Just in case anyone was wondering...
It was 7° on my run this morning. Fun, fun.
But it's okay because today is my 6th favorite holiday.
Today is Neil Diamond's birthday!!!
Hooray for Brother Neil (as my dad likes to call him). Here's a picture of the tee I'm wearing in honor of this great man's birthday.
It was 7° on my run this morning. Fun, fun.
But it's okay because today is my 6th favorite holiday.
Today is Neil Diamond's birthday!!!
Hooray for Brother Neil (as my dad likes to call him). Here's a picture of the tee I'm wearing in honor of this great man's birthday.
Neil Diamond has always been a big deal in my family. When I was little, we would pretend we were at his concerts. My brother Eric played the part of Neil, while my sister and I would be back-up singers. Eric might deny it now, but it's a true story.
Every time Neil comes to concert, we say, "This could be his last tour!" (I mean, the man is turning 73 today) And the fear of the moment causes us to jam the phone lines as soon as tickets go on sale to ensure that we're there. He always ends up coming again, but you never can be too careful.
One year, my dad surprised us all by bringing home a box of Krispy Kreme Donuts. We asked what the occasion was, and dad replied that it was Neil's birthday. And that's when the tradition was born. We celebrate every year.
This year, I figured I'd share with you my favorite recipe for yellow cake. Simple, I know, but from-scratch it's absolutely delicious. This recipe from The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, is my go-to when it comes to birthday cake. Especially when it's for someone as special as Neil Diamond.
So, to start, combine your flour, baking powder and salt together.
Every time Neil comes to concert, we say, "This could be his last tour!" (I mean, the man is turning 73 today) And the fear of the moment causes us to jam the phone lines as soon as tickets go on sale to ensure that we're there. He always ends up coming again, but you never can be too careful.
One year, my dad surprised us all by bringing home a box of Krispy Kreme Donuts. We asked what the occasion was, and dad replied that it was Neil's birthday. And that's when the tradition was born. We celebrate every year.
This year, I figured I'd share with you my favorite recipe for yellow cake. Simple, I know, but from-scratch it's absolutely delicious. This recipe from The Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, is my go-to when it comes to birthday cake. Especially when it's for someone as special as Neil Diamond.
So, to start, combine your flour, baking powder and salt together.
Now, you're supposed to use softened butter, but if you live in the same town as me, you can leave it on the counter all day and it will never "soften." So I used the help of the microwave on this one.
Whip it up.
Then add your sugar.
Next, add your eggs, one at a time, whipping it up each addition.
See how fluffy it gets?
So now you should have 3 different mixtures: Your butter mixture, your flour mixture, and your milk (which isn't really a mixture at all...it's just plain old milk).
Add about half the flour and mix, then add milk and mix again. Repeat.
Hey look! You can see me in the bowl! I'm wearing the red apron. And you can see my very 70s floor! Isn't it fun?
Add about half the flour and mix, then add milk and mix again. Repeat.
Hey look! You can see me in the bowl! I'm wearing the red apron. And you can see my very 70s floor! Isn't it fun?
Anyhow...If you're feeling particularly crazy, throw in some zest: orange and lemon work well. Today I used lime. But don't feel pressured. It's yummy without zest too.
See how creamy that gets?
Now those of you who don't believe in eating a teeny tiny fraction of raw egg
should not read what I'm about to write.
Are you gone?
Good.
Guys, take your finger and dip it in that creamy stuff. Give it a taste.
Therein lies the difference between boxed cake mix and from-scratch goodness. It's all in the batter. And you'll never want to go back.
At least not when it's for Neil Diamond.
Then pour that creamy goodness into your desired pan. I normally do the 9" round pans, but today I was feeling cupcakes.
should not read what I'm about to write.
Are you gone?
Good.
Guys, take your finger and dip it in that creamy stuff. Give it a taste.
Therein lies the difference between boxed cake mix and from-scratch goodness. It's all in the batter. And you'll never want to go back.
At least not when it's for Neil Diamond.
Then pour that creamy goodness into your desired pan. I normally do the 9" round pans, but today I was feeling cupcakes.
The cake is really versatile. I honestly recommend just frosting with your favorite frosting and enjoying the heaven that is from-scratch cake.
But, like I said, I was feeling a little crazy today. So I filled these with blueberry compote.
But, like I said, I was feeling a little crazy today. So I filled these with blueberry compote.
And topped them with creamy frosting.
And sprinkles (c'mon, it's for Neil. Heaven knows we need some sparkle. If I could have put a sequined top on them, I would have).
And sprinkles (c'mon, it's for Neil. Heaven knows we need some sparkle. If I could have put a sequined top on them, I would have).
Yum yum yum.
Now do yourself a favor, and use Neil as an excuse to make something delicious.
And listen to Sweet Caroline for good measure.
Recipe:
BH&G YELLOW CAKE
2 1/2 c. flour
2 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. butter
1 3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/4 c. milk
Cream butter on medium speed. Add sugar and mix. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing in between each addition until fluffy. Add vanilla. If desired, at up to 2 teaspoons of citrus zest (orange, lemon or lime). In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture until everything is combined. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9"x1" round cake pans and bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes.
Now do yourself a favor, and use Neil as an excuse to make something delicious.
And listen to Sweet Caroline for good measure.
Recipe:
BH&G YELLOW CAKE
2 1/2 c. flour
2 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. butter
1 3/4 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/4 c. milk
Cream butter on medium speed. Add sugar and mix. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing in between each addition until fluffy. Add vanilla. If desired, at up to 2 teaspoons of citrus zest (orange, lemon or lime). In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture until everything is combined. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9"x1" round cake pans and bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes.