On thursday, I celebrated my birthday. I am proud of my age. I have come a far way. I have grown in ways I never thought I could be stretched, yet I feel like I have never left the happy, carefree age of 5. I am a grown woman who has not forgotten to greet life with childish enthusiasm. The older I get, the sweeter I get. Gone are the teen tomboy-football-playing-days. Well, to be true they were long gone since the day I had to start taping up long nails in university to play football. I became a girl then to my father’s relief and I have been running full speed ahead since then.
I made myself a cake because I wanted to. I made it because I could. Having taken a Wilton Cake Decorating course at Tavola and the All About Cakes and Cupcakes Courses at Dima Sharif, I wanted to stop and celebrate my own birth in a simple yet profound way. I wanted a homemade cake made just for me by me. I didn’t have time to fine-tune and perfect the decoration, but I feel the rusticity adds to the homeliness of made-from-scratch-with love cakes. My aim was not perfection, simply acknowledgement that I matter to myself.
The rose is the ultra femme flower, signalling love, friendship, strength, hope in their myriad colours.
- Pink – There are a lot of variations of the pink rose. Usually, pink roses are used to express gentle emotions such as admiration, joy and gratitude.
- Dark pink – Deep pink rose blooms may mean deep gratitude and appreciation. Dark Pink roses also express elegance and grace.
- Light pink – Light pink rose blooms are symbols of sweetness and innocence
I saw the rose cake idea on Pinterest by I am Baker and I was able to recreate on my own (thanks to a solid cakek decoration foundation by Reem, my Wilton instructor)!
So with this cake, I celebrate with every woman who has nurtured me in my journey to womanhood. The grandmothers, mothers, sisters, sister-friends and daughters to come, I salute you. For the tea parties we never had, this one is for you. I will pour some of my spiced hibiscus tea into all of these cute little Roy Kirkham rose cups and make believe you are here with me, eating my rose cake sipping tea with your pinkies sticking out. I am the only girl who gets to wear a tiara though because today is mine. Whitney Houston decided she no longer wanted to share my day so she left the party early.
I made a Devil’s Food Cake from a recipe I got from Dima Sharif‘s baking course and I covered it all with pretty pink roses. I could have gone for the heavenly Angel Food but decided on the sinful decadence of Devil’s Food. The icing is buttercream, which is also a decorator’s disaster. Use a crusting decorator’s buttercream if you want a cake to show and real butter if you want it to eat. My aim was to make my cake and eat it. And that I did!
CHEF’S NOTE: This is really too pink for me but I am so happy you have your girls. Thank heavens you are not into pink bedrooms and floral bed linen! Colour aside, that cake was velvety smooth though. Great job as usual, Dima, my stomach owes you!
Dima's Kitchen says
What a heart warming post Kari, and may I say what amazing cake? & What beautiful Tea set? stunning photos and am sure a really tasty cake lol
What more can I say? Love this post and everything in it 🙂 Happy birthday Kari and hopefully a year filled with everything you wish for xx
PS good one Chef 🙂 am very flattered especially coming from you!
imagesbytdashfield says
Beautiful cake and tea set. Happy Birthday to you!
Chef and Steward says
Thanks so much! It reminds me of everything I thought adulthood would be like as a child looking at the china that was always locked away and waiting for my turn “When I grow up!”
sandraleegarth says
What a beautiful grown woman cake! Wishing you many more healthy, happy and prosperous years.
Chef and Steward says
Thanks so much Sandra! I know you are the baking expert and thank you so much for your consistent support on our blog 🙂
cht7 says
What a beautiful cake! So classy and timeless really. I think it’s welcome at any age! We all need cake!
Chef and Steward says
The cake idea is from I am Baker. I saw it on Pinterest and just had to replicate it for my birthday.
mysweatyshirt says
Happy Birthday!! Oh my, I love August. My birthday had just passed, on 5th Aug, so I’m still in my birthday mood and so glad to hear of others birthday on Aug too. That cake is without a doubt, delicious. Love the roses!
Enjoy your day and days to come, be happy that the sun can’t be compare to you and live up to whatever dreams you still aim for!
Happy Birthday!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 *Too excited for birthday..
Chef and Steward says
Thank you so much for your kind comments. Belated Happy Birthday to you and in that case, I am saving you a slice!
IshitaUnblogged says
Happy Birthday to you! What a beautiful birthday cake and tea-set. Have to resort to Dima in the near future to make my cooking so utterly feminine! I’m always surprised at how pink can survive all the clichés of feminism and yet come out strong and amazing:)
I can understand the Chéf’s anxiety of going overboard with the pink linens!
Chef and Steward says
Ishita, would you believe that pink is the colour of strength? There is something to it being chosen as the colour for breast cancer awareness. There is strength in femininity! Soft but powerful strength!
Didi Paterno-Magpali (@didipaterno) says
I love pink!!! And this cake is a beauty! Very classy and elegant, which perfectly matches the birthday gal 🙂 Happy birthday Kari! I’m glad you got to make your cake (a beautiful one at that) and eat it too 🙂 Too bad Whitney Houston left the party too early…
Chef and Steward says
Awww thanks so much Didi! I will take that compliment and just tuck it close to my heart. Too bad for Whitney indeed, she missed a cool party.
lifeisaspa says
Happy birthday Steward. The tea set is so cool….girly pink tea party! What a great concept! The cake looks absolutely divine! Any left?
Chef and Steward says
Bev, would you believe that for once, we gave away most of a cake baked in this house? We had to share the love. It was well worth sharing though!
Amanda says
Thank you so much for choosing to use my Rose Cake Tutorial for your special cake! When I did the first rose cake in Jan of 2011, I had no idea it would transform peoples lives like it has. Love the addition of Devils Food. 🙂 Be blessed!
faizas7 says
😀 lovely post! The cake looks incredible! Love the way you made it spherical, too! I’m sure you showed it much love after you finished.. As much as you love the women in your life 🙂
Chef and Steward says
Thanks Faiza! That cake was nursed and eaten slowly with a heavenly cup of hibicus tea. A lovely grown up tea party with real food 🙂 I just love celebrating the women who have made me who I am. Do come back often!
Paulita says
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FELLOW LEONINE….. WOOOOP I WISH I COULD HAVE BAKED MESELF A CAKE LIKE THAT ON THE 13TH OF AUG… sends kisses and a big hug your way…. x
Chef and Steward says
Let us roooooooooooar! LOL at our Leonine behaviour. Leos rock dont we? Happpy Birthday when yours comes my friend and thanks for your support from Day 1!
hadz says
lovely post n da way u presented ,shows how pretty n elegant u r! A very happy birthday2u !!
Chef and Steward says
Hadz that is such a darling thing to say! I am so touched. Thank you so much! Do come back often!
Keisha says
Such a gorgeous cake. I definitely want to have a rose covered cake for my next birthday now. Happy Birthday!
Chef and Steward says
I think I am Baker has started a movement with her rose cake! Thanks Keisha!
Sally says
Belated happy birthday. Love the idea of the pretty pink roses covering the deep, rich cake underneath!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Happy Birthday! OMG, I’m not much of a baker, so I rarely see or pay attention to a cake – this cake is one of most beautiful cakes I’ve ever seen!! Simply gorgeous!!!
Taitu says
Love the cake, although i was a bit overwhelmed by the pink. But 150% support the sentiment, the act of self-love and the decorations! Yummy in your tummy! As a LeoGoddess as well, Happy belated birthday Kari!
Chef and Steward says
Belated happy birthday to you too Taitu! It is so important that we try to celebrate our own selves.