.