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Happy Birthday, Mom!


It's my mom's birthday today. And birthdays call for cake, even if the birthday girl is too far away to enjoy this one.

I've perfected my chocolate cake a long time ago, but plain vanilla cake has so far eluded me. Not any longer. I've heard and read about Dorie Greenspan's perfect party cake so many times. And perfect it is. I can't find Dorie's book in India, but the Tuesdays with Dorie gang made this cake a while back and I turned to one of them for inspiration.

Esi made two 4.5 inch layers with her recipe, so I knew this will be perfect for my 9X7 pan. I also knew that I am not going to frost the cake so ten minutes into the baking time, I brought the cake out and scattered dried cherries on the top.

Rich and moist with hints of vanilla and notes of lemon, this is cake that's hard to share. I only hope I manage to save some for my lunch party tomorrow.
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Comments

The Purple Foodie said…
Happy birthday to your mom! I made the cake quite a while ago and under much pressure for the DB challenge. Looks like I need to revisit it.

Hey, you'd get the book at flipkart, just line the Alinea book...
October 10, 2009 at 10:13 PM
chef and her kitchen said…
Belated wishes to ur mom dear..simple n nice cake..
October 11, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Srivalli said…
Many many happy returns to your dear Mom..cake is lovely!
October 11, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Srikitchen said…
looks delicious!
do visit my blog when u find time!
October 11, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Aparna Balasubramanian said…
Birthday wishes to your mom, Simran. She may be far away but the gesture is what matters. :)
October 11, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Spice said…
Lots of B'day Wishes to your MOM. I totally agrees with Aparna...it's gesture what matters....Cake looks yummy.
October 12, 2009 at 5:57 AM
Rachel said…
Happy B'day to ur Mum! She must be really happy to see this.
October 12, 2009 at 8:26 AM
DK said…
Wishing your mom a gala bday and lucky mom for the cake!!!!!!!!!!!
October 12, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Unknown said…
Super belated Happy Birthday to your mom!! The cake looks delicious. It's on my to try list since forever!! And Dorie's book is available here now, I'm planning on buying it soon!!
October 15, 2009 at 12:14 AM
notyet100 said…
umm cake looks so perfect,,,belated wishes to ur mom..and ya wish u happy diwali..:-)
October 15, 2009 at 10:27 AM
CurryLeaf said…
Wow,Hope you must have enjoyed the cake and your mom her B'Day.Looks great and I too look to DG
October 23, 2009 at 7:42 PM
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