Grandma Lorraines Single Layer Birthday Cakes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter and flour a 9-inch cake pan, a 6-inch cake pan, and a 3-inch cake pan.
• To make the cake, cream the butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then the sour cream, vanilla, and lemon zest, scraping down the bowl as needed. Mix well. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir just until smooth. Finish mixing by hand to be sure the batter is well mixed. Proportionately divide the batter between the 3 cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula, and bake as follows: the 9-inch pan for 45 minutes, the 6-inch pan for 35 to 40 minutes and the 3-inch pan for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean in each cake. Cool in the pans to room temperature.
• For the frosting, cream the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed for 1 to 2 minutes, until thickened. Add the food coloring and turn the mixer off. Using a spatula, fully incorporate the color into the frosting.
• Frost each cake separately, saving some frosting for decoration. Chill the cakes before stacking.
• Place the 9-inch cake on a plate. Center the 6-inch cake on top of the 9-inch cake. Center the 3-inch cake on top of the 6-inch cake.
• For the decoration, pipe or spoon the remaining frosting around the base of each cake and around the top edge of the 3-inch cake. Finish decorating with the pieces of candy.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, mix potatoes and bell pepper. In a small bowl, beat eggs with cheese and herbs de Provence. Add to potato mixture and mix thoroughly. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Spoon a scant 1/4 cup of potato mixture at a time into the skillet, pressing with the back of a spatula to flatten to a round about 3 inches in diameter; cook no more than 4 cakes at a time. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden, turn, and cook other side until golden. Transfer to paper towels to drain and then transfer to a baking sheet and hold in the warm oven. Repeat with the remaining potato mixture. Serve topped with spoonful of sour cream and sprinkled with basil shreds.

Steps:

• Special Equipment:
• Assorted circus-themed decorations
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with 2-inch high sides. Combine cake mixes, water, oil, and eggs in a very large bowl. Beat for 3 minutes, or until well blended. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cakes comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on cooling rack for 20 minutes. Invert cakes onto cooling rack and cool completely.
• Cut 1 cake horizontally in half. Place top cake layer, cut side up, on serving platter. Spread 1/2 cup of jam over cake layer. Top with bottom cake layer, cut side down. Cut second cake vertically in half, forming 2 half-circle pieces. Spread remaining jam over top of 1 half-circle cake, Top with second half-circle cake. Place stacked half-circle cakes on top cake on platter. Spread entire cake with frosting to coat completely. Arrange purchased decorations on cake to resemble circus stage.

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium heat.
• Brush all sides of the shortcakes and a 12-inch square of aluminum foil with the melted butter. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate hazelnut spread into the well of each shortcake shell. Sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon crushed graham crackers. Top each with mini marshmallows. Place the prepared foil on top of the grill grate. Place the cakes onto the foil. Close the cover and cook until the marshmallows are browned and toasted, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the grill, place on a plate and drizzle with the chocolate sauce.