She's a happy girl. She had her (family) party and opened her gifts, blew out her three candles and ate yummy chocolate cake. Really yummy. Our family favorite, but we only make it a few times a year. It makes all the other cakes feel bad.

It is Black Magic Cake. The coffee makes it deliciously moist. But it's the frosting that makes this one to die for. Sooooooooo good, like two sticks of butter good. And because a few of you asked, here's the recipe.

Fluffy White Frosting:

Cook five tablespoons flour and one cup milk over low heat until VERY thick, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cool COMPLETELY. This is the crucial step. Let it cool for an hour or two. I'm serious. I have had several batches go south because I rushed this step. When it goes south like that, the frosting looks like curdled milk.

Cream one cup room temperature butter or stick margarine (butter is better) with one cup sugar. Beat for several minutes. Beat in one tbsp. vanilla and beat a few more minutes. Add the flour mixture in and whip until light and fluffy. Be patient here too. Sometimes you have to whip for a bit.

Good luck and enjoy!

Comments

happy birthday miss n!

(five tablespoons of flour. well. there goes my hopes of ever having the worlds best fluffy frosting.)

Posted by: capello | January 28, 2008 04:58 PM

Yummy! That cake looks so good. I love how simple little one's birthday parties are. You know, as they get older there are so many things involved. It's nice to just have family and cake and fun!

Posted by: Rachel | January 28, 2008 05:02 PM

This cake looks too yummy! I have a go-to cake from a Moosewood cookbook that is similar to this recipe except that it's vegan, so no buttermilk or eggs. The coffee seems to be a key ingredient in it too. Although come to think of it, it has some apple cider vinegar in it as well that gives it a little zing.

Posted by: carri | January 28, 2008 05:04 PM

happy birthday to sweet n! what a big sweet girl you have, alicia!

Posted by: erin | January 28, 2008 05:07 PM

Thanks for the recipes! I will definitely have to try them sometime. Maybe we need a Valentine's cake? I need to find a good opposite combo, too (white cake with chocolate frosting).

Posted by: amy h | January 28, 2008 05:13 PM

So, my birthday is two months away still but I've been dreaming of cupcakes with lots of creamy frosting on them because of an episode of Sex and the City I saw where Carrie and Miranda are eating cupcakes. ANYway, I'm going to make my husband use your recipe for the frosting because it sounds excellent. Much better than the recipes I've tried so far.

Posted by: Julie | January 28, 2008 05:52 PM

oh yum, yum, yum. will have to try that frosting at my very next opportunity. thanks, alicia!

Posted by: emily | January 28, 2008 06:25 PM

Happy birthday, N!!!! Wow! You are three!

Posted by: lera | January 28, 2008 07:57 PM

happy b-day :o)

(my daughter's b-day was the 26th)

~simply~

Posted by: simply | January 28, 2008 08:00 PM

Happy birthday little N!! Wish we could have celebrated with you!! And eaten some of that cake... it looks delish. :)

Posted by: Jennifer | January 28, 2008 08:34 PM

Three, wow! How does that happen so fast.

Posted by: Mama Urchin | January 28, 2008 09:20 PM

Happy birthday you little cutie pie! Hey, I thought you wanted pumpkin candles?

Posted by: Aunt Kim | January 28, 2008 09:55 PM

happy birthday sweet little gal!

Posted by: heidi | January 28, 2008 10:45 PM

Happy birthday to your little girl!!

The cake looks yummy :)

Posted by: Hege | January 29, 2008 02:56 AM

Happy birthday little one!

Posted by: Ali | January 29, 2008 04:39 AM

oh, to be three!
(or to have a three year old, sigh)
happy birthday!
and thanks for the recipe. it looks fantastic.

Posted by: leslie | January 29, 2008 09:19 AM

Those little candles have to be the cutest candles I have ever seen!

Posted by: Meg | January 29, 2008 10:34 AM

those are darling bug candles!!!

Posted by: melissa | January 29, 2008 11:29 AM

FROSTING!!!!! YUM!

And a very happy belated birthday (was it Saturday?) to the cutest little bug out there. So sweet. So freaking cute. I don't see how you don't just gobble her up every day. And for the record, I think three is one of the best ages. All my friends gripe about it. But I. love. it.

xoxoxoxox (to both of you)

Posted by: Grace | January 29, 2008 11:57 AM

What a fun little cake! And what a big girl--happy #3!

Posted by: Stacey | January 29, 2008 12:24 PM

Happy belated birthday, little girl! Love those candles!

Posted by: Jess | January 29, 2008 01:37 PM

ooo! that frosting sounds so much better than my usual stand-by. i'll definitely be trying it for kidlet's birthday cupcakes in march.

happy belated!

Posted by: ani | January 29, 2008 03:33 PM

thanks for that great frosting recipe! i needed one badly!

Posted by: leslie | January 29, 2008 04:25 PM

Wow--I wonder if it is too late to cancel my birthday cake order for my daughter's 3rd birthday on Saturday. That sounds amazing!