Today is my birthday!
I’m not telling you how old I am but I will give you a hint – next year is a very BIG birthday for me!!!
Here I am on my first birthday – aren’t I a cutie!
One thing I learned, years ago, to assure a happy birthday is to just ask for what you want. Don’t let people guess! So what do I want for my birthday? Like all good bloggers I love comments and blog subscribers. In fact, two of my goals for 2009 are to increase comments on my blog and to increase my subscriber count.
So as a birthday gift to me I’d love for you to forward the link to my blog to a couple of your friends and encourage them to subscribe or add me to their rss reader! Also, if you have never left me a comment I’d love to hear from you. It’s really not hard. Just click through to the actual blog if you are reading this in an email update and scroll on down to the end of the post – click where it says comments and say hi! I promise it’s not hard and I’d love to hear from you.
So what is a birthday without a cake? I am not a big cake fan, in fact I’d prefer pie to cake, but when it comes to birthdays I am a firm believer in cake!
My cake of choice growing up was always an angel food cake, usually with either pink or purple frosting.
I have gotten a little bit more sophisticated since then although I still love angel food cake. The past few years I have enjoyed a poppy seed cake with lemon cream cheese filling and frosting from the local Beaverton Bakery – yum!
This year I decided to take things into my own hands and make my own cake. Now if my husband still wants to buy me my favorite cake from Beaverton Bakery I won’t refuse!
Lately I have had a thing going for caramel cake and I’ve been experimenting with different recipes. The caramel cake I made for my birthday is one I found over at Smitten Kitchen.
The cake is made from scratch and is light and moist. I find some cakes that are made from scratch too heavy and dense but this one is not. Be sure and use cake flour.
The frosting is really a soft caramel – it is so good!!! One of the reasons I eat cake is for the frosting and this one doesn’t disappoint if you like caramel.
I wish I could share a piece with all of you but since I can’t I’ll just have to eat your piece too!
The recipe makes a 8 x 8 cake which is a perfect size for my reduced size family!
I’m off to “Eat Cake” and enjoy some girlfriend time for lunch, a massage and dinner out with Jim and Tessa.
Caramel Cake
Ingredients
For Cake:
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour not self-rising; sift before measuring
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened
- 1 C sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature 30 minutes
- 1 C well-shaken buttermilk
For Caramel Glaze:
- 1 C heavy cream
- 1/2 C packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Equipment: a candy thermometer
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
- Butter an 8-inch square cake pan and line with a square of parchment paper, then butter parchment
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla.
- Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
- At low speed, beat in buttermilk until just combined (mixture may look curdled).
- Add flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing until each addition is just incorporated.
- Spread batter evenly in cake pan, then rap pan on counter several times to eliminate air bubbles. Bake until golden and a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
- Cool in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then run a knife around edge of pan.
- Invert onto rack and discard parchment, then cool completely, about 1 hour.
Make Glaze:
- Bring cream, brown sugar, corn syrup, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
- Boil until glaze registers 210 to 212°F on thermometer, 12 to 14 minutes, then stir in vanilla.
- Put rack with cake in a shallow baking pan and pour hot glaze over top of cake, allowing it to run down sides.
- Cool until glaze is set, about 30 minutes.
Note:
- Cake (before glazing) can be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
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Melissa
January 7, 2009 at 4:54 amHappy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!
candace
January 7, 2009 at 5:19 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY! HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS DAY FILLED WITH TONS OF MEMORIES!
THIS CAKE LOOKS AMAZING. IM GONNA HAVE TO TRY IT, ACTUALLY ALL YOUR RECIPIES ON YOUR BLOG ARE GREAT! I LOOK FORWARD TO TRYING MORE.
BY THE WAY I TRIED THE WHITE CHOCOLATE POPCORN AND ITS SO YUMMY!
Becky
January 7, 2009 at 5:29 amHappy birthday. I hope its a fun day celebrating YOU!
Andie
January 7, 2009 at 5:39 amHappy Birthday, I read your blog daily and I LOVE it!
Kristi
January 7, 2009 at 5:57 amHappy Birthday, Leigh Anne! I hope it’s a wonderful day! That cake looks awesome and I’ll have to give it a try sometime this year.
Ashley BB
January 7, 2009 at 6:06 amHappy, Happy Birthday Day, to you, to you! Hope you have a great day!!! Enjoy your yummy cake:)
Francie
January 7, 2009 at 6:44 amHappy Birthday! I read and enjoy your blog daily. Your BYU degree blesses so, so many. Who would have imagined the internet and blogs but look how many lives you touch. Have a great day!
Crystal
January 7, 2009 at 7:12 amHappy Birthday to you. It’s my birthday too! Thanks for sharing the wonderful recipes on your blog, I have used many of them.
Dawn
January 7, 2009 at 8:19 amLeigh Anne,
Happy Birthday! I’m right behind you with that big birthday in 2010. Isn’t it nice that it’s easy to remember how old we are because of the “0” in the year we were born??
Have a great day, the caramel cake looks wonderful.
Stephanie
January 7, 2009 at 8:30 amHappy Birthday! I love reading your blog. I agree that I’m not a big fan of cake either, but I love caramel. My mom normally makes a spice cake with caramel icing for my birthday, but I will have to ask for your cake this year.
Sara
January 7, 2009 at 8:44 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY LEIGH ANNE! I check your blog daily and love that you share your love of food and family.
Enjoy your day!
Linda
January 7, 2009 at 9:10 amHappy Birthday Leigh Anne! I hope that you have a wonderful day and make lots of memories :).
Meg
January 7, 2009 at 9:11 amHappy Birthday Again, and thank you, thank you, for the caramel cake recipe. We are HUGE fans but always buy the mix (and make my own frosting)…the only state that currently sells it however, that I am aware of, is WI. It is a bother having family send you 10 boxes of cake mix! 🙂
Roxie in CA
January 7, 2009 at 9:12 amHappy Birthday Leigh Anne! That cake looks delicious! I’m adding it to my “to try” list. I just love your blog.
Patti
January 7, 2009 at 9:28 amYou still look the same as you did when you were one! Well, give or take a little. But I can totally tell that it’s you, even at one. Happy happy birthday Leigh Anne dear, happy days will come to you all year…you know the rest of the song.
Have a great day!
Laurie
January 7, 2009 at 9:35 amFirst off, Happy Birthday!
It is finally nice to find someone who enjoys pies more than cake as I do. I have even requested pie instead of cake on my birthday. Cherry preferably. : )
Tanya Moyer
January 7, 2009 at 10:10 amHappy, Happy, Happy Birthday! I really do enjoy reading your blog each day (I am a subscriber), but I will try to comment more! :o)
Have a wonderful day!
~Tanya
Angie
January 7, 2009 at 10:13 amHappy Birthday! I love reading your blog and love your recipes. That caramel cake looks fabulous!
Andrea
January 7, 2009 at 10:46 amHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! “Leigh Anne is the birthday girl, the birthday girl, the birthday girl is she, OH, LEIGH ANNE IS THE BIRTHDAY GIRL, THE BIRTHDAY GIRL, THE BIRTHDAY GIRL IS SHE!” <— That’s the song that gets sung every year to us by my MIL on our birthdays, so thought I’d pass on that to you! 🙂 Hope you have a great day!!
Rhonda
January 7, 2009 at 10:46 amHappy Birthday Leigh Anne. You and I are only one month apart in age. Can you believe how fast life flew? I was enjoying your little birthday party picture and remembering the days when little girls wore dresses everywhere. How fun. Fun memories.
Your Caramel Cake is on my list of “want to try” recipes.
Yum.
tanyetat
January 7, 2009 at 11:02 amHappy Birthday!
I love your blog and you know that I’m a huge FAN of the LOVE on your blog.
Enjoy your special day.
You inspire so many women all over the world.
I will put the word out about your special day so, don’t get nervous when you get hits from random folks. You’ll get what you asked for 🙂
Happy Birthday Leigh Anne!!!!
Jura Leak
January 7, 2009 at 11:07 amHi Leigh Anne and Happy Birthday! I found your blog through another friend’s and have been reading it faithfully for the past couple months. I recently had a baby-in Oct., hence the reason our own family blog isn’t updated! Anyway, I have to say I’ve tried quite a few of your recipes over the holiday and am absolutely in love! Thanks for taking so much time to create such a wonderful blog and making it so user friendly. Anyway, I have been contemplating buying some new cookware. Do you have any suggestions or favorites? At the current time I don’t have anything super fancy, but since cooking has become a passion over the last several years, I’d like to invest in some good cookware. Thanks again and I’ll email you again soon! BTW, I did start subscribing through email today.
Your Las Vegas cyber friend,
Jura
Leisel
January 7, 2009 at 11:15 amHave a great day! And thanks for all your wonderful info! I love checking your blog!
Rita
January 7, 2009 at 11:40 amHappy Birthday! Sending wishes that each and every passing year brings you wisdom, peace and cheer!
Andrea
January 7, 2009 at 11:46 amHappy Birthday!!!!
Andrea =)
(Tanyetta’s friend)
Jen from CA
January 7, 2009 at 11:50 amHappy Birthday Leigh Anne!!
Great blog and what a fun birthday wish. I hope you have a truly fabulous birthday. Here’s to next year!!
(I’m one of Tanyetta’s random folks!)
Terica
January 7, 2009 at 11:53 amHappy Birthday! Hope you have a great day and the caramel cake looks delish! Have fun!!! Darling photos btw!
Annie
January 7, 2009 at 11:54 amI hope you have a Happy, happy birthday! You are an inspiration to me and i enjoy reading your blog daily and trying your recipes. Your chocolate chip cookies are my family and friends new obsession! Thanks!
Jessica6903
January 7, 2009 at 12:05 pmHave a great birthday! You deserve it.
Jessica
Leigh Anne
January 7, 2009 at 12:09 pmJura Leak »
I am still using the same cookware we bought when we first got married. Not sure they even make it anymore! It was a lot of money for us at the time but it has lasted 27 years so I guess it was worth it. Sorry I am not much help. Let me know what you end up with. Thanks!
Vicki
January 7, 2009 at 12:16 pmHappy Birthday, Leigh Ann! Angel food cake has always been my number one choice for a birthday cake, usually with strawberries & whip cream – so good! The caramel cake looks delish, as usual. You always do a terrific job with the pictures. Your day sounds completely lovely, especially spending time with your girlfriends over lunch. I hope you have a terrific & memorable day!
Linda
January 7, 2009 at 12:31 pmHappy Happy Birthday Leigh Anne!
I had my “big one” last year…don’t sweat it, it really wasn’t that bad. In fact I’m embracing my birthdays now. I’m proud of who I’ve become.
Melanie
January 7, 2009 at 12:59 pmHappy Birthday, Leigh Anne!! Your cake looks wonderful – I hope you have a wonderful day. Relax and let everyone serve you!
Michelle Wilkes
January 7, 2009 at 1:18 pmA comment? Seriously? You are so easily satisfied! I would hold out for something more…. luckily I still have the receipt for your gift….
Oh, and ever since I was a little girl, I have ALWAYS had Angel Food cake. It is my official birthday cake. But I have never had it with frosting. Just whipped cream and strawberries.
Mmmm…
Rachel Jensen
January 7, 2009 at 1:22 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :o) My favorite cake is chocolate with chocolate frosting… preferrably in cupcake form so that I can eat leftovers for breakfast and they look KIND OF like muffins, right? ;o) The caramel one look sgood, too, though. I’ll have to try it.
Lisa
January 7, 2009 at 1:37 pmMy favorite bithday cake growing up (and still is) is a Rice Krispie Treat Cake. It’s the best ever!! Happy birthday!
Org Junkie
January 7, 2009 at 1:44 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU my friend!! I love birthdays and I am celebrating with you. Angel foodcake is my favorite but I certainly wouldn’t turn my nose up at the caramel cake, wowsers!
Have a blessed day 🙂
Laura
Jeni Murphy
January 7, 2009 at 1:49 pmWishing you a happy, happy, birthday!!!! And what a nice gift to us your followers, Caramel Cake! Yumm! I will be adding that to my collection and I am sure it will the Sunday evening treat this week too! Thanks!
Heidi
January 7, 2009 at 1:51 pmHappy birthday! I saw on Facebook that it was your day, so I had to come on over here to extend my well wishes. Hope your kids and hubby treat you like a queen today.
Laurie
January 7, 2009 at 1:59 pmHave a memorable, relaxing, fun day! I love all of your delicious recipes and ideas! I have made a notebook with just your recipes in it!! YUMMMMMMMY!
Happy Birthday!
Tauna
January 7, 2009 at 2:02 pmHappy Birthday Leigh Anne. My son Ryan had a birthday in Dec. and he is not a cake fan at all, so he asked for cinnamon rolls for his “birthday cake.” It was by far his favorite so far. Enjoy your day!
April
January 7, 2009 at 2:03 pmHappy Birthday! That cake looks delcious.
Katy
January 7, 2009 at 2:05 pmHappy Birthday! I have tried many of your recipes and and loved them all! This is a great blog!
Veggiemomof2
January 7, 2009 at 2:10 pmHappy Birthday to you! 🙂
Lory
January 7, 2009 at 2:23 pmHappy Birthday Leigh Anne! I had my birthday this week too and had lemon meringue pie – yumm, but this cake looks like one I will have to try. For my b-day we also had your tortellini soup and oatmeal pan bread and it was delicious.
Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful recipes, ideas and insights, they are a real inspiration!
Jodi
January 7, 2009 at 3:06 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY! The cake looks delicious! Hope you enjoy your day and your cake!
Amy
January 7, 2009 at 3:18 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a great time at dinner and enjoy that cake. I think I’m going to have to make that this weekend..it looks AMAZING!
Joan Callaway
January 7, 2009 at 3:29 pmHappy Birthday, Leigh Ann. We’ve just consumed the last of the creamy caramels we made for Christmas giving (well, we have to keep some for ourselves – just testing!), and caramel glaze on a cake sounds like the perfect thing to keep us from having withdrawal. Thanks for all your good recipes. Have a great day!
tanyetta
January 7, 2009 at 3:33 pmHappy Birthday!!!
Shawna
January 7, 2009 at 3:44 pmEnjoy your day!
Thanks for all the fabulous recipes, decorating ideas, inspiration, and … You’re wonderful!
Cherilyn
January 7, 2009 at 3:47 pmHappy Birthday Leigh Anne! With each blog, I find we are more and more alike! I ALWAYS had an angel food cake for my birthday and I much prefer pies to cake . . But, I am a huge caramel fan so I’ll have to give this cake a try. It sounds yummy! Enjoy your lunch, your spa treatment and your dinner out (and of course that yummy cake!) Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Cindy
January 7, 2009 at 3:59 pmHave a happy, happy day. I always make my favorite dessert on my b-day. Black forest brownies–to die for!! I love your blog, I made your Elephant Bar soup last night, It was delish. Enjoy!
Faye
January 7, 2009 at 4:56 pmHappy, happy birthday. I so enjoy your site. I love the recipes. I thought all those Christmas cookies looked so good that I made 8 different recipes–all big successes. Thanks for sharing with us.
Kathy
January 7, 2009 at 5:38 pmLeigh Anne, Happy birthday to you!! I wish you the best and hope your day has been wonderful! I read your your blog every day and really enjoy it. It has been a great inspiration to me as I try to make meals for my family, celebrate the holidays, and decorate my home. You do it all so well and make it look effortless. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, goals, and family with us. It’s been a delight.
jeanne
January 7, 2009 at 5:48 pmHope it’s a wonderful day for you…you deserve it!
Go girl!
Kara
January 7, 2009 at 6:27 pmHappy Birthday!!! I love your blog, you are on my blogroll. I hope I am sending a few readers your way! :)I know we could all use more comments!!
Tamara
January 7, 2009 at 6:35 pmHAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear Leigh Anne. . . . .Wow. You got your wish. . . . .Look at all the comments and readers! Love you, dear sister!
Connie Colley
January 7, 2009 at 8:06 pmHappy Birthday! I love birthdays! Hope yours was very special. Thanks for such a lovely blog! I do enjoy it immensely!
Karen
January 7, 2009 at 9:00 pmHappy Birthday … I hope you enJOYed your special day : )
I subscribed/RSS’d your site this year and read it each time you post. I love the recipes and tried several over the holidays. I have shared your site with many of my friends and have mentioned it a few times in my posts.
As I look over your comment list, I can see your life has been richly blessed with caring friends and family.
Wishing you many blessings in the coming year,
Karen aka colinsgrandma, “JOY on the Journey
M.Moore
January 7, 2009 at 9:41 pmHappy Birthday! I hope it was a great day for you. I love birthdays! Since almost losing my life six years ago in a car accident, I celebrate my birthday every year by taking the day off work and treating myself. I love your receipes and just made the fat chewy cookies today! Huge hit! I have been telling all my friends about your blog. Hope your year is filled with blessings and challenges to grow from!
jade
January 7, 2009 at 9:44 pmHappy Birthday! I am a regular at your home base blog but not so good at leaving comments, sorry. I do however tell lots of people about you. Hope you had a great day!
Brenda
January 7, 2009 at 10:30 pmHappy Birthday! I am new to your subscriber list and to the whole “blogging” thing, I must say I am having a blast! Anyway, hope you have a great birthday.
Paula
January 7, 2009 at 11:55 pmHappy Birthday! When I read your blog I see the joy in your life and it’s infectious. When I bring one of your recipes to a family gathering and they rave about it, I tell them it’s from my new friend Leigh Anne. I’m a fan of your blog. I live in southwest washington, so appreciate all the Portland hot spot info. Anyways, hope your day was a great one.
Amy
January 8, 2009 at 12:28 amHappy Birthday! I hope it was even better than expected!
I love a January birthday. I have one too. It gives you a chance to tie up any loose ends from Christmas! Ya know, add to the gift you got.
Tina
January 8, 2009 at 6:25 amHey, Happy Birthday! That cake looks YUMMY! I’ve already confessed to my massive lack of baking skills (or desire to acquire them, either), so I will just admire from afar. Hope this next year (before the BIG ONE) is a good one for you!
Melissa S.
January 8, 2009 at 10:32 amHappy Birthday!!! Eat tons of cake.
kelli
January 8, 2009 at 11:36 amLove reading your blog and a belated Happy Birthday to YOU!
Lisa
January 8, 2009 at 12:56 pmLeigh Anne – I love your blog! As a mother of two little ones I am often overwhelmed by all I have to do each day to keep our family life running smoothly – your blog is a great daily pick-me-up…and your recipes, decorating tips and gift ideas are fabulous. You are truly inspiring. Keep up the great work. Happy birthday! Lisa
Octamom
January 9, 2009 at 9:25 amThis looks fantastic! Thanks for the recipe–and happy, happy birthday!!
Blessings!
Sara
January 9, 2009 at 11:56 pmI’m catching up on my blog reading. Happy late birthday! And about your goals? I’ll leave more comments for you, if you leave more for me 🙂
Amy
February 11, 2009 at 2:01 pmI made this cake on Sunday and I have 1 word to describe it: EVIL!
It was sooooo delicious, thanks for the recipe.