Family Birthday Cake

Birthday Cake
Inspired by Magnolia Bakery

Ingredients:
1 ½ cups self-rising flour
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:
1. Combine flours in a bowl, set aside
2. Using an electric mixer, (on High) cream butter until smooth
3. Gradually, add sugar and cream until fluffy, 3 minutes
4. Add eggs, on a time, beating well alter each addition
5. Add flour in three parts, alternating with milk and vanilla. With each addition beat until ingredients are combined…do not over beat r cake will be tough
6. Scrape bowl and mix gently….to make sure all ingredients are incorporated from the bottom and sides of the bowl
7. Divide batter between two 9 inch cake pans that have been sprayed with Pillsbury baking spray or butter and floured
8. Bake for 30-40 minutes


Creamy Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
4 sticks butter
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method:
1. In a medium sized saucepan whisk milk and flour together. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until milk thickens, (like pudding) and begins to bubble.
2. Transfer milk to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap or wax paper, gently making sure the wrap touches the surface of the milk/flour mixture. (this keeps a skin form forming) Allow to cool in fridge for 40 minutes until room temp.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat the butter until smooth and creamy, 3 min.
4. Gradually add the sugar to the butter beating continuously, until light and fluffy.
5. Add the vanilla beat until incorporated.
6. Check to make sure the milk mixture is the same temperature as the butter. If it is too warm all your butter will melt and the frosting will not work!
Add the cooled milk to the fluffy butter. Continue to beat on high until the frosting takes a white color, about 5 minutes.
Cover and put in the fridge for 15 minutes (exactly)…Remove and frost your cake.

Assembly of the Cake:
Ingredients:
Strawberry or Raspberry jam

Method:
Using a bread knife cut each cooled layer of the cake horizontally in half making a total of four layers. Sandwich the layers together using Raspberry or Strawberry Jam…

Frost your cake
This cake taste’s better if it is slightly chilled, before serving
Place your Birthday Candles; long tall colorful ones look fabulous

**Refrigerate left over cake