Box of Spice

Indian Cooking in Holland

Cakes, Tarts, Cupcakes and Cookies

Birthday Chocolate Cake

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birthday cake

I’m in India. On a rush trip. My birthday came and went with no time to post it here. Not that that is such a bad thing. I am hardly the one to celebrate. Days that are assigned to be fun days usually don’t do it for me. Anyway, I am here in my country for mom who refuses to get better. Hard to witness the person I know disappear. And as people around her grow increasingly frustrated and fed-up, I refuse to give up.

Now I live a thousand miles away from her so you might think, easy for her to say. And, don’t get me wrong I too get awfully upset when she refuses to listen to reason. But, then I think, who am I to say that she actually is able to do the things we demand of her. Who are we, who are not living in her body, suffering what she does. Moments such as these require mad crazy silliness and distractions not lectures on how strong she should be.

mom

The topic of the opposite sex might bring a smile I figured! “Mom, so, were you in love before dad?” That stopped her amidst her cries of pain. Wait is that a grin?! “No” she said shaking her head quite emphatically, trying to get me to believe her. “Nah, I don’t really believe that! c’mon Mom, share with me, girl to girl!” I saw that smile of hers again, the kind that could make any guy’s heart, that witnessed it, skip a beat.”Well, I guess I had a crush or two” she said reluctantly. I was lapping this up with quite much hunger. “Give me names and vitals please!” said I. I got her to tell me the most wonderful moments of her school life. Of friends, of her old home. More grins and some more sharing ensued as time slowly passed in joy, reminiscing innocent times gone by.

She is the strongest woman I have ever known. She has broken every stupid rule that an Indian society may have thrust upon her to bring us up. She was/is like the coolest mom to have. The most stylish and the most gorgeous too. Today and every day for the rest of her or my life, is, I think my turn to be strong for her.

birthday cake

I wasn’t with my mom on my birthday but I swear every time I bake or cook she is with me. And, I wanted a perfect chocolate cake to celebrate her along too. This recipe claimed to be just that. I rarely believe in that sort of thing, but this one lived up to its name big time. One might ask why I’m making my own birthday cake. Well, I think everyone should. How else would you get to the cake YOU want on your special day.

birthday cake birthday cake

 

A Birthday Cake, Mother's Day + Not Giving Up
 
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Ingredients
  • For the Cake
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup strong coffee
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • For the Frosting
  • 230 grams unsalted butter, softened (but not melted)
  • 3½ cups confectioners sugar
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon table salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
  1. To prepare the frosting, cream butter for a few minutes in a bowl with an electric mixer. Turn off the mixer. Sift 3 cups powdered sugar and cocoa into the mixing bowl. Turn your mixer on the lowest speed until the sugar and cocoa are absorbed by the butter. Increase mixer speed to medium and add vanilla extract, salt, and cream and beat for 3 minutes. If your frosting needs a more stiff consistency, add a little more sugar. If your frosting needs to be thinned out, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
  2. To prepare the cake, heat oven to 175°C/350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. Set aside.
  3. In a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes; the batter will be thin. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
  5. Divide the batter between the two layers and smooth on top of the entire cake. Decorate as desired.

 

 

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Comments

  1. If I could have licked that chocolate birthday cake right off the computer screen……

  2. Your mum sounds like a wonderful woman. She’s obviously had a massive influence on your life and it’s fantastic that you are taking your turn to look after her now. 🙂

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  12. I made this cake, the cake was good but there was not nearly enough frosting to cover the cake, let alone fill the centre. The colour was very different and not shiny at all.

  13. I made this cake for my sister’s birthday yesterday, and it is crazy delicious. The cake is so flavorful and so perfectly moist that it would be good by itself, but it would be a tragedy to do so because this frosting is mind-blowing. Congrats on an easy to follow and great recipe! It was a huge hit.

  14. Will be making this cake ? real soon …. When I seen the pic I wanted to lick the page ? omg it looks sooo good, we are a bunch of Chocolate ? Lovers!!! Thanx for sharing ?

    • Hi Tiffany, thank you for stopping by. This cake is so deliciously decadent. Oh what would be life without chocolate, right?! Let me know how it turns out when you give it a go! <3

  15. Your story is remarkable and a wonderful addition to this recipe! I went through a similar experience with my mother. Can’t wait to make your cake. Happy belated and early Birthday!

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