Birthday Baking
Monday, February 8, 2010
A few weeks ago, Haley told me that she wanted to do something for her mom’s (my sister Jennifer) birthday. I suggested maybe we bake her a cake and Haley was very excited about doing this. She made me “pinky swear” four times over that we would do this and keep it a secret from her mom. I was advised that I was to call for Haley as the time approached and ask to speak with her “about our plans”. Very cloak and dagger. Seriously, those were my specific instructions from a five year old.
So, as Jennifer’s birthday approached, I made plans to pick up Haley to bring her to my house for a “play date”. A play date. Not a birthday prep day. Just a play date. Haley was very specific on this, so that’s what I did.
I decided that I was going to let Haley do just about everything with making this cake. From the measuring to the mixing to the frosting. She was going to do it all. Of course, I would be there to supervise and handle the hot oven. But, I figured this would be a good opportunity to give Miss Haley a lesson in the fine art of baking a cake. From a cake mix. With easy frosting.
We decided to use a Funfetti cake mix which calls for three eggs, some oil and water. I showed Haley how to measure out the oil, which she did beautifully. She was very excited about cracking open the eggs. I gave her the first egg and showed her how to bang it on the counter. I should have showed her how to open the shell in the bowl because she banged the egg and then tried to peel the egg like it was hard boiled which, in turn, put several shells into the bowl. So, I scooped those out and then showed her how to break open the second egg. This was hard for her, so I scooped out some more shells and broke open the third egg myself. Haley was a little disappointed that I did this, but she understood and said the cracking was the fun part anyway.
We added the water and the batter and then it was time to mix. Haley stirred it well, but I knew we had to bust out the hand mixer. Haley thought this was great fun. Especially when the batter splattered all over when she would lift the mixer out of the batter while it was running. For the most part though, she did very well with the mixer and thought it was a pretty cool thing to do.
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Next it was time to put the cake in the oven. Haley kept a good look out on it to watch it rise. She was super excited that her cake had risen to double it’s size!
We made up some frosting mix which was just a simple white frosting. Haley said that we should have pink frosting. So, I got some red food coloring and made it pink. This really thrilled Haley. She thought it was like magic how that tiny bit of red mixed in made her frosting pink!
I blobbed the frosting out and showed her how to use the frosting tool to spread the frosting, which she did very carefully.
The best part about making frosting is the taste test.
Haley tried her creation and deemed it to be good. Very good!
After the frosting, it was time to make it really pretty by adding sprinkles.
Haley did this with the greatest of care. Making sure each sprinkle was exactly where she wanted it. Five year old perfection!
And now, the finished product! Haley was so proud of herself. I have to admit, I was proud of her too!
I’m not sure which is sweeter, the cake or the girl next to the cake. I am leaning toward the latter.
Haley said she wanted to save a frosting beater for the Wayneman “because he is my very favorite uncle!” she emphatically stated. The Wayneman gave it a taste and they both gave the thumbs up seal of approval. It was yummy!
The Wayneman and I brought Haley home and she made Jennifer hide so we could bring in her birthday surprise and light her candles.
Then it was time for Jennifer to come in and see her birthday surprise! Haley was so excited. Emily, not so much. Jennifer thought it was very sweet of our little Haley.
Next it was time to sing and blow out the candles. Sorry the first half of the video is a bit dark. Haley insisted we turn out the lights for the great unveiling of the candle lit cake.
Haley had a slice and gave it her usual thumbs up seal of Haley approval.
I am sure Jennifer liked it too. More than that, I am sure Jennifer loved all of Haley’s sweet effort in pulling off this birthday surprise!
