The Strawberry Cake

The other week, Handsome came home from the firehouse and he was all like "OmygoshyouhavetomakethiscakeIhadIatesomuchIfeelsickbutIwanttofeelthiswayagainpleasemakeithappen"And then so I was like "I don't know what you're talking about, please drop the southern for one hot second and speak like you were taught to pronounce all of your letters."

Not hating, just, you know, trying my best to make my yankee ears work.  I'm the deficient one here, I know it.

So he took a moment and then explained to me about this cake that someone brought into the fire department and how it was magical and he was forever changed and he doesn't know the recipe, but it didn't taste boxed, and he would like me to please make his dreams come true.  He thinks I can bake anything.  He's sweet that way.

The conversation got put on pause, and honestly, I kind of forgot about it.  Then Handsome comes home again today, and tells me that we're going to a birthday dinner, and would I like to make a cake?  Of course I would like to make a cake.  I love to make cakes.  Oh, and the cake has to be the strawberry one.  Because the birthday girl likes strawberry?  Oh no, he has no idea what she likes.  She could be allergic to strawberries for all he cares.  But he really wants me to try and recreate the cake that he tasted.

Oh, and we're meeting them for dinner in 2 hours.

So I googled, as any good maker of things does, and found this recipe, from addapinch.com.  And I was going to use it.  But instead, at the last minute, I thought of my gal Friday (whose name isn't Friday, not even a little bit) and how I've loved her cakes in the past.  I thought that perhaps she wouldn't lead me astray.  So I used the smitten kitchen's recipe.

It was a hit.
I would like it noted that I tried to do 2 layers, but Handsome said,
"In my head, its 3 high."
So 3 high it was.

Now, I'm not sure if this tastes the same as the cake that rocked his world.  And if its not, I'll keep trying recipes, like the one from addapinch.com, until I get it right.  But it was a darn good start!  And now we're off to Mexican food and a little fiesta, even if it is a school night!  We're rebels like that.

I would like to note that taking a cake to a restaurant is one of my very favorite ways to give a cake to someone.  You call ahead, talk to the management, and ask them to please store it in their refrigerator.  Tell them its a birthday, and when the meal is done, you'd like them to pretty please bring it out, along with plates and forks.  It might be helpful to specify that you'd like them to light the candles since *ahem* that isn't just assumed like I thought it would be.  But either way, its super special!

<3 M.