vanilla cake. brown butter buttercream.

The other weekend at work, it was one of the prep cook's birthday at work. Only being told this the day of, I knew I still had to make him a cake even if it would come a day late. So trying to think of something he would like, I couldn't really come up with anything. Even though I work with him all the time, a language difference is kind of a barrier so I couldn't say I know him all too well. I decided to go with a classic, for me, but always a crowd pleaser. Vanilla cake with brown butter frosting. Simple but with that hint of something special. 

The cake I made for him was a four layer, probably about 5 inch round mini cake. I rolled the whole thing in clear sanding sugar, which looked nice, but maybe a little too girly for a guy's 50th birthday. Oh well, it was sparkly for a celebration. Haha. 

I also made a 8 inch 2 layer so I could finally have something to post! `I quite like how the photos came out. Generally when I see other people's photos that are so dark, I never can seem to find light like that in my apartment. But with the sun setting earlier and living by myself so I can set up the room how ever I see fit, I seem to have found it through my front window. Yes now this involves rearranging the entire apartment, moving my giant bed and dragging my heavy wooden able across the room, but worth it. 

Vanilla Cake.                                                     
*makes two 8 inch round layers

125g butter soft
200g sugar
3 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla bean paste
1/2 tsp salt
300g all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
160ml buttermilk

350F oven. Butter and flour two 8 inch cake pans.
Cream butter and sugar until pale and very fluffy.
Add in vanilla bean paste and salt then eggs one at a time.
Whisk the flour and baking powder together in a separate bowl.
Add half the flour mix to the butter mix. Mix until combined.
Add half the buttermilk. Mix until combined.
Then the remaining flour, the remaining buttermilk.
Do not over mix.
Divide evenly among pan.
Bake until lightly golden on top and set through, 25 minutes or so but really it depends on your oven, so always check it.
Remove from pans onto a rack and let cool completely.

Brown Butter Buttercream.                                        
*might make a bit extra frosting, but isn't that always a good thing?

226g butter
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 tsp molasses
pinch of salt
750g powdered sugar, sifted
118ml milk

Place butter in a pan over medium heat. Cook until the butter becomes a rich amber color and little brown flecks appear at the bottom of pan. Stir quite often as to not burn it. Pour into a bowl, scraping in the little brown flecks, and let set in the refrigerator until it is the consistency of softened butter.
Beat the butter, vanilla bean paste and molasses until combined. Add in half the powdered sugar and half the milk. Beat until combined. Add in remaining. Beat until very fluffy. You may need more milk or sugar depending on how stiff you want it.

Spread over cooled cake. Eat.

Introducing....... Bleu!

I realized I never put up a photo of my new cat. I got her maybe 2 months ago and those first few months were rough. I fed her the exact same food the previous owner had, but she threw it up constantly. And in horrible places. Like on my bed. On my comforter. I was having to go to he laundromat constantly. So after trying a few different brands, she seems to be all settled now. Thank god!