The Best Birthday Cake Ever!

For my son, John's, birthday in January of 2022, he asked me to decorate his cake with Brody, his Australian Shepherd. I've done so many fish over the years, and other designs, but creating Brody with gels? What a fun (and nerve-wracking) challenge! It's not easy to decorate free-hand with gels. We all loved the outcome. This was a show-stopper, in the best, most humble, homemade cake-inspired way.

Our Family's Birthday Cake Tradition and Recipe

For over 30 years I've been making the same birthday cake for my kids' birthdays, using a recipe my mom and I started making together, adopted from a 1992 version of "The Penny Whistle TM Birthday Party Book". This cake is so loved by all! We tweaked things here and there and made it our own by infusing an overdose of good organic vanilla (vs. a mere teaspoon--you just can't have too much vanilla!), chocolate chips (our current favorite is a package of the Enjoy Life brand Mega Chunks which are super clean and simple--5 quality ingredients!), significantly less sugar (we cut the sugar by 25% to not only balance that chocolate but because my German mom's tastes rightly always felt the American recipes were too sweet!), and revamped the pan (from three 8-inch rounds to one 9 x 13-inch rectangular pan). The most fun and memorable addition? The "blank canvas" of this cake has always served as an opportunity to create delicious artwork inspired by and honoring the individual we are celebrating.

Pictured below are some of the cakes from over the years. The designs are always unique and fun, and in 2022 for my birthday in May I included mine and my family's top character strengths on the cake, decorating with what I now call "Word Energy". In 2022, that word energy encompassed all of my family's top character strengths. Fast forward three years (this year for my birthday in May), I asked my family and close friends to provide some words that they felt described me, and we went all in to create and refine this new genre of cake--the "Word Energy" Birthday Cake that my family decorated and was so much fun for me to read when it was revealed on the special day. What a beautiful, celebratory way to connect with positivity and love.

Is this cake healthy? That depends on your view. I'm a believer in enjoying the occasional indulgence with gusto and using the best quality ingredients possible. (See my "Healthy Eating-Happy YOU!" Power Principle 6. No Deprivation Zone--which in part reads, "...when I want that occasional indulgence, all good--I enjoy it and ensure it's the best quality, cleanest ingredient indulgence I can make or find...".) Regardless, added sugar is added sugar! What I know for sure is that this beautiful tradition along with the unique and intentional designs, words, and connection created through this celebratory tradition in our family makes me and others feel so good! Is there anything more important? Here's to creativity, positivity, and a healthy dose of that occasional "eat real cake"-inspired love! Here's to spreading the love with your own "cleanest, highest quality-ingredient possible" creations. Here's to Your Healthiest Happiest YOU! TM ☀️

My recipe for the cake and the frosting (adapted by the same book) follows:

Ingredients (use the best quality, cleanest ingredients you can find--organic is possible)

• For the Cake:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar

  • 4 egg yolks

  • 3-5 teaspoons good vanilla

  • 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour (I love Molino Grassi organic Italian flour)

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3 teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 cup milk

  • 4 egg whites

  • 1 package Enjoy Life Mega Chunks chocolate (or chocolate chips of choice)

  
  

• For the Vanilla Cream Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)

  • 4 cups sifted powdered sugar

  • Heavy cream (about 6 tbsp; modify based on desired consistency)

  • 3 teaspoons good vanilla

Instructions

Ready for the oven. My secret formula is a 350-degree F oven for 31 minutes.

The Cake

1. Let the butter soften in the stand mixer and cream in with the sugar.

2. Add the egg yolks and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking powder.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, 1-2 tbsp at a time, alternating with the milk.

5. Mix in the Mega Chunk chocolates (entire package or as desired).

6. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until fairly stiff, and fold them into the cake batter with a wooden spoon until just mixed.

7. Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 31 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (with the exception of slightly melted chocolate chunks!).

Cake Cooling & Decorating Prep

1. When the cake comes out of the oven, leave it in the pan for about 10-11 minutes over a cooling rack.

2. Remove the cake by flipping directly onto a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

3. In preparation for frosting and decorating, flip again onto a large plate or cake carrier lined with natural parchment paper.

Vanilla Cream Frosting Recipe

1. Simply cream the softened butter and powdered sugar, adding the heavy cream and vanilla as you go for mixing ability and optimal spreading.

This frosting is so vanilla-infused and delicious!

A beautiful blank canvas, ready for your inspiration and creativity!

Decorating Your Cake

The artist in me loves to be inspired by something relevant in the individual's life at the time, or simply something they want on their cake. The "Word Energy" idea has been very well-received--so fun and fairly easy to execute. Enjoy and have fun with this process! Use gels or other decorating items like sprinkles (do your best on quality ingredients and bless them going down!).

Pro Tip: I love my newest cake pan by Happiels (I have no financial relationship with them, just love the pan which I purchased on Amazon!).

Feel Good Take Away: My family has been eating this cake for years and by using good quality ingredients and enjoying reasonable portions, you can "have your cake and eat it, too" aka still feel good!

For More Photos and Realistic Lifestyle Wellness Inspiration: Check my Instagram for delicious, healthy inspirations @chris.arnholt.