i heart cake

i will now share my favorite cake and butter cream recipe with you. warning: these are NOT healthy AT ALL!! if you are looking for a healthier recipe, do not continue, do not pass go, do not collect $200..ok, i think you get the idea!

Yellow Cake

(this recipe is from confetti cakes for kids by elisa strauss)

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tbs baking powder

2 sticks unsalted butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

4 eggs

1cup milk

preheat oven to 350. prepare pans(use whichever method you prefer--i just grease and flour them, but you could also use melted butter and a piece of parchment paper)

in a large bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. set aside.

in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy.

set mixer on low speed and add vanilla, then the eggs-one at a time, scraping thoroughly between additions.

alternately add the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture in three batches, starting with the flour. scrape the bowl between each addition, beat until thoroughly combined. set mixer on medium speed for about 20 seconds then stop and scrape the sides of the bowl.

divide the batter evenly among cake pans or muffin tines. for 9 inch cake pans back for 30-40 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean. for cupcakes bake for 20-25 mins or until they spring back after being touched.

ok, ok, so there is alot of scraping with this recipe, but i think that you really end up with some nice cake! also, if you have the time(which i never do) you can soak the cooled cakes with a simple syrup.(one cup of sugar and one cup of water boiled until sugar is dissolved.) this just makes the cake extra moist and adds a little more sweetness--i usually skip it though.

ok, now for the best part...butter cream!

i got this recipe from my aunt's husband(it’s like her 3rd hubby, so i never considered him my "uncle". anyhoo, he owns a bakery that i worked at for a few years. after my aunt's passing, i stopped into the bakery to say hello, and we got on the topic of butter cream...he went into the back and gave me this recipe(i've never used anything else!)

Butter Cream

4 cups crisco

7 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 oz evaporated milk (i've also used regular milk with good results)

place crisco in bowl of a standing mixer, beat for about 30 seconds.

add powdered sugar 1-2 cups at a time. scrape bowl after each addition.

add vanilla and salt and milk. mix well.(if it still seems a little stiff, add more milk until you get desired consistency)

yeah...NOT healthy!! but it tastes oh.so.good.

i wish i would have remembered to take pics of the process for you...i was a little scattered trying to get everything finished for emily's party!! lol