Nethra turns one :) ...Fresh cream cake for her!

Our neighbours are a sweet bunch.A young couple with a most adorable lil daughter.

Nethra,she is such a naughty bundle of joy. Very effortlessly breaks into a smile ..a toothless grin[now sprouting 2 bunny teeth] and is always spreading joy.

Each stage of the little angel takes me back into the baby times of my little ones,and I am constantly advising the young mommy about the dos and donts :) ..I can be a bit of a nag ;)

We couldnt believe how fast a year zipped past ..Nethra turned one,yesterday.

Her parents were getting a cake for her ,for sure...I planned on baking one for her,from our side :)

I baked the cake .It was a nice moist and yummy chocolate cake[recipe from Joy of Baking],then I suddenly decided to frost and pipe flowerrs on it ...

I have never done that before,so after many many arguments with myself,i decided I would go ahead.

The cake had to bear a lot of "goof-ups" during the decoration ..but did stand strong till the cake cutting :) Am so glad it did...

 The cake was a big hit and that made me smileeee :D

This chocolate cake was a simple recipe from Joy of baking .

The recipe calls for ,1 and 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

1 cup sugar[I powdered it ]

1/4th cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 th tsp baking soda

1/3 cup melted butter[recipe calls for unsalted butter,but I used Amul butter and skipped the salt]

1/4 tsp sal

1 tbsp lemon juice[or vinegar]

1 cup warm water

1 tsp vanilla essence

Method

Preheat oven 177 degrees C

Stir together the flour, sugar, sifted cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the melted butter, water, lemon juice, and vanilla essence.Mix well with a slotted spoon or fork.Pour into a greased baking tin.

Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

I filled the cake after dividing it into two horizontally ,with cream and mixed fruits.

I crumb coated the caked with buttercream [1 cup butter and 3/4 cup icing sugar beaten till fluffy and light ,with vanilla essence]

The flowers and writings are from whipped cream 1 cup and 2 tbsp of castor sugar and vanilla essence 

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