To wrap up the big birthday week, here are some fabulous birthday party ideas from some of my favorite blogs AND my Grandmother's recipe for the ultimate birthday cake (in my opinion anyways).
Image via Martha Stewart
- A wide array of themed birthday party ideas over at The Party Dress
- DIY Birthday hats from Martha Stewart
- Handmade party favors at Pepper Design Blog
- Fairy Sweet theme birthday party at HWTM
Image via MarthaStewart.com
Grandmother's Angel Food Cake with Fluffy White Icing
Cake Ingredients
1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (Grandmother prefers Swan's Down)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups egg whites, separate eggs while cold, then allow to come to room temp (about 12 eggs)
1 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/3 cups sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Measure sifted flour, add 1/2 cup sugar and sift 4 times. Combine egg whites, cream of tartar, salt and vanilla and almond extracts in large mixing bowl. Beat on high speed with electric mixer until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in 1/13 cups sugar in 4 additions, and beat well until blended. Add flour mixture in four additions with a large spoon, then scrape down sides of bowl. Pour mixture into ungreased tube pan. Bake in oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cake upside down over a plate.
Icing Ingredients
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold water, less 2 tablespoons
2 tablespoons white corn syrup
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
150 small marshmallows
3 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until the mixture "spins a thread" or 215° F–235° F on candy thermometer. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar for about 1 minute. Add the sugar syrup mixture to the egg whites while beating on medium-low speed. Next, gradually adding marshmallows and sifted powdered sugar. Continue to beat mixture until well blended and fluffy.
Once cake has cooled, ice generously with fluffy white icing. Best served within a day or so of baking, but leftovers (if there are any!) will keep for a couple of days.
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2 comments:
Hmmm...great ideas! I have a birthday of my own coming up... the big 3-0 :) Nice blog!
Anne- I am so so so happy that I won the cookbook :) You are the best, I can't wait to cook with Barefoot Contessa!
Thanks again woo hoo!
Lauren
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