Special Birthday Cake Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs, separated
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon evaporated milk
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups vanilla or white chocolate chips
• 2-1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the chips and water; stir until chips are melted. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted chip mixture, buttermilk and vanilla; beat well. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture.
• In a small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the creamed mixture.
• Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For frosting, combine the sugar, milk and butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute; remove from the heat. Stir in chips and vanilla until smooth; cool. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Special Birthday Cake published in Country Woman January/February 2003, p11