Of Cakes and Piñatas

I love making birthday cakes for my children. Although I am a really terrible cake decorator, I am a fairly good baker...and so I am assuming the great taste overshadows the not so great appearance! For my daughter Missy's birthday yesterday (28th), I made something clean and simple using a tried and tested moist chocolate cake recipe with white mountain frosting.

(The inside view...after being served...)

Missy didn't really have a party, but after getting the idea from a magazine, she decided she wanted a piñata. She patiently worked on it herself for a few days prior to her birthday. (I helped out only a little bit...just to make sure it would turn out nice and sturdy.) And then yesterday, filled with lollies and some packs of chips, we hung the piñata from the basketball ring in our backyard. My two nieces came after school to join in some quick fun!

Now that Missy's 12, giving her a toy seemed no longer an option. My husband and I gave her a lovely Billabong wrist watch which we luckily found on sale. She loved it!

Before I head on to bed, here's the chocolate cake and frosting recipes. You might want to try them out. These are easy and guaranteed to please!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

1. Prepare two 9" round baking pans. Grease and line bottoms.

2. In a large bowl, combine:

2 1/2 cups plain flour

3 cups white sugar

1 1/2 cups cocoa powder

2 tsps baking soda

2 tsps baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

3/4 cup corn oil

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3. Beat at medium speed for about 3 minutes, then at high speed for another 2 minutes.

4. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Blend well.

5. Pour onto prepared pans, dividing mixture equally between pans. Bake at preheated 180 degree C oven for 45 to 50 minutes. Remove pans from oven and cool a little bit before inverting onto cake racks. Cool cakes completely.

WHITE MOUNTAIN FROSTING

2 egg whites, unbeaten

1 1/2 cups white sugar

5 tbsps cold water

1/8 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Over a double boiler, beat all ingredients (except vanilla extract) until mixture holds a peak (about 7 minutes). Remove from heat. Add vanilla extract, then beat until cool and thick enough to spread.

Spread frosting in between two cakes layers, on top and sides. Decorate as desired.