Alex’s 32nd birthday was a week or so ago- woohoo, we’re the same age once again! For 2 months, I’m a “year” older, as he teasingly likes to remind me. We didn’t throw a fancy party this year or anything, but birthdays just don’t seem complete without some type of cake product.
I decided to be a bit sentimental this year. Alex’s mom used to make the most delicious round cake with chocolate frosting. Granted, it was quite simple- a marble cake mix with a can of ready-made chocolate frosting. Her trick was creating three layers of frosting in between the cake so it was super moist with never a dry cake bite to be found. And the rainbow sprinkles were always, always sprinkled all over.
So, I compromised some. Instead of doing three layers, I just did two (laziness kicked in). Yeah, I used a cake mix (more being lazy), but to make up for it, I used fresh, homemade frosting. I honestly cannot remember the last time I used store0-bought frosting and don’t plan on it anytime soon. It’s just one of those things I can’t make myself do any more. Homemade is SOOOOOO much better. And it really is quite easy, really! This rendition is bursting of rich chocolate flavor and spreads on the cake nice and smooth. And all it takes is cocoa powder- you don’t even have to chop up and/or melt any chocolate.
I hope you like the following photo. Alex was messing around on Lightroom and I thought it was kinda fun
Birthday Cake Chocolate Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar, plus extra if needed
1/3 cup milk (I used whole), plus extra if needed
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
Place the butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low until the mixture is soft and well combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine. Place the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and salt in the bowl, and beat with the mixer on low until the frosting lightens and is fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add more milk if the frosting is too thick or powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the frosting is too thin.
Frost your cake or cupcakes, add sprinkles and candles, and you’re good to go!