Anyone tried Nigella's Buttermilk Birthday Cake - or have another birthday cake recommendation?

[margoandjerry]

It's my daughter's first birthday next week so I'm going to make her a cake in the shape of her initial and ice it and generally be a bit Jane Asher-ish.

I wanted to do a chocolate cake but I'm swayed by the Nigella recipe from Domestic Goddess as it sounds the right amount of solidity for an iced cake. Wondering if anyone had made it or if I could add cocoa to make it chocolatey?

Or any other ideas? Suggestions on how total klutzes can become adept at icing also v welcome.

[NotAnOtter]

i made my daughter nigellas fairy cake mix doubled up - it was deeelicioso

[wheresthecorkscrew]

I've just made it for my ds's third birthday - it's fantastic, quite heavy to eat but is great for making into complicated shapes.

[MakemineaGandT]

another vote for it here - it is great for cutting into shapes for novelty cakes and a good foundation for icing. Good taste and texture too. I'll always stick with this recipe for future childrens birthdays having had a great success for it for DS1's last birthday......

[prettybird]

I've used it for the last six years, so that's a vote of confidence!

Good for cutting in to shapes: made into a dalek cake this year and last year, and Thomas cakes for the 4 birthdays before that.

I like the taste and texture too - it might not be as light as an ordinary Vicotria sponge cake, but I ouwldn't desribe it as heavy.

[elibumbum]

I used that recipe for DS's first birthday. It was very tasty. I covered it in butter icing and then decorated it with shapes and letters cut out from different coloured icing (I think it is called sugar paste).

[rantinghousewife]

I did it for dd's bday a couple of years ago and it was the only cake I've ever made that sagged at the bottom, I was not impressed.

[TheSFXshape]

I have made her birthday cake custard sponge which was delicious