When I was in college, I was lucky enough to have some really fun and creative friends (they were all Interior Design majors like me). So birthdays were always a big deal. Once we filled my roommate Sarah's car with balloons, for Robin's birthday we played with chalk and drew masterpieces in my driveway, and for Kristen's birthday we had a luau (leis and flowers in the hair and everything)!
But one of the really fun things about these little get-togethers was the birthday cake. Not because it was particularly GOOD, but because it was a creative experiment. I remember reading in a magazine somewhere how to make a "Barbie cake" and thinking it was a great idea. So I ran to the dollar store, bought an off brand doll (no way was I going to spend $15 on a Barbie when I was a poor college kid!), and attempted to make my first Barbie cake. The directions said to use a sponge cake, but I didn't think that would taste very good, so I tried using a regular cake mix (and quickly learned why the recipe called for a sturdier sponge cake). Luckily, the second attempt was a success, and a tradition was born. For each following birthday celebration, there was a Barbie cake (in theme, of course).
What brings all these silly memories about? Today is my friend Rebecca's birthday! I wish I were close enough to make you a Barbie cake, Rebecca! Have a Happy one!
