You know how kids like celebrating their birthdays, getting presents, cutting cake, blowing candles etc? OK, so our 4 year old is no different. He enjoys celebrating his birthday; and the part that he likes the best is singing Happy Birthday to him, followed by blowing off the candles. The joy on his face at the end of it all is priceless. We are sure he would not mind repeating the process every single day and still enjoy the same. In fact, we have heard him say “Happy Birthday” and blow candles even in his sleep.
As a result of this innocent fascination we celebrate his mock birthday every now and then. Any opportunity we get, we buy a small cake, sing and let him blow the candles. So for this Christmas, we planned on doing his mock birthday and make it a special day for him. The morning started off with a gift from Santa, a toy helicopter just like he had wished for. As a bonus Santa in spite of being busy and stuff called up his dad and told how proud he was of the ‘big boy’. 🙂
In the evening I baked this simple Eggless cake and he helped me with the mixing etc. I used store brought icing and then he topped it off with some sprinklers. He chose 10 candles, put it on the cake and had fun time blowing it, all this after we sang “Happy Birthday” to him (of courseJ) OK, so the gift and the blowing ritual made his day. He went around telling anybody and everybody about the gift and the fact that Santa is very proud of him.
Some of his quotes that has us in splits:
He “Like yesterday when I was a baby I was in your tummy?” [This is verbatim, “like yesterday” is his favorite phrase and uses it at least 50 times a day]
Me” Yes, sweetie”
He” Why did you eat me? I get hurt. 🙂
———————————————
Me: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
He: “I want to be a daddy.” 🙂
OK, coming back to this cake recipe, I made this based on the recipe at All Recipes. I must have told this before, but I love that site. Especially for a novice baker like me, the comments, ratings and feedback from the people who have tried it, helps make a judgment; understand what to expect and to make necessary changes as required.
Taste: This is an eggless cake and it is a plain cake, so I was not expecting too much out of this. The cake turned out soft and spongy (little dense) but not moist. It was not sweet tasting, (loved the flavor of orange though) but the thin layer of store brought icing made a big difference to the taste. I personally feel, without the icing the taste would not be that pleasing. Good one if you are looking for something quick, easy and light tasting.
Recipe Source: All Recipes
Ingredients
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp orange/vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- Salt a pinch
Icing: I am yet to make icing of my own. I used this store brought icing
Procedure:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- In another bowl, mix together sweetened condensed milk, orange juice, vanilla/orange extract and softened butter. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix well and pour into greased cake pan.
- Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
- Put on a layer of icing as per the instructions.
LOL @ ‘Why did you eat me ? thats a foodie’s way to put it…:)
Cake looks soft and delicious, like celbration on a Plate..
How sweet. Hope you guys had a great holiday.
Kids say the sweetest thing don’t they? He is just so precious at this age and what a novel idea Supriya! To have a mock b’day every time you bake a cake. I think I may start doing it as well. Though my son likes to lick the icing and leaves the cake for me. It still would be fun, thanks for a great idea.
I was laughing out loud reading the ‘why did you eat me?’ line. My kid keeps asking how she came out all the time. Pictures look great. Just a tip. If you want moist cake, try using oil in the place of butter or make half oil half butter called for in the recipe, you’ll get moist cake.
thanks for the tip Champa. I will keep that in mind the next time
My son too asks us questions like this and it’s so cute right? I too have seen this recipe there and have wanted to try it. It’s good to know that the recipe works. I think I was hesitating because of the mixed reviews.
LOL! soo cute!!
The cake looks simple and delicious 🙂 Happy Holidays!
SO cute..such a delicious and gorgeous cake..
cake looks so pretty …
What a lovely conversation.
Cake looks great and fluffy.
Sounds like a great recipe! Eggless cake?? It sounds really interesting.
Wow..pass on the plate I’l polish it for u 😉
Even My recipe is similar to this,actually even I felt it was not that sweeter when I made it,so added more sugar which made taste perfect this time..Loved the icing on that cake..hope ur son definitely had a blast on his birthday..
I had a good laugh reading your little boy’s cute responses. The cake is beautifully decorated, actually I cannot decide between the golden chocolate and the tit-bits laden cake. 🙂
Nice read…lol.Happy Birthday to ur kid.Cake looks wonderful.
When I read the line I want to become A daddy I remembered one of m school friend who wrote in her activity buk – Ambition???? To become A house wife :P…… After all kids…Happy Budday to ur lil one :)……
I keep popping in All recipes most of the time nd love the baking stuff there….. 🙂
LOL! Lovely post Sups! Laughed so much at the line ‘why did you eat me? I get hurt:) Such a sweet kid he is.
Happy (mock) Birthday to him! Nice cake…
LOL! :)) Lovely chat and idea of mock b’day. 🙂
Cake looks so good with colorful topping.
The picture looks beautiful! Happy Birthday to the big boy!
Kids are so innocent and sweet.. Happy birthday to your chweet boy 🙂 Perfect cake and well clicked.. happy new year to you and your family.
Such a good post, it did make me smile. The cake looks gorgeous with those srinkles on top 🙂
That should have read sprinkles!
Lol…i love kids for their innocence..so sweet 🙂
Cake looks yummy and moist!
Kids , I tell you :):) This lovely cake must have made him extremely happy. Sprinkles are my girl’s all time fav
Colorful!
Wishing you and your family a very happy new year!
the cake is simply delicious! Happy new year to you and your family!
Thank you all very much for the warm comments.
Hi,
I tried this cake and turned out perfect! thanks 🙂 a quick question is, what changes I should be making if I would like to bake this cake in pineapple flavor? Please share the measurements in that case too.
Best,
Geetu
Hi.. Tried out this recipe today. Perfect! The only change I made was to use a little of my mom’s marmalade instead of the orange extract. I love orange cake but hate the essence taste. Thank you.
p.s. Nippat- Love your recipe. Delightful savoury snack which has made me very popular. Thanks again!