Comments on: cocoa-buttermilk birthday cake

By: Christie Bishop

Christie Bishop — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:28:08 +0000

Sorry to hear this cake was dry, but that aside…the photos are simply gorgeous. The finished cake looks truly amazing (especially the “cut” piece shot) and if I didn’t know it was a bit on the dry side, my palate would lust after the photos alone. Hopefully that makes you feel better!

By: junecutie

junecutie — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:07:33 +0000

Yes! I brake for cake! This one looks wonderful! I am also at high altitude (Denver area about 6500 ft.); and I also use “Pie in the Sky” recommendations. I have learned that it sometimes helps to use half butter-half oil (butter for taste, oil for moisture), adjusting the liquid measure for the oil. BTW, I love your blog. I especially love the recipe comparisons. I always walk away with information I can use for the next recipe adventure. Wizard is watching football, I’m reading your comparisons and recipes, and a good time is had by all! I hope I can subscribe by my email address. Thanks.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:31:10 +0000

What a pretty cake!
I also live in New Mexico, though at a higher altitude (5000 ft.), so I make high-altitude adjustments for my baked goods. It’s a pain at first, but you get used to it, and by now, I do it without even really thinking about it–less baking powder, less sugar, slightly more liquid, etc.
Something else that might be affecting your baked goods is the dryness of the air here–with breads, for example, I tend to add less flour than called for, because most recipes assume that there will be at least a little moisture in the air!
If you haven’t already, I recommend that you check out the book “Pie in the Sky,” a cookbook devoted to high-altitude baking. As I recall, she has adjustments for 3000 ft, 5000 ft, and 10,000 ft above sea level.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:18:08 +0000

The cake looks gorgeous! Sorry it was dry.

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:01:38 +0000

Mine was a wee bit dry, but frosting makes up for it I’m not a huge fan of butter cakes anyway. Love the sprinkles (and *ahem* the comment on the “voting”)

By: steph (whisk/spoon)

steph (whisk/spoon) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:40:31 +0000

it is so beautifully and simply decorated– i love it! sorry to hear it was dry…something to watch out for when i get around to making it. good luck figuring out all your baking tweaks..sounds very fiddly.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:33:20 +0000

I love the white frosting and sprinkles..nice! I made the tarte..it wasn’t to pretty but so good!

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:15:42 +0000

Love, love love the sprinkles on your cake! I thought mine was a little dry too but my husband didn’t…

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:49:03 +0000

i’ve made this cake before and agree that it’s not my favorite…it’s dry and a little flat on the taste in my opinion. i love the little colored sprinkles around the edge!! so simple and cute!

By: Gretchen Noelle

Gretchen Noelle — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:53:25 +0000

What a LOVELY little cake!!!