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Original poster

Acceptable ‘birthday’ cake?

187 replies

Flutterbycustard · 20/10/2024 10:17

I offered to bake my husband a birthday cake. He asked for no icing and something a bit different. So I went for a pineapple upside down cake.

I’m 50% happy with it and 50% thinking it doesn’t look like a ‘celebration’ cake. I’ll probably pop to the store and grab a decorated one to go with it. We’re off to lunch with family today to celebrate.

Do you think it’s ok? Or wild you keep it for a at home dessert and just get a bigger cake at the store? DH hasn’t seen it yet; he’ll tell me it’s great…anything to avoid having to stop at the shop.

It’s not a huge deal, but some unbiased advice would be appreciated. I completely understand if you don’t feel it says ‘birthday’.

Acceptable ‘birthday’ cake?
Acceptable ‘birthday’ cake?
OP posts:
Original poster
Flutterbycustard · 20/10/2024 12:04

SomethingFun · 20/10/2024 12:01

I feel like this is a really good example of people worrying about doing what they think they should do vs doing what people actually want to do. The dh does not want icing so op does what he asked for but then worries and stresses that it isn’t a ‘proper’ birthday cake. But it is because it is what the birthday haver asked for.

The daughter that likes Madeira cake - just let her have one! Nothing worse than you saying what you like and someone else saying it isn’t right or it’s not good enough or that you know better and making you feel embarrassed about what you like.

I am sure your husband and guests will love a homemade cake op and will have a great time.

I agree. And I’m no professional baker by any means; but if you saw my normal birthday cake, where I tend to go OTT, you’ll know why I’m a bit self conscious about this.

OP posts:
Kitkat1523 · 20/10/2024 12:06

I love it 🎂 !

PotatoWafflerWrites · 20/10/2024 12:06

This is a wonderful idea, I would love a birthday cake like this! I need to make one for my birthday next month. Thank you so much for sharing your good idea.

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SinnerBoy · 20/10/2024 12:10

Flutterbycustard · Today 10:25

It’s supposed to be a pineapple heart filled with cherries for colour. A bit naff, but I thought it was cute. Sadly the pineapple heart isn’t showing as much as I’d like.

I think it looks lovely. I saw the cherries and thought, "Aww! A little heart." So take heart yourself and don't buy one, it looks top notch.

Shade17 · 20/10/2024 12:10

Jesus! I’d probably eat the whole lot myself, looks in-fucking-credible!

CaptainMyCaptain · 20/10/2024 12:12

It's lovely and very obviously a heart. I would much prefer that as my birthday cake than a shop bought one.

CowboyJoanna · 20/10/2024 12:12

diddl · 20/10/2024 11:54

Ooh yes-frosting ruins carrot cake imo!

Show quote history

American spotted

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/10/2024 12:15

That’s awesome op. It’s personal, and looks lovely. Far better than shop bought, and no doubt delicious. Would love a piece - where are you, lol?

HappyDane · 20/10/2024 12:15

Ok have settled down a bit, so I'll say my piece on toppers (with the caveat that they can be nice, I understand people like a bit of bling, nothing wrong with that, etc etc etc!).

But in this specific instance my opinion is this:

All that work on a lovely, sentimental, personalised decorative touch - no other person in the entire world will ever have that exact cake since even if someone does use the same idea it will still be ever so slightly different - on a beautifully homemade cake that the birthday person has specifically requested...

And then you want to cover that up with some big bit of loud plastic that looks exactly like every other loud bit of plastic on every other Instagram photo? And somehow that translates to more effort made?

No. Keep it real and keep it personal.

cwtchwitch · 20/10/2024 12:15

It looks delicious, is the type of cake your DH specifically requested, is home made with love, much better than some random generic, overly sweet store-bought slab cake. It's what he wanted; no icing and a bit different, I think he's lucky you put so much effort into his cake! Enjoy!

CowboyJoanna · 20/10/2024 12:16

HappyDane · 20/10/2024 12:15

Ok have settled down a bit, so I'll say my piece on toppers (with the caveat that they can be nice, I understand people like a bit of bling, nothing wrong with that, etc etc etc!).

But in this specific instance my opinion is this:

All that work on a lovely, sentimental, personalised decorative touch - no other person in the entire world will ever have that exact cake since even if someone does use the same idea it will still be ever so slightly different - on a beautifully homemade cake that the birthday person has specifically requested...

And then you want to cover that up with some big bit of loud plastic that looks exactly like every other loud bit of plastic on every other Instagram photo? And somehow that translates to more effort made?

No. Keep it real and keep it personal.

Edited

Toppers look nicer than candles though. No blowing or spitting Grin

Maria1982 · 20/10/2024 12:17

It’s lovely!! This would definitely be a birthday worthy cake in my house, and considered by all to be much better than a shop bought one!
Plus you’ve even got gold candles.

enjoy the celebration and try to let go of the doubt OP

GCAcademic · 20/10/2024 12:18

I'd be over the moon if someone made that for me. So much nicer than a shop cake.

BirthdayRainbow · 20/10/2024 12:18

I went back and had a look after you said about the pineapple heart as I saw the cherry one. The pineapple heart is very clever!

HappyDane · 20/10/2024 12:18

I don't think toppers look nicer than candles at all. Again in this situation. Candles will look quietly festive.

I would hope that people know how to gently blow out candles without spitting on the cake!

SinnerBoy · 20/10/2024 12:19

CaptainMyCaptain · Today 12:12

It's lovely and very obviously a heart. I would much prefer that as my birthday cake than a shop bought one.

I agree and I don't even eat sweet stuff!

HappyDane · 20/10/2024 12:20

(Feel bad now...not trying to make a big deal of the suggestion! It was a perfectly fine suggestion and OP even said she loves a topper. Lots of people do. I just mean that this lovely cake deserves to be allowed to shine)

PennyApril54 · 20/10/2024 12:21

I think it's brilliant! Well done

Onagoldenautumnday · 20/10/2024 12:22

Oh OP what has happened to your confidence to be thinking that you'd better add another shop bought mass produced and processed cake to that beauty!!

diddl · 20/10/2024 12:22

CowboyJoanna · 20/10/2024 12:12

American spotted

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Where?

countrygirl99 · 20/10/2024 12:23

Definitely does not give a minimum effort vibe! Looks like masses of thought and work has gone into creating something individual and special.

SardinesOnGingerbread · 20/10/2024 12:23

I love it. If you brought another cake, the shop one will only get wasted. Good job you!

Blueskies3 · 20/10/2024 12:24

Such a beautiful cake!!

AChickenPooAndABiscuit · 20/10/2024 12:26

Wowsers… I don’t even like pineapple but that’s stunning! Enjoy Smile

SeaToSki · 20/10/2024 12:27

Flutterbycustard · 20/10/2024 11:58

Thank you so much all.

The recipe is as follows:
1 can pineapple rings
Glace cherry halves
A good drizzle of syrup - I used pancake syrup which darkens the sponge, but Golden syrup is nice too.

For the sponge I beat together 240g of butter and 240g caster sugar, until pale and fluffy.
weigh out 240g self raising flour.
Add 4 eggs, one at a time with a spoonful of the flour, whisking each time. Then sift in the rest of the flour, along with 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp vanilla. Fold together.

Create your pattern with the fruit in one lined tin, then drizzle over syrup level with the fruit.
Too with half of the cake batter. Bake for 30-40 minutes. You might have to cover with some foil halfway through.

Put the other half of the batter into another lined tin and bake for 20 minutes.

For the buttercream I used 200g butter and 250g icing sugar along with a spoon of vanilla and a tablespoon of water.

Then just construct when really cold.

Im really flattered people would ask for this. Thank you. And if you want to halve the mixture and just do the top layer; that’s delicious served straight from the oven with cream 😋

What temp do you bake it at?
What diameter tin do you use