Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Fresh Cherry Cake & Fresh Cherry Butter Cream




Well it’s that time again. What time you ask? Well, it is time for me to congratulate myself for keeping my little human alive for another whole year!

AKA – Happy Birthday Indigo! You are the big 3! (OK, 3 on the 21st we are one day early but today we celebrate)

Oh how I love thee.

I love you soooo much I made you a Fresh Cherry Cake & Fresh Cherry Butter cream, I have the stained fingers for proof!





There are few things “batter” than cake, but of course I can think of a few..

1. Indigo (except at night at about 130am, OK even then!)
2. Husband (most of the time. LOVE you honey bunny)
3. 3 day weekends
4. Finding a 20 dollar bill in the washer, finders keepers dude
5. Telling your husband that you found 20 dollars, and no he cannot have it back (I’m mean like that)
6. Winning the lottery, never won the lottery but I am quite sure this would be better then eating cake.
7. Indigo





Now, there are also things that are 50 gabillionzillion times worse than eating cake. I won’t get to crazy here but let’s list some out.

1. Your husband finding the 20 dollar bill in the washer
2. Your husband telling you he found the 20 dollar bill and then saying “finders keepers”.
3. Not winning the lottery
4. Winning a lottery that involves you doing the laundry for your household exclusively.
5. The movie SkyLine
6. Zombies, like real ones..not movies because those are awesome

Everything always comes down to Zombies you see.





But let’s get back to the cake and the reason for it.

Indigo I love you, happy birthday daughter. Your are lovely, cool, stubborn, cute, smiley, interesting, chatty, batty, witty, thoughtful, forgetful, awesome, bodacious, spontaneous, and scared of garbage trucks…which makes me love you all the more.





INGREDIENTS for Fresh Cherry Cake
Adapted from this Cake
{Pintable Recipe}

• 2 cups pitted red cherries
• 3 tbs sugar, for the cherries
• 1/4 cup half & half, at room temperature
• 6 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cup cake flour, sifted
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 12 Tbsp unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened





DIRECTIONS for Fresh Cherry Cake

Three hours before baking, toss your halved and pitted cherries with 3 tbs white sugar. Let them sit in a bowl and become nice and juicy (3 hours time). Once ready, puree this mixture in your food processor. Reserve ¾ cup of this puree for the cake, 3 tbs for the Butter Cream.





Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare your baking dishes: coat inside with butter and flour. I made 12 cupcakes, and 1 - 8 inch cake round.

In small bowl, combine puree, milk, egg, vanilla and mix with fork until well blended. In bowl of stand mixer (or with a hand mixer), add sifted flour, sugar, baking powder and salt and mix to combine. Continue beating and add butter. Mix until combined and resembling moist crumbs.




Add liquids and beat at medium speed for about 1 minute or until full and evenly combined. Stop mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl and hand beat for 30 more seconds. Divide the batter evenly among the pans or into your cupcake liners about half way.

Bake for about 25 minutes (cake round) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (time will vary, cupcakes are less time). Let cakes rest in pan for about 10 minutes and turn out onto wire racks. Let cakes cool completely (about 2 hours).

PS - The small round cake was used cutting out circles from my cake round and stacking them with some buttercream in between each layer.  So adorable, a mini cake for the guest of honor.




INGREDIENTS for Cherry Butter Cream

• 3 tbs fresh cherry puree
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract





DIRECTIONS for Cherry Butter Cream

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners' sugar; beat until well combined. Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons cherry puree.


- The result, a wonderful Fresh Cherry Flavored cake and butter cream. It was fabulous. It tastes likes cherries and is speckled with their wonderfulness. Happy Birthday Indigo.


57 comments:

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

Happy birthday Indigo!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Fantastic! That buttercream has all my attention... ;-P

Cheers,

Rosa

Unknown said...

YUM! Every one of these pictures looks absolutely amazing! And I love your plate!!! And your wall color!

Happy Birthday Indigo!

The only thing I ever find in my husbands pants pockets from the wash are sharpie markers and pens that explode and tick me off ;) And some pennies...maybe quarters if I am lucky.

Mary said...

These look so delicious and I love that plate! I never find a thing in the wash, unless it's my burt's bees lip balm. :(

jenn from midlife modern said...

Those look heavenly! Happy birthday to your sweet little Indigo. Sounds like you already won the lottery with that little cutie.

Siggy said...

So VERY impressive! Man, when my daughter wanted a "cherry cake"...I did the Shirley Temple Cupcakes using a boxed mix, lol!
Funny, my baby boy's new favorite saying is "SHHHH!!! You will wake up the Zombies!" LMAO! I have no stinkin' idea where he came up with that...he doesn't even know what Zombies are!
Happy, happy birthday to you beautiful little girl! Kiss those sweet cheeks!

Kristen said...

Indigo is so lucky to have an amazing Mom like you! Happy Birthday to her!!

Anonymous said...

YUMMY - anything that has to do with I i LOVE - and her 3rd birthday, LOVES IT!!!!

*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~

Jocelyn said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet little girl! I had to laugh about the money in the laundry...I totally keep all money that I find in pockets. I figure if I have to wash and fold it all, the least I can do is keep the good stuff:-) I love all the shots of your yummy cherry cupcakes with the blue background...totally makes them pop out!

Michele said...

I've been meaning to get my hands on some fresh cherries while they're still in season. They are so yummy! Your cupcakes look delicious!

Anonymous said...

This looks wonderful! I would just add some chocolate and then I'd be in heaven.

Happy birthday to Indigo!

egbkid said...

I love cherries, but even in season they are expensive here (almost 10$ a Lb!), so alas, I have to use the cherry cake mix.
Happy Birthday to your little Indigo! Three is a wonderful age, so much to discover!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I can't tell you how delicious these cupcakes and frosting look! My birthday is in August and I think these would be just as enjoyable as for Indigo's 3rd birthday :)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Indigo! She is one lucky little girl to have one amazing mom like you. I love cherries. The cake looks awesome!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, happy birthday Indigo! These are the cupcakes ever! I love how fresh they look.
Teal backdrop - the paint is from a small bottle of craft paint from the craft store. The brand is Apple Barrel and the color is "Laguna" although I think I may have slightly tweaked it by adding white. I can't remember.

Thanks for your comment today :)

Jo-Anna@APrettyLife said...

This cake look so amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing it! There is nothing yummier than cherries!
Jo-Anna

Cristina {Teenie Cakes} said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful baby girl!

This is my kinda cake/cupcakes. Most of all luv that cherry buttercream. Yum! Wonder if this would work well with rainer cherries too? Love the presentation of the cherry on top! Thx for sharing. ;)

Pam said...

I really, really, REALLY want this now. The cake/cupcakes look so delicious and pretty. Happy, happy birthday to sweet Indigo.

Batman's Mom said...

Awww man!! I have 2 big bags of cherries and need to make cupcakes for a patient's birthday tomorrow. This would have been perfect but I don't have the time tonight to do it. Guess I'll have to buy her cupcakes and make this recipe for the family over the weekend instead lol

Miss you guys!

Kristen said...

A very Happy Birthday to Indigo! That cake sounds like the perfect celebration treat for a little one.

Unknown said...

Batmans mom! Miss you guys!

trump said...

Wow my mouth is watering looking at my 2 favorite things cup cakes and cherries. Well done on those pictures as well. Richard from the Amish community of Lebanon Pennsylvania.

rebecca said...

it's 11:45 in the PM, and i've got cravings that YOU aren't helping.

Unknown said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Indigo!! We love cherries at our house! This sounds incredible!

Julie said...

If I were turning 3 I would want these cupcakes...I'm sure she loved them :)

Sre said...

happy birthday INDIGO!! Can aunty have some cake here?? hehheee

Unknown said...

I am so excited about this recipe because we have cherry trees on our church grounds and we can take all we want. I could never think of anything to do with them but make pie...until now! :)

CakeWhiz said...

happy birthday to little Indigo! i like her name... it's so different :) And her cake looks perfect and so girly with the pink and red shades.

your "batter" than cake list was so funny! hehe

-Abeer @ www.cakewhiz.com

Jillian said...

Oh. My. This looks like it could be the best thing ever! I am so bookmarking this. I've been trying to stay away from cakes, but for this, I will have to make an exception.

Quay Po Cooks said...

Love your photos. Fabulous! I am sure your angel love the cakes. She is a lucky girl!

erica said...

Wow this cake sounds absolutely divine! I am especially loving the frosting and might have to make it up ASAP with some cake!

xo

Unknown said...

Oh!! Happy birthday to your little Indigo! What a great little cake for her to celebrate with!!

Monica Adriana said...

Happy Birthday Indigo! :)
aah, those cherry cake looks so beautiful Jen, love it! :)

aipi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
aipi said...

Many many Happy returns to Indigo ~ Lots of love, hugs n kisses to her ~ She is the star of your blog!
US Masala

Laurie {Simply Scratch} said...

If I could, I'd blow up the 9th picture and put it in my kitchen! <3 this recipe Jen!

Taste and Tell said...

Happy, happy birthday to Indigo! Have an extra cupcake for me!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet girl! My girl LOVES cherries, and I'm bookmarking this to make for her.

Chris said...

Color me impressed, this is a kick butt cake! Those cherries are gorgeous, I rarely get ones that pretty here.

LMAO at your lists!

Susan said...

What a beautiful post! I just happen to have some fresh cherries that are begging to made up into this lovely cake! Congratulations!

Unknown said...

This really looks delicious. LOVE the pics.
Happy B-day Indigo. Im in love with your name :D

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Indigo, such a lovely tribute and cupcakes;-)

Monet said...

It is going to be so special when Indigo gets older and she's able to look back at all these birthday posts. Thank you for sharing with me tonight. As always, this looks so delicious. I hope you have a fun and joy-filled weekend. I'm going to be baking and enjoying this Texas heat! Hugs from Austin!

Candace said...

I just pitted a bunch of fresh cherries and I have to say after that lovely and very messy experience that you have to love someone a whole bunch to go through the trouble to pit the cherries and make the cake. Happy Birthday, Indigo! Your mama loves you sweet girl! Your cake and cupcakes are just beautiful and I'm sure they taste amazing! Have a wonderful weekend!

Maria Medeiros said...

Thanks for your visit to my blog!!! I appreciate your lovely comment! Love your blog! i'm following! This recipe looks so wonderful! :D Have a lovely weekend!

Barbara said...

Happy 3rd, Indigo!
And what a lovely mommie you have...she made you a delightful cake with fresh cherries!
(Love the cherry buttercream!)

Unknown said...

So cute, they look delicious! Happy Birthday Indigo!

Rick said...

Happy birthday Indigo! Looks like she got a great cake for it!

Velva said...

Happy Birthday to your little one! Your cherry cakes rock.

Cheers.
Velva

Val said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Indigo!!! Momma, you have out done yourself with this awesomeness!!

The Harried Cook said...

Happy Birthday, Indigo! Your little girl is blessed to have you as her momma :) Gorgeous cupcakes! Love the sound of that frosting! Sounds delish! Thanks for sharing :)

Donna Elick said...

Happy Birthday Indigo! What a lovely little girl.

The cake and cupcakes look incredible!!! My little munchkin is half Indigo's ago and so exciting everyday. I love hearing how much parents love their children. Makes me gush. ; )

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Susan said...

I made your yummy Fresh Cherry Cake! Please visit my blog to see the post & link back: http://www.createamazingmeals.com/2011/07/fresh-rock-crab-salad-rib-eye-roast.html

And, now you've enticed me again with a beautiful chocolate cake! Have a lovely week!

Jo-Anna@APrettyLife said...

Ok, so I made your Cherry Butter Cream icing, and I have to tell you, it is out of this world AMAZING! Love, love love it! I'm going to do a little post on my cupcake and your icing! So delish! Thanks for linking it up to my little Cake & Icing Linky Party!
Jo-Anna
http://aprettylifeinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

Such a beautiful cake and beautiful post. The cherry butter sounds droolicious! YUM! Your blog is simply one of the best!

Tasha’s Artisan Foods said...

It looks beautiful and delicious. This fresh cherry cake bursting with the sweetest, juiciest ruby-red cherries and dusted with the slightest amount of sugar is a true, true crowd-pleaser.