There is no finer way to say "Happy Birthday" than with a candlelit birthday cake. Even a non-baker can serve a cake with pride after a little help from Dede Wilson's The Birthday Cake Book. Here she answers some tricky cake-making questions.
Why is it so difficult for a novice baker to make a successful cake from scratch?
It can be from psychological intimidation and poorly-written recipes. Find a well-written recipe and follow it to a "T". For instance, do not substitute salted butter if the recipe calls for unsalted; do not use a 9-inch pan if it suggests an 8-inch.
It is acceptable to serve cupcakes to adults?
Only if you want to elicit grins from ear to ear and possibly even a squeal or two. Cupcakes are comfort food, and they are welcomed by everyone.
Is it possible to make a smaller cake by simply cutting recipe ingredients in half?
Baking recipes do not really work this way, however, I thought ahead for you. Try the Teeny Tiny Milk Chocolate Orange Birthday Cake for parties of six or smaller.
When is all-purpose flour used in cake baking? Is cake flour the only way to go?
I use one or the other because I think in that particular recipe, that flour is what will work best. If you substitute one for the other, the recipe will not be the same.
Can butter be used to prepare the cake pans?
It can, but it is messy to apply and I really like the convenience and performance of nonstick spray products, such as PAM. Coupled with parchment paper in layer cake pans, they work flawlessly.
Which cake would you recommend for the occasional baker who doesn't have any special equipment?
Look no further than The Beginner Baker’s Birthday Cake. It is very easy, and very tasty! You will make it again and again. It features a yellow cake and a chocolatey frosting, so what's not to like?
Is there any way to save a cake that's stuck to the pan?
Yes. Make a trifle! Chunks of broken cake, some pastry cream, some whipped cream and perhaps some liqueur and/or fruit in a pretty bowl and you will be able to present dessert with pride. Make no excuses and no one will ever know. If there is just a tiny bit stuck, use buttercream as "glue" and no one will be the wiser.
Any tips for decorating a cake with real flowers?
Hopefully the flowers will be free from pesticides. If the flowers are from an unknown source, simply lay a piece of paper on top of the cake that is the same color as the frosting and place the flowers on top of it. Roses and rose petals, which come in so many shapes and colors, are edible and appropriate for many occasions.
How do you keep a cake cool when it's too big for your refrigerator?
First, plan head. If you know you will not have refrigeration, then first and foremost do not make a very perishable cake that involves whipped cream or pastry cream. Even cakes made with Italian Meringue Buttercream can sit in an air-conditioned room overnight or a cool basement.
What kind of cake do you request on your birthday?
It always involves dark chocolate.
Title: The Birthday Cake Book
Author: Dede Wilson
Publisher: Harvard Common Press, 176 pages, $27.95
ISBN: 978-1-55832-382-7
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