Celebration Chocolate Cake - My fairies' 3rd birthday!

My kids’ 3^rd birthday was round the corner. We had huge plans for their birthday. Last two years’ celebration was restricted to just family, prepared some good food and 2 cakes! Ever since they joined the crèche, they had been part of their peers’ birthday celebration and would come home with return gifts. They would ask me when they would be celebrating their birthdays. This year, June 8^th was going to be a Wednesday. They joined school starting June 6^th. Their birthday was celebrated in advance at their crèche where they had lots of friends. It was on 3^rd which was their last day at the crèche before hopping on to school. After a lot of brainstorming and surfing around the blogosphere, I finally went with my very trusted Zebra cake. I topped it with some Chocolate frosting and concluded with a note ‘Happy birthday Mantam’ using whipped cream.

Second celebration was on 8^th where we had them distribute toffees at school. Sticking to traditional values, I made a Payasam / Payesh on that very day.

Final celebration was at home where we had a small get-together with friends, colleagues and relatives. Unfortunately there were no kids in the guest list. So we had organized a few games for adults. We did all the decorations and preparation ourselves. Abbas suggested that food and cake will be brought from outside. I somehow couldn’t give in to the idea of people coming home for lunch and not eating my cooked food. We ended up in a win-win negotiation. I could cook a few dishes which would be easy for me to rustle up and not dedicate huge time in the kitchen. Rest would be outsourced. Finally we had Naan, Matar Paneer, Dal Makhani and Kheer ordered. I prepared Mint Coriander Ghee Rice, Methi Murg, Tomato Chutney, Boondi Raita, Salad, Papad at home. Last but not the least was the birthday cake which I was adamant on baking on my own. I intended to stick to the protocol of baking 2 cakes but on second thought stuck to just one. I’m glad I chose the ‘Celebration Chocolate Cake’ by Hershey’s. It truly was decadent and won me accolades. I must say it was one of my best after Chocolate Honeycomb Cake.

Ingredients

Hershey’s Cocoa – ¾ cup
Boiling water – 1 cup
Butter or margarine – ½ cup+ 2 tbsp
Sugar – 2 cups
Eggs - 3
Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
All-purpose flour – 1 ¾ cups
Baking soda – 1 ½ tsp
Salt – ¼ tsp
Milk – ¾ cup
Dairy sour cream – ¼ cup (Can be substituted by yoghurt)

Method

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease three 9-inch round baking pans. (I used rectangular pan and halved the batter and baked twice in it. I ended up with a 4 layer cake)
3. Line bottoms with wax paper-grease and flour paper.
4. Mix cocoa with boiling water in small bowl-stir until smooth. Set aside to cool.

5. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

6. Stir in vanilla. Gradually add cocoa mixture, beating well.

7. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt- add alternately with milk and sour cream to butter mixture, beating until blended.

8. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

9. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; carefully peel off wax paper.

10. Cool completely.

Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients

Butter or margarine – ½ cup

Hershey’s Cocoa – 2/3 cup

Powdered sugar – 3 cups

Milk – 1/3 cup

Vanilla extract – 1 tsp

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. Makes about 2 cups frosting.

Assembling:

1. I baked 2 square cakes. So I horizontally cut each cake midway to get 4 layers.
2. Place one layer on serving plate. I uniformly drizzled 3-4 tbsp of aerated cola (I used coke) This step ensures that you get a moist cake. Some use sugar syrup but I prefer cola.
3. Spread the frosting uniformly with a spatula. Place the next layer and repeat the steps.
4. Once all 4 layers are in place. Cover the top and sides with the frosting.
5. I garnished with almond flakes and piping birthday note using whipped cream.