A birthday cake

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Yesterday was my birthday, and I celebrated it in the best way possible - in the company of my family. The girls took a day off work and school, and joined Andrew in helping me celebrate. The day was unseasonably warm, and we enjoyed a lovely walk along a nearby river. (I only wish my birthday was this warm every year.) 

My oldest daughter gifted me with a professional cheese tasting (given by her! She works at a local cafe and has been educated in how to sell cheese.) And we finished the day by going to dinner at one of my favourite restaurants. All in all, a great day.




One of the highlights was baking with the girls in the afternoon, something we used to do together all the time but, with our busy schedules, rarely do anymore. At the top of my list to try was an orange cake with orange cream cheese icing that I saw a few weeks ago on my friend Liz's blog. It was every bit as wonderful as I'd hoped - a fine addition to a day that couldn't have been any better.

Orange Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

Cake:
1 cup butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp orange extract
1 tsp finely grated orange zest
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt

Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 Tbsp butter (1/2 stick) at room temperature
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbsp finely grated orange zest
1 Tbsp orange marmalade
2 Tbsp orange juice
additional grated orange zest for decoration (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9" x 13" pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Beat 1 cup butter until soft. Add sugar and beat for 2 minutes, until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition, then add orange extract and zest and beat for another 2 minutes.

Remove from blender. Add flour and salt, and stir to combine.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool completely.

When cake is cool, make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add the butter and beat until well-combined. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Beat in the zest, marmalade and orange juice. Spread over cake. Sprinkled with additional grated orange zest, if desired.

16 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

It sounds like you had a great birthday celebration, Beth. The cake looks wonderful!
Happy Birthday!

Natalie Aguirre said...

So glad you had an awesome birthday with your family and baked with your girls. Sounds like the best way to spend a birthday. Happy Birthday!

Monica said...

Happy belated birthday, Beth! Sounds like you had a perfect birthday. It is just how I'd want to celebrate if I were you. ; ) Baking with your girls has to be such a joy!!

Amy said...

Happy birthday! i'm glad you enjoyed your day and this lovely looking cake!

Marcelle said...

The orange cake looks delicious, Beth! Happy belated birthday, and so glad you had a wonderful time with your family! xoxo

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Happy Birthday Beth, sounds like your day was perfect. I had my eye on this cake as well after seeing it at Liz's, looks delicious!

Pam said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Beth! Sounds like you had a great day and the cake looks delicious!

Kayte said...

What a happy day...every bit of it just beautiful! Your walk was gorgeous, the restaurant really fun and interesting (I checked it all out), and spending it with family so perfect. Love that cheese tasting, what a clever idea! And, let's be truthful here, ANYTHING we steal from Liz's blog is absolutely perfect! :-) Happy Birthday indeed! xo

scrambledhenfruit said...

Happy Birthday! What a lovely day you had for your celebration! :) I've been thinking about that cake ever since I saw it on Liz's blog. It still looks delicious! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Happy Birthday, belated though it be! Sounds like a fun day. Neat cake too -- looks wonderful. Thanks!

grace said...

sounds like a pretty ideal birthday to me! i do like a nontraditional birthday cake. :)

Gloria Baker said...

Happy belated birthday and you look awesome Beth.
Love your cake !!

lisa is cooking said...

Happy Birthday! Sounds like a wonderful day. And, what a delicious cake!

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

A belated happy birthday! Sounds like your day was perfect!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

How did I miss this!!!? SO glad you enjoyed this recipe as much as we did and a belated Happy, Happy Birthday to you!!! xoxo

Julie said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Sounds like a wonderful day.

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