Two Minutes Du Jour

It’s birthday week for my son and me. Although we are adults, birthday cake is central to our celebrations.

Traditionally, we have a homemade chocolate cake with caramel frosting, but sometimes, we honor special requests—like the year my son wanted an ice cream cake, so I figured out how to do that. For several years, my husband perfected a Boston Cream Pie for me that’s out of this world, and on my 50th an extraordinary pink champagne cake.

This year, my son and I have vastly different treats in mind. He has specified homemade Blondies with Whopper Ice Cream, and I’ve conjured up a lemon sheet cake with citrus frosting and blackberries, a mash-up of recipes from the New York Times and Gourmet magazine.

Birthday cakes date back to Ancient Greece and Rome, where moon-shaped cakes with candles honored Artemis, the goddess of the moon. The Romans took it a step further, celebrating milestone birthdays with cakes made of flour, nuts, yeast, and honey. During the 18th century in Germany, children’s birthday parties, or Kinderfeste, became a tradition, complete with cakes that would have been the envy of any child.

The phrase “the icing on the cake” reminds us that the little extra touches make life truly delightful. But not all frosting is created equal! By definition, frosting is thick and fluffy, perfect for coating and layering cakes, while icing is thinner and glossier, ideal for detailed decorating or glazing. For me, it’s all about the frosting—the more, the better! That final, indulgent touch transforms a simple cake into a celebration.

Whether you’re a cake person, a frosting person, or someone who loves both, the magic of birthday cake lies in the anticipation and the celebration. As we slice into our chosen treats this year, I’m reminded that these sweet moments are the frosting on the cake of life, making the good even better. So, here’s to another year of celebrating with those we love, with plenty of frosting on top.

Links Du Jour:

A Brief History of the Birthday Cake – Food and Wine magazine

50 States of Cakes – Food Network

Should You Use Frosting or Icing on That Cake? Here’s When to Use Each of These Sweet Toppings – Martha Stewart