Tomorrow is Ironflower's birthday. When asked what she wanted her special treat to be, she asked if she could make and decorate a cake with Daddy. We thought that was a great idea. Knowing that Hubby was going out of town Friday afternoon (yes, that does suck on so many levels), cake time was set for Friday morning.
But actually, Hubby had to leave town Thursday afternoon. (Which we did not realize until it was too late for him to take the train to Newark Airport and I had to drive home from there and it was HELL. HELL. But I'm going to stop bitching about it. . .now.) So today I baked the cake with Ironflower.
I took both children to the grocery store so that Ironflower could choose her flavors and decorations. That was a challenge in itself, since I had to run across the parking lot to snag one of the car carts (the only ones Lovebug deigns to ride in without screaming. Much.). Then we spent ten minutes in the baking aisle because I couldn't find the damn sprinkles. They were in a bin, not on the shelves - like I was supposed to know that?
Anyway, we made it home. Ironflower and I began baking. But after buying all the ingredients listed at the top of the box (what? Like I'd risk my daughter's birthday by trying something from scratch?), I soon discovered that we'd missed something. Far down in the directions, it mentioned that I needed to grease the pan (was I supposed to know that? I bake cookies. That's it. I don't grease things.). We do not have shortening or lard or even cooking spray. I called Hubby, hoping that he would not tell me that I had to go back to the store. On his directions, we coated the pan with vegetable oil.
Everything else went according to plan. I didn't even burn the cake while simultaneously making (microwaving) dinner. Though the edges look a little crunchy. But I blame the vegetable oil for that.
However, I discovered another problem when decorating time came. I lost the frosting (and if you think I would have the ingredients or the know-how to make frosting, you must be new here. Welcome. But don't assume I have anything that normal housewives have. Because I don't.). It was not on the counter. Nor in a cabinet. I checked the garbage. I checked the car. I checked the garage. The frosting had disappeared.
Ironflower took it well. Especially after I promised her another trip to the grocery store tomorrow morning to pick out new frosting. Won't THAT be fun?
3 comments:
Hi Jersey,
I don't know if wordvixen has actual measurements, but I go by taste - that's the fun way to do it!!! add a little bit, whip it well, then stick your finger in and taste... if you like more add more...
You can also use lemon extract (I recommend only a bit of this as it's really strong) or, my favorite with spice cake, use the butter cream recipe and add maple syrup... yummy.
I'm pretty much a "by the directions" kind of girl. If there's a recipe, I can follow, but don't ask me to veer from the written path. I'd probably blow something up trying it "my way."
Hey Jersey,
Cut and Paste away.
Leslie, I have to use the directions for baking, I can't veer even a little bit or I wind up with dry cake or cookies or whatever... I only play with spices and that's mostly because the recipes handed down from my aunt (who taught me to cook) and grandma had no directions - they eyeballed everything! By the way, I've stopped by your mommy's place a few times and it's great - I haven't gotten to commenting yet but I'm sure I will soon.
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