When I decided to peek in on Sunday Scribblings topic for this week, little did I know that the In the Kitchen theme would have such relevance.
All I wanted to do was to surprise my husband with a spectacular birthday cake today. It's been a surprise alright...but for moi, not for him. Granted, I'm notoriously prone to mishaps (I had to wipe frosting from the keyboard before beginning this post)...but this one takes the cake!
Several days ago I bought a Wilton cake pan....YEARS ago when I was a stay-at-home mom I used to create character cakes like a pro. So how difficult could it be? I chose a Mickey Mouse face cake because Tom loves Disneyworld (and Mickey too, although I doubt he would admit it). I bought a new icing bag and a food coloring kit to match the cake pan. After buying the cake ingredients this morning, I was set.
I was set but so was the cake. After baking it to perfection, it refused to come out of the pan. I tried gently tapping. I tried meticulously running a sharp knife around the edges with the skill of a surgeon. I tried praying. I tried cursing. I tried slamming it. It began to budge....I proceeded less aggressively but while most of the cake plopped out onto the cake board, Mickey's vital facial features remained in the pan. This is not the way it was supposed to happen. The icing was ready. I was ready. Mickey was ready too....for a decent burial. He was delicious, however, and I was unwilling to start from scratch.
I decided on re-constructive surgery. I figured that since the BOTTOM of the cake was still relatively smooth, I could decorate it instead. Now this is akin to a self-taught plastic surgeon shaving the back of someone's head and recreating a face there but hey, Mickey's life was designed to be brief anyway.
So now the cake should be cooled enough for me to begin my experiment. Just remember...DON'T try this in your kitchen. And....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM! SURPRISE :-)
I'm sure the cake will be scrumptious and well worth the effort for the birthday hubby. I once baked muffins for a breakfast pot luck, muffins that I had made so many times - but these turned out to be hockey pucks. My husband swore they were good for dunking in his coffee - he's a very nice man.
Posted by: Kimberley McGill | 28 March 2007 at 10:40
Happy day to all. This had me laughing. I have so had a cake like this. Thanks for the fun read.
Posted by: Jone | 26 March 2007 at 21:03
Cakes only pull a fast one on me like tht when they are for an occasion.
If I am just baking to bake then they literally float out of the pan onto the cooling rack.
Happy B-day to Tom.
Have a fabulous week,
Frances
Posted by: Frances | 26 March 2007 at 11:00
I hate when the cake sticks - it happens to me with great frequency, which is why I don't bake (or hardly ever, at any rate).
I think Mickey looks surprisingly good after what he went through in his traumatic exit from the pan :) I'm sure he'll taste great, anyway!
Happy Birthday to Tom :)
Posted by: Becca | 25 March 2007 at 18:11
happy Birthday to hubby! I would love to see the finished product! It looks delicious!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 25 March 2007 at 15:10