They call him “The Mayor.”
He knows everyone and everyone loves him.
Always happy to see you, he’s the kindest soul you’ll ever meet.
I’m just lucky to call him Dad.
When I was a little girl, Dad would pick me up from school and we’d go have lunch together. He held my hand as we ran to the pizza place on the corner across from school. That place was always busy. You could smell the toasty pepperoni for miles. I have many happy memories with Dad and continue to relish my time with him. He’s a true classic. Trademarks include vintage Mini Coopers, Irish walking
‘s, old shoot-’em-up westerns, smoking
‘s, anything NativeAmerican, M*A*S*H* , old military aircraft, 
, good stroganoff and chocolate-covered orange peels.For his birthday, I wanted a really special cake. It had to be chocolate, the good stuff.
And, it had to reflect his sense of humour.
So, I raided my pantry for some staples:
*President (French) or Lurpak (Danish) butter
*Van Houten cocoa
*Fresh CaraCara oranges (California navels)
*Nielsen-Massey vanilla
And Smurfs .
It had to be the Frontiers Gang.
The li’l blue fellas playing cowboys & ingins on top of the cake were guaranteed to make Dad smile.
But, you shouldn’t take my word for it. What do I know? Bake one and tell me what you think!
Chocolate Orange Birthday Cake
Adapted from Nigella’s
Preheat oven to 350*F.
Cake:
- 1.5 cups cake flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 1.5 tsp b. powder
- pinch b. soda
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 jumbo eggs, room temp
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, room temp
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 3 tsp vanilla
Frost:
- 1 stick butter, room temp
- 1 8oz pack cream cheese, room temp
- Zest & juice of 1 good orange
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- splash of quality vanilla
For the cake, use a standalone mixer or food processor to sift dry ingredients. Set aside.
Cream eggs, butter, sour cream and vanilla.
Gently add dry ingredients and mix slowly, just enough to incorporate.
Divide batter between 2 buttered/floured cake pans and bake on the middle rack of the oven
at 350*F for about 35 minutes or so.
While the cakes are baking, prepare the frosting.
Cream all ingredients together until smooth.
Once you smell the sweet cocoa, the cake’s are ready.
Toothpick-test them to be sure.
Toothpick-test them to be sure.
Allow cakes to thoroughly cool before applying the frosting.
Chill in a covered container until ready to serve.
Don’t forget to decorate with something fun.
Smurfs come highly recommended.
They make anything look cute.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
This birthday cake looks stunning my friend, very cute and delicious 😀
Perfect for your wonderful dad 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks, love!
Wow, the cake looks amazing. Great job, Colette. BTW, I've added the conversion to cups to the Semolina Halwa recipe 🙂
Thanks, Ambreen! Can't wait to try your halwa…..