BY LAUREN SEPHTON
Birthdays
are your golden ticket to spend a little extra time in the kitchen, as you make your dream cake. It’s your chance to experiment with new flavors, create a work of art in the most delicious form, or repeat your favorites. The possibilities are endless when it comes to baking a cake, from the cake batter to the frosting to those awe-inspiring finishing decorations. However, whether you decide to keep it simple or make it over-the-top, choose flavors that make you happy, to help make your special day shine even brighter. You can never go wrong with the delicious classics: yellow, chocolate, marble, confetti, and red velvet. But if you are looking to step outside the box this year, you may find inspiration from the list below. SIMPLE CAKE BATTERS Lemon Poppy Seed German Chocolate Apple Spice Chocolate Chip Cookie Raspberry & Vanilla Swirl Orange & Maple Pecan Vanilla Lavender Lemon Blueberry Basil Coconut & Strawberry Dulce de Leche with Toasted Almonds Apple Cider Caramel with Walnuts TRADITIONAL FLAVORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD • FRANCE: GALETTE DES ROIS “KING CAKE” A puffed pastry cake that’s filled with a warm almond frangipane, and often a little charm called “fève” will be hidden inside for a guest to find during the celebratory dinner. • JAPAN: MOCHI A specialty rice cake that Japanese often view as a sign of good fortune.
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• SOUTH AFRICA: VETKOEK “FAT CAKE” Crispy on the outside and filled with a deliciously warm minced curry that won’t have you regretting staying away from the traditional sweet side of birthday cakes. • GREECE/TURKEY: REVANI A cake batter made with semolina flour, then sweetened with natural syrups and flavored with a variety of citruses. • GERMANY: BLACK FOREST CHERRY CAKE Rich, sweet, decadent, and a nice little kick from the abundance of fresh cherries and cherry liqueur. • CHINA: PEACH-SHAPED PASTRIES FILLED WITH LOTUS PASTE In Chinese literature, the peach is to signify a prosperous, long life. • CHILE: LUCUMA Layers of dried meringue complemented by fruit fillings and a sweet custard for the frosting.
• GENOISE CAKE Most commonly known as a sponge cake, this type of cake is popular in France and Italy when rolled up into a roulade. • ANGEL FOOD CAKE Each bite is very light as this cake batter is whipped only with egg whites and best served with your favorite summer fruits. FROSTINGS TO DELIGHT • BUTTERCREAM By far the most popular, a buttercream frosting is versatile and very forgiving. A simple buttercream includes the delicious combination of butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract; then add whatever additional ingredients that’ll most complement your cake batter.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAKES
• MERINGUE FROSTING Most often known as the seven-minute frosting, as it is a combination of cooked egg whites and sugar that’s vigorously beaten until very fluffy.
• MERINGUE CAKE If celebrating during the winter months, warm up with a hot chocolateinspired meringue cake that beautifully combines two dark chocolate meringue layers with a fluffy marshmallow buttercream frosting.
• WHIPPED CREAM It can’t get much simpler than this: whipped cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to round out the flavors. A perfect addition to a summer birthday cake, as it is light and pairs delightfully with fresh berries.
• CREPE CAKES A lovely surprise awaits an admired breakfast treat. From Meyer lemon to double chocolate hazelnut to being tiramisu-inspired, you’ll always be able to create something new.
• GANACHE Who knew mixing melted chocolate and heavy cream could add such a beautiful coating to your favorite cake?
• POUND CAKE Delightful when served alongside warm fruit and toasted nuts. For a little inspiration, try a classic vanilla pound cake with warmed pears and toasted almond shavings.
• GLAZE More on the liquid side of frosting consistency, glazes can create a shiny hard crust when cooled on pound cakes, Bundt cakes, and more. • CREAM CHEESE Similar to buttercream frosting, it’s easy and makes a creamy addition to any spiced cake.
