Laura turned 30 and I made cake

I really enjoy making cakes. I didn't think that I would, but I do. I started out just making them for my children. My children have very weird requests as far as birthday cakes go, so that's when I started my adventure. Anyway, back on point. I made Laura a cake on Saturday for her 30th birthday. I started with one of my favorite boxed cake mixes: Betty Crocker Super Moist French Vanilla. I love this flavor of mix. I spice it up with a little almond extract and let me tell you, it is the perfect combination. It also goes well with the butter cream icing. For this cake I used 3 boxes of cake mix. Two boxes in my 12 inch circular cake pan and one box in a 9x13 standard cake pan. I know it's not perfect...I never claimed to be a pro. I divided the round cake and filled it with the butter cream icing. Clint didn't want anything fancy.


For the number 30 I started off by drawing the design on paper and cutting out the template. I used that to carve out the 30 on the 9x13 cake. Let me just tell you that Betty Crocker didn't lie when she said super moist. The 30 was the hardest thing I have ever had to dirty ice before. It kept falling apart. I had to count to 10 several times, just to keep from crying or throwing the 30 up against the wall. Finally I decided to stick it in the freezer after the first attempt and that did the trick. I have learned a valuable lesson...freeze a cake after carving and never dirty ice it immediately. This should keep me from whaling or cursing under my breath the next time.


I know that I skipped ahead, a little...sorry, I was pressed for time people. After dirty icing both the round cake and the 30 I tinted my icing. I used a hot pink for the base cake (12" round), Lavender for border on the 30 and the top border on the base cake, Leaf Green for the stars on the 30 and the bottom border on the base cake, Yellow for the lettering and loop pattern on the side of the base cake.


The cake turned out really good, or so everyone told me. I hope that Laura enjoyed all the blood sweat and tears that I put into making this cake on her milestone birthday. It is unfortunate that all she got from us was the cake and really really funny card from us. I know, what a bad sister-in-law I am, but I did show her what her birthday present money went to...a new tire for my van. Just another one of those unforeseen expenses in life. I know that she would much rather we be able to ride safely in the mini-van.