A baking disaster and a lovely surprise

[wiseheart]

So, my Mum's two-tiered birthday cake ended up as a small, single cake (18 cm in diameter) because the lower part, the really big one, fell apart when I removed the cake ring. Literally. I tried to glue it together with a layer of fondant, but the pineapple jelly filling kept seeping out, so I had to cut the whole thing in pieces and put it into a bowl before it would flood the entire fridge. I'm very unhappy about it, it looked so good during the making, but in hindsight I can't imagine that the recipe would work at all. Putting hot custard onto jelly just can't produce the right consistence, IMO.

But the day wasn't entirely lost. After I've dealt with the cake disaster and collapsed on the bed, someone rang. It was H. (Little Emma's grandmother), her daughter (Little Emma's mum) and her son, whom we haven't seen for years. They didn't come in any further than the front door and waved at Mum and delivered their birthday wishes and a big bouquet of flowers from the other end of the corridor (I was the one to take the bouquet), and Mum was so very happy. It wasn't a party, true, but at least they came in person, even though they kept safe distance, and it was better than any gift could have been. Alas, the little ones were sleeping in the car, but perhaps it was better so. You can't explain two-year-olds not to come and hug the oldest family member. ;)

So, we'll have a tiny cake tomorrow, plus something reminding a collapsed trifle in a bowl(*), but the best part was today already.

(*)A friend of mine created the term "spoon cake" - means a disastrous cake you have to eat with a spoon, right from the baking tin. Well, mine did come out of the baking tin in one piece, but that didn't last long. *g*

Oh, and Mum says a heartfelt "THANK YOU" to anyone here for the birthday wishes!

Comments

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

How lovely that you had visitors for your Mum's birthday — I am so glad, for both of you.

I have put cold custard onto jelly but yes, hot stuff really wouldn't have been easy to work with. But a trifle with the sponge, pineapple jelly, custard and cream if you have any, would be an excellent way to celebrate alongside a small, two person cake. (Trifle is regarded as essential celebratory food in our family!)

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

We like trifle, too; I often make it to put leftover sponge to good use. But I wanted to make a cake, a really beautiful one, with all the bells and whistles, for the special occasion! I'm a bit crushed, really, that if collapsed unto itself. I'll never try that stupid recipe again. I'll go for vanilla buttercream with pineapple instead.

I've worked so hard on the stupid thing, wanted to make something special for such a special day... :((

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I really do sympathise, it must have been so disappointing.

I do hope you can have some people around to celebrate properly sometime soon — and you can make a beautiful cake which you know won't collapse.

[bk_forever]

A HUGE Happy Birthday to your mum!

Enjoy the cakes, both of them. I think Spoon Cake is an excellent description. Sorry it fell apart, but I'm sure that won't affect the flavour.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[meathiel]

Spoon cake sounds good! 😁😁😁

Happy birthday to your mum tomorrow!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The spoon cake is a sorry sight but if push comes to shove we can always eat it with out eyes closed. *g*

[red-day-dawning.livejournal.com]

So glad that your mum had birthday visitors- that’s very sweet. Shame about the cake, although I’m sure it is all delicious.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Alas, the sponge turned out to be rather hard and rubber-like. I'll never use that recipe again!

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the cake. Hope it tastes good, at least.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

The filling is yummy but the sponge is crap. Never using this kind again.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Also, Happy Birthday mom.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks!

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful surprise visit! That really must have made your mum's day. I love to receive flowers. Sorry to hear about the cake disaster. (Did I jinx it?) A spoon, a dish and a dollop of cream is a good rescue strategy and one I have been known to apply.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Baking disasters happen. I was just crushed that this particular one happened when I wanted to make something really special.

But yeah, Mum was totally flattened from surprise. She's still grinning like a loon when we talk about it.

[rcfinch.livejournal.com]

Belated birthday wishes to your mum. I don't come here every day, so I missed the real day, sorry!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

This is the real day, so you didn't miss it. Thanks for the birthday wishes, it is always good to hear from you.

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

So good that at least a few people came to gratulate, even though they did not dare to enter, which is considerate! It was indeed better to leave the little ones outside, I fear it´s them who bring the pest into the families!

[sister-raphael.livejournal.com]

How nice to have had visitors!