Happy Birthday Tara!
Birthdays were always so special when I was growing up. My Mom always made a homemade cake. My favorite was angel food cake with homemade chocolate icing. For dinner my Mom made tacos…still my fav to this day!
The warm memories that I have of gathering around the kitchen table with my Mom, Dad and sister always make me smile. This is where I truly learned that cooking for someone is the ultimate expression of love.
❤️
My birthdays are not much different now. I surround myself with my husband Ed, my family, friends and of course my 4 dogs, Fozzie, Jackson, Tux and Carter.
🥰
I find it a great time to reflect on all of the blessings that I have….big and small.
So cheers to birthdays!
They truly are a gift.
They truly are a gift.
Best birthday memory: My 10th birthday was a roller-skating party at Skateway in upstate NY. I loved it. There was great music and all my friends were there. Not only was it fun but they gave you a stuffed skate with the wheels the color of your birth stone (purple in my case) and a pen so everyone could sign it. I kept that skate in my room until I left for college!
Best birthday cake: We all had the same cake – my Dad, my sister and me…and we all LOVED it. Angel food cake with mom’s homemade chocolate icing. We had candles and always sang to each other. I'll leave the recipe for you below!
Favorite Birthday Meal: It always changed – when I was younger I always wanted tacos (I know pretty boring) and my mom always made the best guacamole – she still does, however I took that over now…ok I digress. As I got older it was her shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta. Honestly, my mouth just watered thinking about it and my heart is full with this trip down memory lane.
Best birthday gift as a kid: It was never about the gifts in our house. My parents always gave us something practical that we needed however one year my dad gave me a gold soccer ball necklace that I still have today. I cherished it then, but now with him gone I cherish it even more.
Wow this was fun! I encourage you all to pause and answer these questions even if just in your head or ask them of your family and friends.
xoxo,
Ingredients
1 angel food cake mix
2 14-ounce cans chocolate frosting*
Directions
1. Prepare cake according to package directions. Cool completely.
2. Warm frosting slightly to make spreading easier. Frost and decorate as you like.
Note: This is my favorite cake my mom made for my birthday every year. Back when I was a child, frosting in a can did not exist. Now, like so many things in the supermarket, there are very good frostings out there… however if you want to make your own, my favorite recipe is below!
2. Warm frosting slightly to make spreading easier. Frost and decorate as you like.
Note: This is my favorite cake my mom made for my birthday every year. Back when I was a child, frosting in a can did not exist. Now, like so many things in the supermarket, there are very good frostings out there… however if you want to make your own, my favorite recipe is below!
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
3 sticks butter, softened
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
½ cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
5 cups confectioners’ sugar
½ cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1. Add butter and cocoa to the bowl of a stand mixer. Cream together until combined.
2. Add sugar and milk (1 cup sugar and ¼ cup milk at a time), beating on high after each addition.
3. Add vanilla with last addition. If too wet or dry, add milk or more sugar until it reaches the consistency you like.
