Halloween Birthday Cake...and Fun Celebration!

It's showtime! "Theater of Horrors"...or is it "Tales from the Crypt?" In my last post, I mentioned that I was planning to make a birthday cake for my granddaughter Sophia's birthday...a very special 10th birthday. The second of 4 precious grandchildren that I was bless with. I held off till the last day...the day before the birthday party. Just could not decide how it's going to be, since I am not a cake decorator...but yes, I can bake, just not my "forte."...I would rather put ten gourmet meals together, before I would venture into a "cake decorating disaster!"

Did I mention that the little plastic decorations were from the dollar store?...a whole fun bag for $1.

Sophia requested for me to bake special birthday cake, 2 weeks before her birthday...she requested that it should be a Halloween cake, since her birthday is 1 week before Halloween, and decided to have a special birthday party at home for her friends, and parents included. This is her first b-party celebration, since she was born. Every year she had her party out in different fun places, including at an ice-skating rink last year.

I'm linking my Halloween Birthday Cake to: Full Plate Thursday, 10-27-11
@ Miz Helen's Country Cottage

For the Buttercream Frosting, I will give you a great tip for this blog that I found!
 Savory Sweet Life
Any blogger that gets 377 comments for a buttercream frosting recipe, and as you can see the superb decoration with the frosting....just gotta go with that recipe, and I did! Perfect, creamy, yummy! You must follow exactly the method, suggested.

Seriously, when you leave butter out to get soft at room temperature, you sift the confectioners (powdered sugar)...you can whip it up to perfection. I used the 3 cups method, with 2 Tbs. of whole milk, with the 2 sticks of butter at room temperature.

Before you place your cooled cake on your serving platter (I used bottom up)...place 4 pieces of about 4 inch aluminum foil, or wax paper around the platter, for easier frosting, and less messy cleanup. note: this is the actual color, a pretty soft pastel peach.

This flat thin stainless steel spatula, is a "lifesaver" of mine. (another thrift find for 29 cents) I have one from years ago, and this is another. I use this to flip my crepe, as well!
You can easily slide out the foil, when you are done frosting on the top, and sides. I actually did learn this method years ago, when I started to bake cakes, and have never forgotten...it really works!

Are you ready for another surprise? This was my second layer. Pumpkin Cheesecake

 from All Recipes.com

Don't make the same mistake that I did...you DO need the crust, for easier removal, of the cheesecake, and also for density. I could not remove the cheesecake from the pan...although I did place a circle of waxed paper under the pan, so I wouldn't ruin the cake. At serving time, it's better to remove the top layer from the bottom. It should be removed from the fridge at least 1 hour before serving, to let the buttercream come to room temperature!

As for the chocolate cake, this is the cake mix I used, purchased at Whole Foods Market...my most favorite market in the world...next to my local Publix supermarket!

All dressed up for pre-Halloween,. Sophia 3rd. from left and her dearest friends!

Sophia, and proud Nonna Lizzie!

Even the dining room table got a cute decoration by Sophia!

I am so glad the this is over, it's been fun to get such helpful sources, ideas, from the Internet and blogs...but at the end, I would have no one but myself to blame if the cake didn't turn out, so I'm really thankful that it did, and it was really very good, as well. I did not get a chance to photograph a piece of either cakes...was too busy cutting  pieces...so all, in all it was a successful event for a happy young lady, and her special 10th birthday. Today is officially Sophia's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOPHIA! Much love to you, and to all my dear friends! Thank you for coming along on this little journey...once again!