Birthday Wishes

“Cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I’m sure you would agree
It couldn’t fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be.”
Thank you, Stevie Wonder! You took the words right out of my mouth. Each year for Mom’s birthday, the family works together to come up with a menu. It’s an annual battle: Mom trying to sneak into the kitchen to cook everything herself, older sister Kelsey trying to distract her back into the living room to dance to Madonna, brother Stevie doing something rowdy to worry her such as jumping off the counters or creating a scene…and meanwhile, I’m allowed a few moments to create the surprise of the birthday cake. Mom lets me know what flavors she wants (I guess that’s fair…I mean it is her birthday after all) and I am free to bake away as I wish. This year, it was simple…nothing fancy, just a big heart with the right tastes.



Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Cake (12 servings)
Ingredients:
1 cup canola oil
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
Frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
8 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons fresh meyer lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
1. Grease bottom, sides, and center of a cake pan & preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Beat eggs and sugar together with your mixer on medium speed. Add oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Incorporate both flour mixture and sour cream.
4. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes depending on how thick your cake is. The heart tin I used was large so the cake was thin. Bake until the top seems firm and a toothpick comes out clean.
For the frosting…
Use an electric mixer on low speed to beat butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla until smooth. Add sugar!
Frost the cake once it is cool. Sprinkle with more lemon zest. Add raspberries for a yummy flavor. Light the candles. And make a wish (even if it isn’t your birthday). 






“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cheers!
-Bay