Make a Birthday Cake for my Friend

Update #1: Make a Birthday Cake for my Friend

2025-11-21T04:41:08+00:00

My friend is having a 25th birthday party and I want to surprise her with a cake

Challenges Overcome: - Found an inspiration picture

Next Steps: - Purchase ingredients

Update #2: Purchased ingredients

2025-11-21T04:42:34+00:00 10% complete

I bought ingredients, including gluten free flour and xanthan gum because my friend is gluten free

Update #3: Prepared the cake batter and tins

2025-11-21T04:45:07+00:00 25% complete

I doubled the recipe as I am making a double layered cake

Challenges Overcome: - I decided to add some coffee to the batter as it enhances the chocolate flavour

Update #4: Poured the batter evenly into the tins

2025-11-21T04:46:58+00:00 30% complete

I put more batter in the tin that is slightly larger so they rise to the same height

Update #5: Put the cakes in the oven

2025-11-21T04:50:48+00:00 40% complete

Once the oven was preheated, I put the cakes in and set a timer for 30 minutes

Looking Back: - I will switch the cakes halfway through so that they cook evenly as one side of the oven is hotter

Update #6: Let the cakes cool

2025-11-21T06:08:42+00:00 50% complete

Remove cakes from tins and place on a cooling rack to cool

Looking Back: - Removing the cakes from their tins stops them from cooking further outside of the oven

Update #7: Level the cakes

2025-11-21T06:10:26+00:00 55% complete

Each cake needs to be levelled individually so that they can be stacked. You can use a cake leveller tool or a serrated knife

Update #8: Purchased flowers for decoration

2025-11-21T22:36:36+00:00 65% complete

Went to the Sydney Flower Markets to buy flowers to place on top of the cake

Update #9: Started making the buttercream

2025-11-23T01:45:46+00:00 65% complete

To make silky buttercream, I whipped butter for around 20 minutes and then slowly added sifted icing sugar

Looking Back: - The sugar needs to be added one tablespoon at a time to ensure it integrates properly with the butter

Update #10: Transfer buttercream to a piping bag

2025-11-23T01:50:00+00:00 70% complete

To finalise my buttercream, I added salt, milk and vanilla extract, and then whipped it on high speed. I also added a small drop of purple food colouring to counteract the yellowness and make it more white.

Looking Back: - Place your piping bag in a cup to make it easier to fill it with frosting

Update #11: Pipe the first layer and stack the cakes

2025-11-23T01:53:08+00:00 80% complete

I affixed the cake to a board using buttercream. I practiced piping on a plate before starting on the cake to ensure that I had the right technique. I then carefully placed the other cake on top and gently pressed it down to secure it.

Update #12: Piped the top layer of frosting

2025-11-23T01:55:54+00:00 90% complete

I slowly piped the top layer and tried to make each dollop the same size. I also smoothed out the tops and edges of some of the dollops with a hot knife.

Update #13: Prepped the flowers

2025-11-23T01:58:56+00:00 95% complete

I cut some flowers off the stems and laid them out to visualise how many I needed. I gently pressed on some petals to ensure that they were flat and even.

Looking Back: - Once the flowers were cut, I sprayed them with some water to ensure that they stayed hydrated - I affixed some sticky tape to the bottom of bigger flowers to ensure that the stems don’t touch the cake

Update #14: Decorated the cake

2025-11-23T02:03:20+00:00 100% complete

I gently placed the flowers on top of the cake and made sure that they were securely attached.

Challenges Overcome: My friend loved the cake and was very happy with how it turned out

Obstacles Faced: It was difficult to pipe the dollops evenly, especially because I had never used that specific piping tip before

Next Steps: I would like to continue making cakes in this style and challenge myself to create more technical cakes

Looking Back: Piping is harder than it looks