Baby's All Grown

(Yes, I am also cake-decorating challenged, obviously.)

Of course, once today arrived, all of our plans changed. The 18 year old decided he didn't want to have dinner at our house. He had to work until 6:30 and therefore just wanted to go "hang" with his friends. Sniff sniff. Guess we're just his old parents now.

Today was just one of those days. I woke up ready to conquer the teenager's 18th birthday. As soon as I came downstairs to begin, mom was waiting for me. I'm sorry, but I need a few minutes to get rid the morning spider webs. She was trying to ask me questions about something, I never did figure it out. I think she was trying to understand when I was leaving again. Lord. I try and tell her I'm here all week. I'm beginning to wonder if more than dementia is going on here. She has completely forgotten how to make her instant coffee in the morning. I have written it down and she still comes upstairs with her cup five times a day asking me how to do it. It would be easy for me to do it for her except the fact that she gets up at the break of dawn, not me. I had so much to do this morning but I sat with her trying to explain what she wanted to hear. Finally, she went back downstairs and I ran out and wrote birthday greetings all over the teenager's car. By the time I grabbed the balloons to put in there, he was coming down the stairs. Oh well. So much for that surprise. That kinda set the mood for the day. Kinda been a crank.

It was then the teen told me he didn't want to have friends over and we decided we would eat out at one of his favorite restaurants. Since I was in a mood and I am admittedly baking challenged, I decided on getting a boxed cake mix but had to make the icing. My mom used to make the very best chocolate cake--albeit in the winter months--and I had my heart set on this one. It came from an old Southern Living recipe and I was able to find it online. The icing is what makes the cake anyway, so I didn't feel the least amount of guilt in using a boxed cake mix. Well, not much anyway--to all you gourmets.

And, of course, even though I used a boxed cake mix and since I am baking challenged, the cake still came out crooked. I just can't win for losing. The family is used to my crooked, but delicious, cakes by this time, so I shrugged it off. And, it was good.


But before we could have any, we had our delicious dinner. The 18-year old ordered lobster tail as an appetizer and a humongous steak for dinner. He thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a basil rubbed chicken breast with a two-martini appetizer. Wish I had another one. We managed to all have a sliver of a cake slice--oh my. Talk about rich. Read the recipe and you will see why--and why it's a winter cake!

The 18- year old has left for his night out. I already have my jammas on and the baby is sleeping here by my computer. I'm going to try and call it an early night. We'll see.

But, in the meantime, whatever I'll be doing, here is the recipe for the icings for chocolate cake--or any cake for that matter.


Perfect Whipped Cream Filling:

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 t vanilla

Put all ingredients into a bowl and whip until you can form a peak. (It's whipped cream, for heaven's sake.) Keep chilled until you ice cake.

Perfect Chocolate Icing:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Melt chips, cream and butter in a medium pan over low heat, stirring constantly until it is all melted and mixed.


Place pan in large bowl of iced water and add sugar. Begin whipping until the icing begins to set. (This is a fun icing to work with--even if you are decorating challenged--it's still fun to mess with!)

Use the whipped cream as the filling between layers. Good luck icing around it. Of course, the whipped cream oozes down the sides once you start icing the top! Oh well. Again, those of you who have the talent, I'm sure, will have no problems icing it regardless. As my family always says, it's not how it looks--it's how it tastes. Grin.





Oh yes, can you tell it tastes marvelous? Oh yes, you can. Even though it's not pretty, it is definitely perfect! Last year's cake looked so much better. hehe. (This one is best kept in the fridge as you can tell by the ingredients.)

PS I ordered him another State Champ ring--since he lost his last summer. Happy birthday, teen.