benji's birthday cake

here is yet another of my attempts to make a cake from scratch just like my mother did throughout my childhood. thankfully these 8 inch babies behaved themselves and tasted delicious and mostly came out of their pans perfectly. i have to thank mr. Heaven-sent Buttercream Frosting who filled in all the dents.


here benji is seen following orders to empty all cooking utensils onto the kitchen floor. he works with gusto, tossing utensils at a most rapid pace and feels no need to be shy or quiet about it. he is fearless about sharp edges too. this is a task that he deems must be done two to three times a day (whether baking a cake or not). since he is the sous chef - no shoes, hairnet or apron is mandatory. benji is passionate about cooking and he loves tasting the confection throughout the process. he may have learned that from his mother.. or father.


mmmm. mmm. mm. it's official, benji loves birthday cake. thank you to benji's oma & opa who were so sweet to share the celebration with us on sunday evening.


SILVER WHITE CAKE
ala The Betty Crocker Cookbook

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups milk
2/3 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 egg whites (not beaten)

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease and flour rectangular pan, 13-by-9-by-2 inches, two round 9"pans, or 3 round 8" pans.
   
3. Beat all ingredients except egg whites in large bowl on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Add unbeaten egg whites; beat in egg whites on high speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan(s).
4. Bake rectangular pan for 40 to 45 minutes, 9-inch round pans 30 to 35 minutes, 8-inch round pans 23 to 28 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center.
5. Cool cake on wire rack. Cool layers 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.
6. Frost cake with traditional buttercream frosting.

BUTTERCREAM VANILLA FROSTING

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
About 2 tablespoons milk

1. Mix powder sugar and margarine.
2. Stir in vanilla and milk.
3. Beat until smooth and of spreading consistency.

Frosts one 13 x 9-inch cake or fills and frosts two 8" or 9" cake layers.

[Note: To fill and frost three 8-inch layers, use 4½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup butter softened, 2 teaspoons vanilla and about 3 tablespoons milk.]