Saturday, May 10, 2014

Celebration Cake & May's Apron Give-Away


My Mother Kept a Garden
My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start.
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nuturing
the seeds of self-esteem...
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me.
                                                                                                    ~Author unknown
I made a quick cake today; tomorrow, I probably won't bake since I plan to go paint our new dining room!  

I'm really hooked on "Birthday Cake" flavor, especially the truffles at Godiva Chocolates.
I discovered I could actually buy the flavor that I crave...
and an idea for this Celebration Cake was created.  My mother always gave me inspiration to try anything without the fear of failing and I will always be grateful for that.  This poem reflects our relationship so beautifully and I hopefully passed that same inspiration on to my daughters.
Celebration Cake
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
8 large eggs
1 T vanilla extract
1 T Birthday Cake flavoring
2 T heavy cream
1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (or your favorite combination)
3 cups Queen Guinevere Cake Flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Spray your favorite 12-cup Bundt or 10-cup + Mini Bundt pans with a baking spray.
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter.  Add the sugar and continue creaming until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, as needed.
Add the flavorings, sprinkles and heavy cream and mix on medium speed. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low just to combine.
Spoon the cake batter into the Bundt pan (if using the 10-cup, you will need to measure half-way up the pan and place the remaining batter into mini Bundt pans)

 I baked the minis for 23-25 minutes, then lowered the oven to 325F-degrees and baked the 10-cup Bundt for 45 minutes.
I decided to add a Fondant glaze over the cakes.
And, what's a Mother's Day cake without "pearls!"  Enjoy!

Now, it's time for May's Apron...just comment on any of the posts this month and this beautiful apron could be yours.
Seems like "pink" is this month's color:-D  Actually, it was one of my mother's favorite colors and I can remember painting her bedroom pink for her--which by the way, my Dad didn't mind since he was head-over-heels in love with her!

How do you spend Mother's Day?
   
 

27 comments:

  1. The apron is so pretty and the cake looks yummy. I bought a blueberry bagel for my treat for tomorrow. We'll hopefully go for a drive. Happy Mother's day my friend and Sis! Hugs, Diane

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    1. Happy Mother's Day to you too, Sis! XOXO

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you. I found this poem years ago, just after losing my mother and it has stuck with me since then--it truly says what is in my heart.

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  3. Love the poem and mmmmmm...the cake. Sending Happy Mother's Day wishes to you, Susan. I'll be gathering with the clan for breakfast. :) Hugs, Deb

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  4. Oh that's another sweet apron and how perfect that it is pink this month. Interesting revelations with the Celebration Cake...a cake flavoring? Hmmm...

    How will I spend the day? Rather quietly I'm thinking as the first excuse call is already in. =D

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  5. I've never been a Mum, but I do have 13 babies to take care of!
    Jane x

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  6. Such a beautiful post, Sis----the apron, the cake and most especially the poem.
    After breakfast tomorrow with daughter, Amy and family, I plan to do my most favorite thing----watch a ballgame!!

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    1. Enjoy the game(s)! Love you bunches, XOXO

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  7. This looks like my kind of cake! Very sweet poem too!

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  8. Those mini bundt cakes are so festive and pretty with colourful sprinkles.
    Happy Mother's Day!
    Angie

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  9. I have never come across birthday cake flavouring here in the UK, it sounds terrific, and your cake looks scrummy!!

    What a beautiful apron, just the thing for spring/early summer.

    Helenxx

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    1. I Googled it and came up with this company that makes the most unusual flavorings! This one is mine, for sure, XOXO

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  10. There is a special place, in my heart, for your aprons. Each month I'm eager to see the latest. I have two questions for you...do you make yourself an identical one? And, do you hang an apron, in your kitchen, for all to see? Happy Mother's Day to you, my dear friend.

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    Replies
    1. The aprons are one of a kind and yes, I definitely have one hanging in my kitchen!

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  11. I love that poem. I have been inspired by my Mom and hope I have done the same for my girls. The cake looks so festive and yummy. Oh and PINK is about my favorite color. This apron says Linda, lol, I swear it does!
    hugs to you and Happy Mother's Day.

    Linda

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    Replies
    1. ...who knows! The apron definitely chooses the recipient, XOXO

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  12. Lovely cake and lovely poem, my friend! I have a confetti cake on my bucket list and every time I see one, I want to make it asap. I've never seen poured fondant glaze, but it's on the list now. :) I hope you enjoy today with your girls! lv, me

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  13. Happy Mother's Day, dear Susan. It looks like your new home is coming along. I love your dining room--pretty woodwork. What color are you going with? We went out for dinner today and I received calls from our son and daughter. We spent last weekend in NH with our daughter and this week visited our son who lives closer. Have a slice of that lovely cake for me! xoxo ♥

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  14. The cake looks so yummy! Thanks for the sweet post.

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  15. What a happy cake Susan with a perfect name! I know how excited you must be about the progress of your new home....it's going to be lovely! Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

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    1. Hope you had a wonderful day too, dear friend. I'm so happy we met in blogland! XOXO

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  16. Mmmmm good! at least your celebration cake sure looks good! this is my kind of cake....no chocolate in sight!!!!!!!!!!
    what fun painting inside of your house. that is the one thing I don't mind doing.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  17. oh susan, i really love everything in this post. the poem is so sweet, i want a cake (NOW) hee hee, the apron SO pretty and your room! have fun painting (ugh, i'm a terrible painter), i bet it's going to be beautiful!

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    1. It was fun painting, but I forgot that there is no water in the house yet! Clean up had to be at the rental:-D I love to paint and hope to have more time after we move to personalize each room. Happy Mother's Day, dear friend, XOXO

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  18. What a lovely poem and yummy looking cakes. Sure makes my mouth water, I'm so hungry for something sweet right now!!

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  19. I'll definitely be making the oatmeal muffins, and soon I hope!!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!! The May apron is SO PRETTY!!!!
    SusLee

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