~ Mama's Birthday Cake ~

June 01, 2019

~ Mama's Birthday Cake ~

~ Mama's Birthday Cake ~

1 Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Box of Instant Chocolate Pudding
2 Tbsp. of Instant Coffee
1 Extra Egg than Required
1 tsp. Real Vanilla Extract*

~ Mix all the above ingredients plus the ingredients on the cake-box and bake in 8 in. rounds.

* Feel free to play with the flavor profile of this cake! Try pairing the chocolate cake with orange, mint, or coconut extracts (amounts will vary with the extract), or try changing the flavor of the cake/buttercream - maple, lemon, almond. Do Not Be Afraid! :-)
~ Coffee Buttercream ~

1 c. Butter (two sticks)**
2 lb. Powdered Sugar
4 Tbsp. Instant Coffee
1 tsp. Real Vanilla Extract
Heavy Whipping Cream

** 2 c. for high altitude cooking ;-)

~ Cream butter in mixing bowl with the paddle attachment or hand mixer on high for 3 minutes - Add coffee and vanilla and combine well. Slowly add the powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and THICK. Thin it out slowly with heavy cream (it should still be able to stand up on its own and not fall in on itself) and whip it on med/low for 1 minute.

1) Coffee Butter ~ Oh, why is this not served everywhere with pound cake?!?

2) The only thing better than coffee butter? Coffee Buttercream. Heaven in a Bowl.

~ Once the cakes are completely cooled, cut off the rounded tops from both of them (feed to hungry-by-standers). Use about half (or less) of the buttercream as a filling and place the other cake on top. Use the other half (or less) of the buttercream to frost the second layer, and finish smoothing it with a spatula or knife that has been dipped in hot water. Garnish with desired flowers, herbs, and sprinkles!