The Proud Moment

Update: Check out Kelli’s awesome National Can It Forward Day Post! Her e-book sounds fantastic!

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In everything we do, anything we take part of, there is always one defining moment where you finish it, stand tall and say ‘I’m proud of myself.’

You could be the worst at it in the world, for example, someone you may know sucks at football, but even then, said anonymous person scored a goal for the first time – ultimate defining moment of pride 😀

Of course, as in everything in the world, we have our extremists. At one level, we have those who look in the mirror like they have won an Oscar because they emptied the dishwasher.  On the other end, we have those who might create cars that run on orange juice instead of guzzling petrol yet still look in the mirror and go ‘You don’t do enough!’

Most people though, are average, in the middle, and these are the people who get to have The Proud Moment.

proud moment 22A little kid gets centre stage at a ballet concert for the first time after 2 years of dancing. The Proud Moment.

A guy who grew up earning his living moves to the city. Proud Moment.

Adult gets promotion after 1 year. Proud Moment.

Retired and finally time to go on a cruise holiday. Proud Moment.

proud moment19We all have them, multiple times and each time tastes sweeter than the last no matter which order you take it in.

Today I had my Proud Moment, my first one since I started blogging, perhaps even the first one since I stepped into the kitchen. My grandparents asked me to make a birthday cake for their friend, who had a huge 80th birthday party coming up.

How could I say no? It was my holidays, I have a huge line of ‘party’ fancy recipes to be made and apparently, this friend used to be my paediatrician, so for all the years I don’t remember seeing him, I may as well say thank you 🙂

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I was looking through my recipes but wanted to make something a little extra special, a little more than just a bundt cake, any single layer cake for that matter. That was when I found this recipe over at a favourite blog, Not Quite Nigella. It was far from simple, had great flavours, I had a mixed bag of berries lying in the freezer and when I looked at it, I just wanted to die, it was so pretty.

proud moment26Pretty good reasons to make it no? 🙂

This cake took me a total of three days to make. I spread it out quite a bit and could easily have done it in two. I did every component and enjoyed every minute! It was involving, not frustrating though, and I tried a little of each part (the cake was crumby, I had excess frosting – so bite me :P)

  1. The cake – very moist and delicious bursts of berries, I think just the cake in itself would be a perfect teacake except for the fact it has so many… less-good-for-you ingredients 😉
  2. The cream cheese frosting – Cream cheese and vanilla are an unbeatable combo in my book so this icing rocks my socks
  3. The whipped cream – Perfect. Just so perfect.

proud moment24When I saw my finished result, I could not stop grinning. It was one of the happiest cake results, no, the happiest cake result of my life and I want to make many more cakes like this. Today, I experienced my Proud Moment in the kitchen 🙂

Will you tell me about when you all experienced yours? 🙂

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Read the recipe but you won’t weep my friends – I promise 😀

**I will be posting cross sections shots which my grandpa has promised to take at the party so hopefully those will be going up on Monday 🙂 – Update: Here are some cross section photos!

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Mixed Berries & Coconut Layer Cake

Adapted from: Not Quite Nigella (I changed the method and some ingredients as well as increased it to be better for a 9 inch springform as opposed to 8 inch)

Makes: 3x 23cm layered cake

Ingredients

Cake

  • 315g butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups caster sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups plain flour (sifted twice with baking powder) – if you have access, I really think cake flour would work well in this cake
  • 5 tsp baking powder (I lowered this amount because that way the cake does not rise so no trimming required :D)
  • 2 tbs strawberry essence
  • 1 tsp coconut essence
  • 1 1/4 cups desiccated coconut (sweetened)
  • 2/3 + 1/6 cups full coconut cream (melt it a little in microwave) or coconut milk
  • 200g frozen mixed berries, coated in flour

Cream Cheese Frosting

proud moment9

  • 180g butter, room temperature
  • 360 cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 tbs vanilla essence (I did not want to over-coconut the cake taste :P)
  • 7 cups icing mixture

Decoration

  • 2 types of jam – I used raspberry and blueberry
  • Whipped Cream – homemade recipe here
    proud moment28
  • Shredded coconut (toast it is desired)
  • Strawberries

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Method

  1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease well and line three 9-inch/23cm springform cake tins with baking paper
  2. Beat butter and sugars together in a large bowl until pale and fluffy
  3. Beat in the eggs and the essence
  4. Stir in gently half the sifted flour, baking powder and desiccated coconut
  5. Stir in all of the coconut cream/milk
  6. Fold in the remaining dry ingredients and stir until a smooth batter forms (it will be sticky!)
  7. Gently mix in the berries (Lorraine’s cake was reddish so I am guessing her berries thawed quickly into the cake. To have the same effect, roughly mash the berries as they are being mixed to leave colour traces behind)
    proud moment5
  8. Place spoonfuls of the batter evenly into each tin and smooth top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean (**Note”: The baking may be a little uneven as with mine if you put all of the tins in together – after 20 minutes keep a constant watch of which cake is fully baked as timing differs)
  9. Let tins cool for 10 minutes before unmolding the cakes, removing any paper and letting them fully cool on a wire rack (1-2 hours)
    proud moment7
  10. While the cake is cooling make the icing. Beat butter, cheese and essence until light and fluffy
  11. One cup at a time, beat in icing sugar until well combined (refrigerate if not using and let come to room temperature to use again, whipping it a little to get back consistency)
  12. Place the smoothest side (the bottom) up of one of the cakes on the bottom of the serving dish (or box). Spread with cream cheese frosting.
    proud moment98
  13. Spread generous dollops of jam on top.
  14. Place the second cake on top, bottom/smooth side up. Repeat and place third layer on top.
  15. Do a thin crumb coat of the cake using 1/4 of the icing in the bowl. Use a palate knife to create a thin coating used to pick up any stray crumbs (or in my case berry juice). Refrigerate for an hour.
    proud moment12

    Ugh... not so pretty :P

    Ugh… not so pretty 😛


  16. Do a final thick coating of frosting on top which is smooth. Using your hands press shredded coconut to the sides of the cake, covering up all signs of the cake underneath the frosting (a.k.a be generous!)
    proud moment14
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  17. Decorate with whipped cream and fresh berries as desired 🙂

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To make this post even happier, I would like to pass on some more awards I have happily recently received from many wonderful bloggers 🙂

Firstly, a new blogger buddy of mine, Andrea, from Glad Hungry Mom, passed on the Illuminating Blogger Award to me – that is too sweet my friend, thank you very much 😀
If you haven’t checked out her blog then what are you waiting for! Life involving beauty, food and more, she blogs it all 🙂

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For this award, I would like to nominate these bloggers

Second, fabulous Minnie @ The Lady 8 Home and Becky from Baking And Cooking, A Tale Of Two Loves awarded me with the Addictive Blog Award – *gushes* 😀
Thanks guys! Both these bloggers have beautiful styles of writing and recipes which make my mouth water every. single. time. So seriously check them out 😀

blogaddict
To see the requirements, check out this post since I luckily recently received this award 🙂

My nominees for this award are:

Congratulations and have a wonderful weekend everyone 😀

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174 Comments

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  7. viveka says:

    What a cute cake … and once again – no calories …. You should really think about opening a little café – you have such a passion for your baking. My mum will be come 90 next week.

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  12. Kathleen Richardson says:

    CCU, your cake is absolutely beautiful, and I know the recipient and his guests loved the look and taste of it. BTW, thanks for coming back with pictures of the cross-sections ~ look so yummy. You have every reason to be proud. I’ll bet this the first of many such moments in your life. Meantime, relish this defining moment every time you think back on it.

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  14. allthingsfabulousblog says:

    WOW!! This cake looks incredible! well done! will have to give it a go and see if it turns out as well as yours!

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  15. Zen and Genki says:

    I am so happy to be able to somehow share your Proud Moment! And my goodness, you have every reason to be pleased and proud as punch, my friend, that cake is absolutely beautiful! And I bet it tasted awesome too! Bravo!

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  17. Ames says:

    Hey love, just wanted to let you know that you were the winner of the giveaway on my blog 😀 please email me your postal address so that I can get the prize out to you! Thanks! xo

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  18. Tisa says:

    Proud moment indeed- what a beautimus cake, Ms. Uru. I love the shavings on top, the pretty berries inside… the whole shebang- quite a feat indeed. I’m supposed to be baking a cake today and was so lazy, you have encouraged my procrastinating self indeed

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  19. sprint2thetable says:

    This is deserving of a moment of pride! What a gorgeous cake!!! I want to get on my knees and beg you to make my next cake. The inside looks just a pretty as the out – so moist and lovely swirls of berries!

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  21. Sammie says:

    Hi Uru! This is a definite proud moment!! Your cake is so beautiful!! And it looks extremely delicious too! I only wish I could take a bite!! Your grandparents must be sooo proud of you!

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  23. Honey,What's Cooking (@honeywhatscook) says:

    look gorgeous!!! love a cake with berries, and i bet cream cheese frosting would be great. what a PROUD moment for you to make this cake for an 80th bday over the course of 3 days. my proud moment was probably when my blog was finally recognized after a couple years.. felt good. 🙂

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  27. Becky says:

    You should be proud of yourself and I am soooo proud of you! Your cake looks absolutely beautiful! I love the berries and the frosting looks divine….I especially like the gorgeous decorations around the base of the cake. Keep up the good work my friend, you have really outdone yourself! 🙂

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  28. bakearama says:

    That is the most amazing accolade – to have a cake requested rather than just idling time in the kitchen. Next step… paying customers?!
    PS You did an amazing job 🙂

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  30. Soni says:

    Oh my!!You’ve totally outdone yourself here U!!!!Congratulations on creating such a stunning cake my friend :)Its beautiful and has lovely flavors.I would love to have a bite right now 🙂

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  35. Eva Taylor says:

    Congratulations CCU, that is one mighty fine looking cake, indeed. You did do yourself proud. And what an honour to be asked by your grandparents to bake such a cake for such a momentous and important event. Congrats on the awards too.

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  36. The Mom Chef says:

    Wow, that is one gorgeous cake. You did a spectacular job. My most proud creation is also a cake I made from a Bon Appetit magazine. It was hard but turned out perfectly.

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  39. Shagun says:

    This is awesome. So moist on the inside. I will add this to my ‘must make’ list. Thanks for a great job and step by step pictures.

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  43. Kimby says:

    CCU, I’m proud of you for your Proud Moment! What a beautiful cake you concocted to celebrate a special moment — I’m sure they’ll always treasure your efforts and your baking prowess! (I sooooooo want a bite…) It appears I’ve missed a LOT since I went “back home” — your undercover adventures, your flair for ice cream, your way with words — all of your posts are a treat to read and I’m tremendously enjoying catching up. Congratulations on your exponentially increasing cache of awards (well deserved!!) and for coming up with these innovative, tasty (and yes SAVORY!) goodies I’ve come to expect every time I click on Go Bake Yourself.

    P.S. I must have missed out on the WordPress difficulties … your comments came thru on my blog ok. Hope things have straightened out since then!

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha thank you so so much my friend 😀
      It means so much that you would take the time to catch up on my posts but I do know I would do the same for you!
      Your friendship is beautiful and I am lucky to have it 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  49. Jennie says:

    Uru,

    You should totally be proud of yourself for creating such a beautiful and delicious cake. Every detail of this cake is perfectly executed and gorgeous. I want a piece. Do you think your pediatrician would mind if I stole a piece of his 80th birthday cake 😉 Bravo!

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  52. Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says:

    Congratulations on your moment in the sun! ~ something to be proud of for sure and you no doubt thrilled your parents and their friends with this gorgeous creation. There is love from tip to toe in this cake – fabulous job!

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  53. Debra says:

    Absolutely perfect looking cake and your grandfather did a great job with his pics too. You must have been bursting at the seams with pride that your grandparents asked you to make this cake for their friend for such a momentous occasion. Once again, a great recipe, great photos, and a great lead-in.

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  57. Louise says:

    What a scrumptious looking cake Uru! Surely everyone was quite pleased with such a delight. Creating such goodness for someone special is certainly something to be proud of. You did GREAT!!!

    Thank you so much for sharing…

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  65. Lisa at fLVE says:

    That’s a beautiful and delicious looking cake! You should be proud. I love it. I wish I can taste it, too! Love the colors too. I love cream cheese frosting and love coconut. YUMMMY.

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  68. The Wimpy Vegetarian says:

    Your cake totally rocks!!! Major congrats – a proud moment well deserved indeed. And what a thrill to make this amazing cake for both your grandparents and ex-pediatrician. That is so cool. And the cake is just gorgeous. I’m pinning it to make it too!!!

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  75. Kim @Treats & Trinkets says:

    That cake is too gorgeous, Uru! You’re right to be proud. It’s so perfect and pretty.

    My proudest moment wasn’t in the kitchen, but the first time I won NaNoWriMo, and got the proof copy of my novel, and saw my name on the cover. It wasn’t published, but it was something that I wrote and finished myself. I got a little taste of what it would be like to have my author photo on the dust jacket, and it was heady.

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  79. Lemons & Anchovies says:

    You did a wonderful job! What an honor to have made a cake for someone’s milestone birthday. You cake is gorgeous and I love all the flavors in it. I can remember my first time with a layer cake–I was so afraid I’d mess up. You did your grandparents proud. 🙂 Congrats on the awards, too!

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  84. Veronica says:

    You *should* be proud! The cake turned out perfect and so pretty! Cakes are my favorite dessert to make b/c they are so pretty. You nailed it. Can’t wait to see the inside!

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  86. Sandra - The Foodie Affair says:

    Wow, you should feel proud! Your cake is beautifully decorated and I bet tasted so good!!

    Congratulations on your awards and THANK YOU for passing the Illuminating Blogger Award to The Foodie Affair. Can’t wait to check out some new bloggers :))

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  95. Bam's Kitchen says:

    A very proud moment indeed! 3 layers of delightful goodness with extra goodness in between. I would have never guessed by looking on the outside of the cake. What a surprise! Now the scary part, how did you transport the cake? (Very very carefully) Take care, BAM

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  96. Suzi says:

    This cake is fantastic. I could eat a bite right now it looks so good. Beautiful job ! Thank you so much for nominating me for the Addictive Blog Award. I love it. You are too kind. Have a lovely Sunday, my friend.

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  100. Nami | Just One Cookbook says:

    Excellent job! It looks so difficult to make, but your finished cake looks so beautiful! I’m in awe…I’ve never made layered cake for obvious reasons (remember I don’t bake much?) and it’s terrifying! However, I’ll be over in a second when you cut the cake. 😀 Looks so delicious and precious…

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  102. Ames says:

    Congrats lovelie! What a privilege and honour to be asked to make a birthday cake for a valued friend of the family :). The cake looks and sounds beautiful 🙂 xo

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  105. Maureen says:

    Justified proudness, my friend. What a gorgeous cake! I love it when I work really hard on something and then poof – it looks fantastic. I do know how you feel and I hope the birthday boy is impressed. I sure am.

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  107. hotlyspiced says:

    And you ought to be proud of yourself Uru. That cake isn’t only beautiful, it’s stunning. It is so much better than anything I was baking when I was your age. I’m sure it was the talk of the 80th. Congrats! xx

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  108. judy says:

    When I saw the first picture, I knew this was going to be one awesome post and one delicious cake. Happy Birthday to your pediatricain friend, he is one lucky dude to get such a beautiful cake.

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  112. Jennifer Eloff says:

    Very nice! You did that all by yourself at sweet 16! Good grief, you are talented! “Rocked your socks” LOL Sounds like good icing! Have a great rest of the weekend, Uru. You have a right to feel proud about that accomplishment.

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  114. Food Stories says:

    So excited & proud of your kitchen accomplishment, Uru … My proudest moment was a raw vegan lasagna that I made (in 2009) from wafer thin zucchini strips, cashews and sun-dried tomatoes … It was beautiful & delicious. Sadly the picture got tossed out with an old blackberry but I still reflect on that moment. I was so proud 🙂

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  118. Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says:

    Wow Uru, that cake looks spectacular! So pretty, you should definitely be proud. I can’t remember half of the people that I knew when I was younger so I can see why you can’t too.

    Loving all the ingredients used, the berries all look amazing mixed in and the coconut frosting is to.die.for. Mmm!!

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  120. Emily Lynne {The Best of this Life} says:

    You’re brilliant in the kitchen lovely! CCU, it’s such a pleasure to read your posts and receive your comments on my blog – I know I’ve said so before, but you are a real Sweetheart! This cake is gorgeous and the time and attention you gave it is evident in its finished product 🙂 A true proud moment for sure. One of my proud moments was a cake recipe as well – I made a chocolate carrot cake with coconut icing = gluten-free and dairy-free. It was a challenge and accomplishing it made me feel really proud. I made it for my Mom’s birthday earlier this year. Thanks for sharing this beautiful recipe. P.S I can’t stop looking at the strawberries! Are they local? Their shape is unlike those here in Canada and they look so unique.

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Mmmm, that sounds fantastic my friend, I bet it sent you over the moon like deserved everyday 😀
      Thank you for sharing this with me!
      And I am so happy you enjoyed the cake 🙂 – yes, the strawberries are local and sometimes we get very random shaped 😛
      Usually they are quite normal, believe me, I eat a punnet a day 😉

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  121. Balvinder says:

    Oh boy! Your cake leaves me speechless!
    Its so beautiful, I adore white icing and the shredded coconut on top looks fantastic. I bet it made your grandparents and their friend’s very happy.

    My proud moment when I climbed grouse mountain in snowy month of April and is doing every Sunday after that moment.

    As a parent, My proud moment was just yesterday, my daughter got her driving license yesterday evening and she said she does not want to go out for dinner rather wanted to cook herself , which is very rare for me.

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  123. Just A Smidgen says:

    Oh… CCU…!!! This is exactly my sort of ❤ cake!! I adore it.. every coconut pressed and jam smeared crumb of it. I can't wait to see your photos of the slices on Monday. What a special cake made with love for your pediatrician!! Was he the fellow who "borned" you (as my kids used to say:D) xo Smidge

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha thank you so much my friend – I actually thought of you while making it, it seemed so you!
      No, I don’t think he ‘borned’ me 😉 but he certainly helped out my childhood! 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  127. apuginthekitchen says:

    A real beauty, you did a wonderful job with that cake. Looks like (or better) than anything I could get in a bakery and because it’s homemade i know it tastes even better. Beautifully executed!!

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  133. Minnie(@thelady8home) says:

    A proud, and a beautiful moment. Uru, you are a wonderful kid, and I can already tell you are the apple of the eye for the entire family, with little kids looking upto ‘Uru didi’…..am I right?? You have loads and loads of moments to be proud of Uru girl. This cake simply is the epitome of your proud moments.

    I have had many proud moments too. One that stands out in recent time is a funny one. Last Diwali, I was organising a Fashion Show for ladies in Ethnic wear. There were 10 ladies who participated. 5 of them had such bad relations with each other that they: a) were not talking to each other b) they would not step into each other’s place c) they refused to look at one another d) they even managed to divide the loyalties of 2 of the remaining 5 ladies.

    I managed to get them all under one roof – mine; Kept them from murdering each other; Mediated successfully without getting eaten alive ; Pulled off a spectacular show with no one in the audience any wiser.

    A PROUD moment :DD

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      • Choc Chip Uru says:

        I do not even know where to start saying thank you my friend – you are truly one of the most golden hearted people I have the pleasure to know 🙂
        I wish I was an Uru Didi but I am the youngest of my family 😉

        You seem to be a master my friend, that seems like an impossible feat – proud moment indeed 😀
        And I bet the show would have been a hit!

        Also you are more than deserving of this award!

        Cheers
        Choc Chip Uru

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  138. Ramona says:

    Job Well Done, indeed!! Take a bow my friend…. you are simply amazing. The cake is stunning and I am sure your grandparent and their friend were thrilled for the cake. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend. ~ Ramona

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  145. Chocolate Chilli Mango® says:

    Oh this is lovely! Well done, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You deserve your proud moment. Every bit of it.
    I remember my first big proud moment (one of many, so get ready for them all to come!).
    I got my first job to make a special occasion cake thanks to my aunt/godmother. A massive multilayered cake with pastry cream and iced and decorated, with a message on top, the lot.
    it was the beginning of my little business to make special occasion cakes that lasted for years. It also spurred me on to learn more about techniques, flavours, textures etc.
    The love you pour into your baking is the key ingredient to its success.

    Buzzed!!

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  146. Gabby @ the veggie nook says:

    What a beautiful cake! You should indeed be proud 🙂

    My proud moment in the kitchen was totally when I adapted an old family recipe for banana cake to be gluten-free and vegan and it tasted amazing and even looked great. Gave me confidence in my cooking abilities 😉

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  147. A_Boleyn says:

    CCU … an amazing cake. The elegant white presentation on the outside hiding that luscious strawberry goodness inside with only the strawberry on top to give a hint as to the surprise.

    Congratulations on a well crafted creation.

    PS: I was puzzled by the term “icing mixture” though. Is that like icing sugar?

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thank you so much my friend – good description 😀
      Icing mixture is a mixture of icing sugar and cornflour which is sifted already so not so hard and lumpy – this makes it less work to use in frostings 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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